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PRACTICAL 6: BERNOULLI’S PRINCIPLE &

EQUATION

Names and Student IDs:

1. Cheong Mei Poh (0349211)
2. Oscar Chen Yan Yee (0348641)
3. Felicia Pereira A/P L.Anthony Pereira (0350354)
4. Lim Chen Woon (0351247)

Date of Experiment: 16th Feb 2022

Report due date: 3rd March 2022

Report submission date: 3rd March

2022

Checked by:

Item/marks

Format/10

Abstract and Introduction/10

Figures and Diagrams/15

Materials and Method/10

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Results Discussions/45

Conclusion & References/10

Total
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Contents

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………4

1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………......4

2.0 Experimental Design…………………………………………………………...……….....6

2.1 Materials…………………………………………...……………………………...7

2.2 Methods…………………………………………………………………………....7

2.3 Procedure………………………………………………………………………...8

3.0 Results and Discussion……………………………………………………………..……9

4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations…………………………………..…………………13

5.0 References………………………………………………………………………………..14
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Abstract

This experiment is carried out to demonstrate the use of venturi meter for measuring fluid flow

rates. As the venturi meter is being used to calculate measure flow, the equation that will help to

obtain velocities from fluid pressures is Bernoulli equation. Hence, in this experiment a flow

measuring apparatus will be used which consist of different components. The hydraulic bench will

be switched on and water will be flowing through the venturi meter. All the manometers should

be having a reading of at least 280mm. The most important thing is to ensure that all the water

levels are constant and there is no leakage which can cause high rise in water level. When a steady

flow is maintained, the flow with the container is measured and this experiment is repeated with

different values of rotameter.

1.0 Introduction

This experiment is mainly intended to measure fluid flow rates by the usage of a Venturi meter.

Flow rate can be defined as the volume of fluid that travels through a certain cross-sectional area

per unit time. The main use for suitable and good quality flowmeter is to accurately measure flow

rates as it is to ensure that fluid control systems are working smoothly, safely and cost-effectively.

There are several ways to measure flow rate of a fluid and flow measurement apparatus that will

be used to measure the flow rate. Hence, in this experiment the flow measurement apparatus that

is used is a Venturi meter. A venturi meter can also be used to escalate the velocity of any type of
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fluid in a pipe at any certain point. Bernoulli’s theorem is the foundation of this system. When a

pressure in a fluid travelling through a tiny cross section decreases, the flow of fluid makes the

velocity to increases. The point where the characteristics become low pressure and high velocity

is called as transition point.

A functional technique that can be used is by placing some form of restriction within the pipe and

the difference in pressure for before and after is calculated is an effective approach to estimate the

fluid flow rate in the pipe. For example, this same technique can be seen in the operation of

aeroplane wings where the lift is generated by a low pressure zone above the aeroplane wing. This

is because of the fast flowing air above the wing that makes a low pressure to be present. The

Bernoulli’s Principle asserts that ‘an increase in velocity will results in a drop in pressure’. Thus,

the relationship between velocity and pressure can be said as inversely proportional.

The equation of Bernoulli’s principle can be applied in the calculations as below,

𝑷𝟏 𝑽𝟐 𝑷 𝑽𝟐
+ 𝟐𝒈𝟏 + 𝒛𝟏 = 𝒑𝒈𝟐 + 𝟐𝒈𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐
𝒑𝒈

Where, P = Pressure (Pa)

V = Velocity (m/s)

g = Gravitational Acceleration (m/𝑠 2 )

z = Potential Head (m)

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2.0 Experimental Design

Figure 1.1
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2.1 Materials

1. Flow measuring apparatus

2. Volumetric Hydraulic Bench

3. Stopwatch

4. Water

2.2 Methods

When reading the measurements, the observer's line of sight had to be perpendicular to the scale

of the apparatus to avoid parallax error. To reduce reaction time, the stopwatch must be started

and stopped by the same observer. The reaction time of the observer would cause significant

error when starting the stopwatch and when stopping it. By repeating the experiment for many

times, this error can be minimized. The experiment was repeated four times more to obtain a

more accurate reading. When the equipment was not in use, all of the water had to be emptied

out. Any manometer that failed to fill or filled slowly was diconnected from the flexible

connection tube and blown through to clear the obstruction.The protective clothing must be wore

to ensure the safety.

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2.3 Procedure

1. Close the apparatus valve fully then open it by 1/3 with the air purge closed.

2. The hydraulic bench was switched on and its valve was opened slowly until the water

starts to flow, the apparatus was allowed to fill with water then the bench valve was

continued to be opened until it was fully opened.

3. The apparatus valve was closed fully.

4. The hand pump was attached to the purge valve and pumped down until all the

manometers had shown a reading approximately 280 mm.

5. The trapped air was dislodged from the manometers by tapping gently with the fingers.

6. The water levels were checked to be constant. The purge valve was leaking if a steady

rise in levels can be seen.

7. The apparatus valve was opened until a reading of about 15 mm was shown on the

rotameter. The flow was measured with the container when a steady flow was

maintained.

8. During the period, the readings of the manometers were recorded in a table similar to the

table shown in Table 5.1 .

9. Repeat this procedure for rotameter values given by your lab coordinator.
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3.0 Results and Discussion

Table 1.1
Test Rotameter Manometric Water Water Time, t(s) Mass Flow Rate, M

No. Reading Levels Volume, mass, (kg/s)

(mm) (mmH2O) V (L) m (kg)

A B 1 2 3 Average Venturi Weigh

Meter Tank

1. 20 95 85 1 1 16.37 19.88 19.44 18.56 0.031 0.054

2. 30 97 85 1 1 12.10 12.22 13.25 12.52 0.034 0.030

3. 40 99 82 1 1 9.38 9.03 9.97 9.46 0.041 0.106

4. 50 101 78 1 1 8.41 7.44 8.65 8.17 0.046 0.122

5. 60 105 75 1 1 7.15 6.56 7.40 7.04 0.053 0.142

1. Comment on the differences observed between the flow rates measured using the Venturi
meter and using the gravimetric evaluation method.

