Experiment 03

Objective
To calculate coefficient of discharge when water flows through Pitot tube

Experimental Setup
This equipment determines the coefficients of discharge for different flow measuring devices. It
is used with Hydraulics Bench. The equipment consists of a venturi tube, an orifice plate, and a
pitot tube, made from a clear acrylic, connected in series. Pressure drop across each device is
connected to a water manometer bank with a vent valve and a hand air pump.

Fig. 1 Flow Meters

Theory
Pitot Tube:
A pitot tube is an instrument for measuring a flowing fluid's velocity (speed). Pitot tubes are used
in anemometers to calculate airspeed in wind tunnels and aircraft in flight. They also measure the
flow of liquids.
The pitot tube was invented by the French engineer Henri Pitot in the early 18th century and was
modified to its modern form in the mid-19th century by French scientist Henry Darcy.
 Fig. 2 Pitot Tube

Working Principle of Pitot Tube:

When a solid body is kept centrally, and stationery in a pipeline with flowing fluid, the velocity
of the fluid starts reducing (at the same time the pressure fluid increases due to the conversion of
kinetic energy into pressure energy) due to the presence of the body. At directly in front of the
solid body, the velocity becomes zero. This point is known as the stagnation point.

The fluid flow can be measured by measuring the differences between the pressure at the
normal flow line (static pressure) and the stagnation point (stagnation pressure).

Advantages of Pitot Tube:

 Economical to install
 Do not contain moving parts; this minimizes the frictional loss.
 Easy to install. Due to its small size, It can introduce to fluid flow without shutting down
the flow.

 Loss of pressure is very small.

 Can be easily installed in extreme environment, high temperature and pressure conditions

 Some types can also be easily removed from the pipeline.

Disadvantages/limitation of Pitot Tube:
 Low sensitivity and Poor accuracy. It requires high-velocity flow.
 Not suitable for dirty or sticky fluid like sewage disposal.
 Sensitivity disturbed by flow direction.
 Pitot tubes have found limited applications in industries because they can easily become
clogged with foreign materials in the liquid.
 There is no standardization for pitot tube.
 Change in velocity profile may cause significant errors. Due to change in velocity profile,
it develops a very low differential pressure which is difficult to measure.

Applications of Pitot Tube:

 It is used to measure speed of an aircraft.
 It is used to measure speed of a boat.
 It is used to measure fluid flows in different industries.
 It is used where very high accuracy is not required.
 It is used to measure flow profile in a duct or channel.
 In general pitot tube is used to measure velocity of flow.

Experimental Procedure
1. Set up the Hydraulics Bench and place Flow Meters apparatus on the Bench
2. Adjust the screw at the base for level, and connect water supply hose from the Bench to
the test apparatus
3. Open the discharge valve of the test set. Close the vent valve on the manometer top
manifold and attach the hand air pump
4. Open the measuring tank discharge valve and closed the Hydraulics Bench flow control
valve
5. Start the test
6. Start the Hydraulic Bench pump and slowly open the Bench flow control valve until air
bubbles are completely removed from the test set, then reduce the flow rate to about 10
l/m on the flow meter or required flow rate
7. Observe water levels in the manometer and ensure that all levels can be observed. If they
are too high, pump air into the manometer head manifold. If they are too low slightly
 close the test equipment discharge valve or bleed air out from manometer head manifold
by vent valve
8. Record manometer levels for pitot tube
9. Record the measuring tank volume and time

Observations and Calculations

π 2
Qact =C d D √2 g ∆ h
4 1

Hydraulic Bench
Flow on Flow Rate Pitot Tube
Measuring Tank Cd
Rotameter ‘Qact’
(l/sec) Volume Time ‘t’ (m3s-1) h1 h2 ∆h
‘V’ (m )
3
(sec) (m) (m) (m)

Specimen Calculations
Conclusion
CLO-1
To measure & analyze different unknowns i.e. velocity, Head, using Flow meters.

Marks CLO-1 – Level P3 mapped to PLO2

0-3 Not able to perform experiment correctly by adjusting correct parameters

like flow rate, Pressure Head and Velocity Head to analyze key
parameters in order to Investigate Coefficient of discharge using flow
meters.

4-6 Able to perform experiment partially but major help is required in order to
adjust correct parameters like flow rate, Pressure Head and Velocity Head
to analyze key parameters in order to Investigate Coefficient of discharge
using flow meters.

7-8 Able to perform experiment but minor help is required in order to adjust
correct parameters like flow rate, Pressure Head and Velocity Head to
analyze key parameters in order to Investigate Coefficient of discharge
using flow meters.

9-10 Able to perform experiment correctly by adjusting parameters like flow

rate, Pressure Head and Velocity Head to analyze key parameters in order
to Investigate Coefficient of discharge using flow meters.