ORIFICE CALCULATIONS

The general equation for an orifice calculation can be written in several ways depending on the phase of the
fluid and the desired units of measurement. Therefore, UOP will initially present the equation in its most
general form. The last two pages of this memorandum show the derivation of alternative forms of the equation,
modified for volumetric flow of liquids and gases respectively.

General Orifice Equation

The following is the most general form of the orifice equation. It applies to all single phase fluids.

"
F d 2 CFa Fdw Y 2h ! # f ! g c (ASME, 53)
4

Dimensionalizing the previous equation produces the following one:

d 2 CFa Fdw Y
F h !# f
79.860547

where: F is the flow rate in kilograms per hour,

d is the diameter of the orifice bore in millimeters,
C is the Orifice Coefficient,
Fa is the Thermal Expansion Correction Factor,
Fdw is the Drainhole or Weephole Correction Factor,
Y is the Gas Expansion Correction Factor,
h is the differential pressure across the orifice plate in millimeters of water at 4°C,
#f is the fluid density at operating conditions in kilograms per cubic meter, and
kg / m ! h 2
gc is 1296
. $ 10 7
.
Pa

NOTE: In the previously cited source, the symbol for the Orifice Coefficient is K. UOP,
however, usually employs the variable K to refer to the factor which, for mass
balance purposes, corrects flow for changes in density. Therefore, UOP has
changed the symbol for the Orifice Coefficient from K to C.

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Thermal Expansion Correction Factor

The following equation can be used to calculate the Thermal Expansion Correction Factor:

Fa 1'
2
%
*
1 ( ) 4 plate
&%
( ) 4* pipe T f ( 20 C &
where: Fa is the Thermal Expansion Correction Factor,
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter,
Tf is the operating temperature in degrees Celsius,
* plate is the Thermal Expansion Coefficient that corresponds to the orifice
plate’s metallurgy (see Table 1), and
* pipe is the Thermal Expansion Coefficient that corresponds to the pipe’s
metallurgy (see Table 1). (Miller, 9-20)

TABLE 1
Thermal Expansion Coefficients

Material Coefficient
304 Stainless Steel 1.7 X 10-5/°C
316 Stainless Steel 1.6 X 10-5/°C
Carbon Steel 1.2 X 10-5/°C
Incoloy 1.3 X 10-5/°C
Inconel 600 1.6 X 10-5/°C
Hastelloy B 1.0 X 10-5/°C
Hastelloy C 1.1 X 10-5/°C
Monel 1.3 X 10-5/°C (Perry, 23:37-38)

Drainhole or Weephole Correction Factor

The following equation can be used to calculate the Drainhole or Weephole Correction Factor.

2
+d .
Fdw 1 ' 1 ( ) 4 - dw 0
, d /

where: Fdw is the Drainhole or Weephole Correction Factor,

) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter,
ddw is the diameter of the drainhole or weephole, and
d is the diameter of the orifice bore. (Miller, 9-80)

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Gas Expansion Correction Factor

The Gas Expansion Correction Factor equals one for any orifice plate that is in liquid service. It also equals one
for a venturi meter. For orifice installations with full flow taps in gas or steam service, the following equation
can be used to calculate the Gas Expansion Correction Factor:

3 6
5 28
+ Fn . 8
Y % . 1 ) 2 ' 0.7 ) 5 ' 12 ) 13 2
1 ( 0.333 ' 1145 & 5
5 +
hm
- 0
kg f . , Fm / 8
510000k ! - Pf ' 103323
. 0 8
54 , cm 2 / 87
where: Y is the Gas Expansion Correction Factor,
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter,
hm is the maximum differential pressure in millimeters of water at 4°C,
Pf is the operating pressure in kgf/cm2(g),
k is the Isentropic Exponent (Cp/Cv),
Fn is the normal flow rate, and
Fm is the maximum flow rate. (Spink, 530)

The following equation can be used to calculate the Gas Expansion Correction Factor for any other orifice
assembly, with the exception of venturi meters as previously noted, in gas or steam service:

3 6
5 28
hm + Fn . 8
Y 1 ( %0.41 ' 0.35) 4 &5 - 0 (Spink, 530)
5 + kg f . , Fm / 8
510000k ! - Pf ' 103323
. 0 8
54 , cm 2 / 87

Reynolds Number

The following equation can be used to calculate the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter.

