Al-Balqa Applied University

Faculty of Engineering Technology

Report of Fluid mechanics Lab

Experiment No. (4)

Venturi Meter
An equipment used to measure the flow rate through a pipe

Edited by:
Zaid Al-jonaidy
301070041
Engineering of Chemical Industries Technology
Tuesday (11-2)
Group (C)
Supervisor: Dr. Mohammad Al-Shannag
 Fluid Mechanics Lab
Experiment No.3: Venturi meter
Abstract:
This experiment is about learning some facts about flow rate measurement by
venturi meter, in this experiment we will study the basic concepts of venturi meter and find
the discharge coefficient (Cd).
After doing this experiment, the main result that we obtained is that the average
(Cd) is about 0.97 and the error may resulted when we record the time.
By using the venturi meter in this experiment we can calculate the flow rate, the
discharge coefficient and Reynolds number at a different states of the flow rate.
In general, we can use the venturi meter in many purposes in the most engineering
application, and it has a many advantages and disadvantages for using it.

Objectives:
1- To study the basic concept of venturi meter.
2- To study the venturi meter as the measuring instrument.
3- To measure the volumetric flow rate (Q) by venturi meter.
4- To calculate the discharge coefficient (Cd).

Introduction:
We often need to control the flow rate through a pipe by measure the flow rate in
this pipe. Venturi meter is one of the flow meters that can measure the flow rate.

The venturi flow meter is a tube that is connected into a pipeline whose flow rate
would be measured. The venturi tubes consist of a converging section followed by a
constant-diameter section (called the throat), followed by a diverging section that returns
the tube to its original diameter. The inlet and outlet diameter of the venturi tube equal the
diameter of the pipe in which the venturi is installed.

The basic concept of the venturi meter is that when the fluid flowing in the pipe
passes through a section whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the pipe (throat)
the velocity of the fluid will increase so as to remain the mass flow rate constant, and if the
pipe is horizontal, then according to Bernoulli's principle if the velocity is increase in a
region the pressure in this region will decrease. and by measuring the pressure difference
we can determine the volumetric flow rate.

As shown in the figure (2). the maximum recommended included angle of the
converging section is 22˚ and that for the diverging section is 8˚ to keep frictional pressure
losses to a very small value. Of course, if these angles are made much smaller than the
maximum recommended values, the venturi tube would become too large and expensive
to be feasible.
Observe that figure (2) shows a differential manometer attached to the venturi tube
between points 1 and 2; this is one way to measure the pressure drop (P1-P2) between
these two points. Another way is to mount one pressure gauge to the venturi tube at point
1 and a second pressure gauge at point 2.

Venturi tubes such as the one in the figure (2) are common in water and waste
water treatment facilities, power plants, and chemical and petrochemical processing
operations.
Advantages:
1- Handle large flow volumes at low pressure
drops.
2- No moving parts, low maintenance.
3- Accommodate liquids with high solids content.
4- Shape is inherently self-cleaning.
5- May be mounted horizontally or vertically.
Disadvantages:
1- Require four or more pressure taps to
accurately measure pressure differential.
2- Require lengths of straight pipe upstream and Figure (1) : venturi meter
downstream.
3- Accuracy depends on consistent flow profile.
4- Less accurate at low flow rates (conclusion).

Figure (2) Venturi meter with attached manometer

Theory:
When an incompressible fluid flows in a pipe which is connected with venturi meter, we
can relate the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe by applying Bernoulli's equation and
continuity equation at point 1 (in the upstream constant diameter section) and at point 2 (in
the throat section) to give:
2 g (h1 − h2 )
Qtheo = A2 (1)
1 − ( AA21 ) 2

And
2 g (h1 − h2 )
Qexp = C d A2 (2)
1 − ( AA12 ) 2
Where:
Qtheo: is the theoretical volumetric flow rate (m3/s)
Qexp : is the experimental (actual) volumetric flow rate (m3/s)
A1,A2:is the cross sectional area of the section 1 & 2 respectively.(m2)
h1,h2: is the liquid height at the sections 1 & 2 respectively. (m)
Cd : is the discharge coefficient (dimensionless)
Where the discharge coefficient equal:
Qexp
Cd = (3)
Qtheo
we can also calculate the Reynolds number for the fluid in the pipe by the relation:
ρvd
Re = (4)
µ
 4Qexp × ρ
Also: Re = (5)
π× µ×d
Where:
Re: Reynolds number (dimensionless)
Qexp: Experimental volumetric flow rate (m3/s)
ρ = density of water (kg/m3)
µ = viscosity of water (N.s/m2)
d = diameter of the pipe (m)

