UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

CPE 453
NAME
STUDENT NO.
GROUP
EXPERIMENT
DATE PERFORMED
SEMESTER
PROGRAMME / CODE
SUBMIT TO

: MOHAMMAD AKMALHAKIM BIN ZAKARIA

: 2010229424
: EH2213B
: FLOW OVER WEIRS
: 27 OCTOBER 2011
: SEMESTER 3
: CPE 453
: PUAN SUHAIZA HANIM HANIPAH

No.

Title

Allocated Marks (%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Abstract/Summary
Introduction
Aims
Theory
Apparatus
Methodology/Procedure
Results
Calculations
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
Reference
Appendix
TOTAL MARKS

5
5
5
5
5
10
10
10
20
10
5
5
5
100

Remarks:
Checked by :

--------------------------Date :

Marks

Contents
1. Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3
3. Objectives of the Experiment ..................................................................................................... 3
4. Theory ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Rectangular Notch ............................................................................................................... 4
2. Triangular ( vee ) Notch ....................................................................................................... 5
5. Apparatus and Material .............................................................................................................. 6
6. Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 6
7. Results and Calculations ............................................................................................................. 7
7.1 Calculation for Rectangular Notch ........................................................................................ 7
7.2 Calculation for Triangular Notch ........................................................................................... 8
7.3 Graph for Rectangular Notch ................................................................................................ 8
7.4 Graph for Triangular Notch ................................................................................................... 9
8. Discussion.................................................................................................................................. 11
9. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 11
10. Experimental Precaution ........................................................................................................ 11
11. References .............................................................................................................................. 12
12. Appendix ................................................................................................................................. 12

1. Abstract
This report will discuss about the flow characteristics over a rectangular notch and a
triangular(V) notch. The discharge coefficient of the fluid flow are also have been defined
through this experiment. In order to achieve the objective, every depth of water with different
height and two different notches was recorded in conducting experiment. The amount of
volume is set constant for easier calculation.
Graphs have been plotted from the data obtained for analyzing the flow characteristics.
For the rectangular graphs, the discharge coefficient decrease slowly, then it reaches almost
constant value for the rest. Very differ from triangular notch which is, the discharge decrease
smoothly but the values are way higher than rectangular notch.
From the result, it can be shown that the triangular notch have more discharge
coefficient rather than the rectangular notch.

2. Introduction
Fluids mechanics has develop as an analytical discipline from the application of the
classical laws of statistics, dynamics and thermodynamics, to situations in which fluids can be
treated as continuous media. The particular laws involved are those of the conservation of
mass, energy and momentum and, in each application, these laws can be simplified in an
attempt to describe quantitatively the behaviour of the fluid.
A weir is an opening in the sidewall of a tank at top. The stream of liquid coming out the
weir is known as a nappe, sheet, or vein. There is no difference between a notch and weir
except that the former is a small structure and has sharp edges. A weir is generally an overflow
structure, with a broad crest, built across an open channel. The terms air and weirs are used
synonymously in general. The top of weir wall over which the liquid flows is known as the sill or
crest. The head under which the weir is discharging is measured from the crest to the free
surface. A weir or notch is generally used for measuring the flow of liquids.
In this experiment, the rectangular weirs and triangular weirs are been used.
Rectangular weirs and triangular or v-notch weirs are often used in water supply, wastewater
and sewage systems. They consist of a sharp edged plate with a rectangular, triangular or vnotch profile for the water flow. Broad-crested weirs can be observed in dam spillways where
the broad edge is beneath the water surface across the entire stream. Flow measurement
installations with broad-crested weirs will meet accuracy requirements only if they are
calibrated.

3. Objectives of the Experiment

To observe the flow characteristics over a rectangular notch and a vee (V) notch.
To determine the discharge coefficients of the fluid flow.
3

4. Theory
With different type of notch, the method of calculating the discharge coefficients of the fluid
flow is also different. These are some theories that discuss about the reasoning of two different
notches, which are:

1. Rectangular Notch
A rectangular notch in a thin square edged weir plate installed in a weir channel as shown in
figure 2.

