EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

OBJECTIVE: - To find the coefficients of discharge of Venturi meter and Orifice meter.
DEFINITONS: - The actual discharge is smaller than the theoretical discharge and hence
a coefficient is introduced which is experimentally determined. Coefficient of discharge
(CD) can be defined as the ratio of actual discharge to the theoretical discharge. The
coefficient of discharge of a venturi meter and orifice meter can be evaluated as:
𝑎1 𝑎2
𝑄𝑡 = 𝐶𝐷 √2𝑔ℎ
√𝑎12 − 𝑎22
Where:
𝑄𝑡 : Theoretical Discharge
𝐶𝐷 : Coefficient of discharge
𝑎1 : Area of cross-section at inlet pipe
𝑎2 : Area of cross-section at throat/ orifice
h: Head difference in terms of water head
THEORY: -
A venturi meter and orifice meter are devices used for measuring the rate of flow
of fluid through a pipe. It is an application of Bernoulli’s equation along with continuity
equation. By reducing the cross-sectional area of flow passage a pressure difference is
created and by measuring this pressure difference discharge through pipe can be
determined with the help of venturi meter or an orifice meter.
The basic difference between a venturi meter and an orifice meter are as follows: -
a) In its construction: A venturi meter consists of an inlet pipe, converging cone,
throat, diverging cone and an outlet pipe where as an orifice meter consists of an
inlet pipe, orifice plate (a flat circular metal plate with a circular hole i.e. Orifice)
and an outlet pipe. Other differences include
b) Types of fluids whose flow rates that can be measured: - In a venturi meter the
flow rates of all incompressible fluids (gases with low pressure variations, as wells
as liquids) can be measured, whereas an orifice meter is generally used for
measuring the flow rate of liquid.
c) Accuracy and Cost: - Although accurate, venturi meters are costlier than orifice
meters. Accuracy of venturi meter is due to the fact that the frictional losses are less
compared to that of an orifice meter. It is to be noted that the point of convergence
in an orifice meter occurs slightly at the downstream side from the actual physical
orifice. This location of maximum convergence is called as the vena-contracta and
it is difficult to measure its diameter exactly which leads to less accuracy of orifice
meter.
 EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

In venturi meter as well as orifice meter the area of throat/ orifice is lesser
than the inlet pipe. This increases the velocity through this contracted area and
decreases the pressure and this phenomenon is called venture effect. The venturi
meter has no projections into the fluid, no sharp corners (in order to reduce eddy
losses) and no sudden changes in contours (to reduce minor losses and eddy losses).
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP: -
a) Venturi meter

The experimental setup comprises of a venturi meter fitted on a pipeline, differential

mercury manometer, measuring tank with piezometer, stop watch etc.
The dimensions of various parts of venturi meter are as follows: -
• Inlet Pipe (25mm)
• Converging Cone (with angle of convergence between 15-20o)
• Diverging Cone (with angle of divergence between 5-7o)
• Throat (15 mm)

b) Orifice Meter

The orifice meter is placed parallel to the venturi meter and is also connected to the
same differential manometer (fitted with appropriate adjustment knobs), measuring tank
with piezometer, stop watch etc..
The dimensions of various parts of orifice meter are as follows: -
• Inlet Pipe (25mm)
• Orifice diameter (15 mm)
• Upstream face of the plate is bevelled between 30-45o
EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

PROCEDURE
1. Place the apparatus on the hydraulic bench top.
2. Connect the up-stream side of the unit to the bench supply valve with a length of
plastic tube.
3. Connect down-stream end of apparatus to a plastic tube, the free end of which is
directed into the hydraulic bench for measuring discharge from venturi.
4. Set both the apparatus flow control and bench supply valve to approximately one
third their fully open positions. Before allowing water to flow through the apparatus
check that the air purge valve on the upper manifold is tightly closed.
5. Switch on the bench supply and allow water to flow.
6. Close the apparatus flow control valve. Air will now be trapped in the upper parts of
the manometer tubing and the manifold.
7. Release the air purge valve sufficient to allow water to rise approximately half way
up the manometer scale.
8. Close the purge valve.
9. Adjust both the bench supply and the apparatus control valves to obtain full flow. At
this condition the maximum pressure difference between the venturi inlet and throat
should be 240 millimetres.
10.Observe the water levels for a few minutes to ensure the purge valve is scaling
properly.
11.Subsequent flow rates are now obtained by closing the apparatus control valve.
12.The rate of flow or discharge is measured by measuring water accumulation rate at
the hydraulic bench. Readings can be taken either from minimum discharge to
maximum discharge or from maximum discharge to minimum discharge.
 EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

