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Laboratory Exercise No. 4

Conventional Methods of Measuring

Flow in Pipes

Pipe flow rate refers to the movement of a particular amount of fluid (liquid or gas) per
unit time in closed conduit under pressure. Closed conduit is often circular, but may also be
square or rectangular. Closed conduit flow occurs when the flow is caused by a pressure
difference in the conduit. The rate of flow depends mainly on the pressure difference between
the ends, the distance between the ends, the area of the conduit and the hydraulic properties
of the conduit such as the shape, roughness and restrictions like bends.

Measurement of flow rate is carried out for a variety of purposes, such as for measuring
application of irrigation water at the right amount, billing for water supply to homes, or for
monitoring of a wide variety of industrial processes which involve flowing fluids. In this laboratory
exercise, you are taught to perform several conventional methods to estimate the rate of flow of
water in pipes under different flow conditions, which include:

 Horizontal trajectory method for pipe flowing full;

 Plumb bob method for pipe flowing full;
 Vertical trajectory method for pipe or casing flowing full;
 Horizontal trajectory method for partially flowing horizontal pipe; and
 Volumetric or direct measurement method.

After accomplishing the required activities, you should be knowledgeable and skilful on
the different conventional techniques to estimate the rate of water flow in a well-pump system.

1 shallow tube well

1 water pump
2 flexible hose (for intake and discharge)
1 PVC pipe about 6 inches diameter
1 water container of known capacity (minimum 20 li capacity)
1 meter stick
2m cord
1 plumb bob
1 stick of wood (straight 1- by 2-inch thick, 36 to 48 inches long)
1 roll nylon tape
5 pad papers
1 pencil
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A. Horizontal Trajectory Method for Pipe Flowing Full

Step A.1 Set a water pump on a shallow tube well and start pumping.

Step A.2 Measure the inside diameter of the flexible hose.

Step A.3 Connect the flexible hose at the discharge pipe of the water pump.

Adjust the throttle speed of the pump so that the flexible hose should be flowing full.

Step A.4 Set the end of the flexible hose horizontally and at height of either 6 or 12 inches
above the ground surface as shown in Figure 1 below.

Source: Rogers & Black (1993)

Figure 1. Measuring discharge of horizontal pipe flowing full using trajectory method

Step A.5 Measure the horizontal distance (X) from the end of the flexible hose to the farther
side of the jet stream as shown in Figure 1 above.
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Step A.6 Determine the discharge factor (F) from Table 1 below.

Table 1. Water discharge factor as indicated in Figure 1

Nominal Pipe Diameter (in.) Factor When Y = 6 in. Factor When Y = 12 in.
2 5.02 3.52
3 11.13 7.77
4 17.18 13.40
6 43.70 30.60
8 76.00 52.90
10 120.00 83.50
12 173.00 120.00
Source: Taghvaeian (n.d)

For example, if the nominal diameter of the pipe in Figure 1 is 4 inches, then the discharge factor
(F) is 17.18 if and only when the vertical distance (Y) is pre-set at 6 inches; 13.40 when Y is 12
inches.

Step A.7 Calculate the rate of flow (Q) using the equation:

Q = XF (Eq. 1)

where: Q Approximate discharge or flow rate of the horizontal pipe flowing full,
gpm
X Horizontal distance from the end of the pipe to the farther side of the
jet stream at a given height (Y), in. (see Figure 1)
F Discharge factor for the nominal pipe diameter, dimensionless (from
Table 1)

B. Plumb Bob Method for Pipe Flowing Full

Step B.1 Set a water pump on a shallow tube well and start pumping.

Step B.2 Measure the inside diameter of the pump discharge.

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Step B.3 Adjust the throttle speed so that the pump discharge should be flowing full.

Step B.4 Place a stick on top of the pump discharge, being careful to center it far enough
out of the pipe so that the plumb bob hangs free beyond the water as shown in
Figure 2.

Source: Sheffield, Henry, Bankston & Hadden (2013)

Figure 2. Measuring discharge of horizontal or slightly angled pipe flowing

full using plumb bob method

Step B.5 Slide the stick back along the pipe until the bottom tip of the plumb bob just
touches the jet stream of water and read the distance “L” the plumb line is out from
the end of the pipe.

