Experiment No: Orifice Meter

OBJECTIVES

1. To calculate theoretical discharge rate through orifice meter (Qt) and to measure actual flow rate (Qa)
through orifice meter.
2. To determine the value of coefficient of discharge Cd

INTRODUCTION:

If a constriction is placed in a closed channel carrying a stream of fluid, there will be increase in velocity,
and hence increase in Kinetic Energy, at the constriction, from an energy balance, as given by Bernoulli’s
Theorem, there must be a corresponding reduction in pressure. Rate of discharge from the constriction can
be calculated by knowing this pressure reduction, the area available for flow at the constriction, the density
of fluid, and the Co-efficient of discharge (ratio of actual flow to the theoretical flow).

THEORY

The Bernoulli's principle states that for an inviscid flow, an increase in the speed of the fluid occurs
simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or a decrease in the fluid's potential energy. Fluid particles are
subject only to pressure and their own weight. If a fluid is flowing horizontally and along a section of a
streamline, where the speed increases it can only be because the fluid on that section has moved from a
region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure; and if its speed decreases, it can only be because it
has moved from a region of lower pressure to a region of higher pressure. Consequently, within a fluid
flowing horizontally, the highest speed occurs where the pressure is lowest, and the lowest speed occurs
where the pressure is highest
A common form of Bernoulli's equation, valid at any arbitrary point along a streamline where gravity is
constant, is:
P V2
+ + Z=Constant (A)
ρg 2 g
Where:

V  Fluid flow velocity at a point on a streamline

g Gravitational acceleration constant
Z  Elevation of the point above a reference plane, with the positive z-direction pointing upward – so
in the direction opposite to the gravitational acceleration,
P  The pressure at the chosen point, and
r The density of the fluid
The Venturi effect is a jet effect; as with an (air) funnel, or a thumb on a garden hose, the velocity of the
fluid increases as the cross sectional area decreases, with the static pressure correspondingly decreasing.
According to the laws governing fluid dynamics, a fluid's velocity must increase as it passes through a
constriction to satisfy the principle of continuity, while its pressure must decrease to satisfy the principle of
conservation of mechanical energy. Thus any gain in kinetic energy a fluid may accrue due to its increased
 velocity through a constriction is negated by a drop in pressure. An equation for the drop in pressure due to
the Venturi effect may be derived from a combination of Bernoulli's principle and the continuity equation.

Referring to the diagram to the right, using Bernoulli's equation in the special case of incompressible flows
(such as the flow of water or other liquid, or low speed flow of gas), the theoretical pressure drop at the
constriction is given by:
P1 V 21 P2 V 22
+ = + (1)
ρg 2 g ρg 2 g

Where   is the density of the fluid, V1 is the (slower) fluid velocity where the pipe is wider, V2 is the (faster)
fluid velocity where the pipe is narrower (throat region or vena contract as seen in the Figure 1). This
assumes the flowing fluid (or other substance) is not significantly compressible - even though pressure
varies, the density is assumed to remain approximately constant.

Continuity equation for this region can been written as;

π 2 π
Q= d 1 . V 1= d 22 .V 2 (2)
4 4
Substituting eqn (2) in eqn (1) and rearranging gives;

1 2. ∆ P
Q= A 2 .
√(1−β ) ρ
4
√ (3)

Where β is diameter ratio i.e. d2/d1 and ∆P is pressure difference between point 1 and 2.

In case where manometer is used to measure the pressure difference between point 1 and 2, equation 3 can
be given as;

1 2. ∆ h
Q= A 2 .
√(1−β ) ρ
4
√
Where, difference in Piezometric head (∆h ) between the two sections 1 and 2.
(4)

EXPERIMENT SETUP

The apparatus consists of an Orifice meter in a pipe. All pipes consist of separate flow control valves and
common inlet and outlet valves. A Sump tank with centrifugal pump is provided for water circulation
through pipes. The pressure tapings is provided on inlet and outlet of orifice meter. Pressure tapings are
 connected to a differential manometer. Discharge Rate Qa is measured with the help of measuring tank and
stop watch.

