Appendix B.

Hand Calculation Method for Orifice Design

Abstract
This appendix explains how to perform the calculations for orifice plate design by
hand. For manual look-up of the orifice coefficient, S (given beta) or the diameter
ratio, beta (given S), the following eight figures are provided:
Figure B-1 Flange Taps - 6 Inch Pipe Size (6.056 in.); S vs. Beta for
Different RD Values (Based on Data from ISO 5167)
Figure B-2 Flange Taps; Pipe Size Corrections for S Values (Based on
Data from ISO 5167)
Figure B-3 Radius Taps; S vs. Beta for Different R D Values (Based on
Data from ISO 5167)
Figure B-4 Corner Taps; S vs. Beta for Different R D Values (Based on
Data from ISO 5167)
Figure B-5 Pipe Taps; S vs. Beta for Different RD Values (Based on
Data from ISO 5167)
Figure B-6 ASME Small Bore with Flange Taps; S vs. Beta for
Different RD Values—1 in. to 1-1/2 in. Pipe Size (Based
on Data from "Fluid Meters: Their Theory and Applica-
tion", 6th ed., 1971. Courtesy of ASME)
Figure B-7 ASME Small Bore with Corner Taps (.546 in.); S vs. Beta
for Different RD Values—1/2 in. Schedule 80 Pipe Size
(Based on Data from "Fluid Meters: Their Theory and
Application", 6th ed., 1971. Courtesy of ASME)
Figure B-8 Quadrant — Edge Data; S and Thickness Ratio vs. Beta

Orifice calculation sheets have been prepared for guidance through the orifice calcu-
lation steps. Calculation sheets filled in with appropriate examples are attached.
The four orifice calculation sheets are as follows:
• LIQUID, square-edge orifice, Form ICM-EF-59B (Figure B-9)
• LIQUID, quadrant-edge orifice, Form ICM-EF-59C (Figure B-10)
• GAS, square-edge orifice, Form ICM-EF-59D (Figure B-11)
• VAPOR/STEAM, square-edge orifice, Form ICM-EF-59E (Figure B-12)
Note that in these calculation sheets, the term "sharp edge" is used instead of
"square-edge."
Results of the hand calculations agree closely with the computer program ORIFICE.
The two types of calculations that can be performed are orifice sizing and orifice re-
ranging, except for quadrant-edge.

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B1.0 Calculation Procedure

1. Fill in the STREAM PROPERTY input blocks.
TEMPERAURE -- degrees Fahrenheit for liquid and vapor/steam
-- degrees Rankine = °F + 460 for gas
PRESSURE -- PSIA for gas and vapor
LIQUID SPECIFIC GRAVITY -- Gb at 60 F (Gb for water =
1.00)
VAPOR/STEAM SPECIFIC GRAVITY -- cu.ft./lb.
-- for steam, use steam tables
GAS SPECIFIC GRAVITY -- Ideal sp. gr. is used
= M.W. gas/M.W. dry air
= Zb × Real sp. gr.
LIQUID KINEMATIC VISCOSITY -- use centistokes
GAS AND VAPOR ABSOLUTE -- use centipoise
VISCOSITY

2. Fill in the FLOW RATE input blocks.

UNITS: For liquid use BPD, BPH, GPM, or GPH. For vapor use
lbs/hour; for gas use SCFH.
FULL SCALE: Flow that creates a dp across the orifice taps equal to the
maximum value of the dp transmitter range.
NORMAL: For square-edge and ASME small-bore this should be
the mid-range dp value, which equals .707 × (full-scale
flow rate)
1/3 FS: For quadrant-edge, equal to .333 × (full-scale flow rate)

3. Fill in the ORIFICE DATA input blocks.

TYPE OF ORIFICE PLATE -- Square-edge
-- ASME small-bore
-- Quadrant-edge
TYPE OF TAPS -- Flange, radius, corner or pipe for
square-edge
-- Flange or corner only for ASME
small-bore
-- Flange for quadrant-edge
PIPE INSIDE DIAMETER -- Use 3 decimal places
ORIFICE DIAMETER -- Entered for orifice re-ranging
calculation

