1.

0 TITLE

Flow Rate Measurement: Orifice Meter, Venturi Meter and Rotameter

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Flow rate is the quantity of a gas or liquid moving through a pipe or channel within a given or
standard period that usually a minute or hour. Flowmeter Measurement Apparatus is designed to
measure a flow of an incompressible fluid. From this experiment, we will obtain the flow rate
measurement with comparison of pressure drop by utilizing three basic types of flow measuring
techniques which are orifice meter, venture meter and rotameter. Meanwhile, the loss coefficient can
be determined when fluid flows through a 90◦ elbow by measuring flow rate on manometers. Actual
flow rates for the water is determined by using a constant volume of 5L and the time taken for the
water to reach until 5L for each experiment. We could compare the flow rates of the flowmeter based
on the results we get from the graph. It shows that venturi meter is more accurate compare to orifice
meter which the flow rates of venturi meter is closer to the actual value of the flow rates. On the
whole, our experiment was successfully done because we has achieved the objective of the
experiment.

3.0 OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is,
3.1 To determine the actual and theoretical flow rate of water for a venture meter and orifice
meter.
3.2 To determine the flow rate coefficient, 𝐶𝑑 from the experimental data for a venture meter and
orifice meter.
4.0 EQUIPMENT
Experiment equipment that consists of,
a. Venturi Meter
b. Orifice Meter
c. Rotameter (with water manometer)
d. Stopwatch
5.0 THEORY

5.1-Venturi Meter
The venturi is manufactured from transparent acrylic materials and follows the classic 21°-10°
convergent-divergent design which forms the basis of most engineering standards for venturi flow meters.
From consideration of continuity between the mouth of the venturi of area 𝐴1 and the throat of area 𝐴2 :
𝑄 = 𝐴1 𝑉1 = 𝐴2 𝑉2

Applying Bernoulli’s theorem to the venturi meter between section 1 and section 2, neglecting losses and
assuming the venturi is installed horizontally:

𝑃1 𝑉12 𝑃2 𝑉22
+ = +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔

The volumetric flow rate is then given by:

2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜. = 𝐴2 𝑉2 = 𝐴2 √
1 − 𝛽4

The actual discharge will be less than this due to losses causing the velocity through the throat to be less
than that predicted by Bernoulli’s theorem, therefore it is necessary to introduce an experimentally
determined coefficient of discharge, 𝐶𝑑 . The actual discharge will then be given by,

2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴2 √
1 − 𝛽4

The coefficient of discharge varies with both the Reynolds number and area ratio. Typical values for a
machined venturi meter are between 0.975 and 0.995.

5.2-Orifice Meter
The orifice for use as a metering device in a pipeline consists of a concentric square-edged circular
hole in a thin plate, which is clamped between the flanges of the pipe. The orifice flow meter consists of a
20 mm bore tube with an orifice of 12 mm. The downstream bore of the orifice is chamfered at 40° to
provide an effective orifice plate thickness of 0.35mm. Manometer tapping are positioned 20mm before
the orifice and 10mm after the orifice plate. Due to the sharpness of the contraction in flow area at the
orifice plate a vena contracta is formed downstream of the throat in which the area of the vena contracta is
less than that of the orifice.

Applying the continuity equation between the upstream conditions of area A1 and the vena contracta of
area 𝐴𝑐 ,
𝑄 = 𝐴1 𝑉1 = 𝐴𝑐 𝑉𝑐
Applying Bernoulli’s equation, neglecting losses and assuming a horizontal installation:
𝑃1 𝑉12 𝑃𝑐 𝑉𝑐2
+ = +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
then solving for 𝑉𝑐 and the volumetric flow rate is then given by,

2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜. = 𝐴𝑐 𝑉𝑐 = 𝐴𝑐 √
1 − 𝛽4
𝐴2 𝑉1
Where its diameter ratio, 𝛽 2 = = .
𝐴1 𝑉2

The coefficient of contraction will be included in the coefficient of discharge and the equations rewritten
in terms of the orifice area A2 with any uncertainties and errors eliminated by the experimental
determination of the coefficient of discharge. The volumetric flow rate is then given by,

2(𝑃1 − 𝑃2 ) 2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴2
√ 2 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴2 √1 − 𝛽 4
𝑉
𝜌(1 − 12 )
𝑉2

5.3-Rotameter
The rotameter is a flow meter in which a rotating free float is the indicating element. Basically, a
rotameter consists of a transparent tapered vertical tube through which fluid flow upward within the tube
is places a freely suspended “float” of pump-bob shape. When there is no flow, the float rests on a stop at
the bottom end. As flow commences, the float rises until upward and buoyancy forces on it are balanced
by its weight. The float rises only a short distance if the rate of flow is small and vice versa. The points of
equilibrium can be noted as a function of flow rate with a well-calibrated marked glass tube, the level of
the float becomes a direst measure of flow rate.

The rotameter utilize a transparent tube and a stainless steel float providing a visual indication of the flow
rate by measuring the position of the float relative to the position of the tube by using the integral scale,
which is calibrated from 1.5 to 10 liters/minute.
The volumetric flow rate is given by,
𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜. = 𝑄𝑟𝑜𝑡.

𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 𝐾𝑄𝑟𝑜𝑡.
6.0 PROCEDURE
6.1 The pipe turned on and the water adjusted to ensure no air bubble was trapped in the pipe.
6.2 The position of head adjusted until the appropriate air and water is acquired in the manometer
tube.
6.3 The test started with maximum flow rate. At this position, the rotameter scale and manometer
reading at 1, 2, 6 and 7 perforated recorded.
6.4 The duration that is needed to collect the volume of water flowing recorded by taking the
reading at scale of volume in liter. This data gave the actual flow rate
6.5 Steps (3) and (4) repeated but with reduced flow rate by adjusting the flow control valve. At
least 15 readings of different of flow rate found.
6.6 All units used in calculations ensured to be in SI unit.

Dimensions given:

Venturi: Orifice:

Inlet: 31.75 mm Inlet: 31.75 mm

Throat: 15 mm Throat: 20 mm

7.0 RESULTS

Calculation

a) Venturi Meter

2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜. = 𝐴2 𝑉2 = 𝐴2 √
1 − 𝛽4

2(9.81𝑚2 /𝑠)(3.00𝑥10−3 𝑚)
=(1.767x10−4 𝑚2 )√ 1−(0.4724)4

=0.0000439 𝑚3 /𝑠
 𝜋𝑑 2 𝐷𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 1𝑚3 1
𝐴2 = 4
𝛽= 𝐷𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 5𝐿𝑥 1000𝐿 𝑥 59.68𝑠

𝜋(15𝑥10−3 ) 15𝑥10−3 𝑚
= 4
=31.75𝑥10−3 𝑚 =0.0000838𝑚3 /𝑠

=1.767x10−4 𝑚2 =0.4724

2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴2 √
1 − 𝛽4

𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜.

0.0000838𝑚3 /𝑠
𝐶𝑑 =
0.0000439𝑚3 /𝑠

𝐶𝑑 =1.90502973

b) Orifice Meter

2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜. = 𝐴𝑐 𝑉𝑐 = 𝐴𝑐 √
1 − 𝛽4

2(9.81𝑚2 /𝑠)(9.33𝑥10−3 𝑚)
=(3.1416x10−4 𝑚2 )√
1−(0.6299)4

=0.0001464𝑚3 /𝑠

𝜋𝑑 2 𝐷𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 1𝑚3 1
𝐴𝑐 = 4
𝛽= 𝐷𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 5𝐿𝑥 1000𝐿 𝑥 59.98𝑠

𝜋(20𝑥10−3 ) 20𝑥10−3 𝑚
= 4
=31.75𝑥10−3 𝑚 =0.0007122𝑚3 /𝑠

=3.1416x10−4 𝑚2 =0.6299
 2𝑔𝐻
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑐 √
1 − 𝛽4

𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜.

0.0007122𝑚3 /𝑠
𝐶𝑑 =
0.0001464𝑚3 /𝑠

𝐶𝑑 =0.486347

8.0 ANALYSIS/ DISCUSSION

𝐂𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐐𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨.

Venturi Meter
3.5

2.5

1.5
Venturi Meter
1

0.5

0
 𝐂𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐐𝐚𝐜𝐭.

Venturi Meter
3.5

2.5

1.5
Venturi Meter
1

0.5

𝐂𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐐𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨.

Orifice Meter
0.54

0.52

0.5

0.48

0.46
Orifice Meter
0.44

0.42

0.4
 𝐂𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐐𝐚𝐜𝐭.

Orifice Meter
0.54

0.52

0.5

0.48

0.46
Orifice Meter
0.44

0.42

0.4

Actual Flow Rate vs Rotameter Scale

0.0003

0.00025

0.0002

0.00015

0.0001

0.00005

0
1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1
Equation

y=20347.95x + 0.4492

The experiment that has been conducted made use of the venturi and orifice meters in determining
the head loss and coefficient of discharge for each flowmeters. From the experiment, we successfully
obtained the head loss and coefficient of discharge with comparison of pressure drop. Determined values
for the coefficient of discharge for the venturi meter and orifice meter did not achieved the desired values
on contrary with the standard values. Error can be accounted with the accuracy of the apparatus, leaks
and occasional wearing may affect the data determined. The sudden change in the flow area in the orifice
meters causes considerable swirl and as the velocity of the flow increases, the vena contracta decreases.
The smaller the vena contracta gets the greater the pressure difference, and thus the higher the energy loss
and thus significant head loss. In general, orifice meter have the highest minor loss coefficient, while
venturi meter have the lowest. In principle states that in a moving fluid, when the area decrease the
velocity is increase and the pressure inside the fluid decrease.

According to the laws governing fluid dynamics, a fluid’s velocity must increase as it passes
through constriction to satisfy the principle of continuity, while its pressure must decrease to satisfy the
principle of mechanical energy. In conclusion, the flow rate in venturi meter is higher than orifice meter.
Conclusion in this experiment, we use the differential flow meters that are the orifice meter and venturi
meter. From the data obtained, for the orifice meter high pressure drop is unrecovered this is due to the
flow rate is increased at the opening of the orifice plate and not much energy is lost but as it flows
through and starts slowing down, much of the excess energy is lost. For the venturi meter, the value
obtained were closer to the actual this is due to lower pressure drop that results from its streamlined shape
and almost eliminates boundary-layer separation and thus form drag is assumed negligible. It has a
converging and a diverging part, Although, there may be some pressure loss in the converging part of the
venturi meter but in a properly designed venturi meter some percentage of pressure loss is attained back
in the diverging part of the meter. This meter is good for high pressure and energy recovery. To be
concluded, venture meter was more accurate compared to orifice meter and rotameter.

For the orifice flow meter or also called as differential pressure flow meter, we can observe a trend
in the readings. At the beginning of the experiment, a flow rate of 1L/min is set, followed by 2L/min and
lastly 5L/min. The accuracy of the reading compared to the calculated value is relatively high. However, a
trend is observed. The accuracy is higher at flow rate of 1L/min, reduces for the 1L/min and is the highest
for the 5L/min flow rate. This accuracy can be caused by the errors present in conducting the experiment.
For a orifice flow meter, a pressure drop is produced when the fluid passes through a barrier or restriction.
If the fluid passes through a tube of smaller diameter, it accelerates with a higher velocity. According to
Bernoulli’s Law, when a fluid accelerates, its pressure decreases and therefore creates a pressure drop. As
a result, differential producing flow meters is limited to use within a smaller range or a low flow.

Based on the experiment, there are several errors affecting the outcome of the experiment:
Fluctuating flow rate results in the difficulty to read the water level accurately especially during initial
part of the experiment because the water flow is not stable and the time keeper might not start the time
accurately when the water level reaches 0L/min. The fluctuating of the flow rate also makes it difficult to
set up the flow rate of the liquid in constant, especially when we need a constant value at 1L/min, 2L/min
and 3L/min. The start of time-keeping is not synchronized and might not be accurately started when the
water level of tank reaches 0L/min due to the different response time of the experimenter. Parallax error
occurs when reading the water tank level, due to restrictions like height of the reader in which some may
be too tall and otherwise.

Last but not least, the discharge coefficient for orifice meter is far lower compared to discharge
coefficient for venturi meter because in venturi meter losses are less so coefficient of discharge is higher
whereas in orifice meter due to no convergent and divergent cones there are more losses and hence its
coefficient of discharge is less. In venturi meter losses are low due to steam line shape of the diffuser and
the pressure gradient is not abrupt as in case of orifice meter.

9.0 REFERENCES
1. Dr. Khalil M. Alastal (2018). Experiment (4): Flow Measurement. Retrieved from:
http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/mymousa/files/Experiment-4-Fluid-mechanics-lab.pdf
2. Jerome Magno (Nov 15, 2017). Observation and Analysis of Results, Conclusion,
Recommendation. Retrieved from:
https://www.scribd.com/document/364536736/Observation-and-Analysis-of-Results-Conclusion-
Recommendation
3. Nurlina Syahiirah (2015). CHE241-Lab Report Flowmeter Measurement Apparatus FM101.
Retrieved from:
https://www.academia.edu/18747069/CHE241__Lab_Report_Flowmeter_Measurement_Apparat
us_FM101_2015_
POST-LAB QUESTIONS

9.1 A venturi meter is basically a type of flow meter with a specially designed tube, used to
measure the flow velocity of liquids especially highly viscous liquids. It is one of the most
accurate means of measuring the flow. Just like Electromagnetic Flow meter, it has no
pressure drop (head loss) hence is very useful in places where pressure drop should be
minimal and where a greater emphasis is laid on the highest accuracy achievable.

9.2 In conclusion, , the flow rate in venturi meter is higher than orifice meter and venturi meter
was more accurate compared to orifice meter and rotameter. The mean for venture meter is
1.883471 while for orifice meter is 0.470407. The error for venturi meter is 45.83% and for
orifice meter is 105.2%.

9.3 Lastly, equation for the graph actual flow rate versus rotameter scale is y=20347.95x +
0.4492.