GUIDED LAB

MPE Laboratory Sheet for Fluid Mechanics

1.0 TITLE

Venturi Meter Study

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this experiment are

1. To determine the discharge coefficient of the venturi meter

2. To measure flow rate with the venturi meter

3.0 GENERAL EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION

Figure 1: Parts Identification and Equipment Set-up of Venturi Meter

1. Staddle Valve 6. Baseboard

2. Manometer Tubes 7. Adjustable Feet
3. Manometer Board 8. Venturi Meter
 4. Discharge Valve 9. Venturi Inlet Connection
5. Venturi Outlet Connection
4.0 THEORY

4.1 Introduction
In engineering and industrial practice, fluid measurement of many of the variables and
properties, such as density, viscosity, pressure, velocity, flow rate, etc., is one of the
problems most frequently encountered by engineers. It is therefore an essential for
engineers to be well equipped with knowledge of the fundamentals and existing
methods of measuring various fluid properties and phenomena. This apparatus is
specially designed to obtain the flow rate measurement by utilizing venturi meter.

4.2 Venturi Meter

The venturi meter consists of a venturi tube and differential pressure gauge. The
venturi tube has a converging portion, a throat and a diverging portion as shown in the
figure below. The function of the converging portion is to increase the velocity of the
fluid and lower its static pressure. A pressure difference between inlet and throat is
thus developed, and the pressure difference can be correlated with the rate of
discharge. The diverging cone serves to change the area of the stream back to the
entrance area and convert velocity head into pressure head.

Figure 2: The Venturi Tube

For incompressible flow with no frictional losses, from Bernoulli’s Equation

2 2
p1 v1 p v
  Z1  2  2  Z 2 (1)
 2g  2g

Use of the continuity Equation Q  A1V1  A2V2 , equation (1) becomes

 p1  p 2 
2   A 2 
 Z1  Z 2  2 1   2   (2)
 2g   A1  

Ideally,
1 / 2 1/ 2
 A 
2
   p1  p 2 
Qi  A2V2  A2 1   2   2 g   Z1  Z 2  (3)
  A1      

However, in the case of real fluid flow, the flow rate will be expected to be less than
that given by Equation (3) because of frictional effects and consequent head loss
between inlet and throat. Therefore,
1 2 12
 A 
2
   p1  p 2 
Qa  C d  A2  1   2   2 g   Z1  Z 2  (4)
  A1      

In metering practice, this non-ideality is accounted for by insertion of an

experimentally determined discharge coefficient, Cd that is termed as the coefficient
of discharge. With Z 2  Z1 in this apparatus, the discharge coefficient is determined
as follow:

Qa
Cd  (5)
Qi

Discharge coefficient, Cd usually lies in the range between 0.9 and 0.99.

5.0 EQUIPMENT OPERATING PROCEDURE

5.1 General Start-Up Procedures

1. Fully close the water supply valve of hydraulic bench and fully open the
discharge valve.

2. Ensure that the discharge hose is properly directed to the sump tank.

3. Turn on the pump and gradually open the water supply valve. At this point, you
will see water flowing into the venturi tube and discharge into the collection tank
of hydraulic bench.

4. Proceed to fully open the water supply valve. When the flow in the pipe is steady
and there is no trapped bubble, start to close the discharge valve to reduce the
flow to the maximum measurable flow rate.
5. You will see that water level in the manometer tubes will begin to display
different level of water heights. If the water level in the manometer board is too
low/high where it is out of visible point, adjust the water level using the staddle
valve. With the maximum measurable flow rate, retain maximum readings on the
manometer. Reduce the water supply head by adjusting the water supply valve if
necessary.

6. At this point, slowly reduce the flow by controlling the flow discharge valve; you
may close this discharge valve totally.

7. You will begin to see that the water level in the manometer tubes turn into same
height.

8. This level maybe at the lower or maybe at the higher end of the manometer board
range. (Take note that the pump from the hydraulic bench is at this time, still
supplying water at a certain pressure in the system).

9. Also check for “Trapped Bubbles” in the glass tube or plastic transfer tube. You
would need to remove them from the system for better accuracy.

Note: To remove air bubbles, you will have to bleed the air out as follow:

i. All that is required is the use of a small object such as pen or screw
driver, to
depress the staddle valve, found at the top right side of manometer board.
ii. Depress staddle valve lightly to allow fluid and trapped air to escape
out.
(Take care or you will wet yourself or the premise).
iii. Allow sufficient time for bleeding until all bubbles escape.

iv. Once all bubbles have been completely removed, start to reduce the water
supply now by manipulating BOTH control valves, reducing first the venturi
discharge valve and then the water supply valve in alternate motion, bringing
down the DATUM level of the water in the manometer board.

5.2 General Shut-Down Procedures

1. Close water supply valve and venturi discharge valve.

2. Turn off the water supply pump.
3. Drain off water from the unit when not in use.

IMPORTANT
 1. It is important to drain all water from the apparatus when not in use. The
apparatus should be stored properly to prevent damage.

2. Any manometer tube, which does not fill with water or slow fill, indicates that
tapping or connection of the manometer is blocked. To remove the obstacle,
disconnect the flexible connection tube and blow through.

3. The apparatus should not be exposed to any shock and stresses.

4. Always wear protective clothing, shoes, helmet and goggles throughout the
laboratory session.

5. Always run the experiment after fully understand the unit and procedures.

6.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

6.1 Discharge Coefficient Determination

Procedures:

1. Perform the General Start-up Procedures in Section 5.1.

2. Adjust the discharge valve to the maximum measurable flow rate
of
the venture meter. This is achieved when tube 1 and 3 give the
maximum observable water head difference.
Note: Refer to the venturi specification for the designed flow rate.
3. After the level stabilizes, measure the water flow rate using
volumetric
method and record the manometers reading.
4. Repeat step 1 to 3 with at least three decreasing flow rates by
the venturi discharge valve.

Data needed in the experiment:

Throat Diameter, Dt (mm) = 16.0

Inlet Diameter, Di (mm) = 26.0
Throat Area, At (m2) = 2.011E-04
Inlet Area, A (m2) = 5.309E-04
g (m/s2) = 9.81
 (kg/m3) = 1000
 6.2 Flow Rate Measurement with Venturi Meter

Procedures:

1. Perform the General Start-up Procedures in Section 5.1.

2. Adjust the discharge valve to a high measurable flow rate.
3. After the level stabilizes, measure the water flow rate using volumetric
method and record the manometers reading.
4. Repeat step 1 to 3 with three other decreasing flow rates by regulating
the venturi discharge valve.
5. Calculate the venturi meter flow rate (refer to Equation 4) of each data
by applying the discharge coefficient obtained.
6. Compare the volumetric flow rate with venturi meter flow rate.

Data needed in the experiment:

Cd =
Throat Diameter, Dt (mm) = 16.0
Inlet Diameter, Di (mm) = 26.0
Throat Area, At (m2) = 2.011E-04
Inlet Area, A (m2) = 5.309E-04
g (m/s2) = 9.81
 (kg/m3) = 1000

7.0 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

 Tabulate your measurements and do the following.

1. Obtain the actual flow rate.

 2. Calculate the ideal flow rate.

3. Plot Qa vs Qi and finally obtain the discharge coefficient, C d .

Data taken from the experiment need to be stamped by the lab officer.

8.0 REPORT

Submit the SIMPLE REPORT within 24 hours from this experiment. Report may be typed or
hand-written. Simple report must contain the following contents:

1. Title

2. Objective

3. Data and results

4. Analysis and discussion

5. Conclusion

Refer to course information for the distribution of marks.