Orifice Plates

It is a type of flow rate sensing device.

It is also known as Obstruction meters.
Because orifice plates acts as an obstruction (obstacle) in the fluid flow.
Causing a change in fluid pressure which is dependent on the rate of flow.
By measuring the difference in flow before and after the obstruction by means of a differential
pressure sensor, the rate of flow can be determined.
It is an indirect method of fluid flow measurement.
i.e change in pressure is proportional to flow rate.
It is an mechanical device.

Basic Principle:
When an orifice plate is placed in a pipe carrying the fluid whose rate of flow is to be measured,
the orifice plate causes a pressure drop which varies with the flow rate.
The velocity of fluid will be maximum at the maximum restriction and the pressure will be
minimum at such point.

This pressure drop is measured using a differential pressure sensor and when calibrated this
pressure drop becomes a measure of flow rate.

A2 2( P1−P2 )
Q a=Cd
A2 2 √ P
√ ( )
1−
A1

C d=discharge coefficient
A2=Cross−sectional of orifice
A1=Cross−sectional of pipe
P1 , P2=Static Pressure
Construction of orifice plate:

It consists of two devices

Primary device
Secondary device
Primary device is a orifice plate. It converter the fluid flow is converted into pressure difference
Secondary device is a differential pressure sensor(U-tube monometer) is used to measure the
pressure difference is proportional to flow rate.
Orifice plate is made up of thin metal plate (1.5 to 6 mm in thickness) with a hole in centre.

It has a tab or printed label on one side where the specifications are written.
Upstream side is sharp, square edge facing into the flow stream.
Working of orifice plate:
Fluid having uniform cross section of flow converges into the orifice plate's opening in the
upstream.
When fluid comes out, its cross section is minimum and uniform for a particular distance then
the cross-section starts diverging in downstream.
At upstream converging of fluid takes place and pressure of fluid is maximum (P1)
At downstream fluid comes out of orifice and pressure of fluid is minimum(P2)
This minimum cross sectional area of the fluid obtained at downstream from the orifice edge is
called Vena-Contracta.
The differential pressure sensor records the pressure difference (P1-P2) between two points.

Advantages:
Simple in construction
inexpensive
easily fitted in pipe between flanges
no moving parts
large range of sizes
suitable for most gases and liquids
price doesn't increase dramatically with size.
can be used to measure flow rates in large pipes.
predictable characteristics
occupies less space

Disadvantages
Inaccuracy in the rage of 1%
low range of ability - 4:1
accuracy is affected by density pressure and viscosity fluctuations.
Erosion and physical damage to the restriction affects measurement accuracy.
Installation causes some unrecoverable pressure loss
fluid viscosity limits measuring range
require straight pipe runs to ensure maximum accuraty
pipeline must be full especially for liquid flow measurement.

Venturi Meter

It is a device used for measuring the rate of flow of fluid flowing through a pipe.
It is a type of obstruction meter.
Venturi meter act as an obstruction (obstacle) in the path of the fluid flowing in pipe.
Due to obstruction, there is a change in the pressure of the fluid before and after the obstruction.
This pressure difference is dependent on the flow rate of liquid.
A differential pressure sensor is used to measure this pressure difference and thus the flow rate
can be obtained.
It uses indirect methods of fluid flow rate measurement
Mechanical means of flow rate.

Construction:
Three main parts
Short converging part
Throat
Diverging part

Converging part - that portion of venturi tube where the fluid gets converges - 15 to 20 ͦ inclined
Throat - portion that lies between converging and diverging part. It has smaller cross-section
as the fluid enters the throat, its velocity increases and pressure decreases.
Diverging part: where the fluid diverges

Working principle:
It works on the principle of Bernoulli's equation
In a steady ideal flow of an incompressible fluid, the total energy at any point in the fluid is
constant.
total energy = pressure energy + kinetic energy + potential energy = constant

P v2
+ + z=constant
ρg 2 g
P1 v 21 P 2 v 22
+ + z 1= + + z 2
ρg 2 g ρg 2 g
pipe is horizontal so z1=z2

P1 v 21 P2 v 22
+ = +
ρg 2 g ρg 2 g

P 1−P2 v 22−v 21
=
ρg 2g

P 1−P2
=h ; difference of pressure heads∈ section 1∧2
ρg
v 22−v 21
h=
2g
continuity equation
a 1 v 1=a2 v 2
a 1 , a2=cross sectional area
a2 v 2
v1 =
a1
substitue v1 value in above equation
 v 22 a22
2
v− 22
a1
h=
2g

a1
v 2= 2 2
√2 gh
√1 2
a −a
Q=a2 v 2
a
Q=a2 2 1 2 √ 2 gh
√ a1−a2
Q is the theoretical discharge under ideal conditions

a1 a2
Qact =c d 2 2
√2 gh
√ a −a
1 2
c d =discharge coefficient of venturi meter