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SUMMARY

The objective of the experiment is to demonstrate typical flow measurement devices for
incompressible fluids; (1) venture meter, (2) orifice plate (3) rotameter and to compare the difference
in flow rate incurred by each of these device. The device is design to measure a flow of
incompressible fluid. From the experiment, we will obtain the flow rate measurement with
comparison of pressure drop by utilizing three basic types of flow measuring techniques; ratometer,
venture meter and orifice meter. Furthermore, the loss coefficient can be determined when fluid flows
through a 90˚ elbow by measuring flow rate on manometers. We could compare the flow rates of the
flowmeter based on the results we get from the table. Other than that, it shows that venturi meter is
more accurate compare to orifice meter which the flow rates of venture meter is closer to the actual
value of the flow rates. In a nutshell, the experiment was successfully done because we has achieved
the objective of the experiment.

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RESULTS/ DISCUSSION

Table 1: Show the results obtained from the experiment

Flowrate
ROTAMETER Manometer Reading(mm) Volume Time Q
(L/hr) 1 2 3 4 5 6 (L) (min) (L/min)
200 149 135 135 121 126 131 20 4.02 4.975
300 165 137 137 113 122 131 20 3.00 6.667
400 146 139 140 105 118 131 20 2.21 9.050
500 210 141 143 85 113 131 20 1.58 12.658
600 235 144 145 79 110 131 20 1.34 14.925

Table 2: Show the results calculated using the results obtained from the experiment

Flow Rate Calculated using


Rotameter Difference (%)
Bernoulli's Eq. (L/min)
(L/min)
Venturi Orifice Venturi Orifice Rotameter

3.334 4.688 5.723 5.76 15.04 32.98

5.000 6.138 8.093 7.93 21.39 25.00

6.667 7.411 4.047 18.11 55.28 26.33

8.333 9.541 12.705 24.80 0.37 34.17

10.000 10.178 14.591 31.81 2.24 33.00

Based on the table 1, the value of Q was calculated by using the results of manometer
reading and time. From the value of Q, the flow rate of venturi meter and orifice meter were
calculated by using Bernoulli’s equation. In table 2, the venturi meter show the flow rate
increase gradually but orifice meter show the flow rate almost increase gradually when the
flow rate of rotameter 400 L/hr was the lowest than others. The percent difference was
calculated by referring to the value of Q. A high percent difference indicates that the value of
flow rate using the particular method of flow measurement consider inaccurate.

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For venturi meter, the percent difference increases gradually with 600 L/hr as the highest
percent difference compared to Q and 200 L/hr as the lowest percent difference compared to
Q. While for orifice meter, the percent difference did not show any significant pattern. The
percent difference was highest when the reading of rotameter was 400 L/hr and lowest when
the reading was 500 L/hr.

The percent difference of rotameter was used as a reference between venturi meter
and orifice meter. The flow rate was set using the rotameter order to get the time needed for
20 L of fluid to flow. From the time taken, the value of Q was calculated and all the three
method of flow measurement flow rate were compared with the value of Q by finding the
percent difference. However, the rotameter percent difference did not show any significant
pattern.

Theoretically, venturi meter is the most accurate flow meter compare to others
method used in the experiment. The results for all rotameter reading should indicate low
percent difference compared to other methods. But only 200 L/hr and 300 L/hr showed low
percent difference. While for orifice meter, the method was not designated to measure low
flow rate of fluid flow. So, the result of orifice meter in this experiment follow the theory of
fluid flow measurement using orifice meter as the reading rotameter 500 L/hr and 600 L/min
showed low percent difference.

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CONCLUSION

Knowing that, there are many types of flow measurement devices for incrompressible fluids. In this
experiment, the devices that were used for fluid measurement are venturi meter, orifice plate and
rotameter. The volume flow rate Q of a fluid is defined to be the volume of fluid that is passing
through a given cross sectional area per unit time. The SI unit for flowrate is m3/s (cubic metres per
second)

From the data obtained (table 1), both flowrate and rotameter increasing as the time increases. For
table 2, the flowrate shown by venture meter increase gradually due to lower pressure drop that results
from its streamlined shape and almost eliminates boundary-layer separation and thus drag form is
assumed negligible. The flowrate shown by orifice meter increases but flowrate at 400 L/hr is the
lowest due to the high pressure dropped. But it starts to increase gradually at 500 L/hr.

For percent difference using venture meter is closer with percent different shown by rotameter
compared to percent different shown by orifice meter. To be concluded, venture meter is more
accurate compared to rotameter and orifice meter.

