Fluid Mechanics-I Lab (MEEN 2217)

Lab Report 02

Title:
To determine the coefficient of discharge Cd when
Fluid Flows through an Orifice.

Student Name: Sarmad Hafeez

Reg. Number: ME172005
Date: 07-01-2019
 Abstract
The main purpose of this report is to calculate coefficient of discharge when fluid flows through
an orifice by using orifice meter fixed on a hydraulic bench. Orifice meter is fixed on the hydraulic
bench horizontally and balanced properly. Fluid is pumped in the orifice meter by hydraulic bench.
After ensuring the removal of air bubbles observe the readings of the manometers. Actual
discharge is calculated from hydraulic bench readings. Equation for theoretical discharge is
derived from Bernoulli’s equation and equation of continuity. Theoretical discharge is calculated
with the help of readings of manometers and given data of diameters of pipe and orifice.
Coefficient of discharge is calculated, which is less than one which shows that the actual discharge
is less than theoretical discharge, from the values of actual and theoretical discharge and the
objective of this experiment is achieved.

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 Table of Content
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1
2. Theory...................................................................................................................................... 1
Applications of Orifice Meter ..................................................................................................... 4
3. Apparatus ................................................................................................................................. 5
4. Procedure ................................................................................................................................. 6
5. Result ....................................................................................................................................... 7
6. Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 8
Source of error ............................................................................................................................ 8
Perfection .................................................................................................................................... 8
7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 9
References ..................................................................................................................................... 10

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1. Introduction
Orifice meter is a device used to measure flow rate of a fluid. It is simply a hole in a plate with
squared or sloping edges manometers are installed before and after the orifice plate to measure the
differential pressure. Orifice varies in shapes or the design of its edges. When fluid flows through
an orifice, a stream of fluid produced having very small diameter and highest velocity this is known
as vena contracta. High energy losses occur when fluid flows through an orifice due to these
energy losses actual discharge always less then theoretical discharge therefore we calculate
coefficient of discharge when fluid moves through an orifice to compensate these losses. Actual
discharge is the volume per time and it is easy to calculate by taking time for a certain volume by
flowing fluid through orifice meter with the help of hydraulic bench. Theoretical discharge is the
ideal flow rate calculated by using basic equations for flowing fluids as Bernoulli’s equation and
equation of continuity. The ratio of actual discharge to theoretical discharge is known as
coefficient of discharge (Cd).[1]
This experiment is conducted to calculate coefficient of discharge when fluid flows through an
orifice.

2. Theory
When fluid flows through the orifice (Figure 1 (Orifice Meter)) contraction occurs from the edges
of orifice and a stream is produced this stream this stream has minimum diameter at vena contracta.
High energy losses occurs but according to energy conservation law sum of all fluid energies, at
any point along flow path, is constant (fluid assumed as an ideal fluid).[2]
According to Bernoulli’s equation; [2]
1 (1)
𝑃 + 𝜌𝑣 2 + 𝜌𝑔ℎ = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
2
1
In equation (1) ‘P’ represents pressure head or static pressure, ‘ 2 𝜌𝑣 2 ’ represents dynamic pressure

or velocity head and ‘𝜌𝑔ℎ’ represents elevation or hydraulic pressure. In this experiment hydraulic
pressure is zero because the apparatus is in placed horizontally (h=0).
Coefficient of discharge (Cd) is given as; [2]
Qact (2)
Cd = Qth

In Equation (2) ‘Qact ’ represents actual discharge while ‘Qth ’ represents theoretical discharge.
Actual discharge can be calculated from hydraulic bench readings and it is given by; [2]

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 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 (3)
Qact =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
To calculate theoretical discharge;
Consider a fluid (water) is flowing through an orifice meter as shown in Figure 1 (Orifice Meter).
Manometers are connected at point 1 and point 2

Figure 1 (Orifice Meter)

According to Bernoulli’s equation;

P1 v 2 P2 𝑣′2 (4)
+ = +
γ 2g γ 2g
From equation of continuity;

A1 v = A2 v′

A2 v′ (5)
v=
A1
Putting the value of v in equation (4);

2
A2 v′
P1 ( A1 ) P2 v′2
+ = +
γ 2g γ 2g

2
A v′
P1 P2 v ( A2 )
′2
1
− = −
γ γ 2g 2g

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 2 2
P1 P2 A21 𝑣 ′ − A22 𝑣 ′
− =
γ γ 2gA21

2g
γ (P1 − P2 )
v′ = √
A 2
(1 − 2 )
A1

Or

(6)
2g
γ ∆h
v′ = √
A 2
(1 − A2 )
1

We put (P1 − P2 )= ∆h.

As we know:

Qtheo=A2 v′ (7)
Where;

π 2 Diameter of pipe=D1
A1 = D
4 1
π
A2 = D22 Diameter of orifice=D2
4
Putting the value of A1 and A2 in equation (6)

2g∆h (8)
v′ = 2
√ D2
1 − ( 12 )
D2
Putting value of v ′ in equation (7)

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 π 2g∆h (9)
Qtheo=4 D22 √ 𝐷 4
1−( 2 )
𝐷1

Equation (9) is required equation for theoretical discharge.