354.8 F
N Re
D9

where: NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter,
F is the flow rate in kilograms per hour,
D is the inside pipe diameter in millimeters, and
9 is the viscosity at operating conditions in centipoise. (Spink, 540)

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 Orifice Coefficient

The Orifice Coefficient, C, is calculated differently for each type of orifice assembly. The algorithm for
calculating the Orifice Coefficient for each type of orifice assembly is shown below.

Venturi Meters

A linear regression of the data in Figure B-2470 on page 262 of Spink and consolidation of the result with the
equations that appear on page 180 of the same reference produced the following equations that calculates the
Orifice Coefficient, C, for venturi meters:

The following equation should be used only when the Reynolds Number is below 200,000.

9.0877 $ 10 (18 3 3.2277 $ 10 20 6

C N
5 Re
3
( 4.05331 $ 10 5
N Re
2
' 11985
. $ 10 10
N Re ' 9.21032 $ 10 15
ln1 Re 2
N ( 8
1( )4 4 N Re 7

The following equation should be used when the Reynolds Number is greater than or equal to 200,000.

0.98392
C
1( ) 4

where: NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter, and
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter. (Spink, 180, 262)

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Quadrant Edge Orifice Plates

The Orifice Coefficient, C, for quadrant edged orifice plates appears in the following table as a function of
the beta ratio (d/D).

): Third decimal of ):
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0.25 0.7741 0.7742 0.7744 0.7745 0.7746 0.7748 0.7749 0.7750 0.7751 0.7752
0.26 0.7753 0.7754 0.7755 0.7756 0.7757 0.7758 0.7759 0.7760 0.7761 0.7761
0.27 0.7762 0.7763 0.7763 0.7764 0.7765 0.7765 0.7766 0.7766 0.7767 0.7767
0.28 0.7768 0.7769 0.7770 0.7770 0.7771 0.7772 0.7772 0.7773 0.7773 0.7774
0.29 0.7774 0.7775 0.7775 0.7776 0.7776 0.7777 0.7777 0.7778 0.7778 0.7779
0.30 0.7779 0.7780 0.7780 0.7781 0.7781 0.7782 0.7782 0.7783 0.7784 0.7784
0.31 0.7785 0.7785 0.7786 0.7787 0.7788 0.7789 0.7790 0.7791 0.7792 0.7793
0.32 0.7794 0.7795 0.7796 0.7797 0.7798 0.7799 0.7801 0.7802 0.7803 0.7805
0.33 0.7806 0.7807 0.7808 0.7809 0.7810 0.7811 0.7812 0.7814 0.7815 0.7816
0.34 0.7817 0.7818 0.7819 0.7820 0.7822 0.7823 0.7824 0.7825 0.7826 0.7827
0.35 0.7829 0.7830 0.7831 0.7832 0.7833 0.7834 0.7835 0.7836 0.7837 0.7839
0.36 0.7840 0.7841 0.7842 0.7844 0.7845 0.7847 0.7848 0.7850 0.7852 0.7853
0.37 0.7855 0.7857 0.7858 0.7860 0.7862 0.7864 0.7866 0.7868 0.7870 0.7872
0.38 0.7874 0.7876 0.7879 0.7881 0.7883 0.7886 0.7888 0.7890 0.7892 0.7895
0.39 0.7897 0.7899 0.7901 0.7904 0.7906 0.7908 0.7910 0.7913 0.7915 0.7917
0.40 0.7919 0.7922 0.7924 0.7927 0.7929 0.7932 0.7935 0.7938 0.7941 0.7944
0.41 0.7947 0.7950 0.7953 0.7955 0.7958 0.7961 0.7964 0.7967 0.7970 0.7973
0.42 0.7976 0.7978 0.7981 0.7984 0.7987 0.7990 0.7993 0.7997 0.8000 0.8003
0.43 0.8006 0.8009 0.8012 0.8015 0.8018 0.8021 0.8024 0.8027 0.8030 0.8034
0.44 0.8037 0.8041 0.8044 0.8048 0.8052 0.8055 0.8059 0.8062 0.8065 0.8069
0.45 0.8073 0.8076 0.8080 0.8084 0.8087 0.8091 0.8095 0.8099 0.8102 0.8106
0.46 0.8110 0.8114 0.8118 0.8122 0.8126 0.8130 0.8135 0.8139 0.8144 0.8148
0.47 0.8152 0.8156 0.8161 0.8165 0.8169 0.8173 0.8177 0.8182 0.8186 0.8191
0.48 0.8195 0.8199 0.8204 0.8208 0.8213 0.8217 0.8221 0.8226 0.8230 0.8234
0.49 0.8238 0.8243 0.8247 0.8252 0.8256 0.8260 0.8265 0.8270 0.8274 0.8279
0.50 0.8284 0.8288 0.8294 0.8299 0.8303 0.8308 0.8313 0.8319 0.8324 0.8329
0.51 0.8334 0.8339 0.8345 0.8351 0.8356 0.8361 0.8367 0.8372 0.8378 0.8383
0.52 0.8389 0.8395 0.8400 0.8406 0.8411 0.8417 0.8422 0.8428 0.8434 0.8440
0.53 0.8447 0.8453 0.8459 0.8466 0.8472 0.8479 0.8486 0.8493 0.8500 0.8507
0.54 0.8515 0.8523 0.8530 0.8539 0.8547 0.8555 0.8563 0.8571 0.8579 0.8588
0.55 0.8596 0.8604 0.8613 0.8621 0.8630 0.8639 0.8648 0.8657 0.8666 0.8674
0.56 0.8683 0.8692 0.8701 0.8710 0.8719 0.8729 0.8738 0.8747 0.8756 0.8766
0.57 0.8774 0.8784 0.8793 0.8802 0.8811 0.8820 0.8829 0.8838 0.8847 0.8856
0.58 0.8865 0.8875 0.8884 0.8893 0.8902 0.8911 0.8920 0.8930 0.8939 0.8948
0.59 0.8958 0.8967 0.8976 0.8985 0.8994 0.9004 0.9013 0.9022 0.9031 0.9041
0.60 0.9050 0.9060 0.9070 0.9080 0.9090 0.9100 0.9110 0.9120 0.9130 0.9140

