Sub-Experiment 1: Linear and Square Root Output of the Transmitter

(i)

Linear Output of the Transmitter

Experimental Data:
Flow Rate, Q (L/min)
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27

Linear Transmitter Output, y (L/min)

0.36
1.22
3.15
5.49
8.39
12.6
17.1
22.53
27.5
Table 1: Linear Transmitter Output

Calculation and Result:

Flow Rate vs Linear Transmitter Output

30
f(x) = 0.83x + 5.96
R = 0.95

25
20

Flowrate, Q (L/min)

15
10
5
0

10

15

20

25

Linear Transmitter Output, y (L/min)

Graph 1: Flow Rate against Linear Transmitter Output

30

Flow Rate vs Linear Transmitter Output

100

f(x) = 0.83x + 5.96

R = 0.95
10

Flowrate, Q (L/min)

0.1

10

100

Linear Transmitter Output, y (L/min)

Graph 2: Flow Rate against Linear Transmitter Output Log-log Plot

(ii)

Square Root Output of the Transmitter

Experimental Data:
Flow Rate, Q (L/min)
Square Root Transmitter Output, y (L/min)
3
2.9
6
5.45
9
8.9
12
11.72
15
14.48
18
17.76
21
20.69
24
23.72
27
26.73
Table 2: Square Root Transmitter Output

Result:

Flow Rate vs Square Root Transmitter Output

30
f(x) = 1.02x
R = 1

25
20

Flowrate, Q (L/min)

15
10
5
0

10

15

20

25

Square Root Transmiter Output, y (L/min)

Graph 3: Flow Rate against Square Transmitter Output

Calculations:
1. Calculation of the value of K1 and K2:
Value of K2/K10.5 obtained from the log-log plot = gradient of the graph = 0.8272
Value of K2/K1 obtained from the square root plot = gradient of the graph = 1.0159
Let
K2
K1

K2
0.5

------------- Equation 1

K1

Equation 2 / Equation1:
K2
0.5
K1

0.5

K1

K1
K 10.5
K2

0.8272

K1 = 0.6630

(1/1.0159) = 0.8143

------------- Equation 2

30

K2 = 1.0159 (0.6630) = 0.7304

Kave = (K1 + K2)/2 = 0.6967
2. Calculation of theoretical value of K:
The flow coefficient K can be theoretically. For this purpose we require the design values of
the orifice meter which are given below:
Pipe inside diameter
Orifice diameter
Type of orifice
Orifice discharge coefficient (C)

27.2mm
8.4mm
Flange
0.6038

The flow coefficient K can be calculated from the above values:

Q K

2gg

A
A

1
2

2
2
2

K flow coeffiecient
C disacharge coefficient
A Area, subscript1 pipe, subscript 2 orifice
P pressuredrop
density

C
1

A
A

2
2
2

0.6038
((3.142 * 8.4 2 )/4) 2
1
((3.142 * 27.2 2 )/4) 2

0.6066

3. Percentage Error:
Percentage Error

True Value - Experiment al Value

100%
True Value

0.6066 - 0.6967
100%
0.6066

= 14.85 %

Discussion:
1. The objective of Sub-Experiment 1 is to calibrate the differential pressure transmitter
using linear transmitter output or square root transmitter output.
2. For the linear transmitter output, the graph plotted exhibits the square root function. This
is because from derivation: Q=Ky where Q is the flow rate and y is the linear transmitter

K2
0.5

output. K represent the coefficient of the function and equals to

K1

3. For the square root transmitter output, the graph plotted exhibits the straight line
function. This is because from derivation: Q=Ky where Q is the flow rate and y is the

linear transmitter output. K represent the gradient of the graph and equals to

K2
K1

. From

this, we are able to get a linear relationship between the transmitter output and the flow
rate. This is called square root extraction.
4. The difference between calculated and theoretical K is due to some errors that will be
discussed in later part.