FACULTY OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ENGINEERING, UPEI

Flow Measurement
ENGN 2620-1: Thermofluids II – Fluid Mechanics




Phong Trinh – 317726

Group # 5

Date Lab Performed: Jan 15, 2020

Date Report Submitted: Jan 31, 2020

ENGN 2620 Group # 5 Phong Trinh – 317726

1. Introduction
In this experiment, the student will have an opportunity to familiarize with the flow measurement
equipment which is one of the typical methods of measuring the discharge of an incompressible
fluid. Furthermore, the students can deeply understand the principle and applications of the
Steady-Flow Energy Equation and Bernoulli's Equation through this experiment. The discharge
flow in this lab is determined by using a Venturi meter, an orifice plate meter, and a rotameter.
Those discharge flow values will be compared to a known standard flow based on a measured flow
volume and time. Moreover, Head losses associated with each meter are also investigated and
compared as well as those arising in a rapid enlargement and a 90° elbow in this experiment.

2. Objective
There are two main objectives of this experiment including:

• Measure the discharge flow by using a venturi meter, an orifice meter, and a rotameter.
Those measure values will be compared to a known standard volumetric flow rate based on
a measured flow volume and time.

• Investigate the head losses associated with a venturi meter, an orifice meter, and rotameter.

3. Theory
General Principles

The Bernoulli’s equation is an approximate relation between pressure, velocity, and elevation, and
is valid in regions of steady, incompressible flow where net frictional forces are negligible. The
Bernoulli equation can be viewed as an expression of mechanical energy balance and can be stated
that the sum of the kinetic, potential, and flow energies of a fluid particle is constant along a
streamline during steady flow when compressibility and frictional effects are negligible.

P V&
+ + z = H = constant (along a streamline)
ρg 2g

§ P/ρg is the pressure head; it represents the height of a fluid column thatproduces the static
pressure P.

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ENGN 2620 Group # 5 Phong Trinh – 317726

§ V2/2g is the velocity head; it represents the elevation needed for a fluid to reach the velocity
V during frictionless free fall.

§ Z is the elevation head; it represents the potential energy of the fluid.

§ H is is the total head for the flow

However, in reality, factors such as friction and viscosity always exist, it can lead to energy losses.
Therefore, we should take those factors into account while we are investigating the energy of a
process. Therefore, for steady, adiabatic flow of an incompressible fluid, Bernoulli’s equation can be
writen in the form:

P9 V9& P& V&&

+ + z9 = + + z& + ∆H9&
ρg 2g ρg 2g

∆H9& : head loss; In general, head loss is a loss in pressure head due to the viscosity of a fluid and
obstructions to a fluid such as pipe elbows, valves.

Calculations of Discharge

The venturi meter, the orifice plate meter and the rotameter are all dependent upon Bernoulli’s
equation for their principle of operation. From Bernoulli’s equation, the flow rate equations
required to determine the flow through the venture and orifice meters can be derived by applying
the appropriate assumptions to arrive at Equations below.

Venturi meter

9/& 9/&
&= D? D@ &=
Q = ABVB = AB ;< ? B C E= − E= GH = AB ;< ? B (hK − hL )H
>( @ )A >( @ )A
?? ??

• AB and AA are are the cross-sectional areas at points A and B respectively. Unit: m2

• hA and hB are elevaton are elevation compared to the reference at point A and B
respectively. Unit (m).

• PA and PB is the pressure at point A and B respectively. Unit: N/m2

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Orifice Meter

9/& 9/&
&= DN DM &=
Q = AFVF = KAF ;< ? B CE= − E=GH = AB ;< ? B (hK − hL )H
9>( M )A >( @ )A
?N ??

• AE and AF are are the cross-sectional areas at points E and F respectively. Unit: m2

• hA and hB are elevaton are elevation compared to the reference at point A and B
respectively. Unit (m).