Note: we can see how these equation can be derived in the appendix.
After we doing the experiment we should have the following data:
h1 and h2 from the reading of the manometer connected to the points 1 & 2.
D1, D2 from the instructor.
Qexp by calculating the fixed volume of the fluid flows in a certain time

Methodology:
Apparatus & Equipments:

The apparatus which used in this experiment (Venturi meter) is shown in the figure (2).

To do this experiment we should have the following materials and equipments.

1- Hydraulic Bench.
2- Venturi meter apparatus.
3- Liquid to fill the pipes (water).

Procedure:
1- Check the construction and the calibration of the venturi meter after fill it with
incompressible liquid.
2- Be sure that the reading of the both sides of the manometer is balanced.
3- Start increase the flow rate, record height difference between both sides of the
manometer after the flow rate has been in equilibrium.
4- Close the stopper in the water trough and record the time needed by a certain
volume of the liquid to fill (Qexp)
5- Repeat this process 5 times.

Operating Fluids:
In this experiment we will measure the volumetric Flow rate by using venturi meter filled by
water.

Sample of calculations:
Height in the first side of manometer = h1 = 15.8cm
Height in the second side of manometer = h2 = 12cm
Diameter of the pipe = 2cm
Diameter of the throat = 1cm
Viscosity of water at 20°C = 1.0019×10-3 N.s/m2
 ∆V (6 − 0) × 10 −3
Q exp = = = 6.1538 × 10 −5 m 3 /s
∆T 97.5
2g(h1 − h 2 ) π 2 2g(h1 − h 2 ) π −2 2 2g(15.8 − 12) × 10 -2
Q theo = A 2 = d2 = (1 × 10 ) = 7.004 × 10 −5 m 3 /s
1 − ( AA21 ) 2 4 1 − ( dd ) 4 4 2
1
1 − ( 21 ) 4

Qtheo = 3.59297 × 10 × (h1 − h 2 ) = 7.004 × 10 −5 m 3 /s

-5

Q exp
Cd = = 0.88
Q theo
4Q × ρ 4 × 6.1538 × 10 −5 × 1000
Re = = = 635.4 × 6.1538 = 3910
π × µ × d π × 1.0019 × 10 -3 × 0.02

Results:

Velocity in
Trial h1 h2 Time Volume
Qexp (m3/s) Qtheo (m3/s) Cd Re pipe
No. (cm) (cm) (s) (L)
(×10-4m/s)
1 15.8 12 97.5 6 6.154×10-5 7.004×10-5 0.8786 3910 1.958
2 21 11 52.5 6 11.429×10-5 11.362×10-5 1.0058 7262 3.638
3 24 10.2 42.5 6 14.118×10-5 13.347×10-5 1.0577 8971 4.494
4 26.2 9.4 40 6 15.0×10-5 14.727×10-5 1.0185 9531 4.775
5 29.5 8.2 34 6 17.647×10-5 16.582×10-5 1.0642 11213 5.617

Results and discussion:

In this experiment, the main result is that the discharge coefficient (Cd) is about 1, the
normal value of Cd is about 0.95-0.97 in the venturi meter, the error in this experiment may
be resulted when we read the time of a certain volume flow through the pipe.
Plot (1): the Relation Between Q (Theoritical) and Q
(Experimental)

20
Experimental Volumetric Flow rate (*10-

18

16

14

12
m3/s)

10
5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
-5
Theoritical Vloumetric Flow rate (*10 m3/s)

In the previous figure we find that the relation between the experimental volumetric flow
rate and the theoretical volumetric flow rate is about the linear relation and the slope of the
line gives the ratio Cd.
In the next plot we can see the relation between the discharge coefficient and the
Experimental Volumetric flow rate
Plot (2): the Relation Between Q (Experimental) and the
discharge coefficient (Cd)

Discharge Coefficient (Cd)

