FACULTY OF PETROLEUM AND RENEWABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY
TITLE OF EXPERIMENT
FLOW MEASUREMENT
(E4)
Name

MUHAMMAD KHAIRIL IKRAM(A13KP0047)

AKMAL FAIZ BIN ABDUL RAHIM (A13KP0008)
ABDUL WAHAB (A13KP4006)
KSATRIYA ANANTAYUTYA (A13KP4001)

Group / Section

1/Section

Supervisor

Associate Professor Issham bin Ismail

Date of Experiment

17/3/2014

Date of Submission

23/3/201
4

Marks obtained (%)

4.4 Result
Table below show the data for venturi meter and orifice plate meter respectively.

Venturi meter
Volume Time
water
(second,s)
collected
(Litre)

H1
(mm)

H2
(mm)

(m)

Qtheo
(m3/s)
x 10-3

Qact
(m3/s)
x 10-3

Cd,theo

Log
h

Log
Qactual

5.0

30.07

498

342

0.156

0.14

0.17

1.21

-0.01

-3.77

5.0

24.75

488

264

0.224

0.17

0.20

1.18

-0.65

-3.70

5.0
5.0

22.06
20.13

454
452

178
90

0.276
0.362

0.19
0.22

0.23
0.25

1.21
1.14

-0.56
-0.44

-3.64
-3.60

D1 = 20.4 mm

D3 = 10.0 mm

Orifice plate meter

These orifice has two different method of pressure drop measurement cross the orifice plate.
i.
ii.

Upstream pressure point where the orifice plate equal to the diameter of the test pipe (D)
and downstream pressure is where its distance is equal to radius of pipe (D/2)
Both upstream and downstream pressure/tapping point at the corner are positioned
immediately perpendicular to the orifice plate.
D = 22.0 mm and D/2 = 12.0 mm
Pressure heads at D and D/2 tappings

Volume
water
collected
(litre)
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0

Time
(second,s
)

h1 @ D
(mm)

h2 @ D/2
(mm)

29
27
23
20

540
500
500
490

370
310
240
180

(m)
0.170
0.190
0.260
0.310

Qtheo
(m3/s)
x 10-3
0.093
0.098
0.115
0.126

Qact
(m3/s)
x 10-3
0.172
0.185
0.217
0.250

Cd,theo

1.849
1.888
1.887
1.984

Pressure heads at the upstream and downstream corners corner tappings

Volume
water
collected
(litre)
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0

Time
(second,s
)
29
27
23
20

h3 @ up- h4
stream
@down(mm)
stream
(mm)
505
290
495
290
490
280
470
280

(m)
0.215
0.205
0.210
0.190

Qtheo
(m3/s)
x 10-3
0.105
0.102
0.103
0.098

Qact
(m3/s)
x 10-3
0.172
0.185
0.217
0.250

Cd,theo

1.638
1.814
2.107
2.551

INTRODUCTION
The measurement of fluid flow is important in applications ranging from measurements of
blood-flow rates in human artery to the measurement of liquid oxygen in a rocket.
The selection of the proper instrument for a particular application is governed by many variables,
including cost. Flow-rate-measurement devices frequently require accurate pressure and
temperature measurements in order to calculate the output of the instrument.
The most widely used flow metering principle involves placing a fixed area flow restriction of
some type in the pipe or duct carrying the fluid. This flow restriction causes a pressure drop that
varies with the flow rate.
Thus, measurement of the pressure drop by means of a suitable differential-pressure pick up
allows flow rate measurement.
Each of the flow measurement devices inherently has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Some of those instruments are:
The Venturi Meter
In the venturi meter (shown in figure (1) below) the fluid is accelerated through a converging
cone and the pressure difference between the upstream side of the cone and the throat is
measured and provides the signal for the rate of flow

The fluid slows down in a cone with smaller angle where most of the kinetic energy is converted
back to pressure energy. Because of the cone and the gradual reduction in the area, the flow
area is at minimum at the throat.
High pressure and energy recovery makes the venturi meter suitable where only small pressure
heads are available.

The Orifice

Plate
The orifice meter shown in figure (2) below, consists of a flat orifice plate with a circular hole
drilled in it. There is a pressure tap upstream from the orifice plate and another just downstream.
There are in general three methods of placing the taps. The coefficient of the meter depends upon
the position`n of taps.