From equation (2);

Qact
Cd =
Qth

We get coefficient of discharge,

Qact (10)
Cd =
π 2 2𝑔 ∆h
4 D1 √ D14
( 4 − 1)
D2

Equation (10) gives the coefficient of discharge.

Applications of Orifice Meter

 It is a device used to measure fluid flow.
 It is used in chemical industries to measure flow rates of chemicals flowing in pipes
 In steam power plants orifice meter is also used to measure flow rate of steam in pipes in
this way it is easy to control the pressure of steam.
 In natural gas pipelines orifice meters are installed to measure differential pressure.

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3. Apparatus
 Flow meter
 Stop watch
 Hydraulic bench

Flow meter is a device used to observe and calculate coefficient of discharge of flowing fluids by
fixing it on a hydraulic bench. Flow meter mainly consist of rotameter, water manometers, orifice
tube, venture tube, pitot tube, flow controller and pressure inlet valves. The inlet valves are used
to control the flow on different meters. Rotameter gives the value of flow rate directly. Air relief
valve are used to remove air bubbles from the manometers.

Figure 2 (Flow Meter)

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4. Procedure
1. Fix the flow meter on the hydraulic bench horizontally ensuring the proper balancing.
2. Run the apparatus for a test check and to remove air bubbles and leakages from apparatus.
3. Close all the valves of manometers accept the valves for orifice meter. Because we only want
to observe the flow through the orifice meter.
4. From hydraulic bench pump the fluid into the orifice meter and calculate the value of actual
discharge for five litters of fluid.
5. Check the level of manometers if all the levels are readable then note the readings for orifice
meter.
6. From the readings of orifice meter and diameters of pipe and orifice calculate the theoretical
discharge.
7. Value of coefficient of discharge is calculated from the values of actual and theoretical
discharge.
8. Repeat the same procedure five time with different flow rates to observe its effects on readings
and for precise results.

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5. Result
Qact
Cd =
π 2 2𝑔 ∆h
4 D1 √ D14
( 4 − 1)
D2

Diameter of pipe D1 =0.029m

Diameter of orifice D2 = 0.017m

Table 1 (Observations and Calculations)

Rotameter Volume Time Discharge Pressure Pressure Differential Coefficient of
Reading head at head at Pressure Discharge
point 1 point 1
R V t Qact 𝑷𝟏⁄ 𝑷𝟐⁄ ∆𝒉 Cd
𝜸 𝜸
L/min m3 s m3 s-1 m m m
8 0.005 38.25 1.59×10-4 0.075 0.055 0.020 0.61
10 0.005 29.37 1.70×10-4 0.113 0.082 0.031 0.62
12 0.005 25.07 2.00×10-4 0.217 0.181 0.036 0.66
14 0.005 21.75 2.29×10-4 0.332 0.287 0.042 0.68
16 0.005 18.4 2.17×10-4 0.435 0.379 0.056 0.72

 By putting the raw readings of volume and time in equation (3) gave the value of actual
discharge.
 This values of diameters D1 and D2 differential pressure ( ∆𝒉 ) gives theoretical discharge by
applying equation (9).
 At the end the calculated actual discharge and theoretical discharge gives the value of
coefficient of discharge by equation (2).

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6. Discussion
In the result section it is clear that the value of coefficient of discharge of water when it flows
through the orifice meter is 0.6 approximately. This value of coefficient of discharge is due to high
energy losses when fluid moves through the orifice. However, the value of coefficient of discharge
is less than one which shows that actual discharge is less than theoretical discharge. But there are
variations in the values (as in Table 1 (Observations and Calculations) reading number 1 and 5
shows big difference in the value of coefficient of discharge) due to some limitations of apparatus
and other errors.
Source of error
The major source of error is the balancing of apparatus when it is installed on the hydraulic bench
and the balancing of hydraulic bench also. The main reason of imprecise results is faulty apparatus.
Errors occur due to wrongly taking the readings from manometers. During calculations errors
occur due to negligence or avoiding to round of the values.

Perfection
To get precise results these precautions were taken. The proper balancing of apparatus. Leakages
and bending of connecting tubes is avoided. Air is completely removed from the tubes and pipes.
Intermediate Readings from manometer are taken. During calculations the values are taken up to
three decimal places by rounding of the values.
These errors in result can be minimize but we cannot eliminate these errors completely.

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7. Conclusion
The main purpose of this experiment is to calculate the coefficient of discharge of a fluid when it
flows through an orifice. This objective is achieved and the value of coefficient of discharge when
water flows through an orifice is 0.6. It shows that there are huge energy losses when fluid flows
through an orifice because this value of coefficient of discharge is less than one. So it is concluded
that the actual discharge is less than theoretical discharge.

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References

[1] P. T. Al-Shemmeri, "Engineering Fluid Mechamics," Book Boon( The ebook company),
2015.

[2] Y. A. Cengel, Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals and Applications, New York: Mc Graw Hill
Higher Education, 2006.

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