.

(3)
where

A1 = Cross sectional area of the venturimeter at the inlet

A2 = Cross sectional area of the venturimeter at the throat
h = Static pressure difference between inlet and throat section in terms of meters
of water.
hm = Pressure difference in the manometer in terms of manometer fluid.

Same equation for the theoretical discharge holds good for orificemeter also.
Construction of orificemeter is simplest amongst all the flowmeters. It consists of a
plate with a hole drilled in it. In principle, it is essentially similar to a venturimeter
since it obstructs the flow of fluid, however, due to the absence of guiding passage
on the downstream passage of the orificemeter; fluid comes out in the form of a
free jet. This difference in the flow physics of the two flowmeters leads to
irrecoverable pressure loss, leading to difference in the accuracy of measurement,
even when the area ratios for two are identical. Therefore both the flowmeters have
different value of discharge coefficient and characteristics.

Coefficient of Discharge (Cd)

Equations derived above relating flow rate to the differential pressure cannot be
applied directly in practical applications. The above equation is derived using
Bernoullis principle, which does not take into account frictional effect. There is
always loss due to friction which brings additional pressure drop. The pressure drop
measured by manometer is therefore more than the actual pressure drop. Hence,
rate of flow calculated by the equation is also more than the actual rate of flow.
Coefficient of discharge is defined as the ratio of actual to theoretical discharge.
Q
C d act
Qtheo

Calibration of Flowmeters
All the flowmeters need calibration a priori where a known quantity of fluid is
passed through the flowmeter. The differential pressure across the flowmeter is then
related to the actual volume flow rate through a discharge coefficient. The actual
volume flow rate can be calculated by measuring volume collected in a specified
time. Coefficient of discharge is not a constant but varies with the flow rate. For
each flowmeter, a calibration curve is plotted between C d and Reynolds number to
study characteristics of the flowmeter.

Procedure:
1. Open the gate valve and adjust it for minimum rate of flow.
2. Note down the pressure difference hm in the manometer in terms of
manometer fluid.
3. For certain time(t) collect the drain water in the measuring tank.
 4. Measure the height of water collected in time t in the measuring tank.
5. Open the gate valve further to increase the rate of flow.
6. Repeat the steps 2 through 5 for five more flow rates for both venturimeter
and orificemeter.

Observations & Observation Table:

1. Diameters of pipe =25mm

2. Diameters of the orifice=15mm
3. Diameter of throat =16mm
4. Area of measuring tank=0.6x0.35m2
5. Room temperature=25oC

For venturimeter:

S. Differential U-tube h Measuring tank

No Manometer
h1 h2 hm H1 H2 t H
1 - - 36 4.536 - - 7.58 0.05
2 - - 29.8 3.7548 - - 7.62 0.05
3 - - 25 3.15 - - 8.41 0.05
4 - - 21.5 2.709 - - 9.71 0.05
5 - - 14 - - 11.4 0.05
1.764 6
6 - - --

For Orificemeter

S. Differential U-tube h Measuring tank

No Manometer
h1 h2 hm H1 H2 t H
1 - - 42.5 5.355 - - 4.72 0.05
2 - - 37 4.662 - - 6.79 0.05
3 - - 32.5 4.095 - - 7.42 0.05
4 - - 26.5 3.339 - - 8 0.05
5 - - 21 2.646 - - 9 0.05
6 - -
Specimen Calculations:

Show calculation procedure at each stage of calculation for any one flow rate. Show
calculations for all rate of flows in the form of table.

1. Calculate pressure drop in terms of water.

2. Obtain theoretical discharge using the derived equation.
3. Calculate actual discharge.
4. Obtain coefficient of discharge for each flow rate.
5. Obtain Reynolds number for each flow rate.

For Venturimeter

S. Pressur Theoretic Actual Coefficient V Reynolds

No e drop, al discharge of Number
h Discharg A * H Discharge Vd
Qact Re
e t Cd
Qtheo
1
2
3
4
5
6

For Orifice meter

S. Pressur Theoretic Actual Coefficient V Reynolds

No e drop, al discharge of Number
h Discharg A * H Discharge Vd
Qact Re
e t Cd
Qtheo
1
2
3
4
5
 6

Result:
Discussion:

Report Requirements & marks distribution:

1. Object & Aim 5

2. Theory 10

3. Schematic Diagram 10

4. Observation Tables 10

5. Sample Calculation 10
a. Calculation procedure at each stage of calculation for any one set of
reading.

6. Calculation Table 20

7. Result & Graph 5+20

a. Calculate the Cd for all 6 readings. Then calculate the average of all
readings.

b. Plot graph Cd vs Reynolds Number.

8. Discussion 10
a. Comment on the Plot and flow rate versus Cd.

Answer the following question(s) in the conclusion of the report.

Questions:

1. Is the discharge coefficient constant as Reynolds number increases? Explain

why or why not?
2. Can you think of some other way to measure actual volume flow rate?
3. How h 12.6 * hm ?