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RECOMMENDATION

Based on this experiment, there are many ways to improve the experiment and obtain the best
results. Firstly, we must ensure that there is not bubble to get accurate results and avoid readings
error. Pen or screw driver can be used to depress the staddle valve at the top right side of manometer
board. Next, eye level must be perpendicular to our eyes to avoid parallax error when manometer
readings were taken. Parallax error must be avoided to get accurate data and result. We also must
monitor the water level in the manometer board. We need to adjust the water level by using the
staddle valve where the water level in manometer board is too high where it is out of visible point.
Lastly, the experiment should be repeated at least three times in order to get average readings. This
will reduce error from the theoretical results.

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TUTORIAL

1. What are the limitations of Bernoulli’s Theorem?

According to Bernoulli’s theorem, the sum of pressure energy, potential energy and kinetic energy per
unit mass is constant at all cross-section in the streamline flow of an ideal liquid i.e.

The above equation has been derived by assuming that the velocity of every element of the liquid
across any cross-section of the pipe is uniform. Practically, it is not true. The elements of the liquid in
the innermost layer have the maximum velocity. The velocity of the liquid decreases towards the
walls of the pipe. Therefore, we should take into account the mean velocity of the liquid.

While deriving Bernoulli’s equation, the viscous drag of the liquid has not been taken into
consideration. The viscous drag comes into play, when a liquid is in motion.

Bernoulli’s equation has been derived on the assumption that there appears no loss of energy, when a
liquid is in motion. In fact, some kinetic energy is converted into heat energy and a part of it is lost
due to shear force.

If the liquid is flowing along a curved path, the energy due to centrifugal force should also be taken
into consideration.

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2. What are the primary considerations when selecting a flow meter to measure the flow rate of a
fluid?

There are few primary considerations when selecting a flow meter to measure the flow rate of a fluid.
Firstly, the flow meter performance and capabilities. The behavior of the flow meter is prominently
defined by the Reynold number. It is a dimensionless quantity which defines the relationship between
momentum and velocity of fluid that can determine whether the flow or stream is laminar or turbulent.
This flow meter attribute, along with the flow meter chemical compatibility (material), fluid pressure
and temperature will help identify the performance capabilities and accuracy of the flow meter for
specific liquid or gas application. Second, flow profile of the flow meter. Profile of the flow determine
the momentum and other behaviors of fluid. Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluids have different
viscosity, flow rate, pressure and velocity that will contribute to flowrates. It is important to be aware
of these attributes to select the correct flow meter according to your specific requirements. Lastly, the
external factors. There are a host of environmental conditions and factors beyond your control that
may affect everything from flow meter selection to operations. In addition, factors tied to the
installation of the flow meter and the general lifespan of the equipment might also weigh in on the
flow meter decision making process.

3. Explain how flow rate is measured when obstruction-type flow meters. Compare orifice meters and
venture meters with respect to cost size, head loss and accuracy.

The Obstruction Meters

Obstruction meters are devices with reduced flow area when installed in a pipe flow. This creates
pressure drop across the meter. Using the basic mass conservation and Bernoulli equations one can
calculate the flow through the pipe.

Applying the mass conservation and Bernoulli equation between two sections one upstream and the
other is just downstream of the meter.

𝑉1𝐴1 = 𝑉2𝐴2

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𝑝1 𝑉2 − 𝑉1 𝑝2 𝑉2 − 𝑉2
+ = +
𝑝 2 𝑝 2

The Orifice Flow Meter

The orifice meter is the simplest of the three types of differential flow meters being considered here. It
is just a circular orifice plate with a hole in the middle, usually held in place between pipe flanges, as
shown in the figure at the right. Because of the abrupt constriction at the orifice plate in an orifice
meter, it has more frictional head loss than a venturi meter and a lower value for its discharge
coefficient, C. A typical value for an orifice meter discharge coefficient is between 0.58 and 0.65.

The Venturi Meter

The entrance to a venturi meter is a converging cone with a 15o to 20o angle. It converges down to the
throat, which is the point of minimum cross-sectional area, maximum velocity, and minimum pressure
in the meter. The exit portion of the meter is a diverging cone with an angle of 5 o to 7o, which
completes the transition back to full pipe diameter. The diagram at the left shows a typical venturi
meter configuration with the parameters, D1, D2, P1 and P2 identified. Because of the smooth gradual
transition down to the throat diameter and back to the full pipe diameter, the friction loss in a venturi
meter is quite small. This leads to the value of a venturi meter discharge coefficient, C, being nearly
one. Typical discharge coefficient values for a venturi meter range from 0.95 to as high as 0.995.

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REFERENCES

1. Robert L. Street, Gary Z. Walters, John K. Vennard. Elementary Fluid Mechanics.


7th Ed. JohnWiley & Sons Inc.
2. Anthony Esposito. Fluid Mechanics with Applications. Prentice Hall International Inc.
3. Robert L.Mott. Applied Fluid Mechanics 5th Ed. Prentice Hall International Inc.
4. Munson, B. R., Young, D. F., & Okiishi, T. H., Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, 4th Ed.,
New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 2002.

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