App.

of Energy & Continuity Eqn

The energy (Bernoulli eqn) and continuity equation can
be applied to analyse fluid flow in

 Flow through orifice

 Venturi meter
 Orifices

Venturi meter and orifice meter are devices to measure

discharge in a pipeline
 FLOW THROUGH ORIFICE

Flow through small orifice and discharging to the

atmosphere
P1 v12 P2 v22
z1 z2
X1 g 2g g 2g
h
P1 P2 0; V1 0; Z1 Z2 h
X2

Theoretical
v2 2gh velocity
 FLOW THROUGH ORIFICE
This equation is known as Torricelli’s theorem i.e the
velocity of the issuing jet is proportional to H, where
H is the head producing flow.

Theoretical Discharge, Qtheory = Ao (2gh)

Where Ao= Area of the orifice

 FLOW THROUGH ORIFICE

The actual discharge is less than theoretical discharge

because
There is loss of energy between A and B ; the velocity
•

of jet is less than (2gH)

The flow area of the issuing jet (at C) is less than the
•

opening area of the orifice (at B)

The pressure at the opening is greater than
•
atmospheric pressure
 FLOW THROUGH ORIFICE

Vena Contracta

B AO C Aj

It only at C the path of the particle become parallel.

The section at C is called Vena Contracta.
 FLOW THROUGH ORIFICE
To consider losses, coefficients are introduced
Actual Velocity,
Vactual Cv 2gh

Actual Area of Jet at C, Aj = CcA0

Where Cc = Coefficient of contraction (The value depends
on the profile of the orifice)

Actual Discharge Actual Area at C x Actual Velocity at C

Qactual Cc Ao x Cv 2gh

Cd Cc x C v Qactual Cd 2gh Ao
 FLOW THROUGH ORIFICE

The values of coefficients Cd, Cv, Cc are determined

experimentally
Cd = Actual measured discharge
Theoretical Discharge

Cv = Velocity at Vena Contracta

Theoretical Velocity

Cc = Area of the jet at Vena Contracta

Area of the orifice
 VENTURI METER

The use of Venturi Meter is to measure discharge/

rate of flow in a pipeline.

The meter use the concept of pressure, energy and

continuity of flow to measure discharge.
Applying Bernoulli’s equation, first ignoring the
head loss

P1 v12 P2 v22
z1 z2
g 2g g 2g
VENTURI MTER

Throat

A2

A1

z2
h
z1 x y
z man
VENTURI METER
Re arranging Bernoulli eqn

2 P1 P2
v2 v12 2g z1 z2
g

P1 P 2
z1 z 2 Can be found from U
g tube gauge
VENTURI METER

PX = PY

P1 g(z 2 z) P2 g(z 2 z h) man gh

P1 P2 man
z1 z 2 h( 1)
g
 VENTURI METER

Applying continuity equation to energy equation

v1A1 = v2A2
v2 = v1A1/A2

A2 P1 P 2
v1 2g ( z1 z 2)
A1 A 2 g

Hence the flow rate (discharge) can be obtained,

Q = vA
 VENTURI METER

A1A2 P1 P2
Q v1A1 2g (z1 z 2)
A12
A2 2 g

A1A 2 man
Q 2gh 1
2 2
A1 A2
VENTURI METER

From the equation above, it can be seen that Q is

independent of elevation z1 and z2.

In practice, some loss of energy would occur, the value

Q given above is a theoretical value

Actual Discharge, Q = CdQtheoretical

Cd is known as coefficient of discharge
 ORIFICE PLATE

Uses to measure discharge in a pipeline

Uses the same concept as venturi meter i.e operates by
changing the flow area) by inserting an orifice plate
which has an opening smaller than the internal
diameter of the pipeline.
The arrangement is cheaper compare to the venturi
meter but there is substantial energy loses.
ORIFICE PLATE

A1 A2

man
 Venturi meter & Orifice Plate
Theoretical/ideal discharge

A 2 A1 man
Q theory 2gh 1
2 2 1/ 2
A1 A2

Actual/real discharge

Q actual C d Q theory

Cd = Coefficient of discharge