(Brand, 71)

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Flange Taps

The following algorithm should be used to calculate the Orifice Coefficient for flange taps.

Nominal Pipe Sizes Less Than Two Inches

For orifice plates in services in which the nominal pipe size is less than two inches and flange taps are used, the
following equation should be used to calculate the Orifice Coefficient:

. )4
0.87 ' 81
C 1
0.598 ' 0.468 ) 4 ' 10) 12 ' 2 N Re

where: NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter, and
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter. (ASME, 202)

Nominal Pipe Sizes Greater Than or Equal to Two Inches

For square edged orifice plates with flange taps in services in which the nominal pipe size is greater than or
equal to two inches, the following algorithm should be used to calculate the Orifice Coefficient:
0.8
319,000 ! ) 6
A 5 8
4 N Re 7
)4
B
1( ) 4
0.35
31,000,000 6
E 5 8
4 N Re 7
+ D .
M 1 max- 0,2.8 ( 0
, 25.4 /
50.4
M2
D ! 11 ( ) 2
3 + 215.9 .
(- 0 06
+ 152.4 .
(-
I 50.0433 ' 0.0712 ! e , D /
( 0.1145 ! e , D / 8 11 ( 0.23 ! A2 ! B
54 87
1
J (0.0116 ! ) 1.1 ! 11 ( 0.14 A2 ! M 2 ( 0.52 ! M 21.3 2
Ci 1FT 2 0.5961 ' 0.0291 ! ) ( 0.2290 ! ) ' 0.003 ! 11 ( ) 2 ! M 1 ' I ' J
2 8

0.7
31,000,000 ! ) 6
C d 1FT 2 C i 1FT 2 ' 0.000511 ! 5 8 ' ) 4 ! E ! 10.0210 ' 0.0049 ! A2
4 N Re 7
C d 1FT 2
C
1( ) 4

where: A, B, E, I, J, M1, M2, Ci(FT), and Cd(FT) are intermediate factors,

) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter,
D is the inside pipe diameter in millimeters, and
NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter. (API, 13-14)

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Corner Taps

The following algorithm should be used to calculate the Orifice Coefficient for corner taps.