Theory
Venturi meter
The Bernoulli equation can be applied to by referring point 1 and 2. The analysis for the equation
for flow rate can be derived:

2g

Qth= A V A
3 3
3

where:

h h
1

A
1- 3
A1

theoretical volumetric flow rate (m3/s)

cross sectional area at 1 (m2 )
cross sectional area at 3 (m2 )
height of manometer column 1 in meters (m )
height of manometer column 3 in meters (m )

Qth
A1
A3

h1
h3

The discharge coefficient defined as the ratio of the actual flow rate, Q act over theoretical flow rate
Qth : Coefficient of discharge, Cd = Qactual / Qtheoritical
Q act C Q
d th

2g h1 h3
2g
=C A
C A
d 3
d 3
2
2
A

A
3
3

1
1 A
A

1
and

Q act n h

...........where

n C A
d 3

h1 h3

2g
A
1- 3
A
1

This equation can be written as:

Log Qact = Log n + a Log h
To find the the n and hence Cd experimentally, using a graph Log Qact vs Log h

Orifice meter
For the orifice plate diagram, the Bernoulli equation can be applied at point 1 and 3. From the
analysis, the equations for flow rate can derived as:
Volumetric flow rate:

 2g h
2
1- m

Qth = a

where:

Qth
a
m
h

theoretical volumetric flow rate (m3/s)

cross-sectional area of plate (m2 )
ratio of cross-sectional area of plate to pipe, (a/A)
difference in height of manometer column (m)

Discharge coefficient defined as the ratio of actual volume flow rate to theoretical volume flow rate
:
Coefficient of discharge, Cd = Qactual / Qtheoritical

Q act C Q
d th
2g h
C a
= C a
d 1 - m 2
d

and

aA

A2 - a 2

Q act C
d

2g
2
a
1-
A
2g h

...........where

aA
meter coefficien t

A2 - a 2

Calculation
a) Venturi Meter
For the first data,
i) Time

= 31.16 s

ii) Volume v

5 liter

= 0.005 m3
= 0.005m3/31.16

iii) Qactual

= 0.1605x 10-3 m3/s

iv) H

= h1 - h2
= ( 497 -343 ) mm
= 0.154 m

v) Qtheo = 7.854x10-5 [ 2(9.81)( 0.410) (1-(7.854x10-5 /3.2685x10-4) 2 ]

= 0.15663 x 10-3 m3/s

vi) Cd

= Q

actual

theo

= 0.2073 x10 -3
0.72568 x 10 -3
= 0.2857
vii) log Qactual

= log 0.2073 x 10-3

= -0.6834

viii) log H

= log 0.410
= -0.3872

b)

Orifice Plate Meter

Pressure Heads at D and D/2 tappings
For the first data,
i) Time

t = 84 s

ii) Volume v = 5 liter

= 0.005 m 3

= 0.005 m3

iii) Qactual

84 s
= 0.0595 x 10-3 m3/s
iv) H = h1 - h2
= ( 525 - 360 ) mm
= 0.165 m

v) Q theo

= 452.3893 [2(9.81) 0.165) (1-(452.3893/546.6321)]

= 0.4598 x 10 -3 m3/s
= 0.0595 x 10-3

vi) Cd

0.4598 x 10-3
= 0.1294

Value for the next data also use the same method as above.

Pressure Heads at the Upstream & Downstream Corners Corners Tappings

i) Qactual

= 0.0595 x 10-3 m3/s

ii) H = h3 - h4
= ( 526 -362 ) mm
= 0.164 m
iii) Qteori

= 452.3893 [2(9.81) 0.164) (1-(452.3893/546.6321)]

= 0.4584 x 10 -3 m3/s
iv) Cd = Qactual
Qtheo
= 0.0595 x 10-3
0.4584 x 10-3
= 0.1298

Analysing the results

The graph

log Qactual versus log h

is plotted. By comparing this equation of Log Qact =

Cd A3

Log H + Log n, where n =

linearly increasing to log h

2g
A3 2
1( )
A1

with the graph plotted, log Q actual

is

and the graph obtained is a linear graph. This proved

that the graph plotted is correct. Next, the gradient from the equation is 0.5 while the
gradient obtained from the graph is 0.5461. The theoretical gradient value and the
gradient value obtained from the graph are slightly different. While the y-intercept
obtained from the graph is -3.3432. From y-intercept, we are able to calculate the
value for

C d as below:

Log n

-3.3432

log C d A 3

C d (7.854 x 105

= Log

log 7.854 x 10

(
1

2g
A 2
1( 3 )
A1

2 ( 9.81 )
7.854 x 105
3.269 x 104

= -3.3432

2 ( 9.81 )

