UES011 THERMO-FLUIDS

FLUID MECHANICS PROJECT

Flow measurement comparison of Venturimeter and
Orificemeter

SUBIMITTED BY:
PIYUSH KUMAR GUPTA

101554021

ELE-1
OBJECTIVE: Flow measurement comparison of venturimeter
and orificemeter.
SUB-OBJECTIVE:
1. Calibrate and find the coefficient of discharge.
2. Graphically plot and compare the variation in coefficient of discharge
with Reynolds number.
3. Discuss under what conditions each of these flow meters are used,
and why?

THEORY:
VENTURIMETER:
It is a device used for the measurement of discharge of fluid through a
pipe. The basic principle on which a venturimeter works is that by
reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow passage, a pressure
difference is created and by measuring this pressure difference,
discharge through the pipe can be determined.

A venturimeter consists of an inlet section, a converging pipe, a

cylindrical throat and a diverging pipe. The inlet section of the
venturimeter is of the same diameter as that of the pipe. Two pressure
tapping are provided one at the inlet section just upstream of the
converging pipe and the other at the throat section so that for a given
discharge, a maximum possible pressure difference exists between the
two sectors. This pressure difference is measure by connecting a
differential U-tube manometer to the two pressure tapping.
Figure 1: Venturimeter apparatus.

ORIFICEMETER:
An orificemeter like a venturimeter is another simple device used for
measuring the discharge of liquid through a pipe. It works on the same
principle as that of a venturimeter. However, in the case of a
venturimeter there is a gradual reduction of flow area but in case of an
orificemeter, there is a sudden reduction of the flow area. As a result,
the energy losses in orificemeters are much more than that of
venturimeter.

An orificemeter consists of a flat circular plate with a hole called an

orifice, it is circular and is concentric with the pipe axis. The diameter of
the circular orifice may vary from 0.2 to 0.85D, where D is the diameter
of the pipe. The upstream face of the orifice is beveled at an angle
varying from 30 to 45 degree so that the liquid has minimum contact
with the orifice. The orifice plate is clamped between the pipe fittings
with beveled surface facing downstream. Two pressure tapping are
provided, one on the upstream side of the orifice and the other on
downstream side of the orifice plate. When the flow approaches the
orifice, the streamlines starts converging.

Figure 2: Orificemeter apparatus.

CALCULATIONS:
VENTURIMETER:
Diameter at an inlet section, D1 = 2.54 cm

Diameter of the throat section, D2 = 1.5 cm

Area of an inlet section,A1 = (*D12)/4 = 5.067 cm2

Area of the throat section, A2 = (*D22)/4 = 1.767 cm2

Venturimeter constant, C = ((A1*A2)2g)/(A12-A22) = 83.5

Temperature of water, TC = 20C

Kinematic viscosity of water, at TC = 1.007* 106 m2/s

OBSERVATIONS TABLE:

ORIFICEMETER:
Diameter of the main pipe, D = 2.54 cm

Diameter of an orifice, do = 1.5 cm

Area of pipe, A = (*D2)/4 = 5.067 cm2

Area of an orifice, Ao = (*do2)/4 = 1.767 cm2

Temperature of water, TC = 20C

Kinematic viscosity of water, at TC = 1.007* 106 m2/s

OBSERVATIONS TABLE:
GRAPHS:

DISCUSSION:
1. Installation of an orificemeter requires a smaller length as
compared to a venturimeter. As such, wherever the space is
limited, an orificemeter may be used.

2. The orificemeter has a large permanent loss of pressure because

of the presence of eddies on the downstream side of the orifice-
plate, the shape of the venturimeter prevents the formation of
these eddies and greatly reduces the permanent loss.
3. It should be noted that for a given pipe diameter and a given
diameter of orifice opening or venturi throat, the reading of the
venturimeter for a given velocity is to the reading of the orifice as
1:2.58.

4. The orifice plate can easily be changed to accommodate widely

different flow rates, whereas the throat diameter of a venturi is
fixed, so that its range of flow rates is circumscribed by the
practical limits of p.
5. The orifice is cheap and easy to install. The venturi meter is
expensive, as it must be carefully proportioned and fabricated.