CALCULATIONS
a) VENTURIMETER
Sr Initial Final Left Right H Of
Time Discharge A1 A2 A12 A22 A1 * A2 A12 A22 Cd
No Level Level Limb Limb Water
1 0 10 48.5 329.8969 19.5 18.3 15.12 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.97754
2 0 10 23.9 669.4561 21.4 16.3 64.26 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.96224
3 0 10 19.3 829.0155 22 15.8 78.12 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 1.08072
4 0 10 34.8 459.7701 20 17.8 27.72 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 1.00618
5 0 10 26.9 594.7955 20.8 17 47.88 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.99042
6 0 10 28 571.4286 21 16.8 52.92 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.90507

b) ORIFICE METER
Sr Initial Final Left Right H Of
Time Discharge A1 A2 A12 A22 A1 * A2 A12 A22 Cd
No Level Level Limb Limb Water
1 0 10 34.3 466.4723 21.3 15.6 71.82 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.63421
2 0 10 28.8 555.5556 23.2 14.8 105.84 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.6222
3 0 10 42.8 373.8318 20.4 17.5 36.54 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.71256
4 0 10 54.2 295.203 19.5 18.1 17.64 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.80984
5 0 10 32.6 490.7975 22 15.8 78.12 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.63981
6 0 10 48.2 331.9502 20 17.8 27.72 4.09 1.77 16.74 3.12 7.23 13.612444 0.72645

RESULTS
The average value of Coefficient of Discharge of a Venturi meter is 0.98703 and that
of Orifice meter is 0.69085
 EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

LAB QUESTIONS
1. Compare the different methods of flow measurement (rotameter, orifice plates,
venturi meter, bucket and stopwatch method) in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, etc.
Sl
DEVICE ACCURACY & SENSITIVITY
No
It’s possible to calibrate laboratory rotameters to an
accuracy of 0.50% AR over a 4:1 range. Industrial
rotameters are slightly less accurate; typically, 1-2% FS
over a 10:1 range. For purge and bypass applications,
errors are around 5%.

One can manually set flow rates, adjusting the valve

opening while observing the scale to calibrate to the
process flow rate; rotameters can then provide
repeatable measurements to within 0.25% of the actual
flow rate when calibrated to a specific process under the
same operating conditions.
Rotameters tend not to vary too much with small
viscosity changes, although it depends on the design:
very small rotameters that use ball-measurements are
the most sensitive, while larger rotameters are less
sensitive. If the rotameter exceeds its viscosity limit,
you’ll need to correct the readings for viscosity;
typically, the viscosity limit is determined by material
1 ROTAMETER and float shape, and limitations will be provided by the
rotameter makers.
Rotameters do depend on the density of the fluid; if this
is liable to change, two floats can be used, one that
depends on the volume and one to correct for the
density. Typically if the float density matches the fluid
density, the density changes due to buoyancy will be
more important, changing the float position more;
mass-flow rotameters work best with low viscosity
fluids such as raw sugar juice, gasoline, jet fuel, and
light hydrocarbons.
The upstream piping configuration shouldn’t have an
impact on flow accuracy; nor should installing the flow-
meter after an elbow in the pipe. A further advantage is
that – due to the constant flow of fluid through the
rotameter – it should remain clean and free of debris;
however clean fluids should be used for this, without
particulate matter or the possibility to coat the walls of
the tube, which will cause the rotameter to become
inaccurate and eventually unusable.
 EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

Many factors which influence the overall measurement

uncertainty is associated with the orifice meter
application. Major contributors to measurement
uncertainty include the predictability of flow profile,
fluid properties at flowing condition, precision of
empirical equation for discharge coefficient,
manufacturing tolerances in meter components, and the
uncertainty associated with secondary devices
monitoring the static line pressure, differential pressure
across the orifice plate, flowing temperature, etc. An
orifice flowmeter is a very forgiving device and for
most applications, with normal care in installation and
instrumentation, the measurement accuracy is
consistently better than ±1 %. If the measurement error
2 ORIFICE PLATES
is greater than ±1 %, one must look for obvious errors
in installation and instruments.
Major factors contributing to the measurement
uncertainty for a thin, concentric, square-edged orifice
flowmeter are as follows:
(a) Tolerances in prediction of coefficient of discharge,
(b) Predictability in defining the physical properties of
the flowing
fluid,
(c) Fluid flow condition,
(d) Construction tolerances in meter components,
(e) Uncertainty of secondary devices/instrumentation,
and
(f) Data reduction and computation.
• Accurate than an orifice plate. In Venturi meter
3 VENTURI METER losses are less
• +/-0.25% to +/-3.0%
BUCKET-STOPWATCH
4
METHOD