Nominal Pipe Sizes Less Than Two Inches

For orifice plates in services in which the nominal pipe size is less than two inches and corner taps are used, the
following equation should be used to calculate the Orifice Coefficient:

313.208 + 29.464 . 4 6
5 ( 0192
. ' - 16.48 ( 0 1 ) ' 4 ) 16 2 8
011176
. + 0.4445. 4 4 D , D / 7
C 0.5991 ' ' - 0.3155 ' 0 1 ) ' 2 ) 16 2 '
D , D / N Re

where: NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter,
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter, and
D is the inside pipe diameter in millimeters. (ASME, 202)

Nominal Pipe Sizes Greater Than or Equal to Two Inches

For orifice plates in services in which the nominal pipe size is greater than or equal to two inches and corner
taps are used, the following algorithm should be used to calculate the Orifice Coefficient:

3
Ko 0.6004 ' 0.35) 4 ( 0.05210.5 ( ) 2 2
E 1
Ko 2 ' 26) 4 2
+ E .
C K o -- 1 ' 0
, N Re 0/

where: C is the Orifice Coefficient,

E is the slope of the Orifice Coefficient,
Ko is the Discharge Coefficient,
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter, and
NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter.

3
If ) ; 0.5 , the term 10.5 ( ) 2 2 will produce an imaginary root. Therefore, when the aforementioned
condition exists, the term is set to zero. (Spink, 528)

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Full Flow Taps

For orifice plates in services in which full flow taps are used, the following algorithm should be used to
calculate the Orifice Coefficient:

)D + 22225.
E - 905 ( 5000) ' 9000) 2 ( 4200) 3 ' 0
25.4 , D /
3 2+ . 5+ 5.715.
1 0.25 ( ) 2 68
5
0.4623 1524
. 7.2069
50.5925 ' D ' ) -, 0.44 ( D 0/ ' ) -, 0.935 ' D 0/ ' 135
. ) '
14
Ko 2
4 D 7

Ko + E) .
C -1 ' 0
+ E ., N Re /
- 1 ' 0.000381 0
, )D /

where: C is the Orifice Coefficient,

E is the slope of the Orifice Coefficient,
Ko is the Discharge Coefficient,
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter,
D is the inside pipe diameter in millimeters, and
NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter.

5
If ) ; 0.25 , the term 10.25 ( ) 2 2 will produce an imaginary root. Therefore, when the aforementioned
condition exists, the term is set to zero. (Spink, 528)

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Radius Taps

For orifice plates in services in which radius taps are used, the following algorithm should be used to
calculate the Orifice Coefficient:

27.94 + . .3 2
1016 + D .6
E 0.2 ' ' - 38
. ' 0 5) ' ) 16 - 16.5 ' 0
D , D 4 / , 5.08 / 87
3 6
0.0304 + 01629
. .5 016129
. 8
Ko 0.6014 ( 4 ' - 0.376 ' 4 05 ' ) 4 ' 15
. ) 16 8
, D /5 D
D
14 )D2 2 ' 258064 8
7
E
C Ko '
N Re

where: C is the Orifice Coefficient,

E is the slope of the Orifice Coefficient,
Ko is the Discharge Coefficient,
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter,
D is the inside pipe diameter in millimeters, and
NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter. (Spink, 528)

Vena Contracta Taps

For orifice plates in services in which vena contracta taps are used, the following algorithm should be used
to calculate the Orifice Coefficient:

3 D) 16 6
0.25 ' 2.3255) ' 175
. ) 4 ' 10) 12 '
12.7 87
E
4
3 6
5 0.0006 8
Ko 0.5922 ' 0.4252 5 ' ) ' 125
4
. ) 816
D
5 1 )D2 2 ' 8
4 64516 7
E
C Ko '
N Re

where: C is the Orifice Coefficient,

E is the slope of the Orifice Coefficient,
Ko is the Discharge Coefficient,
) is the orifice bore diameter divided by the inside pipe diameter,
D is the inside pipe diameter in millimeters, and
NRe is the Reynolds Number based on the inside pipe diameter. (Spink, 528)

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 DERIVATION OF VOLUMETRIC FORMS
Orifice Equation for Liquid Flow

The orifice equation for liquid flow can be derived from the original orifice equation by the following
algorithm. Typically, volumetric flow is referenced to a given set of base conditions; base conditions for liquids
are usually 60°F and one atmosphere for English units and 15°C and one atmosphere for SI units.

