CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 1

CHE150-1L/B41

Experiment 2: Flow Rate (Rotameter)

Mendoza, Theresa C1
1

Student, School of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Mapa Institute of Technology, Manila, Philippines

ABSTRACT
This experiment aim to generate a calibration curve for rotameter. Rotameter is a vertical tapered tube that is most of the
time made from glass. It has plummet that is free to move as the fluid that is to be measured enters from the bootom and
leaves through the top of the tube. Mass flow rate of water and rotameter reading serves as the x- and y-axis for the
calibration curve. Mass flow rate was calculated from the mass of water over the time which is approximately 30 seconds.
For the five trials the mass flow rates are 0.116, 0.143, 0.15, 0.156, and 0.160 all in kilogram per second while the
rotameter reading are 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3. The calibration curve turned out to be not linear contrast to the concept for the
rotameter. Moreover, advantages and disadvantages of the rotameter have also been discussed. Easy installation, simple
construction, and constant pressure are the advantages while vertical instalment, sensitivity in pressure and temperature,
and nonvisibility of plummet in opaque liquids are the disadvantages. The possible errors of this experiment are the
inaccuracy of the weight of the tank and the construction of the plummet that might be unstable and affect the results.
Keywords: Rotameter, Calibration Curve, Plummet
1.

Introduction

Flow meters measure the mass flow rate directly, but

most of the measure the volumetric flow rate or the average
fluid velocity. One type of these meters is the area meter
which has devices wherein the pressure drop is constant
and the area where the fluid flows changes with the flow
rate. The area is related, by proper calibration, to the flow

The plummet is the indicating element, and the greater

the flow rate, the higher the flow rides in the tube. The
entire fluid stream must flow through the annular space
between the float and the tube wall. The tube is marked in
divisions and the meter is read from the scale reading at the
edge of the plummet. (Mccabe, 2006)

rate.
Rotameter is the most important area meter (See figure
1.1). It consists importantly of a gradually tapered glass
tube which is vertically mounted in a frame with the large
end up. The fluid flows upward through the tapered tube
and suspends a plummet freely.

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Note that the mass of water was measured by

subtracting the

weight

of

the

previous tank with water and to the

Rotameter are used

Figure 1.1 Rotameter

latest weighed mass of tank with water.

for both liquid and

gas
measurements.

flow
In

this experiment, the flow of water was observed and related

to the reading of the rotameter.
2.

Methodology

Materials and Equipment

3.

Results and Discussion

Table 3.1 shows the calculated data of mass for water

and the recorded time from stopwatch. From the
methodology, it has been explained how mass of water can
be calculated. It can be observed that the mass of water

The materials and equipment that were utilized in this

experiment are fluid-flow set-up with rotameter, water
tank, weighing scale, and stopwatch. The fluid-flow set-up

increased for every trial in this experiment. The reason

behind this trend will be further discussed in the preceding
part of this discussion.

is the main equipment used in this experiment. It has a

rotameter that measures the amount of fluid flow per unit
time, which is the aim of this experiment. The amount of
fluid flow was measured using weighing scale and
stopwatch recorded the time.
Experimentation

For time in seconds, the exact time must be noted in

spite of what has been said in the procedure that the time
should be in 30 seconds. The excess in time, whether it
seem to be small, should be added into account and cannot
consider to be negligible. It is because this time was used in
calculating values that is essential to the experiment.

Initially, factors that are needed to meet the aim of

this experiment were identified. These factors are rotameter
reading, time, and mass of water. Mass of the tank has been
weighed since it is needed for the computation of mass of
water using weighing scale. The rotameter valve was
opened slowly until the reading has become one and the
plummet was assured to be stable.
As the plummet became stable, the discharge valve
was opened. The water was allowed to flow inside the tank
for thirty seconds, recorded using stopwatch. The tank with
water was again weighed labeled as the mass of tank with
water. Procedures were repeated with increasing rotameter

Mass of water, kg
3.5
4.3
4.5
4.7
4.85

Time, s
30.16
30.03
30
30.04
30.24

Table 3.1 Noted and Calculated Data of Mass and

Time

One of the objective of this experiment is to generate a

calibration curve for the rotameter. This objective was met
by calculating the mass flow rate using equation 3.1 and
getting the rotameter reading.

reading which has an increment of .5.

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m=

mass of water
time

(Equation 3.1)

Calibration Curve for Rotameter

3.5

The tabulated data for the values of these two is shown

in table 3.2. The rotameter used in this experiment is

2.5

limited its reading to 3, so, the values of the rotameter

reading were so close with an increment of just 0.5. Then,

with these values, a calibration curve was able to generate
with mass flow rate as the x-axis and rotameter reading as
the y-axis.