1.1
1.05 y = 0.0161x + 0.7978

1
0.95
0.9
0.85
0.8
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Experimental Vloumetric Flow rate (*10-5m3/s)

And in the figure below, we can see the plot of discharge coefficient and the theoretical
volumetric flow rate:
Plot (3): the Relation Between Q (Theoritical) and the
discharge coefficient
Discharge Coefficient (Cd)

1.1
1.05 y = 0.0188x + 0.7682
1
0.95
0.9
0.85
0.8
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Theoritical Vloumetric Flow rate (*10-5m3/s)

As we see from the previous figure, the discharge coefficient is independent from the
experimental & theoretical volumetric flow rate, since the slope in the previous tow figures
is too small, and the slope resulted from the error resulted in this experiment.

In the next plot we can see the relation between the experimental flow rate and the
Reynolds number in the pipe:
Plot (4): the Relation Between Reynolds Number &
Experimental Volumetric flow rate

12000
11000
Reynolds Number

y = 635.43x - 0.3933
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
-5
Experimental Vloumetric Flow rate (*10 m3/s)
Also we can see in the next plot the relation between the measured velocity in the pipe
and calculated Reynolds number
Plot (5): the Relation Between Reynolds Number & the
Actual Velocity in the Pipe

12000
11000

Reynolds Number
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
1.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5
Actual velocity In the pipe (*10-1m/s)

As we see from the previous tow plots that the relation is directly proportional between the
calculated Reynolds number and measured volumetric flow rate also it is directly
proportional between the Re and the measured velocity of water in the pipe. This result
can be estimated from equation (4) and (5), and when the Re value is increase, the flow
tend to be turbulent (Q is High).

Error Analysis:
As we see in the results and calculation section, the error in calculating the discharge
coefficient resulted from the time measurement accuracy. Therefore when the time is
recorded wrongly the Qexp is then calculated wrongly (the experimental flow rate is a
function of time at constant volume change), then the error is existed in all the variables
that depends – finally – on the time measured like (Qexp), (Cd), (Re), & (vact).

Conclusions and recommendation:

The errors in this experiment can be decreased if we use a digital equipment to measure
the time accurately, and this equipment should be full automatic and do not depend on the
human effect.
And if the human effect is exist, the accuracy in time measurement can be
improved by decreasing the flow rate so as to record time of the initial and final
volume without the large magnitude of error.

References:
1. Anthony Esposito, Fluid mechanics with application, 1998, Prentice-Hall, USA.
2. John A. Roberson & Clayton T. Crowe, Engineering Fluid Mechanics, 6th Edition,
1997, John Wiley & Sons, USA.
3. Visual Encyclopedia of Chemical Engineering Equipment.
4. Perry, R. H., & D. W. Green, eds. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. 7th
edition, McGraw-Hill, 1997.
5. Lab Sheet.
Appendix:

The general form of the venturi meter equation can be derived by apply the Bernoulli’s
equation and continuity equation between the point (1) & (2):

Figure (2) Venturi meter with attached manometer

P1 v12 P v2
Bernoulli Equation: + + Z1 = 2 + 2 + Z 2
γ 2g γ 2g
P1 v1 2
P2 v 22
⇒ + = +
γ 2g γ 2g
P P v2 v2
⇒ 1− 2 = 2 − 1
γ γ 2g 2g
2 g (h1 − h2 ) = v 22 − v12 (*)

Continuity equation: mD = mD
ρv1 A1 = ρv 2 A2
A
⇒ v1 = v 2 2 (**)
A1
A2 2
Substitute (**) in (*) to get: 2 g (h1 − h2 ) = v 22 − (v 2 )
A1
A
2 g (h1 − h2 ) = v 22 (1 − ( 2 ) 2 )
A1
2 g (h1 − h2 )
v2 =
(1 − ( AA12 ) 2 )

The theoretical volumetric flow rate Q is Q = v 2 A2

2 g (h1 − h2 )
Q = A2 (1)
(1 − ( AA12 ) 2 )
The Experimental volumetric flow rate is:
2 g (h1 − h2 )
Q = C d A2 (2)
(1 − ( AA21 ) 2 )
ρvd
Reynolds Number: Re = (4)
µ
Qexp = v act A2 = v act × π4 d 22
4Qexp × ρ
⇒ Re = (5)
π × µ × d2