Flow rates measured using the Venturi meter:

2𝑔(ℎ1 −ℎ2 )
By using equation (6), velocity, V =√ 𝐴 2
(1−( 2) )
𝐴1
to measure velocity and sub into
Equation (1), mass flow rate, Q = ρ x A x V, to get the mass flow rate.
2𝑔(ℎ1 −ℎ2 )
Q=pxAx√ 𝐴 2
(1−( 2 ) )
𝐴1

0.026 2
𝐴1= ( ) 𝑥 (𝜋) = 1.69 𝑥 10−4 𝜋
2

0.016 2
𝐴2= ( ) 𝑥 (𝜋) = 6.4 𝑥 10−5 𝜋
2
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𝐴2 2
1−( ) = 0.856
𝐴1

2(9.81)(0.095−0.085)
For 10 mm: Q = 1000 x (6,45x10−5) x √ 0.856
= 0.031kg/s

2(9.81)(0.097−0.085)
For 20 mm: Q = 1000 x (6,45x10−5) x √ 0.856
= 0.034kg/s

2(9.81)(0.099−0.082)
For 30 mm: Q = 1000 x (6,45x10−5) x √ 0.856
= 0.041kg/s

2(9.81)(0.101−0.078)
For 40 mm: Q = 1000 x (6,45x10−5) x √ = 0.046kg/s
0.856

2(9.81)(0.105−0.075)
For 50 mm: Q = 1000 x (6,45x10−5) x √ = 0.053kg/s
0.856

Using Gravimetric method

𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
Q=
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

TEST NO. 1 ( FOR 20 mm )

1
Q=18.56 = 0.054kg/s

TEST NO. 2 ( FOR 30 mm )

1
Q = 12.52 = 0.080 kg/s
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TEST NO. 3 ( FOR 40 mm )

1
Q = 9.46 = 0.106 kg/s

TEST NO. 4 ( FOR 50 mm )

1
Q=8.17 = 0.122 kg/s

TEST NO. 5 ( FOR 60 mm )

1
Q= 7.04 = 0.142 kg/s

Table 1.2
Rotameter reading ( mm ) Flow rates measured using the Flow rates measured the
venturi meter ( kg/s ) gravimetric evaluation method
( kg/s )
20 0.031 0.054
30 0.034 0.080
40 0.041 0.106
50 0.046 0.122
60 0.053 0.142

Possible causes of the different readings

One of the possible causes which leads to the different readings could be due to the change in the

internal surface condition of the meter. Besides that, the different readings could be caused by human

errors such as parallax errors when reading a measurement. In this experiment, parallax errors may

occur when the eyes of the observer is not perpendicular to the readings of the manometric levels,

which will eventually cause an error during calculation, hence effecting the accuracy. Another human
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error which may affect the readings, is due to human reaction time. The reaction time of the observer

may cause a few seconds late in measurement of time taken to fill the bucket to 1 litre. However, these

errors can be reduced, but not avoided, by repeating the experiment a few times and obtaining its

average reading.

Method with higher accuracy

The venturi meter has a higher accuracy compared to gravimetric evaluation method. This is because

the venturi method has a lot of dimensions and factors, such as density, area, velocity, gravity and

difference in height between inlet and throat of the venturi method when calculating mass flow rate.

The pressure differences between the inlet and throat of the venturi meter.

Gravimetric evaluation methods calculates the mass flow rate of liquids based on the mass of the liquid

and the time taken to fill up certain amount of water. By calculating the pressure difference and

involving more variable into consideration will give a more accurate reading hence we know the amount

of pressure acting on the specific location of the liquid. Hence in conclusion, venturi meter gives a more

accurate and precise reading.

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4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

This experiment proved successful in demonstrating the measurement of a fluid flow rate using

a venturi meter. In this experiment, to demonstrate the water flow rate using a venturi meter, the

pressure between two points, A and B are obtained using the manometer apparatus. The velocity

of fluid in point A is lower compared to point B, due to the decreased cross section area as fluid

flows from A to B. Both the pressure at point A and B are obtained through the reading in the

manometric level. The Bernoulli’s principle which states that as the velocity of the fluid

increases, the pressure of the fluid decreases and vice versa, is applied to this experiment. Hence,

by relating the pressure difference in point A and B, and the rotameter reading, the water flow

rate be determined after a series of calculations involving the Bernoulli’s principle.

For the experiment, it is recommended to use coloured liquids rather than just transparent

liquids. In this experiment, liquid water is used which is transparent in colour, which leads to

certain difficulty in taking the reading of the manometric levels. This may lead to parallax errors.

By just adding food dye into the water, manometric levels will be easier to read without having

to strain the eyes too. Besides that, it is also recommended to use other points such as point C

and D in a separate experiment rather than just calculating the pressure difference in point A and

B. Hence, we can compare the data obtained to improve the consistency and accuracy of the final

fluid flow rate.

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5.0 References

1. What is the importance of flow rate measurement? (n.d.). Bürkert Fluid Control Systems | ESI

Enviropro. https://www.enviropro.co.uk/entry/149002/Brkert-Fluid-Control-

Systems/What-is-the-importance-of-flow-rate-measurement/

2. VENTURIMETER EXPERIMENT. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2022, from

https://www.aybu.edu.tr/bolumroot/contents/muhendislik_makina/files/VENTURIMETE

R%20EXPERIMENT(1).pdf