Experiment 02

Objective
To calculate coefficient of discharge when water flows through venturi

Apparatus
This equipment determines the coefficients of discharge for different flow measuring devices. It
is usedwith Hydraulics Bench.The equipment consists of a venturi tube, an orifice plate, and a
pitot tube, made from a clear acrylic,connected in series. Pressure drop across each device is
connected to a water manometer bank with a vent valve and a hand air pump.

Fig. 1 Flow Meters

Theory
Venturimeter is a type of flowmeter that works on the principle of Bernoulli’s Equation. This
device is widely used in the water, chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas industries to
measure the flow rates of fluids inside a pipe. The pipe cross-sectional area is reduced to create
a pressure difference which is measured with a manometer to determine the rate of fluid flow.
So, the venturi meter is a differential head type flowmeter. The principle of the Venturimeter
was demonstrated by Giovanni Batista Venturi (Hence the name Venturimeter), But it was first
used in practical metering applications by Clemens Herschel.

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Working principle of Venturimenter
When a fluid flows through a venturimeter, it accelerates in the convergent section and then
decelerates in the divergent section. The pressure difference between an upstream section and
throat is measured by a manometer. Using that differential pressure, applying Bernoulli’s
Equation and Contininuity Equitation the volumetric flow rate can be estimated. In the next
section, the equations of venturimeter to find the discharge value is discussed

Venturimeter Equations

Bernoulli’s principle states the relation between pressure (P), kinetic energy, and gravitational
potential energy of a fluid inside a pipe. The mathematical form of Bernoulli’s equation is given
as:

Where,

 p= pressure inside the pipe

 ρ =density of the fluid
 g =gravitational constant
 v = velocity
 z=elevation or head
 a = cross-sectional area of the pipe
 d= diameter of the pipe
Suffix 1 and 2 are used to denote two different areas; 1 denotes cylindrical inlet section and 2
denotes throat section.
Now as the pipe is horizontal; there is no difference in elevation of pipe centerline; So, z1=z2.
arranging the equation we get the following:

(p1-p2)/ρg = (v22-v12)/2g
(p1 – p2)/ ρg is the difference of pressure heads in sections 1 and 2 which is equal to h that can be
measured in the differential manometer. So the above equation becomes

h= (v22-v12)/2g……….eqn. 1
Now applying continuity equations

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 a1v1=a2v2 or v1=(a2v2)/a1
Putting this value of v1 in eqn. 1 and solving we get,

So, the rate of flow through the throat (Q) can be calculated as Q=a2v2; Substituting the above
value of v2 we get,

This Q represents the theoretical discharge of Venturi Meter in ideal condition. But in actual
practice, there will be always be some frictional loss. Hence, the actual discharge will always be
less than the theoretical discharge. So, to calculate the actual discharge, the above Q value is
multiplied by Cd, called the Coefficient of discharge of venturimeter. So the actual flow rate
through the throat of the venturimeter will be given by the following equation.

Coefficient of Discharge of Venturimeter (Cd)

The coefficient of discharge for Venturimeter, Cd is defined as the ratio of the actual flow rate
through the venturi meter tube to the theoretical flow rate. So the venturi meter discharge
coefficient is given by:

Cd=Qact/Q

As Qactual will always be less than Qtheoretical due to frictional losses, the value of Cd is always less than
1.0.

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The typical range of the discharge coefficient of a Venturi meter is 0.95-0.99 but this can be
increased by proper machining of the convergent section. The value of venturimeter discharge
coefficient differs from one flowmeter to the other depending on the venturimeter geometry and
the Reynolds number.

ISO-5167 code provides the values of venturimeter discharge coefficients. For accurate flow
measurement, normally straight length requirement upstream and downstream of venturimeter is
specified.

Types of Venturimeters
Normally three types of venturimeters are available:

 Horizontal Venturimeter: This type of venturimeter has the highest kinetic energy and
the lowest potential energy.
 Vertical Venturimeter: This type has the maximum potential energy and the minimum
kinetic energy.
 Inclined Venturimeter: Both potential and kinetic energy are in between the above two
types mentioned.

Applications of Venturimeter
Venturimeters find wide application in fluid industries. The major application of venturimeters
include

 Used in Engine Carburetors (Automobile Sector) to measure airflow

 Used in process industries (Process and Power Piping Industries) to measure and control
process flow.
 In the medical industry, blood flow in the arteries is measured by venturimeters.
 Measures the fluid flow inside pipelines (Oil & Gas Industries)

Advantages and Disadvantages of venturimeter

Advantages:

 They provide accurate results.

 The accuracy of venturimeter is not dependent on temperature and pressure inside the
pipe.
 No moving part.
 Very low energy loss.
 Wide applicability for Water, suspended solids, gases, slurries, chemicals, dirty liquids,
etc.

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 High discharge coefficient and very low-pressure drop.
 Venturimeters can be installed in a horizontal, inclined, or vertical direction.
 Very less chance of being clogged.
 The pressure recovery of venturimeter is very high. The discharge pressure is almost near
to inlet pressure.

Disadvantages:

 Venturi meters are large in size; so difficult to install where there is space constraint.
 Expensive as compared to other types of flowmeters
 Limited range of flow measurement
 Not suitable for very small diameter pipes

Experimental Procedure
1.Set up the Hydraulics Bench as per Hydraulics Bench Manual.
2.Place Flow Meter apparatus on the bench, adjusts the screw at the base for level, and connect
watersupply hose from the Bench to the test apparatus.

3.Open the discharge valve of the test set. Close the vent valve on the manometer top manifold
and attachthe hand air pump.

4.Open the measuring tank discharge valve and closed the Hydraulics Bench flow control valve.

5.Start the hydraulic bench pump and slowly open the bench flow control valve until air bubbles
arecompletely removed from the test set, then reduce the flow rate to required flow rate.

6.Observe water levels in the manometer and ensure that all levels can be observed. If they are
too high,pump air into the manometer head manifold. If they are too low slightly close the test
equipmentdischarge valve or bleed air out from manometer head manifold by vent valve.

6.Record manometer levels for each flow measuring device.

7.Record the measuring tank volume and time.

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Observations and Calculations
π 2 2g ∆h
Qact =C d D

√
4 1 D41
D42
−1

Hydraulic Bench Cd
Flow on Flow Venturi Meter
Measuring Tank
Rotameter Rate‘Qact’
(l/sec) Volume Time ‘t’ (m3s-1) h1 h2 ∆h
‘V’ (m3) (sec) (m) (m) (m)

Specimen Calculations

Discussion

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CLO-2
Measure and calculate different parameters (Flow Rate, Velocity, and Coefficient of discharge).

Rubrics

Marks CLO-2 – Level P3 mapped to PLO4 (Investigate)

9-10 Quite able to conduct the entire experiment with negligible help from the lab
instructor. Analyzes and interprets data correctly and precisely; draws correct
conclusions

7-8 Able to conduct the experiment with some help from the lab instructor. Analyzes
and interprets data correctly; draws correct conclusions

4-6 Able to conduct the experiment with a lot help from the lab instructor. Analyzes
and interprets data with some mistakes; draws incorrect conclusions

0-3 Unable to conduct the experiment on his own; lab instructor provides help in
almost every step. Analyzes and interprets data incorrectly

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