Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

Experiment 2
VENTURIMETER
Venturimeter is a flow measurement device, which is based on the principle of
Bernoulli's equation. Inside the pipe pressure difference is created by reducing the
cross-sectional area of the flow passage. This difference in pressure is measured with
the help of manometer and helps in determining rate of fluid flow or other discharge
from the pipe line. Venturi meter has a cylindrical entrance section, converging conical
inlet, a cylindrical throat and a diverging recovery cone.
Components of venturimeter:
a) Cylindrical entrance section: This is the section having the size of a pipe to which it
is attached. The venturi meter should be proceeded by a straight pipe of not less than 5
to 10 times the pipe diameter and free from fittings, misalignment and other source of
large scale turbulence.
b) Converging conical section: The converging takes place at an angle of 21±2°. The
velocity of fluid increases as it passes through the converging section and
correspondingly the static pressure falls.
c) Throat: This is a cylindrical section of minimum area. The velocity is maximum and
the pressure is minimum. The throat diameter is usually between ½ to ¼ of the inlet
diameter. Length of the throat equals its diameter.
d) Diverging section: This is a section in which there is a change of stream area back
to the entrance area. The recovery of kinetic energy by its conversion to pressure
energy is nearly complete and so the overall pressure loss is small. To accomplish a
maximum recovery of kinetic energy the diffuser section is made with an included angle
of 5° to 7°. This angle has to be kept less so that the flowing fluid has least tendency to
separate out from the boundary of the section.
Types of Venturi Tubes
1. a standard long-form or classic venturi tube
2. a modified short form where the outlet cone is shortened
3. an eccentric form to handle mixed phases or to minimize build-up of heavy
materials
4. a rectangular form used in duct work
 The major disadvantages of this type of flow detection are the high initial costs
for installation and difficulty in installation and inspection. The Venturi effect is the
reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows through a constricted section of
pipe. The fluid velocity must increase through the constriction to satisfy the equation of
continuity, while its pressure must decrease due to conservation of energy: the gain in
kinetic energy is balanced by a drop in pressure or a pressure gradient force. An
equation for the drop in pressure due to venturi effect may be derived from a
combination of Bernoulli’s principle and the equation of continuity.

Let d1 = Diameter at inlet or at section 1

V1 = velocity of fluid at section 1

P1 = Pressure at section 1 and d2, V2, a2 and P2 are the corresponding values at section 2.

Applying Bernoulli’s equations at section 1 and section 2, we get,

Since the pipe is horizontal, so z1 = z2

Now applying continuity equation at section 1 and 2

Substituting value of v1 in equation (1.4) we get

Where x = difference between the liquid column in U tube, ρL = density of lighter liquid, ρ =
density of liquid flowing through pipe.

But, discharge through venturimeter,

Q=a2v2

Equation (1.5) gives the discharge under ideal conditions and is called as theoretical discharge.
Actual discharge is given by,
Actual discharge = Coefficient of venturimeter x Theoretical discharge

Recovery of Pressure Drop in Orifices, Nozzles and Venturi

Meters:

The pressure drop in orifice meter and nozzles are significantly higher than the venture
meters. Venturi causes less overall pressure loss in a system and thus saves energy: the
overall pressure loss is generally between 5 and 20 per cent of the measured differential
pressure. The venturi meter has an advantage over the orifice plate in that it does not have a
sharp edge which can become rounded; however, the venturi meter is more susceptible to
errors due to burrs or deposits round the downstream (throat) tapping. The lengths of straight
pipe required for upstream and downstream of a venturi meter for accurate flow measurement
are given in ISO 5167-1: 1991.
Assignment

1. Venture meters are used for flow measuring. How?

A Venturi Meter is a device that allows flow rates through pipes to be calculated by

measuring the difference in pressure created by a contraction in a pipe.  When the flow goes
through the contraction it must speed up, and so the pressure must drop.  By measuring
the two pressures, engineers can directly calculate the velocity of the fluid.  Knowing the pipe
diameter, this velocity can be converted into a flow rate. Venturi Meters work based on the
principles found in Bernoulli's equation

2. Why the divergent cone is longer than convergent cone in venturi meter?

We know that in convergent section flow is accelerated and decelerated in divergent

section (in subsonic flow) from famous Bernoulli equation (for incompressible, inviscid flow)
–So in convergent section fluid velocity is increases and static pressure (p) decreases and
opposite happens in divergent section i.e. static pressure (p) increases. In mathematical
term we can write
 In convergent section : pressure gradient = dP/dx<0
 In divergent section: pressure gradient = Dp/dx>0

3. Explain why the length of diverging cone is greater than converging cone in
venturi meter?

Actually when the flow emerges from the throat area of venturi to enter into the diverging
section, their is a negative pressure gradient i.e, in layman terms fluid is trying to flow from low
pressure region to high pressure region according to Bernoulli equation. In this adverse
pressure gradient, there is boundary layer separation, in simple terms, the fluid leaves the
surface of the wall. Due to this there can be energy loss or the fluid can't recover the pressure
fully leading to head loss. So if divergent section is long that means more gradual diverging
section, due to which the adverse pressure gradient is less so less chance of boundary
separation and hence less loss. Also large diverging section will ensure proper development of
flow, i.e. fluid sticking to the wall back after separation.

The divergent portion of a venturi meter is made longer than convergent portion in order to
Answer : To minimize the frictional losses and avoid the tendency of breaking away the stream
of liquid

4. Compare the merits and demerits of venturi meter with orifice meter.

Orifice and venturi meter works under the same principle, both meters creates a restriction in
the flow channel and the pressure difference across the restriction is measured, which is
proportional to the rate of discharge of flowing fluid through the pipeline.\

5. Why Cd value is high in venturi meter than 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 coefficient
of discharge is less.In venturi meter losses are low due to steamline shape of the diffuser and
the pressure gradient is not abrupt as in case of orifice meter.

In Orifice meter there is a sudden contraction at the orifice area. As we know that

whenever there is a sudden contraction or sudden expansion boundary layer
separation  occurs and this leads to large pressure drop  in the fluid due to the formation
of large eddies.This eddies consumes lots and lots of mechanical energy of the fluid.

In Venturi meter there is a  gradual decrease in the area at the throat. So no eddies

formation.This additional pressure drop in orifice meter, due to eddy formation is the
reason for relatively low Cd.