Figure 2: Rectangular Notch

Consider the flow in an element of height H at a depth h below the surface. Assuming that the
flow is everywhere normal to the plane of the weir and that the free surface remains horizontal
up to the plane of the weir.
In practice the flow through the notch will not be parallel and therefore will not be normal to
the plane of the weir. The free surface is not horizontal and viscosity and surface tension will
have an effect. There will be a considerable change in the shape of the nappe as it passes
through the notch with curvature of the stream lines in both vertical and horizontal planes as
indicated in Figure 3, in particular the width of the nappe is reduced by the contractions at each
end.

Figure 3: Shape of a Nappe

Where;
Qt = volume flow rate ( m/s )
H = height above notch base (m)
b = width of rectangular notch ( 0.03 m)
Cd = the discharge coefficient, which has to be determined by experiment
The discharge from a rectangular notch will be considerably less, approximately 60%, of the
theoretical analysis due to these curvature effects. A coefficient of discharge C d is therefore
introduced so that

However, Cd is not a true constant tending towards a constant only for large heads and a low
velocity of approach in the weir channel.

2. Triangular ( vee ) Notch

Figure 4: Triangular or V Notch

( )
Where;
5

Qt = volume flow rate

H = height above notch base
B = width of rectangular notch
= angle of the Vee in the triangular notch
Cd = the discharge coefficient, which has to be determined by experiment
Thus,

( )
For a rectangular notch the rate of discharged is proportional to the liquid depth raised to
power 1.5 and for the triangular notch to a power of 2.5. A triangular notch will therefore
handle a wider range of flowrates. It can be shown that the notch must have curved walls giving
a large width to the bottom of the notch and a comparatively small width towards the top. The
weir is frequently installed for controlling the flow within the unit itself, for instance in a
distillation column or reactor.

5. Apparatus and Material

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (Model: FM 26) - Appendix

Water

6. Methodology
1. The hydraulic bench is placed in a way that its surface is horizontal. This is important as
the flow over notch is driven by gravitational force.
2. Initial reading on the wall of the water tank was noted and recorded.
3. The stopwatch is set to zero before the experiment started.
4. The rectangular notch is mounted into the flow channel and the stilling baffle as shown
in diagram 1.
5. The main valve is opened.
6. The pump is opened until the level of the water is just above of the weir crest by locking
the coarse adjustment screw.
7. To take an accurate height reading, the fine adjustment is used to lower the gauge until
it almost touched the surface.
6

8. The general features of the flow of water over the weir is being observed and recorded.
9. The volume flow rate is being determined by measuring the time with the aid of
stopwatch for the water to flow into the container or volumetric tank in a known
volume.
10. The ball valve is used to close the tank outflow and the volume collected will be
recorded.
11. The valve is then opened again, this time the bench valve is opened further to produce
an increase in depth of approximately 10 mm.
12. This will shows an increase in the reading of the flow rates and hence being recorded.
This continued until the level reached the top of the notch.
13. The procedure is repeated by replacing the rectangular notch plate with the triangular
(Vee) notch plate.

7. Results and Calculations

Type of notch

Volume(L)

Rectangle

Triangular

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Water height
(cm)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4

Time (s)
23
13
7.86
5.06
3.78
2.65
2.24
68.18
18.30
7.97
3.41

Q (m3/s)
(flowate)
1.304310-4
2.507710-4
3.816810-4
5.928910-4
7.936510-4
1.132110-3
1.339310-3
4.410-5
1.63910-4
3.76410-4
8.79710-4

Cd
1.4731
0.9215
0.8296
0.8370
0.8017
0.8610
0.8167
1.8678
1.2265
1.0222
1.1638

7.1 Calculation for Rectangular Notch

b = 0.03 m
g = 9.81 m/s2
H = 1 x 10-2 m
Volume flow rate,
7

= 3 x 10-3 m3 / 23 s
= 1.304310-4 m3/s
Discharge coefficient,

( )

= 1.4731

7.2 Calculation for Triangular Notch

= 90o
g = 9.81 m/s2
H = 1 x 10-2 m
Volume flow rate,
= 3 x 10-3 m3 / 68.18 s
= 4.410-5 m3/s
Discharge coefficient,