• PE and PF is the pressure at point A and B respectively. Unit: N/m2

Rotameters

Generally, rotameters are known as gravity-type flowmeters

because they are based on the opposition between the downward
force of gravity and the upward force of the flowing fluid. When
fluid enters from the bottom of the tube, then some of the fluid
strikes directly into the float bottom and others pass aside the
float (Figure 1). The float will experience two forces in opposite
Figure 1: Principle of operation of
direction including darg force upward and gravitational force
Rotameters
downward. Fluid flow will move the float upward against gravity.
The float will find equilibrium when the area around float generates enough drag equal to weight -
buoyancy. When the flow is constant, the float stays in one position that can be related to the
volumetric flow rate. In this experiment, the pressure difference is required to maintain the darg
force to keep the float in equilibrium. This pressure difference is caused by the head loss associated
with the high velocity of water around the float periphery. Because this head loss is constant, the
peripheral velocity is also constant. Velocity is maintained as a constant while changing the
discharge rate; therefore, the cross-sectional area through which this high velocity occurs must
change. The change in the cross-sectional area can lead to a arise as the float moves up and down
the tapered rotameter tube. In this experiment, the flow rate through rotameter is determined by
reading value from the calibration curve provided.

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Calculations of Head Loss

In this experiment, the head losses ΔH occurs the various components including ΔHAC for the
venturi meter, ΔHEF for the orifice plate, ΔHHI for the rotameter; ΔHCD for the wide-angle diffuser,
and ΔHGH for the elbow. In general, the head loss is determined from the relevant manometer tube
OP
readings by this equation QA
with ΔH is head loss due to friction across the device. This shown
AR

more detail in the calculation part.

4. Apparatus and Instrumentation

The equipment required to perform the experiments is The TecQuipment H10 Flow Measurement
apparatus which is shown as Figure 2. The product has a horizontal pipe that includes a Venturi
meter, orifice plate and pressure tappings. An elbow connects the pipe to a rotameter (gap-type
flow meter) with further pressure tappings. All pressure tappings connect to manometers held on a
vertical panel behind the pipe work. The manometers measure and show pressure distribution
against a calibrated scale (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Flow Measurement Apparatus

In positions respectively A–B–C (Figure 3), the diameter of this section is gradually decreasing.
After that, the diameter of the tube will rapidly increase from C to D and the diameter is maintained
along a settling length and through an orifice meter (E-F) (see Figure 3). The water then flows
around an elbow bend (G-H) and up through a rotameter-type flowmeter (H-I). The equipment has
eleven manometers, and nine out of eleven are connected to tappings in the pipework and two are
left free for other measurements.

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Figure 3: Explanatory Diagram of the Flow Measurement Apparatus

5. Procedure
Firstly, the apparatus valve is opened and adjusted until the reading of the rotameter presents
approximately 20 mm. When the flow is steady, students measure the volumetric flow rate using
the Hydraulic Bench and also record the readings of the various manometers from A to I. The
standard volumetric flow rate can be found by measuring the time taken to fill the Hydraulic Bench
reservoir to a known volume of water as outlined in its manual. The experiment is repeated with
the same procedure until reaching the maximum pressure values of the manometer.

6. Results and Discussion

Calculations of Discharge for The First Test

Weigh Tank

The mass flow rate (kg/s) for the weigh tank based on the known standard volumetric flow rate is
determined to be

YR
U (V=) E( [ )\(U[ )
ṁ = = Z W(X)
W(X)

Based on the data on table 2, we know that V = 5L = 0.005m3, 𝜌 = 1000 kg/m3, t = 1min 41s = 101s

YR
U (V=) 9```C [G`.``b(U[ )
à ṁ = = Z
= 0.0495 kg/s
W(X) 9`9(X)

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Venturi Meter

The mass flow rate (kg/s) for the venturi meter can be determined to be

9/& 9/&
&= D? D@ &=
Q = ABVB = AB cd ? eC − E= Gf = AB cd ? e (hK − hL )f
>(?@ )A E= >(?@ )A
? ?

As we know that DA = 26 mm; DB = 16 mm

K@ (9gUU)A j &
à
K?
= (&gUU)A = 0.38 and AL = π C k@G = 5.024 x 10>b m&

Based on the table 2, hK = 295 mm = 0.295 mm; hL = 293 mm = 0.293 m

à Q = 9.62 x 10-4 [(ℎt − ℎu )]9/& = 9.62 x 10-4 (0.295 – 0.293)1/2 = 4.30 x 10-5 (m3/s)

V= x[
à The mass of flow will be: ṁ = 𝜌𝑄 = 1000 CU[G . 4.30 x 10>b C y
G = 0.043 𝑘𝑔/𝑠

Orifice Meter

The mass flow rate (kg/s) for the venturi meter can be determined to be

9/& 9/&
&= DN DM &=
Q = AFVF = KAF ;< ? B CE= − E=GH = AB ;< ? B (hK − hL )H
9>( M )A >( @ )A
?N ??

