EN1213 Fundamentals of

Mechanical Engineering

Fluids Laboratory:
Measurement of air flow
Lecturer: Dr Syed Mashruk
 EN1213 Fundamentals of
Mechanical Engineering

MEASUREMENT OF AIRFLOW BY PITOT-STATIC TUBE, VENTURI METER AND ORIFICE PLATE

Experimental set-up:

1. Nozzle
2. Installation measuring section
3. Thermometer
4. Exhaust air pipe
5. Radial fan
6. Tube manometers
7. Switch cabinet with speed adjustment
8. Stabilisation tank with flow straightener
Tube manometers
Fan
Thermometer

Valve
Installation measuring system

Venturi

Pitot Tube
 Theory

The equations used in this section are derived in the Fluid Mechanics course and are quoted here
without further explanation. To measure the pressure that a column of fluid generates, the equation is
given as (remember that this is only for the water column),

p  gz
Bernoulli’s equation is,
p U2
  z  constant along streamline
 2g
This reduces to the following equation in a Pitot tube,
U 2
p2  p1  1
2
 Theory

The velocity u at the tip of the Pitot-static tube is given by (this equation is used for the air flow that you have analysed)

and the air density can be obtained from the gas law
p = ρ*RT
Taking the air velocity to be uniform over the measurement area A centred on the measuring position, the ideal flow is given by,
Q = UA
Q needs to be the same at the inlet as at the outlet, unless the flow is being recirculated and escapes through sealings or the
same inlet. If this is the case, then the final flowrate will be given as,

QF = CQ
 Theory

The Reynolds Number for flow at a position in the duct is given by

where d is the diameter of the circle having the same area as the duct.

The viscosity of air at atmospheric pressure is given by the empirical Sutherland formula:

6
1.458  10 T

1  110 .4 / T
 Experimental data

A
Access: Learning central
B  23/24 EN1213
A
 Learning Material
B
 Air Flow/ Fluids Mechanics 1 Laboratory
C  Data Sheet
C
 Experimental data

A
Access: Learning central
B  20/21 EN1048 Engineering Applications
A
 Learning Material
B
 Air Flow/ Fluids Mechanics 1 Laboratory
C  Data Sheet
C
 Experimental data

A
Access: Learning central
B  20/21 EN1048 Engineering Applications
A
 Learning Material
B
 Air Flow/ Fluids Mechanics 1 Laboratory
C  Data Sheet
C
 Experimental data
A=1
cm
from
inlet

B = 8.5
cm
from
inlet

Access: Learning central

 20/21 EN1048 Engineering Applications
A C = 25  Learning Material
B cm  Air Flow/ Fluids Mechanics 1 Laboratory
C from
 Data Sheet
inlet
 Experimental data

Δh=z

A
B
C
 Calculations

1. From experimental data (learning central), create an EXCEL spreadsheet and

calculate Pressure differentials for all the positions and points measured.

2. Determine velocities, discharge coefficients, flowrates, etc. using the

difference in pressure that you have calculated in the previous point.

3. Find the Reynolds number for the flow in all points, conditions and locations at
the different plate angles, determining the flow conditions (turbulent, laminar,
transition).

4. Draw some meaningful graphs (4-8) to illustrate and compare the variation of air
velocity, QF, C, Re and flowrates over the rectangular sections.
 Example
Calculate: Pressure differentials, velocities, flowrates, discharge coefficients, Reynolds number

! Δh=z

1. Pressure differentials

1 p  gz =997*9.81*0.012=117.37 Pa

Reference:
Internet, books
! Check the units (use the International System of Units)
 Example
Calculate: Pressure differentials, velocities, flowrates, discharge coefficients, Reynolds number

1 p  gz =997*9.81*0.012=117.37 Pa Reference: Internet,

formula, books

= =14.1 m/s
2. Velocities 2
 Example
Calculate: Pressure differentials, velocities, flowrates, discharge coefficients, Reynolds number

1 p  gz =997*9.81*0.012=117.37 Pa
=
2 =14.1 m/s

3 Q = UA = 14.1*0.06*0.051=0.043 m3/s
3. Flowrates
Area
 Example
Calculate: Pressure differentials, velocities, flowrates, discharge coefficients, Reynolds number

1 p  gz =997*9.81*0.012=117.37 Pa
= =14.1 m/s Q
2

3 Q = UA = 14.1*0.06*0.051=0.043 m3/s

4 QF = CQ C= Discharge coefficient
= Efficiency of the venturi duct
 C=QF/Q

Q QFinal

QFinal
 Example
Calculate: Pressure differentials, velocities, flowrates, discharge coefficients, Reynolds number

1 p  gz =997*9.81*0.012=117.37 Pa Draw some meaningful graphs (4-8) to illustrate and

6
= compare the variation of air velocity, QF, C, Re
=14.1 m/s and flowrates over the rectangular sections.
2

3 Q = UA = 14.1*0.06*0.051=0.043 m3/s
QF = CQ  C=QF/Q
4 Questions?  MartinezZavalaHG@Cardiff.ac.uk

𝝆 𝑼𝒅 1.458  10 6 T Venturi dimensions

5 𝑹𝒆= 
𝝁 1  110 .4 / T

Re= Reynolds number

= Density of air
= Velocity from step 2
d =Hydraulic diameter (using venturi dimensions
 d=4*Area/Perimeter)
= Viscosity of air Perimeter = 2*(W+D)
 Example
Calculate: Pressure differentials, velocities, flowrates, discharge coefficients, Reynolds number

𝝆 𝑼𝒅 1.458  10 6 T
1 p  gz =997*9.81*0.012=117.37 Pa 5 𝑹𝒆=
𝝁

1  110 .4 / T
= =14.1 m/s Q Re= Reynolds number
2 = Density of air
= Velocity from step 2
3 Q = UA = 14.1*0.06*0.051=0.043 m3/s
d =Hydraulic diameter (using venturi dimensions
QF = CQ  C=QF/Q  d=4*Area/Perimeter)
4
= Viscosity of air

Venturi dimensions
C= Discharge coefficient
= Efficiency for the venturi duct

Q Perimeter = 2*(W+D)
QFinal Draw some meaningful graphs (4-8) to illustrate and
QFinal 6
compare the variation of air velocity, QF, C, Re
and flowrates over the rectangular sections.
MartinezZavalaHG@Cardiff.ac.uk
 Discussion

You are required to discuss the following points:

1. Compare all values calculated above and comment on their differences and on
sources of error.

2. What type of flow is indicated by the Reynolds number calculated in (3) above?

3. Why is the flow collapsing after a valve angle of 60°?

 Report structure

The report must include:

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Background
4. Methodology
5. Results
6. Discussion
7. Conclusions
8. References
9. Annex with a screenshot of the Excel Spreadsheet