Step B.6 Calculate the discharge using the equation:

Q = D2 x L (Eq. 2)

where: Q Approximate discharge of the horizontal or slightly angled pipe

flowing full, gpm
D Inside diameter of pipe, in.
L Length wherein the tip of the plumb bob touches the jet stream, in.
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C. Vertical Trajectory Method for Pipe or Casing Flowing Full

Step C.1 Set a water pump on a shallow tube well and start pumping.

Step C.2 Measure the inside diameter of the pump discharge.

Step C.3 Connect the flexible hose at the discharge of the water pump. Adjust the throttle
speed of the pump so that the flexible hose should be flowing full.

Step C.4 Set the flexible hose upwards or vertically as shown in Figure 3 and making sure
that the jet height should be more than 6 inches.

Source: Hudson (1993)

Figure 3. Trajectory of discharge of vertical pipe or casing

Step C.5 Measure the jet height (H) to which the water rises above the end of the flexible
hose.
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Step C.6 Assume a constant (C) that ranges from 0.87 to 0.97 for pipes of 2 to 6 inches in
diameter and jet heights of 6 to 224 inches.

Step C.7 Calculated the rate of flow (Q) using the equation:

Q = 5.68 CD2 √H (Eq. 3)

where: Q Discharge of the vertical pipe or casing, gpm

C Constant varying from 0.87 to 0.97 for pipes of 2 to 6 inches in
diameter and heights of 6 to 224 inches, dimensionless
D Inside diameter of pipe or casing, in.
H Height of jet stream, in.

D. Horizontal Trajectory Method for Partially Flowing Horizontal Pipe

Step D.1 Take note of the parameters “D” and “Y” in Figure 3 below.

D is the inside diameter of the pipe; while Y is the empty space or air space between the
inside wall and the surface of the flowing water.

Source: Sheffield, Henry, Bankston & Hadden (2013)

Figure 3. Trajectory of discharge of partially flowing horizontal pipe

Step D.2 Measure D and Y

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Step D.3 Use the ratio (Y/D) in Table 2 below along with the pipe diameter (D) to determine
the approximate discharge rate of partially flowing horizontal pipe.

Table 2. Discharge from partially flowing horizontal pipe

Inside Pipe Diameter (D, in.)
Y/D 4 6 8 10 12
Discharge (Q, gpm)
0.1 142 334 579 912 1310
0.2 128 302 524 825 1185
0.3 112 264 457 720 1034
0.4 94 222 384 605 868
0.5 75 176 305 480 689
0.6 55 130 226 355 510
0.7 37 88 152 240 345
0.8 21 49 85 134 194
0.9 8 17 30 52 84
1.0 0 0 0 0 0
Sources: Hohn (1997)

E. Volumetric or Direct Measurement Method

Step E.1 Set a water pump on a shallow tube well and start pumping.

Step E.2 Connect the flexible hose at the discharge of the water pump.

Step E.3 Construct a 2-column table similar to Table 3 overleaf.

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Table 3. Time elapsed to fill container of known capacity

Trial Time Elapsed (sec)
1
2
3
4
5
Total
Mean
Do not use this table to enter your measurements. Another table to work on is provided at the
end of this exercise.

Step E.4 Fill a water container of known capacity and measure the time elapsed until the
container is full. Record in Table 3.

Step E.5 Repeat Step E.4 for at least 5 times and record measurements in Table 3.

Step E.6 Solve the total and mean of time elapsed and enter results in Table 3.

Step E.7 Calculate the flow rate (Q) using the equation:

Q = V/t (Eq. 4)

where: Q Discharge of pump-pipe system, li/sec

V Volume or capacity of the container, li
t Time elapsed to fill the container of known capacity, sec
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Due Date: ASAP but not later than ____________________________________.

Penalty for Late Submission: 5 points deduction per day of delay

This Laboratory Exercise will be performed by a group of five students. The workbook, however,
shall be accomplished and submitted individually but to be passed in group. Indicate the name
of group members below:

Leader:

Members:

Provide also pictures of the activities at the end of this exercise.