As we know that DE = 51.9 mm; DF = 20.0 mm

j & t• (&`xx)A
à AF = π C kM G = 7.85 x 10>b m& and = (b9.•xx)A = 0.148
t€

For the apparatus provided K is given as 0.601

à Q = 8.46 x 10-4 [(ℎ‚ − ℎƒ )]9/& 𝑚… /𝑠

à The mass of flow will be: ṁ = 𝜌𝑄 = 0.846(ℎ‚ − ℎƒ )9/& 𝑘𝑔/𝑠 with 𝜌 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚…

Based on the table 2, h‡ = 296 mm = 0.296 mm; hˆ = 292 mm = 0.292 m

‰Š
à ṁ = 𝜌𝑄 = 0.846(ℎ‚ − ℎƒ )9/& y
= 0.846(0.296 − 0.292)9/& = 0.053 kg/s

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Rotameter

The mass flow rate (kg/s) for the rotameter can be determined by reading value from the typical
rotameter calibration curve provided.

Figure 4: Typical rotameter Calibratiom Curve

Based on the table 2, h‹ŒW•UŽWŽ‹ = 10 mm = 1 cm. From the typical rotameter calibration curve
provided à ṁ ≈ 0.065 kg/s

Calculations of Discharge for the Other Tests

Calculating in a similar way or using excel application, the mass flow rate (kg/s) for the weigh tank,
venturi meter, the orifice meter, and the rotameter is shown in the table below.

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Table 1: The mass flow rate (kg/s) for other tests

Test number Weigh Venturi Orifice Rotameter

tank Meter Meter

ṁ (kg/s)

2 0.0962 0.100 0.100 0.125

3 0.136 0.155 0.136 0.135

4 0.176 0.188 0.178 0.190

5 0.120 0.236 0.221 0.220

6 0.268 0.285 0.266 0.250

7 0.321 0.333 0.309 0.350

8 0.373 0.387 0.363 0.400

9 0.424 0.432 0.407 0.450

10 0.179 0.487 0.465 0.480

Based on table 1 above, mass flow rates determined for the venturi meter, the orifice meter, and the
rotameter are just slightly different. The different can be explained by head losses ΔH due to friction
occuring when flulid is moving through the components of the apparatus.

Those mass flow rates determined for the venturi meter, the orifice meter, and the rotameter are
also just slightly different from the known standard volumetric flow rate, exception for tenth test.
The maximum percent difference between them can be calulate from tenth test by equation as :

|‘•’“Ž 9> ‘•’“Ž &| |`.9›• > `.kœ`|

% difference = ”•–—˜ ™š ”•–—˜ A . 100% = •.™žŸ š •. ¡• .100% = 90%
A A

The reason for the significantly different in the tenth test probably is that error occurred during
recording information from the experiment

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Based the raw data of rotameter from table 3 and the mass flow rate (kg/s) of rotameter from table,
the graph l in milimeter as a function of the rotameter’s mass flow rate is shown below.

l (mm) vs Mass Flow Water (Kg/s)

180

160
Rotameter Scale Reading (mm)

140
y = 421.15x - 11.338
120 R² = 0.9639
100

80

60

40

20

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
Mass flow (kg/s)

Figure 5: Graph of l (mm) Vs Mass of flow (kg/s) for Rotameter

As can be seen, the graph of l in milimeter versus mass of flow (kg/s) in this experiment is
approximately linear with the given equation as y = 421.15x – 11.338 (Figure 5). In general, R2 is a
statistical measure of how close the data are to the fitted regression line. The value of R2 on the
graph above is equal to 0.9639, which is really close to 1.0. This means all the point (l, mass flow) is
almost perfectly fit on the straight line shown on the graph (Figure 5). This graph is same shape to
the typical rotameter calibration curve provided but the slope of the line is lower. As can be seen,
the results of this experiment show that l (mm) increases with mass flow rate of water in
rotameter. As can be seen, the results of this experiment show that l (mm) increases with mass flow
rate of water in rotameter.

Calculations of Head Loss for The First Test

Venturi Meter

Based on the table 2, hA = 295 mm = 0.295 m, hC = 293 mm = 0.293 m

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D D
ΔHAC = hA – hC = C E=? − E=¢G = (295 mm) – (296 mm) = 2 mm. This can be made dimensionless by

\A
dividing it by the inlet kinetic head &Š? which can be determined to be

9/&
K 9 D? D@ t (9gxx)A
VK& = (K@ )& cd ? eC − E= Gf with t£ = (&gxx)A = 0.38
? 9>(?@ ) A E= ¤
?

