CE 321 Lab # 2

Flow Rate Measurement

General Info:

- Hand in Pre-lab Questions

- Worksheet and Spreadsheets due Thursday by 5 pm
- Lab Reports due Tuesday by 5 pm (both Hardcopy and Electronic)
- www.egr.msu.edu/cee/techcomm

Experiment

Objectives:

1- to measure flow rates

2- to asses the uncertainty of the measured flow rates
3- to determine how to make accurate flow rate measurements

Theory:

1- What is the relationship between volume, time and flow rate?

V
Q
t
(1)

If we make measurements of the amount of time it takes to fill a known volume, we can
determine the flow rate as seen in Equation 1.

Look at Table 1 in the Lab # 2 handout (course pack)

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2- Uncertainty

Volume:
Taking into account the smallest change in volume that we can reliably identify using our
site gauge (hydraulic bench) we can determine the uncertainty for volume. This change is
called delta (). So the uncertainty in volume is then:

V = 2 x  
Time:

If we can determine how well we can take time measurements using a stopwatch, then the
uncertainty of time can be determined.

By taken successive measurements of a 15 second time frame using the stopwatch, we

can determine the standard deviation of these measurements and thus calculate the
uncertainty of each individual for measuring time. Thus,

t = 2 x STDEV t

3-By using the information collected above we can determine at what volume we can
measure accurate flow rates. This volume will be used for the rest of the semester every
time we need to determine flow rates.

Need to use the same bench; the same person will be taking time measurements

You will make a recommendation of what volume to use.

LAB – we will take time measurements first.

We will work with the highest flow possible.

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CE 321 Lab # 2

Analysis:

For parts A), B) and C)

Make a Table

Volume = 1l Volume = 5 l
Replicate t (s) Q (l/s) dQ/Q t (s) Q (l/s) dQ/Q
1            
2            
3            
n            
             
Q (avg) ------------     ------------    

In which,
V
Q and
t

2 2
dQ  dV     t 
    
Q  V    t 

where V = 2 x  and t = 2 STDEV t

V = 1 or 5 liters

For D) and E)

Determine were dQ/Q is less than 5% (we consider an uncertainty less than 5% to give
accurate flow rates)

Create a table

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CE 321 Lab # 2

Volume (l)
  1 2 3 4   n
0.1            
0.2            
0.3            
Q l/s

0.4            
0.5            
Q avg
(from
table 1)           dQ/Q

Where

2 2
dQ  dV     t 
     t = V/Q
 V    t 

Q

Check in this table where at maximum flow you will have an uncertainty less than 5%

What volume would you measure to obtain accurate flow rates?

Possible comments: What happens when you change dV?

F) Make a Plot of the data.

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CE 321 Lab # 2

S a mp le Fig . 1 . Re p lic a te Flo w Ra te

Me a s u re me n ts vs S ite G a g e Re a d in g

0.650

0.600

0.550 R =1
R =5
R =10
0.500

0.450

0.400
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

S i t e Ga g e R e a d i n g ( l i t e r s )

The table shows the difference in precision of the data points at different volume
measurements. What is the Trend?

G) use all this data to make a reasonable recommendation for the lab.

For Spreadsheet:
Need 2 tables, 1 graph

Worksheet:
Need to download worksheet from techcom website

Remember 3 objectives = 3 conclusions

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