T.C.

ANKARA YILDIRIM BEYAZIT UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND NATURAL SCIENCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ESE - 403 ENERGY SYSTEMS LABORATORY - I

Flow Measurement Experiment Report

Student No :
Name-Surname :
Experiment Date :
Grade :
2.5 Flow Measurement Experiment
2.5.1 Objective
The main objective of this experiment is to obtain the coefficient of discharge from
experimental data by utilizing venture meter and, also the relationship between Reynolds
number and the coefficient of discharge.
2.5.2 Introduction
There are many different meters used to measure fluid flow: the turbine-type flow meter, the
rotameter, the orifice meter, and the venturi meter are only a few. Each meter works by its
ability to alter a certain physical property of the flowing fluid and then allows this alteration
to be measured. The measured alteration is then related to the flow. The subject of this
experiment is to analyze the features of certain meters.
2.5.3 Theory

Figure 2.2.1. Flow measurement apparatus

The flow measurement apparatus consists of a water loop as shown above figure. The supple
line is connected to a gravimetric hydraulic bench. The flow rate controlled by a gate valve
located at the discharge side of the hydraulics bench. A venturi meter, wide-angled diffuser,
orifice meter and rotameter are arranged in series. Pressure taps across each device are
connected to vertical manometer tubes located on a panel at the rear of the apparatus. The
discharge from the apparatus is returned to the hydraulics bench.

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2.5.3.1 Venturi Meter
A venturi meter is a measuring or also considered as a meter device that is usually used to
measure the flow of a fluid in the pipe. A Venturi meter may also be used to increase the
velocity of any type fluid in a pipe at any particular point. It basically works on the principle
of Bernoulli's Theorem. The pressure in a fluid moving through a small cross section drops
suddenly leading to an increase in velocity of the flow. The fluid of the characteristics of high
pressure and low velocity gets converted to the low pressure and high velocity at a particular
point and again reaches to high pressure and low velocity. The point where the characteristics
become low pressure and high velocity is the place where the venturi flow meter is used.
The Venturi meter is constructed as shown in Figure 2.2.2. It has a constriction within itself.
The pressure difference between the upstream and the downstream flow, Δh, can be found as
a function of the flow rate. Applying Bernoulli’s equation to points ① and ② of the Venturi
meter and relating the pressure difference to the flow rate yields.

Figure 2.2.2. Venturi meter

Assume incompressible flow and no frictional losses, from Bernoulli’s Equation

P 1 V 21 P2 V 22
+ + Z = + + Z2 (2.2.1)
γ 2 g 1 γ 2g
Use of the continuity Equation Q = A1V1 = A2V2, Equation (2.2.1) becomes

V 22
[ ( )]
2
P 1−P2 A2
+ Z 1−Z 2 = 1− (2.2.2)
γ 2g A1

V 2=
1
√) 2g ( P−P2
+( Z 1 −Z 2 ))
√
γ
(
2 (2.2.3)
A2
1−
A1

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Theoretical

Q theo = A 2 V 2=
A2
√) 2g ( P1 −P2
)
+( Z 1−Z 2 )

√
γ
(A2 2 (2.2.4)
1−
A1
P 1−P2
+(Z 1 −Z 2 )
γ Δh
The term represents the difference in piezo metric head ( ) between the
two sections 1 and 2. The above expression for V 2 is obtained based on the assumption of
one-dimensional frictionless flow. Hence the theoretical flow can be expressed as

A2
Q theo = A 2 V 2= √ 2 g( Δh )

√ ( )
2
A2 (2.2.5)
1−
A1

Thus,

√(
2 gΔh
Q theo =
1
2
1
− 2
A 2 A1 ) (2.2.6)

Qact Qtheo
Because of the above assumptions, the actual flow rate, differs from and the ratio
between them is called the discharge coefficient, Cd which can be written as

Q act
C d= (2.2.7)
Q theo

The value of Cd differs from one flowmeter to the other depending on the flowmeter geometry
and the Reynolds number. The discharge coefficient is always less than due to various
losses(friction losses, area contraction etc.).

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 Figure 2.2.3. International standard shapes for venture nozzle

The modern venturi nozzle, Fig. 2.2.3, consists of an ISA 1932 nozzle entrance and a conical
expansion of half-angle no greater than 15°. It is intended to be operated in a narrow
Reynolds-number range of 1.5 x 10 5 to 2 x 106. The co-efficient of discharge is 0.95-0.98 for
venturi meter.

Figure 2.5.4. . The co-efficient of discharge of a venturi meter

2.5.3.2 The Orifice Meter

The orifice meter consists of a throttling device (an orifice plate) inserted in the flow. This orifice
plate creates a measurable pressure difference between its upstream and downstream sides. This
pressure is then related to the flow rate. Like the Venturi meter, the pressure difference varies
directly with the flow rate. The orifice meter is constructed as shown in Figure 2.2.5.

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 Figure 2.5.5. Cutaway view of the orifice meter

The co-efficient of discharge is 0.62-0.67 for orifice meter.