A. Horizontal Trajectory Method for Pipe Flowing Full

1. Know the nominal diameter of the discharge pipe attached to the water pump and
determine its discharge factor from Table 1 above. (Nominal diameter is the diameter
specified by the pipe manufacturer, usually the outside pipe diameter.)

2. Start pumping and make sure the discharge pipe is flowing full.

3. Measure the horizontal distance (X) from the end of the discharge pipe to the farther side of
the jet stream as shown in Figure 1 above.

4. Calculate the flow rate using Equation 1:

Q = XF
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Interpret result:

B. Plumb Bob Method for Pipe Flowing Full

1. Use the same pump set up and throttle speed setting in the horizontal trajectory method.

2. Measure the inside diameter of the discharge pipe.

3. Attach a free-hanging plumb bob to a meter stick.

4. Place this stick on top of the pump discharge pipe, being careful to center it far enough out
of the pipe so that the plumb bob hangs free beyond the water as shown in Figure 2 above.

5. Slide the stick back along the pipe until the bottom tip of the plumb bob just touches the jet
stream of water and read the distance “L” the plumb line is out from the end of the pipe.

6. Calculate the flow rate using Equation 2:

Q = D2 x L

Interpret result:
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7. Compare the results of the horizontal trajectory method (A) and the plumb bob method (B)
and draw conclusions.

C. Vertical Trajectory Method for Pipe or Casing Flowing Full

1. Consider the same pump set up used in (A) and (B).

2. Connect a flexible hose at the discharge pipe of the water pump. Adjust the throttle speed
so that the flexible hose should be flowing full.

3. Set the flexible hose upwards as shown in Figure 3 and making sure that the jet height should
be more than 6 inches. Adjust throttle speed if necessary.

4. Measure the jet height (H) to which the water rises above the end of the flexible hose.

5. Assume a value of pump constant (C = 0.87 to 0.97) and calculate the flow rate using
Equation 3:

Q = 5.68 CD2 √H
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Interpret result:

D. Horizontal Trajectory Method for Partially Flowing Horizontal Pipe

1. Because it is difficult to attain partially flowing pipe attached to a running water pump, get a
PVC pipe about 6 inches diameter and connect it with the flexible hose from the pump.
Make sure that the water from the flexible hose flows into the PVC pipe.

2. Measure the inside diameter of the PVC pipe (D) and the empty space or air space
between the inside wall and the surface of the flowing water (Y) as shown in Figure 3 above.

3. Use the ratio (Y/D) in Table 2 above along with the pipe diameter (D) to determine the
approximate flow rate (gpm):

Q=

Convert Q in liters/sec:

Q=

Interpret result:
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E. Volumetric or Direct Measurement Method

1. Consider the same pump set up used in the above methods.

2. Set throttle speed at idle.

3. Fill a water container of known capacity and measure the time elapsed until the container is
full. Repeat procedure for at least 5 times and record observations in Table 3 overleaf.

Table 3. Time elapsed to fill container of known capacity

Trial Time Elapsed (sec)
1

Total

Mean

4. Calculate the flow rate (Q) using Equation 4:

Q = (Volume of container) / (Mean time elapsed to fill the container full)

Interpret result:
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(Draw conclusions by answering the following questions: (a) What are the different methods of
estimating flow rate in pipes? and (b) In your opinion, which one of these methods is the most
accurate and most convenient to use? Justify your answers.)
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Clipart Library. (n.d). Agricultural and biosystems engineering [Logo]. Retrieved from
http://clipa.cash/agricultural-biosystems-engineering-logo.html

Hohn, C.H. (1997). Estimating water flow from pipes. New Mexico State University. Guide A-104.

Hudson, N.W. (1993). Field measurement of soil erosion and runoff. Chapter 4 – Stream flow.
Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization.

Rogers, D.H. & Black, R.D. (1993). Irrigation water management. Kansas State University.
Pamphlet No. L-877.

Sheffield, R.E., Henry, C.G., Bankston, D. & Hadden, W.A. (2013). Measuring irrigation flow.
Louisiana State University. Pub. No. 3241-L. Retrieved from http://www.LSUAgCenter.com

Taghvaeian, S. (n.d). Irrigation water flow measurement. Oklahoma State University. Fact Sheet
No. BAE-1502. Retrieved from http://osufacts.okstate.edu