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-- Use 3 decimal places

FULL SCALE DP -- Entered for orifice sizing calcula-
tion
-- Standard value = 100 inches of
water
4. Fill in the CORRECTIONS FACTORS.
Fa -- Correction for thermal expansion of orifice meter at
flowing temperature found in ASME MFC-3M Tables or
API MPMS. Chapter 14.3/AGA-3.
Y -- Gas expansion factor for mid-scale flow
Y1 = correction based on upstream pressure
Y2 = correction based on downstream pressure
Look up in table or chart - use mid-range differential
pressure (dp)
Fpv -- Supercompressibility correction factor
Rarely used in refinery calculations (usually set = 1.0)
Look up in table or chart when used.
Zb -- Compressibility factor at 60°F, 1 Atm
Rarely used in refinery calculations (usually set = 1.0)
Look up in table or chart when used.

5. Calculate Pipe Reynold’s Number.

Space is provided for values in equations.
See examples on sheets provided.
6. Calculate orifice size or dp range for square-edge or ASME small-bore orifice.
Given h, Find d
Fill in equations and solve for S.
Look up beta ratio in table.
Interpolation is necessary.
Use Table in Figure B-2 to correct for pipe size other than 6-inches (2-12
inches).
Use Reynold’s number column that is closest to value calculated in step 5.
Given d, Find h
Calculate beta ratio.
Look up S in table.
Interpolation is necessary.
Use Reynold’s number that is closest to value calculated in Step 5.
See examples on sheets provided.
7. Calculation for quadrant-edge orifice size.

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Select a plate thickness, look up values from Figure B-8, and calculate the
differential pressure h.
If h is too large, make plate thicker; if too small, make plate thinner, and repeat
calculation. h should equal about 100 inches of water.
The permissible range of Reynold’s numbers (at 1/3 full-scale flow) for a quad-
rant-edge orifice is a function of the beta ratio:

beta ratio 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6

min. RD 670.0 770.0 630.0 450.0 320.0
max. RD 17500.0 28000.0 45000.0 70000.0 85000.0

See example on calculation sheet provided.

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Fig. B-1 Flange Taps - 6 Inch Pipe Size (6.056 in.); S vs. Beta for Different RD Values (Based on Data from ISO 5167)

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Fig. B-2 Flange Taps; Pipe Size Corrections for S Values (Based on Data from ISO 5167)

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Fig. B-3 Radius Taps; S vs. Beta for Different RD Values (Based on Data from ISO 5167)

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Fig. B-4 Corner Taps; S vs. Beta for Different RD Values (Based on Data from ISO 5167)

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Fig. B-5 Pipe Taps; S vs. Beta for Different RD Values (Based on Data from ISO 5167)

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Fig. B-6 ASME Small Bore with Flange Taps; S vs. Beta for Different RD Values—1 in. to 1-1/2 in. Pipe Size (Based
on Data from "Fluid Meters: Their Theory and Application", 6th ed., 1971. Courtesy of ASME)

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Fig. B-7 ASME Small Bore with Corner Taps (.546 in.); S vs. Beta for Different RD Values—1/2 in. Schedule 80 Pipe
Size (Based on Data from "Fluid Meters: Their Theory and Application", 6th ed., 1971. Courtesy of ASME)

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Fig. B-8 Quadrant — Edge Data; S and Thickness Ratio vs. Beta

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Fig. B-9 Orifice Calculation Sheet—Liquid, Square-edge Orifice

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Fig. B-10 Orifice Calculation Sheet—Liquid, Quadrant-edge Orifice

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Fig. B-11 Orifice Calculation Sheet—Gas, Square-Edge Orifice

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Fig. B-12 Orifice Calculation Sheet—Vapor/Steam, Square-Edge Orifice

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