7.854 x 105
1
3.269 x 104

3.3432
Cd=

= 0.9672
Average

Cd =

1.0247+ 1.0988+ 1.0565+1.0793

4

= 1.0648

However, the calculated

Cd

and average

Cd

values are slightly different. Thus,

the overall result that we obtained for venturi meter is incorrect. This is due to some
errors made while conducting the experiment and also errors that might come from
the apparatus been used in experiment. This will further discuss in question (v).
The graph of Qact against h for method D and 1/D and method upstream and
downstream is plotted.
Theoritically,

aA
Q act C
d 2 2
A -a

2g h

...........where

aA
meter coefficien t
2 2
A -a

thus the graph can also be expressed as

aA
C
2g
d
2
2
A -a
Qact =MX+c, m =
.
For the D and 1/2D tappings method, the m=1.3539, therefore;

aA

A2 - a 2

C
d

Cd

2g

=1.3539

= 1.3539

= 1.3539

A 2a 2
aA

)
2

0.00038 0.0001
0.000380.0001 29.81

=1.081
For method D and 1/2D, the average coefficient discharged Cd is,
Average

Cd =

1.7449+1.7228+1.7813+
3

= 1.750
For method upstream and downstream, the average coefficient discharged Cd is,
Average

Cd

1.3777+ 1.5856+1.7472
3
= 1.570

The value of both average coefficient discharged C d for method D and 1/2D
and upstream and downstream is different to each other which are 1.750 and 1.570.
The different value is can be caused by some errors that done during the experiment
such as the reading of outlet pipe that is not perpendicular to our eyes. Other error is
might be come from the apparatus.
Based on the experimental results, venturi meter have more losses compared to
orifice meter. This venturi meter losses should be low due to steam line shape of the
diffuser however our experimental data deviate from the fact. From the observation,
venturi meter have lower Cd compared to orifice meter. So, venturi gives less accurate
measurement because its coefficient of discharge, Cd is lower compared to orifice
meter.
Based on the experimental results, which flow meter gives more accurate
measurement. Briefly explain your choice.
As the results indicate, the most accurate flowmeter reading was the venture
meter. The flow rate to theoretical flow rate ratio for average was slightly higher,
this shows that the data collected during the experiment was not significantly
accurate. The data collected using the orifcee plate meter was having a greater
variation than the accurate value, this shows that there were some errors while
conducting the experiment.

Errors during in the Experiment

Systematics error like error with the apparatus. The flexible tube have an air
buble inside it. Therefore, it will affect the reading of the height of the
manometer.The surface of the manometer ruler is not clear. It confius the reader
want to read the scale. As a result, the reading was not precise.Human error also
one of the errors happen in the experiment. There is limitation in the time response

in human, the observer may not start and stop the stopwatch simultaneously when
the water level is reaching.
The parallax error can be reduced by putting a white paper behind the ruler to
make the water meniscus be seen more clearly Before start the experiment, we
have to ensure that the air bubble in the flexible tube completely null. So it will
gave the precise readings.
Make sure the scale of the ruler is in good condition. So the readers would get
the precise readings. The rate of flow of water must be in a steady flow for a
constant velocity at nozzle.
All the apparatus is made sure in good condition before the experiment start. In
order to obtain a more accurate result, some repetition while taking the reading
can be done and average value is calculated.

Conclusion
The objective of this experiment was to determine and compared the coefficient of discharged,
Cd for a series of flow measuring devices.
From the experiment, we can conclude that the logarithm value for Qactual is directly proportional
with the increasing logarithm value for h. We also obtain that the experimental slopes of graphs are
seen to be deviate from the theoretical value C d. From the graph that we constructed, we can measure the

coefficient discharged, Cd by measuring the slope of the Qactual versus

h . The height of the

manometer reading will effects the coefficient discharged, C d. And also, Qtheoritical is inversely proportional
to coefficient discharge, Cd. so the higher the Qtheoritical, the lower the Cd.
However, this experiment involved with some errors that will affect the accuracy of the result,
hence, we should take the measurements repeatedly and carefully throughout the experiment to
minimize the error in the experiment.

Procedure
1. The apparatus was set up as shown in the figure. The outlet pipe variable head
outlet tank was elevated. The pump then was turn on until the water started to flow

into the pipe at the constant head inlet tank.

2. The flexible tubing to the manometer was connected before removing
any air bubbles in the tubing.
3. The outlet pipe at the variable head outlet tank was adjusted and the pressure
reading on the manometer was recorded. For orifice plate meter, H1, H2, H3 and
H4 readings were taken while for venture meter, only H1 and H2 readings were
taken.
4. The water reservoir/sump valve was closed and when the volume was attained at
2 liters, the stopwatch was started until the volume of water reached 7 liters.
Three different height of water were used for further reading.
5. The controlled valve was closed and the pump switch was turned off.

References

1. R. L. Daugherty and J. B. Franzini, Fluid Mechanics, 6th ed. (New York:

McGraw-Hill,
1965). pp. 338-349.

2. http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/fluids/orifice.htm

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orifice_plate