MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT
PETE-211 INTRODUCTION TO FLUID MECHANICS
LABORATORY MANUAL
2021
EXPERIMENT 3: FLOW MEASUREMENT
1. Introduction
In some steady state flows, the flow rate can be obtained by the simple measurement of the
total quantity of the fluid in a measured time. Such collections can be made by weight or by
volume and are primary means of measuring fluid flow. However, this method is only
practical for flows under laboratory conditions.
For routine practical measurements, there exist a plentiful supply of flowmeters and flow
measuring techniques. Among the flowmeters are positive displacement types and differential
measurement systems, such as venturi meters, orifices, nozzles, and elbow meters.
The aim of this experiment is to accustom students to typical methods of measuring the
discharge of an essentially incompressible fluid, while applying steady-flow energy equation.
The discharge is determined using a venturi meter, an orifice plate meter and a rotameter.
Head losses associated with each meter determined and compared.
2. Theory
2.1. Venturi Meters
A constriction in a streamtube has been seen to produce an accelerated flow and fall of
hydraulic grade line or pressure which is directly related to flowrate, and thus is an excellent
meter, flow may be calculated from pressure measurements.
A venturi meter consists of a smooth entrance cone of angle about 20°, a short cylindrical
section, and a diffuser of 5° to 7° cone angle in order to minimize head loss. For satisfactory
operation of meter, the flow should be fully developed as it passes through contraction
section. To ensure this, the meter should be installed downstream from a section of straight
and uniform pipe, free from fittings and other sources of large-scale turbulence
The venturi meter, the orifice meter and rotameter are all dependent upon Bernoulli’s
equation for their principle of operation. The most general form of Bernoulli could be
expressed as;
𝑃1 𝑉12 𝑃2 𝑉22
+ + 𝑍1 = + + 𝑍2 + ℎ𝐿1−2
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔 𝜌𝑔 2𝑔
Since hL1-2 is negligibly small between the ends of a contraction duct, this term along with Z
terms can be omitted from above equation between stations A and B.
For Venturi Meter:
From continuity
𝜌𝑉𝐴 𝐴𝐴 = 𝜌𝑉𝐵 𝐴𝐵
The discharge
1⁄
2𝑔 𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐵 2
𝑄 = 𝐴𝐵 𝑉𝐵 = 𝐴𝐵 [ 2
( − )]
1 − (𝐴𝐵 ⁄𝐴𝐴 ) 𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔
1
With the apparatus provided AB/AA = 0.38
And AB = 2.01x10-4 m2. Since g= 9.81 m/s2 and PA/ 𝜌 g and PB/ 𝜌 g are the respective heights
of the manometric tubes A and B in meters we have
1⁄
𝑄 = 9.62 × 10−4 (ℎ𝐴 − ℎ𝐵 ) 2 𝑚 3 ⁄𝑠
By reference to Bernoulli Equation, the head loss associated with venture meter can be
evaluated; applying the equation between pressure tappings A and C.
𝑃𝐴⁄ 𝑃𝐶
𝜌𝑔 − ⁄𝜌𝑔 = ℎ𝐿𝐴−𝐶
ℎ𝐴 − ℎ𝐶 = ℎ𝐿𝐴−𝐶
This can be made dimensionless by dividing it by the inlet velocity V 2A/2g
2𝑔 𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐵
𝑉 2𝐵 = [ 2
( − )]
1 − (𝐴𝐵 ⁄𝐴𝐴 ) 𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔
Thus,
𝑉 2𝐴 𝐴𝐵 2 2𝑔 𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐵
=( ) [ ( − )]
2𝑔𝑛 𝐴𝐴 1 − (𝐴𝐵 ⁄𝐴𝐴 )2 𝜌𝑔𝑛 𝜌𝑔𝑛
2.2. ORIFICE METER
The orifice meter operates on the same principle as the venture meter but with some important
differences. The orifice plate can easily be changed to accommodate widely different flow
rates, whereas the throat diameter is fixed, so that its range of flow rates is circumscribed by
the practical limits of ΔP. On the other hand, the orifice meter has a large permanent loss of
pressure. Please discuss this in your report.
Between tappings (E) and (F):
𝑉𝐹2 𝑉𝐸2 𝑃𝐸 𝑃𝐹
− = 𝐶2 ( − )
2𝑔 2𝑔 𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔
Where the coefficient of discharge C for the particular geometry of the apparatus provided is
0,601. Reducing the expression in exactly the same way as venture meter;
1⁄
2𝑔 𝑃𝐸 𝑃𝐹 2
𝑄 = 𝐶𝐴𝐹 [ 2
( − )]
1 − (𝐴𝐹 ⁄𝐴𝐸 ) 𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔
Head loss through orifice is given with an approximate expression generally can be taken as
0.83 times the measured head difference.
ℎ𝐿𝐸−𝐹 = 0.83(ℎ𝐸 − ℎ𝐹 )
2
2.3. ROTAMETER
In the meters, previously studied, the area of the constriction remains constant and the
pressure drop varies with flow rate; in the rotameter, the pressure drop remains nearly
constant and the area of the constriction varies. The fluid flows vertically upward through the
tapered rotameter tube, and the float comes to equilibrium at a point where the annular flow
area such that the velocity increase has produced the necessary pressure difference. A higher
flow rate causes the float to rise to a point where the annular area is larger.
In rotameter, most of the pressure difference is required to maintain the float in equilibrium
and as the float is of constant weight, this pressure is independent of discharge.
The cause of this pressure difference is the head loss associated with the high velocity of
water around the float periphery. Since this head loss is constant then the peripheral velocity
is constant. To maintain a constant velocity with a varying discharge rate, the cross-sectional
area through which the high velocity occurs must vary. This variation of cross-sectional area
will arise as the float moves up and down the tapered Rotameter tube.
For rotameter, Bernoulli equation gives
𝑃𝐻 𝑃𝐼
( + 𝑍𝐻 ) − ( + 𝑍𝐼 ) = ∆𝐻𝐻𝐼
𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔
ℎ𝐻 − ℎ𝐼 = ∆𝐻𝐻𝐼
3. Experimental Equipment
Figure 1: Flow Measurement Apparatus
4. Procedure
With the equipment set, measurement can be taken as follows:
1. Open the apparatus valve until the rotameter shows a reading of about 10mm
2. When Steady flow is maintained measure the flow with the Hydraulic bench
3. During this period, record the readings of manometers in a table.
4. Repeat this procedure for a number of equidistant values of rotameter readings (at
least 4) up to maximum of approximately 220 mm.
3
5. Data Sheet
ROTAMETER WATER
TEST # MANOMETRIC LEVELS mm TIME, s MASS FLOWRATE Kg/s ΔH
cm W. Kg
WEIGH
A B C D E F G H I VENTURI ORIFICE VENTURI ORIFICE ROTAMETER
TANK