( )

( )
= 1.8678

7.3 Graph for Rectangular Notch

Q2/3

H
0.002572
0.003762
0.005262
0.007057
0.008572
0.01086
0.01215

0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07

Cd
1.4731
0.9215
0.8296
0.837
0.8017
0.861
0.8167

Q2/3 and H
0.014
0.012
0.01
0.008

Q and H

0.006

Log. (Q and H)

0.004
0.002
0
0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

Cd and H
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8

Cd and H

0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

7.4 Graph for Triangular Notch

Q2/5

H
0.01809
0.03061
0.04268
0.05994

0.01
0.01
0.03
0.04

Cd
1.8678
1.2265
1.0222
1.1638

Q2/5 and H
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
Q and H

0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

Cd and H
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

Cd and H

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

10

8. Discussion
In this experiment, the objectives are to observe the flow characteristics over a
rectangular notch and a triangular(V) notch, and to determine the discharge coefficients of the
fluid flow. The objectives of this experiment were achieved since the analysis of the flow
characteristics can be done by plotting graphs related to the experiment. The data of discharge
coefficient also was determined by calculation using the formula.
The discharge coefficient, Cd originally derived by dividing the actual volume flowrate
with the Ideal volume flowrate. Then, the final formula of Cd is obtained as shown in the theory
section. In this experiment, the formula was used for calculation and tabulation. The C d
formulas are also derived depending on the type of notch. In this experiment, only two types of
notch were used. Thus, only two different formula of Cd is used for calculation.
From the rectangular notch, the graph shows that the depth of water, H increases as
volume flowrate, Qt increase. The discharge coefficient, Cd decrease slowly, then it reaches
almost constant value for the rest of the depth. This could due to the water surface tension that
disturbs the flow of the water toward the notch. When Q has reached high value that can
overcome the tension, the Cd becomes almost contant value in the flow. The space for the
water to flow, B is also enhancing the degeneration of Cd.
As for the triangular notch, the graph shows the same, the depth of water, H increases
as volume flowrate, Qt increase. But the only differ is, the discharge, Cd decrease smoothly and
the value of discharge are way higher that the rectangular notch. The water surface tensions
also exist in this situation but the high magnitude of Cd occurs due to the angle of the triangular
notch. More higher the depth, the larger space for the water to flow(value of B). It causes the
value of Cd different from the rectangular notch.

9. Conclusion
From this experiment, it can be concluded that the discharge coefficient, C d for the
triangular notch are higher compare to the rectangular notch. It is due to the value of B, which
is the space for the water to flow through the notch. For rectangular notch, it is constant for
every depth. But, for triangular notch the value of B will increase as the depth, H increase
related to the angle of notch.

10. Experimental Precaution

Experiment must be carried at steady place to prevent existence of large waves on the
water.
Ensure that the scale of the needle is in zero positioning before setting the initial depth
of water.

11

Ensure that the surface of the water touches the tip of the needle before recording the
volume of the water flow.
In installing the notch, make sure that the screws are tight before start the experiment
to prevent leakage of water below the notch.
This experiment involves large volume of liquid. Thus, ensure that the water flows
accordingly in the container/apparatus to prevent flood occur in the laboratory.
In collecting volume, make sure that the water is fully secure before collecting data.

11. References

Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer Volume 1, Sixth Edition, Coulson &
Richardsons Chemical Engineering by J M Coulson & J F Richardson with J R Backhurst
and J H Harker.
Operating and Experiment Manual for SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (Model: FM 26).
Laboratory Experiment Manual of CPE453 Provided by Puan Suhaiza Hanim Hanipah.
Trebal R. E., Mass Transfer Operation, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1990.
CHE 493 Lecturer Notes Puan Sunita Jobli, Semester 2 (EH2212B).
http://www.cussons.co.uk/SOFTWARE/Part5/PART5.HTM
http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/fluids/orifice.htm#Expt

12. Appendix
SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (Model: FM 26)

12
Figure 1: Flow Over Weirs Apparatus

Figure 2: Rectangular notch

Figure 3: Trangular notch

13