MESB 333 Lab

Flow Rate Measurement

1 Objective

In this experiment, students will learn different types of flow meters devices to measure liquid
(water) volume flow rate. The flow meters used on the apparatus are venturi meter, variable area
meter and orifice plate. From these three devices, you will be able to compare the advantages
and accuracy of each device.

1.1 Theory

The theory behind this experiment is similar to the air flow rig in experiment 2. From the
pressure drop on the orifice or the venturi meter, the flowrate of the fluid can be calculated.
Applying Bernoulli equation:
V12 P V2 P
 1  Z1  2  2  Z2
2g g 2g g
For same elevation, Z1 = Z2
V12 P V2 P
 1  2  2
2g g 2g g
Carry the velocity to the right and pressure to the left:
2 2
P1 P2 V2 V1
  
g g 2g 2g

g
1
2g

P1  P2   1 V22  V12 
For an ideal flow :
Q  A1V1  A 2V2
A2
V1  V2
A1
1 1
SubstituteV1 int o (p1  p 2 )  (V 2  V12 )gives :
g 2g 2

 2 
1 1  2  A2  2 
(p1  p 2 )  V2    V
 2
g 2g   A1 
 
V 2  A 
2
p1  p 2  2 1   2  
2   A1  
 
Now, we will write the above in term of V2:

2(p1  p 2 )
V22 
  2
A 
1   2  
  A1  
 
2(p1  p 2 )
V2 
  2
 A2  
 1   
  A1  
 
 Knowing that Qideal = A2V2, thus:

2(p1  p 2 )
Qideal  A 2
  2
A 
1   2  
  A1  
 

The above is for an ideal flow. For venturi tube and the orifice, the equation must be
multiplied with the coefficient of discharge, Cd:

Qactual  Cd Qideal
2( p1  p 2 )
Qactual  Cd A 2
 A  
2
 1   2  
  A1  

Where,
Cd : discharge coefficient
Q : volume flowrate (m 3/s)
A2 : throat diameter for venturi, or orifice diameter for orifice plate
A1 : upstream pipe diameter
P : (P1-P2) pressure drop across the venturi meter or the orifice (gh)

Cd values assumed to be: Cd = 0.98 for the venturi meter

Cd = 0.63 for the orifice plate

1.2 Discharge Coefficient

What is really a discharge coefficient? You have observed in the previous experiments on the
airflow rig where the discharge coefficient is always used in relation to the orifice plate and the
nozzle. Similarly, discharge coefficient will be applied to venturi tube too. Discharge coefficient
basically tells how much the actual flow defers from the ideal flow:

Qactual
Cd 
Qideal

A smaller value of discharge coefficient tells that the actual flow is smaller compare
to the ideal or theoretical value. The discharge coefficient for the orifice plate is 0.63
while for the venturi meter it is 0.98. There is more resistance to the flow imposed by the
orifice plate, and subsequently it causes some loses through the meter. This loss can be
observed from the large pressure drop across the orifice compares to the pressure drop
across the venturi meter.
1.3 Apparatus

Figure 1
Experiment
apparatus

The hydraulic bench and the apparatus are as shown above. The flow meter apparatus
is set up on top of the hydraulic bench. The apparatus above consists of venturi meter,
variable area meter and orifice plate and 8 bank manometer. Pressure readings of the
water flow will be taken from the 8 bank manometer.

1.3.1 Technical Data:

Venturi meter
Upstream pipe diameter = 31.75 mm
hence A1 = 7.92 x 10-4 m2
Throat dia. = 15 mm
hence A2 = 1.77 x 10-4 m2
Upstream taper = 21 0 inclusive
Downstream taper = 14 0 inclusive

Orifice plate
Upstream pipe diameter = 31.75 mm
hence A1 = 7.92 x 10-4 m2
Orifice diameter = 20 mm
hence A2 = 3.14 x 10-4 m2

1.4 Procedure

1. Observe that the apparatus is placed on the hydraulic bench. The inlet pipe of the apparatus
is connected to the hydraulic bench supply, while the apparatus outlet pipe is connected to
the pipe going to the volumeter tank.
2. Note that the hydraulic bench inlet valve is in shut position.
3. Switch on the pump then slowly open the hydraulic bench inlet valve.
4. At the same time open the flow control valve, the outlet valve on the apparatus.
5. To disperse air trapped in the flow system, close flow control valve, open air bleed screw and
 prime manometer and tappings. When done, close back the air bleed screw.
6. Switch off the pump and adjust the levels of the manometer by adjusting the air bleed screw.
Try to get initial manometer level at a comfortable level so that when experiment is carried out
there will be enough room for the water column in the manometer to move up and down. Close
back the air bleed screw when done. Switch on the pump again.
7. Adjust the inlet and outlet valves so that variable meter gives the flow rate of 2 Liter/min.
Record the manometer reading. Increase the flow rate until 22 Liter/min.
8. Measure a certain volume of the reservoir, using stop watch measure the time taken to fill that
portion.
9. Repeat step 7 to get another set of data.

1.5 Results

Get the manometer readings for the respective flow rates of the variable meter.
Table 1 Experiment Result
Variable
Meter
Flow rate Manometer Readings (mm)
(Liter/min)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Seconds
2
5
10
12
15
18
20
22

Note the followings:

Manometer 1 minus Manometer 2 = Venturi Reading
Manometer 1 minus Manometer 3 = Loss In Venturi
Manometer 4 minus Manometer 5 = Loss In Variable Area
Manometer 6 minus Manometer 7 = Orifice Plate Reading
Manometer 6 minus Manometer 8 = Loss In Orifice Plate

 From the readings obtained on the Venturi meter and orifice plate calculate the volume flow
rate using the basic equation with relevant Cd factor.
 Note that (p1 - p2) in the equation refers to Venturi Reading (Manometer 1 minus Manometer
2), and NOT Loss In Venturi (Manometer 1 minus Manometer 3). Similarly for Orifice Plate, use
Orifice Plate Reading.
 Calculate the actual flow rate using the volume and time measured.
 Don't forget to change the manometer column readings from mm to m.
 Compare these calculated values and the reading on the variable area meter with the actual
flow rate. Use same units.
 Calculate the velocity at point 2 (venturi meter) and 7 (orifice plate) (Use formula:
velocity=volume flow rate/cross section area) and discuss.
 Also calculate the Reynolds number at these two points. Re d = Dv/,,where  = absolute
viscosity = 8.937 x l0-4 Pa.s and D is the diameter of the holes.
Question for discussion
 When calculating (p1 - p2) for the venturi meter, why is the reading for p2 is taken at the venturi
throat and not at the tapping after the throat?
 How does the variable area meter work?
 How to calculate the volume flow rate using stop watch?
 What sort of losses do you think occur on the venturi meter and the orifice plate?
 Why the heights should different in relation to the others in the manometer?
 Why velocity at P2 and P7 are different?
 Which flow meters devices as the smallest error? Include error analysis.

Flowrate comparision table

Variable Conversion Venturi Oriface Flowrate
Meter to Flowrate Flowrate using
Flow rate stopwatch
(Liter/min) m3/s m3/s m3/s m3/s
2
5
10
12
15
18
20
22

Percentage Different Relative to Variable Meter

Variable Venturi Oriface Stopwatch
Meter % % %
Flow rate
(Liter/min)
2
5
10
12
15
18
20
22

Velocity at p2 and p7.

Variable Velocity at Velocity at Reynolds Reynolds
Meter P2 P7 Number Number
Flow rate m/s m/s at at
(Liter/min) P2 P7
2
5
10
12
15
18
20
22