POLYTECHNIC UNGKU OMAR

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

EXPERIMENT FM-4 : VENTURI METER

1.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this experiment, the students should be able to;
1.1 Determine the coefficient of discharge, Cd of venturi meter.
1.2 Know the experimental techniques for fluid mechanics.

2.0 APPARATUS/ EQUIPMENT

2.1 Venturi meter apparatus

2.2 Stop watch

Piezometer

h1 h2
Flow meter

Inlet control Valve

D d
Outlet control
Valve
VENTURI METER

Pump

Small tank Discharge measurement

Valve

Water supply tank

Figure 1: A cross-section of a venturi meter apparatus

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 POLYTECHNIC UNGKU OMAR
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

3.0 SAFETY AND HEALTH

3.1 Read the experimental instructions carefully.
3.2 Keep your workspace clean and tidy.

4.0 THEORY

A venturi meter is a device which has been used for many years to measure the discharge
or flow rate along a pipe line. The fluid flows in the pipe line is led through a contracted
section of a throat, which has a smaller cross-sectional area than the pipe. Therefore the
velocity of the fluid flows through the throat is higher than that in the pipe. The increase
of the velocity is accompanied by the fall of pressure, the magnitude of which depends on
the flow rate. By measuring the pressure drop, the discharge can be calculated. Beyond
the throat, the fluid decelerates into a slowly diverging section of the pipe (sometimes
referred to as a diffuser) in order to recover as much of the kinetic energy as possible.

5.0 PROCEDURES

5.1 Record the diameter of the pipe and the neck of the venturi meter as shown in
Figure 1.
5.2 Switch on the pump and slowly open the inlet valve.
5.3 Slowly adjust the inlet valve to get the appropriate or maximum level at the flow
meter.
5.4 Record the water level depth (pressure pillar) in the piezometer tube 1 (h1) and
piezometer tube 2 (h2).
5.5 Close the outlet control valve. Measure the time taken for 5 liter increment in the
water level at the discharge measurement.
5.6 Open fully the outlet control valve.
5.7 Repeat procedures 5.3 to 5.6. Resume with a lower water level and record h1, h2
and time for each of the flow rate values.
5.8 At the end of the experiment, close the inlet valve and switch off the pump.

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 POLYTECHNIC UNGKU OMAR
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

6.0 RESULTS/DATA
Diameter of pipe, D = ………………..… mm
Diameter of neck, d = ……………..…… mm

Table 1: Water volume and piezometer readings

WATER VOLUME TIME (t) PIEZOMETER READING

No. Liter (m3) (s) h1 (mm) h2 (mm)
1

Calculation data:
Diameter of pipe, D = ………………..… m
Diameter of neck, d = ……………..…… m

Table 2: Discharge and different of head pressure

Water Quantity Discharge Different of head pressure

V
No. Volume (V) Time (t) Q h
t h  h1  h2

(m)
(m³) (s) (m³/s) (m)

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 POLYTECHNIC UNGKU OMAR
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

1. Discharge of water, Q:
 
Volume of Water , V m 3  10 liter 
1 m3
1000 liter
Then,
 m3  Volume of Water
Actual Discharge, Q  
 s  time

2. Coefficient of Discharge, Cd:

D 2 2g
k 
4 D d   1
4

From the graph:

y
gradient , m 
x
Then,
m
cd 
k

7.0 DISCUSSION

7.1 Plot the graph for the actual discharge, Q versus h .

7.2 From the graph, find the gradient of the curve.

7.3 Calculate the coefficient of the discharge.

7.4 Compare the value of the discharge coefficient from the experiment with the
actual value of the venturi meter.

7.5 Justify your finding.

8.0 CONCLUSION

Conclude this experiment from your result and observation.

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