Rotameter Equations and Derivations

Rotameter is mounted vertically. The bottom of the tube is narrow and gets wider as the
top is reached. The flow originates from the bottom and moves the rotameters float up
to the position in which the weight of the float balances the force exerted by the flow. If
the flow remains lower than that of the speed of sound then the incompressible
!ernoullis equation can be applied as a balance on the rotameter system.
C
g
p
z
g
V
+ +

"
"
#
In this equation$
g % gravitational acceleration
& % velocity of the fluid
' % height above an arbitrary origin
( % constant along any streamline in the flow but varies from streamline
to streamline a streamline is defined as a path in a steady flow field along
which a given fluid particle travels
)irst set equation equal to 'ero because all forces are balanced on the rotameter when the
float is stationary followed by simplifications$
*
"
#
"

1
]
1

+ +
g
p
z
g
V
g

p gz V + +
"
"
#
Then equate for points at bottom +a, and top +b, of the float$
" # # "
"
#
"
"
"
#
"
#
p p gz gz V V +
-hich simplifies to$
1
1
]
1

,
_

+
"
"
#
"
#
b
a
b f
V
V
V gh p
-here the subscript f is defines properties of the float in this case hf is the height
of the float.
The volumetric flow rate is the same at the top and the bottom of the float therefore$
b b a a
A V A V Q
-here . is the volumetric flow & is the volumetric flow and / is the area
0olving for b
V
to get$
b b
a
a b
A
Q
A
A
V V

,
_

0ubstituting this value of simplified !ernoullis equation yields$

1
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

+
" "
#
"
#
a
b
b
f
A
A
A
Q
gh p
0olving for .$
( )
1
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

"
"
#
"
a
b
f
b
A
A
gh p
A
Q

( )
b
a
b
f
A
A
A
gh p
Q
1
1
1
1
1
1
]
1

1
1
]
1

,
_

"
#
"

The change in pressure is found to be mostly as a result from the weight of the float.
A
F
p
( )
f
f f
A
g V
p


-here f
V
is the volume of the float f

is the density of the float and f

A
is the
area of the float.
Ideal inviscid fluids would obey the flow equation found above but the small amount of
energy converted to heat most of the time lowers the actual velocity of the fluid. The
viscosity of the fluid is accounted for through the use of the discharge coefficient +(,.
( )
1
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

"
#
"
a
b
f
f
f f
b
A
A
h
A
V
g
CA Q