\A D D
à the inlet kinetic head &Š? = 0.167C E=? − E=@G = 0.167 (hA – hB) = 0.167 (295 – 293)mm = 0.334mm

&
Therefore, head loss = `.……k = 5.99 inlet kinetic heads

Orifice Meter

Firstly, we find the value of ΔHEF . According to H10 Flow Measurement manual:

ΔHEF = 0.83(hE – hF) = 0.83(296 – 292) = 3.32 mm

The orifice plate DE = 51.9 mm is approximately twice the venturi inlet diameter DC = 26.0 mm,
Therefore the orifice inlet kineric head is approximately 1/16 that of the venturi which is equal
0.334/16 = 0.0209 mm.

à Head loos = 3.32/0.0209 = 159.04 inlet kinetic heads

Romater

Firstly, we find the value of ΔHHI . According to H10 Flow Measurement manual:

ΔHHI = hH – hI = 100 mm, and inlet kinetic head = 0.334mm

à Head looss is 100/0.334= 299 inlet kinetic heads

Wide – Angled Diffuser

Since the area ratio, inlet to outlet, of the diffuser is 1:4, the outlet kinetic head is 1/16 of the inlet
kinetic head. We know that inlet kinetic head = 0.334mm à the corresponding outlet kinetic head
is (0.334/16)mm = 0.0209 mm. According to H10 Flow Measurement manual:

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ΔHCD = (hC – hD) + (inlet kinetic head – outlet kinetic head) = (297 -296) + (0.334 – 0.0209) =
1.3131 mm of water

à Head looss is 1.3131/0.0209 = 62.82 inlet kinetic heads

Right – Angled Bend (Elbow)

The outline kinetic head is now 2.8 times the inlet kinetic head

à Outlet kinetic head = 2.8 x 0.0209 = 0.05852 mm

According to H10 Flow Measurement manual:

à ΔHGH = (hG – hH) + (inlet kinetic head – outlet kinetic head)

= (293 – 292) + (0.05852 – 0.0209) = 1.03762 mm

à Head looss is 1.03762/0.0209 = 49.64 inlet kinetic heads

Calculations of Head Loss for The Other Tests

Calculating in a similar way or using excel application, the mass flow rate (kg/s) for other test is
shown in the table below.

Test number Venturi Orifice Rotameter Diffuser Elbow

Meter Meter

Head Loss
(Inlet
kinetic
heads)
2 1.089 101 96 4.071 -0.229

3 1.382 80 98 4.949 -0.542

4 0.945 92 97 7.393 -0.793

5 0.817 90 98 11.77 -1.252

6 0.998 89 98 16.79 0.163

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7 0.898 88 100 21.36 -0.505

8 0.887 90 106 27.62 -1.382

9 0.771 91 106 27.63 -0.217

10 0.702 93 114 36.08 -13.44

According the experiment data, most of the Head loss occurred when fluid was moving through
oriffice meter. An obstruction of orifice plates resulting in increased friction can be a reason why
most of the lossd occurred in oriffice meter.

7. Conclusions
Because head losses ΔH due to friction occurrs when flulid is moving through the components of
the apparatus, mass flow rates for the venturi meter, the orifice meter, the rotameter and standard
volumetric flow rate are slightly different. The maximum percent difference between mass flow
rate of rotameter and standard volumetric flow rate can be calulate from the tenth test which 90%.
The significantly different occurs beacuse in the tenth test, probably error occurred during
recording information from the experiment

The graph of l (mm) Vs Mass of flow (kg/s) for Rotameter is same shape to the typical rotameter
calibration curve provided but the slope of the line is lower. This mean the rate of change of l (mm)
repect to mass of flow (kg/s) of typical rotameter is faster than the one in the experiment. The
graph show that l (mm) increases with mass flow rate of water in rotameter.

Most of Head loss occurred when fluid was moving through oriffice meter due to an obstruction of
orifice plates resulting in increased friction can be a reason why most of the lossd occurred in
oriffice meter.

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References
[1]. Çengel, Yunus A, Robert H. Turner, and John M. Cimbala. Fundamentals of Thermal-Fluid
Sciences 5th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print.
[2]. TecQuipment. H10 Flow Measurement . TecQuipment Ltd, 1999. Print.

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Appendices
Table 2: Raw Data for the Tests

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