Figure 2.2.6. The co-efficient of discharge of a orifice meter

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 Figure 2.5.7. (a) The approximate velocity profiles at several planes near a sharp-edged orifice
plate. Note: the jet emerging from the hole is somewhat smaller than the hole itself; in highly
turbulent flow the jet necks down to a minimum cross section at the vena contracta. Note that there
is some backflow near the wall. (b) It is assumed that the velocity profile at 2 is given by the
approximate profile shown. It is also assumed that the velocity profile at 1 is uniform. From
boundary layer theory, the pressure of the plug flow at 2 is transmitted across the (assumed
stagnate) interval from the plug to the pressure port
2.5.3.3 The Variable Area Meter (Rotameter)
A rotameter consists of a gradually tapered glass tube mounted vertically in a frame with the
large end up. Fluid enters the tube from the bottom. As it enters, it causes the float to rise to a
position of equilibrium. The position of equilibrium is at the point where the weight of the float is
balanced by the weight of the fluid it displaces (the buoyant force exerted on the float by the fluid)
and the pressure due to velocity (dynamic pressure).
The higher the float position the greater the flow rate. Note that as the float rises, the annular
area formed between the float and the tube increases. Maximum flow is at maximum annular area
or when the float is at the top of the tube. Minimum area, of course, represents minimum flow rate
and is when the float is at the bottom of the tube.

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 (a) (b)
Figure 2.5.8. (a, b) Rotameter

In balance conditions, the flow rate is expressed by the following formula:

Q=C d ( A T − A F )=
√ 2 V f ( ρ f −ρ )
Af ρ
(2.2.8)

where
Cd = coefficient of efflux
At = pipe section
Af = maximum section of the float
Vf = Volume of the float
ρf = density of the float
ρ = density of fluid

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 CALCULATIONS AND DATAS
1. Calculation of the coefficient of efflux of the calibrated diaphragm (Orifice meter)

● Find the volumetric flow for each measurement by using the Equation 1:

V (Eq. 1)
Q vol =
t
Where
V: is the volume of the water output accumulated in the storage tank
t: is the time it takes to fill the selected volume
● Find the theoretical flow rate of orifice meter for each measurement by using the
Equation 2:
A2 (Eq. 2)
Qtheo ,orifice =
√❑
Where:
D=17.9 mm d=13.7mm (orifice meter)
Cd= coefficient of discharge
β = d/D
A1= πD2/4 (pipe section)
A2= πd2/4 (restriction section)
∆h1,2 = h1-h2 (load loss)
g=9.81 m/s2 (gravitational acceleration)

● Find the coefficient of efflux (or the discharge coefficient),Cd by using the Equation 3:

Q actual (Eq. 3)
C d=
Qtheoretical ,orifice

(Note that the volumetric flow rate is the actual flow rate so Qactual=Qvol )

● Draw a relationship between the volumetric flow rate (Q vol) in y – axis and the square
root of the load loss (orifice meter) in x – axis

Qrot Volume Qvol H1 H2 √❑ H3 H4 √❑ H5 H6 √❑

(L/h) (L) Time (m3/s) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m)

600
460

340

220

100

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2. Calculation of the coefficient of efflux of the venturi meter

● Find the volumetric flow for each measurement by using the Equation 4:

V (Eq. 4)
Q vol =
t
Where
V: is the volume of the water output accumulated in the storage tank
t: is the time it takes to fill the selected volume
● Find the theoretical flow rate of orifice meter for each measurement by using the
Equation 5:
A2 (Eq. 5)
Qtheo , venturi=
√❑
Where:
D=20 mm d=10mm (venturi meter)
Cd= coefficient of discharge
β = d/D
A1= πD2/4 (pipe section)
A2= πd2/4 (restriction section)
∆h3,4= h3-h4 (load loss)
g=9.81 m/s2 (gravitational acceleration)

● Find the coefficient of efflux (or the discharge coefficient),Cd by using the Equation 6:

Qactual (Eq. 6)
C d=
Qtheoretical ,venturi

(Note that the volumetric flow rate is the actual flow rate so Qactual=Qvol )

● Draw a relationship between the volumetric flow rate (Q vol) in y – axis and the square
root of the load loss (venturi meter) in x – axis

Qorifice −¿Q
% Error= vol
x 100 ¿ (for orifice meter)
Qvol
Q venturi−¿Q
% Error= x 100 ¿ (for venturi meter)
vol

Qvol
Qrotameter−¿ Q
% Error= x 100 ¿ (for rotameter)
vol

Qvol

3. Calculate the load losses

Calculate the coefficients of discharges (cd) for every part (orifice meter, venturi meter and
rotameter).

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4. Calibration of the variable area flowmeter
● Draw the calibration curvebased on the table below, the reading of the rotameter (on
y-axis) against the measured actual volume flowrate (on x-axis).
V
Q vol =
t
5. Report
In your laboratory reports must have the followings;
a) Cover page(5p)
b) Calculations(30p): All the necessary calculations using measured data.
c) Discussions(30p): Discussion of your results and a conclusion (Compare your results -
Cd values, pressure drops, Reynolds numbers and all of your obserations- and explain
advantages and disadvantages etc. of three flow meters also even if you think the results
are unexpected, explain the possible reasons)
d) Suggestions and Recommendations(25p): Is there any part of the experiment open for
improvement, what are your suggestions to improve the results of the experiment (better
observation of trends of the results, better accuracy/precision or elimination of error
sources) Do you have any recommendations if you were to repeat the experiment (with
available devices or a new design or additions of instrumentation)
e) Overall style and structure of report (10p)

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