SHAHJALAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

SYLHET

Dept. of Food Engineering & Tea Technology

LAB REPORT
Lab Title: Fluid Mechanics & Machinery Sessional
Course Code: CEP-202
Experiment No.:01
Experiment Name: Calibration of Rotameter.
Date of Experiment: 31/10/2016
Date of Submission: 03/11/2016
Group:C

Submitted To Submitted By
Mr Humayun Ahmad Registration Name
Assistant Professor, Md. Jamil Imtiaj
2013337029
Dept. of CEP, SUST
2014337048 Saad Al-din Sifat
Mr Mithun Chandra Bhoumick
2014337054 MD. Abir Hasan Nayeem
Assistant Professor ,
Dept. of CEP, SUST 2014337057 MD. Atikul Islam Bulbul

Ms Rahatun Akter 2014337060 MD. Ruslan Mehadi Galib

Assistant Professor , 2014337061 MD. Abdullah Al Noman
Dept. of CEP, SUST 2014337068 Diponker Sarker
No. Of The Experiment : 01
Title : Calibration of Rotameter.
Objectives :
a. To find out the volumetric flow rate.
b. To plot the volumetric flow rate against the rotameter reading.
Required Apparatus:
The apparatus which are required to complete the experiment are mentioned below:
1.Rotameter
2.Stop watch
3.Weight machine
Theory:
Rotameter is the most widely used type of variable area (VA) flow meter. In these devices, the falling
and rising action of a float in a tapered tube provides a measure of a flow rate. Rotameters are known as
gravity tube flow meter because they are based on opposition between the downward force of gravity
and the upward force of the flowing fluid. When the flow is constant, the float stays in one position that
can be related to the volumetric flow rate. That position is indicated on a graduated scale. Here we
should be noted that, to keep the full force of gravity in effect, this dynamic balancing act requires a
vertical measuring tube. The float stops at any position within this travel corresponding to a certain flow
rate and it remains stationary until the rate is changed to a new value. When the flow rate is changed
then the float moves to a new position and remains stationary there again. The float becomes
stationary at that position where the gravity force, viscosity, buoyancy and the differential pressure or
velocity head becomes balanced. If the velocity of fluid increases then float moves upward to give more
annular area between float and the tube so that more fluid can passes with maintaining same
differential pressure. If fluid velocity decreases then reverse actions are occurred. This device may be
considered as an orifice of adjustable area of flow. When the velocity is changed to a new value then the
annular area between float and pipe or tube becomes larger. And when velocity is decreased then this
area of flow becomes smaller. In both the pressure is maintained at same value.
The tapered tube’s gradually increasing diameter provides an increase in the annular area around the
float and is designed in accordance with the basic equation for volumetric flow rate:
Q = KA√𝑔ℎ
Where,
Q = volumetric flow rate,
K = a constant,
A = annular area between the float and the tube wall,
g = force of gravity,
h = pressure drop across the float.

With h being constant, we have A as a direct function of flow rate Q, thus; the Rotameter designer can
determine the tube taper so that the height of the float in the tube is a measure of flow rate.

Working Procedure :
 Make sure that, the Rotameter is in the vertical position.
 Now start the flow of water, which is the experimental fluid, by opening the valve slowly.
  As the float moves upwards, an annular passage is opened between the wall of the tapered
glass tube and float periphery.
 Stop the valve adjustment and observe that, float comes to a dynamic equilibrium position.
 Take the reading of the float which is the rotameter reading.
 On the same time collect the liquid within a time interval which is determined with the help of a
stop watch.
 Determine the mass of the fluid by weight machine and convert it to volume.
 With the reading of the volume and time calculated the volumetric flow rate of the liquid.
 Repeat the above mentioned procedures for different observations for the different places of
float in the rotameter.

Observation :
 Temperature of the laboratory is
 Density of the fluid (water) is 1000kg/m3.

Tabulation:

No. of Volume , V = Volumetric Flow rate , Φ

observations Rotameter Reading Mass of the fluid
, m(kg) m/ρ (m3) Time , t (sec) = V/t (m3/s)
1 20 0.33 0.00033 15 2.2x10-5
-5
2 30 0.52 0.00052 20 2.6x10
3 40 0.785 0.000785 25 3.14x10-5
4 50 1.115 0.001115 30 3.72x10-5
5 70 1.955 0.001955 40 4.89x10-5

Graphical Rpresentation:

Calibration of Rotameter
6
Volumetric flow rate, Q

2 Y-Values
1

0
0 20 40 60 80
Rotameter Reading
Result: The obtain collected data from the graph the straight line which is passing through the center
point.

Precaution:
 Stopwatch operated carefully.
 The reading of the liquid level in the measuring flask taken carefully.
 The values of the rotameter operated gradually increasingly.
 The float remained fully stationary.

Discussion: Rotameter have proved satisfactory for liquids at high and low pressures.