Figure 1 Experiment Setup

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Orifice Meter

 Pipe diameter : 0.028 m

 Throat diameter : 0.014 m
Collection Tank

 Material : SS
 Size : 0.4 m X 0.25 m (width X breadth)
OPERATION PROCEDURE
1. Close all the provided valves
2. Fill the tank with 3/4th water and ensure that no foreign particles enter the stream
3. Open the bypass valve (Refer to the figure).
4. Fill the manometer with mercury by opening the valve attached to the mercury column and
ensure that no air bubbles enter the stream.
5. Ensure that the main switch panel is at OFF position.
6. Switch on the main power supply and then switch on the pump.
7. Open flow control valve no. 2 of the orifice test section.( refer to the figure)
8. Open the air release valve provided on the manometer to slowly release the air bubble from
manometer
9. When there is no air in the manometer, close the air release valves.
 10. Adjust the water flow rate in the orifice section using the control valve (Regulating Valve) and
the bypass valve
11. Record the manometer reading.
12. Measure the flow of water discharged through desired test section using stop watch and
measuring tank.
13. Measure the area (Breadth and Width) of measuring / collecting tank.
14. Take readings at least three times for different flow rates of water and pressure.

OBSERVATION TABLE

Table 1: Actual Discharge (Qa)

Area of Volume
Sr. Rise of water Measuring collected in t= time Qa
No. level “h” (m) Tank “t” sec (sec) (m3/sec)
(m2) (m3)
1. 0.1 0.1 0.01 15.06 6.6401*10^-4
2. 0.1 0.1 0.01 16.41 6.0938*10^-4
3. 0.1 0.1 0.01 17.89 5.5897*10^-4
4. 0.1 0.1 0.01 21.33 4.6882*10^-4
5. 0.1 0.1 0.01 23.58 4.2409*10^-4
6.
7.
8.

Table 2: Theoretical Discharge (Qt)

Manometer reading (hg) Qt =
(m of Hg) H= Cd =
Sr. (a1 a2) √ (2gH) /
Dh( m / ρ w -1),
ρ
Qa/ Qt
No. √ (a21 – a22)
Dh = h1-h2 = h x 12.1
h1 h2 = 7.0416 X 10-4 X √ H

m (of water) m3/sec

1. 0.268 0.077 0.191 2.3111 1.0705*10^-3 0.6203
2. 0.255 0.093 0.162 1.9602 9.8587*10^-4 0.6181
3. 0.239 0.108 0.131 1.5851 8.8654*10^-4 0.6305
4. 0.224 0.122 0.102 1.2342 7.8228*10^-4 0.5992
5. 0.21 0.125 0.085 1.0285 7.1412*10^-4 0.5939
6.
7.
8.

Date of Performance Sign. of Faculty

SHUTDOWN PROCEDURE

1. Switch OFF the Pump.

2. Fully open all valves.
3. Drain the water completely from the test section, measuring tank and discharge tank into the sump tank.
4. Turn off the main switch and disconnect the test rig from the power supply.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Graph: Cd vs Qa

Make your discussion on value of discharge coefficient and its acceptable range.

SAMPLE CALCULATION: For reading no: ______

Actual discharge through test rig (Qa):

Rise of water level in measuring tank (h) : ______0.1_______ m

Diameter of measuring (d) : ______________ m

Area of measuring tank (A) : ______________ m2

Time taken for rise of water level (h) in measuring tank (t) : ______________ sec

A.h
Volume flow rate through test rig (Qa) = t (m3/s)

Theoretical discharge through test rig (Qth):

Area of pipe (a1) = π/4* d12

Throat area (a2) = π/4* d22

Equivalent head of water (H) = Dh(ρm / ρ w -1)

Theoretical Discharge (Qth) = (a1 a2) √ (2gH) /√ (a21 – a22)

Coefficient of discharge (Cd) = Qa/ Qth

NOMENCLATURE:

A Area of Measuring Tank, m2

a1 Area at inlet of orifice meter
a2 Area at throat of orifice meter
Cd Coefficient of discharge.
d1 Diameter at inlet of orifice meter
d2 Diameter at throat of orifice meter
g Acceleration due to gravity, m/sec2
H Loss of head, m of water
h Manometer difference, m
h1, h2 Manometer reading at both points, cm.
Qa Actual discharge for Venturi meter
Qt Theoretical discharge for Venturi meter
t Time taken for Rise of water level in measuring tank, sec
ρm Density of Manometric fluid
ρw Density of water

Results and Discussions: