CALCULATION OF DISCHARGE COEFFICIENT OF ORIFICE PLATE,

VENTURI AND PITOT TUBE

1. Aim
The aim of the experiment is to calculate the discharge co-efficient of orifice plate,
venturi and pitot tube.

2. Equipments Required
Flow measurement setup

3. Principle
The flow meters are based on the Bernoullis principle. According to the principle, in a
flowing stream, the sum of the pressure head, the velocity head, and the elevation head
at one point is equal to their sum at another point in the direction of flow plus the loss
due to friction between the two points.
2
2

+ + =

Where,
V = fluid velocity,
g = acceleration due to gravity,
Z = elevation,
P = pressure at selected point and

= density of the fluid.

Fig.1. Experimental set up

Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

4. Orifice Meter
The orifice meter consists of thin circular metal plate with circular sharp edge hole in
it. The concentric orifice is by far the most widely used. As the fluid passes through the
orifice, it contracts the area. The minimum flow area is called vena contracta. Different
types of taps are used for orifice meter. The flow of fluid through the orifice meter
establishes the pressure differential across the orifice plate, which can then be measured
and related to the flow rate.
The actual discharge through orifice meter is given by,
QA =

..2

(12 ( )4 )

.2

Where,
QA = Actual discharge (m3/s),
Cc = Coefficient of contraction,
A = Area of orifice (m2),
g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2),
h = differential pressure head of the liquid (m),
D = Diameter of orifice (m) and
d = Diameter of pipe (m).
The above expression can be written as,
Q = Cd A 2gh

Fig.2. Orifice plate

2

.3

Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

5. Venturi Meter
The venturi is particularly adapted to installation in pipelines not having long,
unobstructed runs. The flow of fluid through the venturi tube establishes the pressure
differential which can then be measured and related to the flow rate. Because of the
gradual reduction in the area of flow, there is no vena contracta and the flow area is
minimum at the throat so that, the coefficient of contraction is unity. The meter is equally
suitable for compressible ad incompressible fluids.
The flow through the venturi meter and hence the flow through the pipe is given by,

QA =

1 2 (2)12
(12 22 )1/2

Where,
QA = Theoretical discharge (m3/s),
a1 = Area of venturi meter at inlet (m2),
a2 = Area of venturi meter at throat (m2),
g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2) and
H = Differential pressure head of the liquid (m).

Fig.3. Venturi meter

6. Pitot Tube
The pitot tube is primarily a device for measuring fluid velocity. It is a combination of
a total head tube and a static tube. It consists simply of a tube supported in the pipe with
3

Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

the impact opening arranged to point directly towards the incoming fluid. This is called
the impact opening and is used to measure the stagnation pressure. The static pressure
is measured through the ordinary pressure tap. The difference between impact pressure
and static pressure represents velocity head.
Pressure difference (H) = Velocity head =
Velocity (V) = (2gH)1/2

Fig.4. Pitot tube

7. Formula
7.1.

Orifice meter

1. Inlet area of the orifice meter =

2. Orifice area of the meter (a) =

D2
(m2)
4
d 2
(m2)
4

3. Actual discharge (Qa) = (Q/t) (m3/s)

4. Theoretical discharge ( QT) = a (2gH)1/2 (m3/s)
5. Coefficient of discharge (Cd) = Qa/QT
7.2.

Venturi meter

D2
1. Inlet area of the venturi =
(m2)
4
d 2
2. Throat area of the meter (a) =
(m2)
4
3. Venturi meter constant (K) =

a1a2 2 g
(a12 a 22 )1 / 2
4

V2
2g

.5
.6

Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

4. Actual discharge (Qa) = Q/t (m3/s)
5. Theoretical discharge (QT) = k H (m3/s)
6. Coefficient of discharge (Cd) = Qa/QT
7.3.

Pitot tube

D2
(m2)
4

1. Inlet area of the pitot tube meter (A) =

2. Actual discharge (Qa) = Q/t (m3/s)
3. Theoretical fluid velocity (V) =

2 gH (m/s2)

4. Theoretical discharge (QT) = AV (m3/s)

5. Coefficient of discharge (Cd) = Qa/QT

8. Commissioning

Remove the tank supply and fill the tank with distilled water. Replace the tank in its
position.

Keep the flow regulating valve (V1) 50% open, the drain valve (V2) 100% open and
switch on the pump. Check the working of the rotameter by manipulating the flow
using the flow regulating valve.

Set the flow rate at 60LpH. Press bulb 2-3 times to lower the water levels in the
manometer tubes. Gently drop the manometer tubes to remove the air entrapped.

Loosen the vent valve slightly. The water will rise in the manometer tubes. Set the
water level at mid scale of the manometer. Ensure that all the air bubbles are
removed by varying the flow rate from minimum to maximum.(i.e) the average level in
the manometer tube can be raised by slightly venting out air or it can be covered by
pumping air into the rubber bulb.

9. Procedure

Adjust the rotameter flow rate in steps of 50LpH from 150 t0 350 LpH and wait till a
steady state is reached.

Note the pressure difference across the orifice meter, venture meter and pitot tube
meter which are all connected in series and will have the same inlet flow rate.

Close the outlet valve at the measuring tank.

Measure the time required for collecting 1.5l of water in the tank.

Drain the measuring tank by opening the drain valve immediately.

Draw the graph between theoretical and actual discharge.

Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

10. Tabulations
Table.1. Venturi meter
S.No.

Rotameter

Time taken to

Actual

Pressure

Theoretical

Coefficient

Reading

fill 1.5L of

discharge

difference

discharge

of

(LpH)

water in tank

( x10-5

across Orifice

( 10-5

Discharge

(s)

m3/s)

H (m)

m3/s)

Cd

200

37

4.729

20

5.143

0.9194

250

28

6.25

30

6.299

0.992

300

24

7.29

45

7.715

0.945

350

21

8.33

65

9.272

0.90

400

20

8.75

85

10.60

0.825

Average discharge coefficient = 0.91628

Table.2. Orifice meter

S.No.

Rotameter

Time taken to

Actual

Pressure

Theoretical

Coefficient

Reading

fill 1.5L of

discharge

difference

discharge

of

(LpH)

water in tank

( x10-5

across Orifice

( 10-5

Discharge

(s)

m3/s)

H (m)

m3/s)

Cd

200

37

4.729

20

7.31

0.646

250

28

6.25

40

10.34

0.604

300

24

7.29

50

11.56

0.630

350

21

8.33

70

1.368

0.608

400

20

8.75

88

15.3

0.57

Average discharge coefficient = 0.6116

Table.3. Pitot tube

S.No.

Rotameter

Time taken to

Actual

Pressure

Theoretical

Coefficient

Reading

fill 1.5L of

discharge

difference

discharge

of

(LpH)

water in tank

( x10-5

across Orifice

( 10-5

Discharge

(s)

m3/s)

H (m)

m3/s)

Cd

200

37

4.729

6.52

0.7251

250

28

6.25

7.529

0.830

300

24

7.29

8.41

0.866

350

21

8.33

9.959

0.836

400

20

8.75

10.64

0.822

Average discharge coefficient = 0.81594

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Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

11. Graph
18
16

Theoretical discharge (x10-5 m3/s)

15.3
14

13.68

12

11.56
10.64
10.6
9.959
9.272

10.34

10
8

7.529

7.31
6.52

Venturi

8.41
7.715

Orifice
Pitot

5.143
4
2
0
0

Actual discharge (x 10-5 m3/s)

Fig.5. Theoretical Vs actual discharge graph

12. Model calculation

At an inlet flow rate of 200 LpH,
1. Venturi meter
Inlet area of the venturi meter, A = (/4) D2 = (3.14 / 4) x 0.01852
A = 2.686 X 10-4 m2
Outlet area of the venturi meter, a = (/4) d2 = (3.14 / 4) x 0.01222
a = 1.1684 x 10-4 m2

Venturi meter constant, K =

a1a2 2 g
= 3.637 x 10-4
(a12 a 22 )1 / 2

Actual discharge QA = Q / t = 1.75 x 10-3 / 37

QA = 4.729 x 10-5 m3/s
Theoretical discharge Qt = K(H)1/2
= 3.637 x 10-4 (20 x 10-3)1/2

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Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

Qt = 5.143 x 10-5 m3/s
Co-efficient of discharge Cd = QA / Qt = 4.729 x 10-5 / 5.143 x 10-5
Cd = 0.9194
2. Orifice meter
Inlet area of the orifice meter, A = (/4) D2 = (3.14 / 4) x 0.01852
A = 2.686 X 10-4 m2
Outlet area of the orifice meter, a = (/4) d2 = (3.14 / 4) x 0.01222
a = 1.1684 x 10-4 m2
Actual discharge QA = Q / t = 1.75 x 10-3 / 37
QA = 4.729 x 10-5 m3/s
Theoretical discharge Qt = a(2gH)1/2
= 1.168 x 10-4 (2 x 9.81 x 20 x 10-3)1/2
Qt = 7.31 x 10-5 m3/s
Co-efficient of discharge Cd = QA / Qt = 4.729 x 10-5 / 7.31 x 10-5
Cd = 0.646
3. Pitot tube
Diameter of the pitot tube, D = 0.0185 m
Area of the pitot tube, A = (/4) D2 = (3.14 / 4) x 0.01852
a = 2.688 x 10-4 m2
Actual discharge QA = Q / t = 1.75 x 10-3 / 37
QA = 4.729 x 10-5 m3/s
Theoretical fluid velocity, V = (2gH)1/2 = (2 x 9.81 x 3 x 10-3)1/2
V = 0.242 m3/s
Theoretical discharge Qt = A x V = 2.688 x 10-4 x 0.242
Qt = 6.521 x 10-5 m3/s
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Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

Co-efficient of discharge Cd = QA / Qt = 4.729 x 10-5 / 6.521 x 10-5
Cd = 0.7257

13. Pre-lab questions

1. State the principle of pitot tube.
Pitot tubes can be used to indicate fluid flow velocity by measuring the difference
between the static and dynamic pressures in fluids. The principle is based on the
Bernoullis equation where each term can be interpreted as a form of pressure. It
measures the fluid flow velocity by converting the kinetic energy in the fluid flow into
potential energy.
2. State Bernoullis theorem.
Bernoullis theorem states that when a liquid is flowing the total of pressure energy,
kinetic

energy

and

potential

energy

per

unit

mass

should

be

constant.

+ + =
2

3. What are the types of venturi tubes?

Classical venturi

Short form venturi

Rectangular venturi

Eccentric venturi tube

4. Why venturi with piezometer connection is unsuitable for use in purge systems?
Venturi with piezometer connections are unsuitable for use with purge systems but
used for slurries and dirty fluids, because the purging fluid tends to short circuit to the
nearest tap holes.

5. Which type of orifice plate is used in metering fluids? Why?

Eccentric and segmental orifice are used in metering dirty fluids, these orifices are
recommended where horizontal meter runs are required and the fluid contains
extraneous matter to a degree that concentric orifice would plug up.

6. Limitations of Long form venturi?

Long form venturi meters do consume energy whereas the cone design of the
modified short form type meters recovers a significant portion of the consumed energy.

Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

Long form venturi have also been characterized by relatively long laying lengths and
relatively expensive to manufacture.

7. Where is the coefficient of discharge significant in industries?

With the help of discharge coefficient, different type of burners used in industrial
combustion applications can be determined, since the burner pressure drop and hence
pressure loss coefficient is necessary to design burner pressure drop at specific Mach
number.

8. What are all the possible sources from which errors may be introduced in measurement
process?

Lack of linearity

Lack of gauge resolution

Drift

Hysteresis

Construction tolerances in meter components

Uncertainty of secondary devices

Data reduction and computation

9. What is the type of rotameter used? What are installation specification of rotameter
which causes error?
Glass tube rotameter has been used.

Density of float should be large than density of liquid

Introduction of air bubbles should be prevented

Rotameter should be vertically installed

Inference
The pressure difference is high for orifice and venturi whereas it is very low for pitot tube.
Since the theoretical discharge of the orifice is very high, it has the least discharge
coefficient whereas the theoretical discharge of venturi is very low, thus it has the highest
discharge coefficient. The discharge coefficient of pitot tube lies in the middle.

Conclusion
Thus the discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venturi and pitot tube were determined by
observing pressure difference.

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Calculation of discharge coefficient of orifice plate, venture, pitot tube

Reference
1. Bela G. Liptak, Process Measurement and Analysis, CRC Press, 2001.
2. Donald P. Eckman, Industrial Instrumentation, Wiley publication, 1951.

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