Rotameter Reading

1.5
1
0.5
0
0.1

Mass flow rate, kg/s

0.116
0.143
0.150
0.156
0.160

Rotameter Reading
1
1.5
2
2.5
3

Table 3.2 Values of Mass Flow Rate and

Rotameter Reading

0.15

0.2

Mass Flow Rate (kg/s)

Figure
3.1 Calibration
for Rotameter
The
position
of the Curve
plummet
is important in
generating a curve. The system must be in equilibrium
wherein the pressure drop thrusts upward and balances the
downward which are the drag force and apparent weight of

Figure 3.1 shows the calibration curve of the

the plummet (Figure 3.2). With this system, the plummet

rotameter. The curve represents the relationship of the mass

settled in a stable position and can be calibrated with the

flow rate and rotameter reading which is directly

flow rate. Hence, stabilizing the position of the plummet

proportional. As shown, it has a positive slope but is not

must be done initially. Viscosity of the fluid should also be

quite linear which is unusual to the rotameter. If data from

considered since it can add force to the float. Addition of

table 3.2 was checked again, it can be observed that the

forces means unbalancing the system. It results to

difference in the mass flow rate of trial 1 and 2 which is

unstationary plummet that greatly affects the flow rate of

0.027 was way greater that the difference of the rest which

the fluid which in this case is water. (Balachandran, 2011)

just fall on the range of from 0.004-0.007.

Figure 3.1 Calibration curve for Rotameter

Figure 3.2 Forces acting on the plummet

Rotameter has advantages in terms of utilization and
application. One, it can be installed in areas without power

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since it only requires the properties of the fluid and gravity

calculated by dividing the mass of water into the time

to measure flow. So, ensuring that the equipment is

which is approximately 30 seconds. The calibration curve

explosion proof is not the main concern in flammable

for rotameter should be linear or should form a straight

areas. It can also be installed in standard fittings to existing

line. The output showed a non-straight curve which means

piping or through a panel. Straight runs of pipe as with a

that there is error somewhere in the experimentation.

magnetic or turbine flow meter are not problems. Then,

scale of a rotameter is linear which means that the flow rate

Rotameter

has

advantages

and

disadvantages.

The

can be read with the same degree of accuracy throughout

advantages are easy installation, simple construction and

the full range. Lastly, the pressure loss is minimal or nearly

minimal or constant pressure drop resulting in low pressure

constant results in reduced pumping costs.

costs. However, the disadvantages are it must be installed

vertically, limited capabilities for it must have been

However, rotameter also has disadvantages. One is it must

calibrated, sensitivity in pressure and temperature, and

always installed vertically with flowing up through it since

nonvisibility of plummet in opaque liquids.

the gravity plays a key role in the flow measurement. In

addition, the graduated scale on the side of the rotameter

One of the possible errors is the weight of the tank.

will only be valid for the specific fluid and conditions

Weighing scale might not get the real weight of the tank. It

where it was calibrated. The specific gravity of the fluid is

is essential to this experiment for the mass of water is

primary property to consider, however the fluid's viscosity

dependent to the said weight. Construction of the plummet

and any temperature changes may also be significant. The

must also be considered since it decides the performance of

nonvisibility of float with opaque fluid is also a

the rotameter.

disadvantage. (Young, 2011)

References
Major error of this experiment is the linearity of the
calibration curve. Rotameter must have linear curve,

Balachandran, P. (2011). Engineering Fluid Mechanics.

New Delhi: PHI Learning Private Limited.

different from the output of this experiment. One of the

possible errors is inaccuracy of the weight of the tank. Tank
is too large and heavy for weighing. The weighing scale
might not carry all the weight of the tank. This weight is
important since if where the mass of water came from. The
plummet should be constructed properly for it decides the
performance of the rotameter. It should create uniform
turbulence to make it insensitive to viscosity.
4.

Conclusion

This experiment aim to generate a calibration curve for the

Gutierrez, C., & Ngo, R. (2005). Chemical Engineering

Laboratory Manual.
Mccabe, W., Smith, J., & Harriott, P. (2006). Unit
Operations of Chemical Engineering. McGraw-Hill Asia.
Rotameters. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2016, from Global
Water:
A
Xylem
Brand:
http://www.globalw.com/support/rotameter.html
Young, Munson, Okiishi, & Huebsch. (2011). A Brief
Introduction To Fluid Mechanics. John Wiley and Sons,
Inc.

rotameter. Mass flow rate and rotameter reading served as

the x- and y-axis of the curve. The mass flow rate was

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