Name - Kunj Golwala

Roll No. - B20ME040

LAB 2

Aim - To measure flow velocity using pitot probe and U-Tube manometer

Objective - To measure the stagnation pressure and determine the velocity of the fluid(air)
moving through the pipe

Method -
1. Produce the air flow through the pipe using a compressor.

2. The manometre should be filled with coloured water to take readings easily. Also note the
zero error of the water manometer i.e. the water levels in the two limbs of the manometer before
starting the experiment each time.

3. Insert the pitot tube with a water manometer in the pipe and note the difference in the water
levels in the two limbs of the manometer.

4. Repeat the same experiment with different air (fluid) flows.

Theory -

Bernoulli’s equation -> P1/(rho1*g) + v12/2g + z1 = P2/(rho2*g) + v22/2g + z2

Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a
decrease in pressure and vice versa. If the speed of a fluid decreases to zero, then the pressure
of the fluid will increase to its maximum. This is known as the stagnation pressure. Now,
Bernoull’s equation can be written as -> P0/(rho) = Ps/(rho) + v2/2 - Equation 1.

P0 is the stagnation pressure.

v1 is equal to zero.
z1 = z2 since pressure is being measured at the same height in the pipe.
Ps is the static pressure.
rho is the density of the fluid (Air) in the pipe.

In this experiment, a water column manometer is used to provide a good visual to measure the
change in pressure.The pressure differential is determined as follows:
Po - Ps = ΔP = rho L*g*Δh - Equation 2
rhoL is the density of liquid (water) in the manometer.
Δh is the height difference between the liquid columns of the manometer.

Combining results from equation 1 and equation 2, we get:

Name - Kunj Golwala
Roll No. - B20ME040
Observations -

Water column reading Water column reading in Zero error Height difference, Δh
in left limb (mm) right limb (mm) (mm) (mm)

1. 175 94 -5 175 - 94 + 5 = 86

2. 195 80 3 195 - 80 - 3 = 112

3. 203 55 0 203 - 55 - 0 = 148

4. 149 118 0 149 - 118 - 0 = 31

Calculations -
rhoL = 997 kg/m3
rho = 1.225 kg/m3
g = 9.81 m/s2

1. Δh = 86 mm = 0.086 m
Flow velocity, V = √(2*9.81*997*0.086/1.225) = 37.058 m/s

2. Δh = 112 mm = 0.112 m
Flow velocity, V = √(2*9.81*997*0.112/1.225) = 42.290 m/s

3. Δh = 148 mm = 0.148 m
Flow velocity, V = √(2*9.81*997*0.148/1.225) = 48.614 m/s

4. Δh = 31 mm = 0.031 m
Flow velocity, V = √(2*9.81*997*0.031/1.225) = 22.249 m/s

Results -

Height difference, Δh (mm) Velocity (m/s)

1. 86 37.058

2. 112 42.290

3. 148 48.614

4. 31 22.249
Name - Kunj Golwala
Roll No. - B20ME040
Conclusions -

1. From the formula derived and the results obtained, we can conclude that the velocity of air
through the pipe is directly proportional to the square root of the height difference of the water
column in the limbs of the manometer attached with the pitot tube.

2. From the formula derived , we can conclude that the flow velocity of fluid is inversely
proportional to the square root of the density of the fluid in the pipe.

3. From the formula derived and the results obtained, we can conclude that the velocity of air
through the pipe is directly proportional to the square root of the pressure difference between
stagnation pressure and static pressure.

Innovative aspects -

Pitot tubes can be used to determine the velocity of fluids.

Pitot tube connected to a mechanical meter can be used to measure air speed in aircrafts and
drones. This airspeed information is vital to decide the speed with which the aircraft or drone
should move to avoid accidents.

In industry, the airspeed in duct and tubing can be measured with Pitot tubes and can be used
to map air profiles.

This method can be used wherever other flow meters would be difficult to install since the Pitot
tube can be easily inserted through a small hole.

It can also be used in wind tunnels to measure the fluid flow velocity and help in designing
aircrafts.