2. What is the working principle of venturi- and orifice meter?

• Venturi meter works on Bernoulli’s equation and the simple principle behind it’s
working can be simply expressed as follows: As velocity increases pressure decreases.
• Cross sectional area of throat section is smaller than inlet section due to which the
velocity of flow at throat section is higher than velocity at inlet section. This happens
according to continuity equation.
• The increase in velocity at the throat results in decrease in pressure at this section
which causes the development of pressure difference between inlet valve and throat
of the venturi meter.
 EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

• This difference in pressure is measured by U tube manometer by placing it between

the inlet section and throat.
• Using pressure difference value, we can easily calculate flow rate through the pipe.
• When a fluid, whose flowrate is to be determined, is passed through a Venturi meter
or orifice meter there is a drop in the pressure between the Inlet section and Cylindrical
Throat of Venturi meter. The drop in pressure can be measured using a differential
pressure measuring instrument. Since this differential pressure is in direct proportion
to the flowrate as per the Bernoulli's Equation hence the differential pressure
instrument can be configured to display flowrate instead of showing differential
pressure.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of venturi- and orifice meter?

Orifice meter:

Advantages of Orifice meter:

• The Orifice is small plates and easy to install/remove.

• Offer very little pressure drop from which 60% to 65% is recovered.
• The orifice meter can be easily maintained.
• Measures a wide range of flows.
• They have a simple construction.
• They have easily fitted between the flanges.
• They are the most suitable for most gases and liquids.
• They are cheap, and the price does not increase dramatically with size.

Disadvantages of orifice meter:

• Requires homogeneous fluid.

• Requires single phase liquid
• It requires the flow of axial velocity vectors.
• It causes a pressure drop in the fluid.
• Its accuracy is affected by the density, pressure and viscosity of the fluid.
• The range of measurement of viscosity limits of fluids.
• It requires straight conduits to ensure accuracy is maintained.
• The pipe must be totally special for the measurement of the flow of liquids.
• They have low range capacity.

Venturi meter:

Advantages of venturi meter:

 EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

• Less chance of getting stuck with sediment.

• The discharge coefficient is high.
• Its behaviour can be predicted perfectly.
• It can be installed vertically, horizontally, inclined.
• They are more precise and can be used for a wide range of flows.
• About 90% of the pressure drop can be recovered.

Disadvantages of venturi meter:

• They are large in size and, therefore, where space is limited, they can not be used.
• Initial costs, installation and expensive maintenance.
• Requires a long placement length. That is, the venturi meter must be driven by a straight
tube that has no connections or misalignments to avoid turbulence in the flow, for
satisfactory operation.
• It cannot be used in pipes of less than 7.5 cm in diameter.
• Maintenance is not easy.
• It cannot be modified to measure the pressure beyond a maximum speed.

4. Why the orifice plate is called a variable head flow meter?

Orifice meter is type of variable head meter. In this meter the obstruction to the
flow consist of an engineering constriction in the metered fluid which causes a reduction
in the flow pressure. An orifice meter is a conduit and a restriction to create a pressure
drop. It uses the same principle as a Venturi nozzle, namely Bernoulli's principle which
states that there is a relationship between the pressure of the fluid and the velocity of the
fluid. When the velocity increases, the pressure decreases and vice versa. An orifice plate
is a thin plate with a hole in the centre of the plate. It is usually placed in a pipe in such a
way that fluid passed through the hole. When the fluid reaches the orifice plate, with the
hole in the middle, the fluid is forced to converge to go through the small hole; the point
of maximum convergence actually occurs shortly downstream of the physical orifice so
called vena Contracta.
5. Why is the vena-contracta formed in the orifice meter?
At vena contracta, velocity of fluid is maximum and the pressure of fluid is minimum
(according to the principle of conservation of energy and Bernoulli’s equation). In orifice
meter, the maximum contraction takes place at a section slightly down stream of the flow,
at that section the flow is more or less horizontal (laminar flow).
6. Why is a Venturi-meter more accurate than an Orifice-meter?
In Venturi meter losses are less so coefficient of discharge is higher whereas in
orifice meter due to no convergent and divergent cones there are more losses and hence its
 EXPERIMENT 2 VENTURIMETER AND ORIFICEMETER

coefficient of discharge is less. In venturi meter losses are low due to streamline shape of
the diffuser and the pressure gradient is not abrupt as in case of orifice meter.