d 2 CFa Fdw Y
F h !# f
79.860547
d 2 CFa Fdw kg
F h ! SG f / 60 ! 999.0945 3
79.860547 m
2
d CFa Fdw
F h ! SG f / 60 (MASS FLOW)
2.526556
F F
Q
#b kg
999.0945 3 ! SGb / 60
m
d 2 CFa Fdw
h ! SG f / 60
2.526556
Q
kg
999.0945 3 ! SGb / 60
m
d 2 CFa Fdw h ! SG f / 60
Q (VOLUMETRIC FLOW)
2524.269 SGb / 60

where: Q is the flow rate in cubic meters per hour,

F is the flow rate in kilograms per hour,
d is the diameter of the orifice bore in millimeters,
C is the Orifice Coefficient,
Fa is the Thermal Expansion Correction Factor,
Fdw is the Drainhole or Weephole Correction Factor,
h is the differential pressure across the orifice plate in millimeters of water at 4°C,
#f is the liquid density at operating conditions in kilograms per cubic meter,
#b is the liquid density at base conditions in kilograms per cubic meter,
SGf/60 is the specific gravity of the liquid at operating conditions referenced to water at
60°F, and
SGb/60 is the specific gravity of the liquid at base conditions referenced to water at 60°F.

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Orifice Equation for Gas Flow

The orifice equation for gas flow can be derived from the original orifice equation by the following algorithm.

d 2 CFa Fdw Y
F h !# f
79.860547
1Pf ' Pabs 2 ! M w
#f
kg f / cm 2 1a 2 ! m 3
1Z 21T
f f ' 273.15 K 2
11.7947 ! kg mole ! K
d 2 CFa FdwY 1Pf ' Pabs 2 ! M w
F h!
79.860547 kg f / cm 1a 2 ! m 3
2

1Z 21T
f f ' 273.15 K 2
11.7947 ! kg mole ! K
d 2 CFa FdwY h ! 1Pf ' Pabs 2 ! M w
F
Z f ! 1T f ' 273.15 K 2
(MASS FLOW)
23.25349
3 6
5 d 2 CF F Y h ! 1Pf ' Pabs 2 ! M w 8
5 a dw
8
F 5 23.25349 Z f ! 1T f ' 273.15 K 2 8
Q 5 Pb ! M w 8
#b 5 8
5 kg f / cm 2 1a 2 ! m 3 8
5 1Z b 21Tb ' 273.15K 2 8
4 11.7947 ! kg mole ! K 7
d 2 CFa FdwY 3 Z b 1Tb ' 273.15 K 2 6 h ! 1Pf ' Pabs 2
Q
7 Z f ! M w ! 1T f ' 273.15 K 2
5 8
274.2679 4 Pb
d 2 CFa FdwY 3 Z b 10 C ' 273.15 K 2 6 h ! 1Pf ' Pabs 2
Q 5 8
451.03323kg f / cm 1a 2 78 Z f ! M w ! 1T f ' 273.15 K 2
2
274.2679
h ! 1Pf ' Pabs 2
Q 0.963894 ! d 2 CFa FdwYZ b
Z f ! M w ! 1T f ' 273.15 K 2
(VOLUMETRIC FLOW)

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 where: Q is the flow rate in normal cubic meters per hour,
F is the flow rate in kilograms per hour,
d is the diameter of the orifice bore in millimeters,
C is the Orifice Coefficient,
Fa is the Thermal Expansion Correction Factor,
Fdw is the Drainhole or Weephole Correction Factor,
Y is the Gas Expansion Correction Factor,
h is the differential pressure across the orifice plate in millimeters of water at
4°C,
#f is the density of the gas at operating conditions in kilograms per cubic meter,
#b is the density of the gas at base conditions in kilograms per cubic meter,
Mw is the molecular weight of the gas,
Tf is the operating temperature in degrees Celsius,
Pf is the operating pressure in kgf/cm2(g),
Pabs is local atmospheric pressure in kgf/cm2 absolute.
Zf is the compressibility factor of the gas at operating conditions,
Tb is the base temperature which is 0°C for normal conditions,
Pb is the base pressure which is 1.03323 kgf/cm2(a) for normal conditions, and
Zb is the compressibility factor of the gas at base conditions.

Bibliography

American Petroleum Institute. Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards: Chapter 14 –

Natural Gas Fluids Measurement, Section 3 – Concentric, Square-Edged
Orifice Meters, Part 1 – General Equations and Uncertainty Guidelines,
third edition. Washington, D.C.: API, 1990.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Fluid Meters: Their Theory and Application,
sixth edition. New York: ASME, 1971.

Brand, D. Delft Report No. 1312M. Delft, Holland: Royal Dutch Shell Laboratory, 1953.

Miller, R.W. Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1983.

Perry, R.H., Don W. Green, and James O. Maloney editors Perry’s Chemical Engineers’
Handbook sixth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984.

Spink, L.K. Principles and Practice of Flow Meter Engineering, ninth edition.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: Foxboro, 1967.

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