Fluid Mechanics-I Lab (MEEN 2217)

Lab Report 02

To determine the coefficient of discharge

(Cd) when fluid flows through an Orifice.

Hamza Ahmad Salam

ME172020

December 30, 2018

 Abstract

In this experiment an orifice plate flow-meter is used and the calculated the coefficient of
discharge, (Cd).The orifice plate flow-meter is a simple and low cost method to measuring the
flow rate in a pipe using the pressure change measurement beyond the plate. In this experiment
Rota meter is used. Flow rate can be find by dividing volume V and time T. Using the orifice
pitot tube find the change in head ∆ℎ. Coefficient of discharge, (Cd) can be find by using
derived equation. This experiment is very useful to realize that how the Bernoulli’s equation is
applicable in practical life.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2
1.1. Background ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.2. Theory ..................................................................................................................................... 3
 Flow meter .............................................................................................................................. 3
 Orifice Meter ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.3. Uses of Orifice Meter .............................................................................................................. 3
 Flow rate ................................................................................................................................. 3
 Industrial applications ............................................................................................................. 3
2. Apparatus ........................................................................................................................................ 4
3. Procedure ........................................................................................................................................ 4
4. Result .............................................................................................................................................. 5
5. Discussion........................................................................................................................................ 5
6. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 6
7. Reference ........................................................................................................................................ 6
8. Appendix ......................................................................................................................................... 6
8.1. Specimen calculation .............................................................................................................. 6

1. Introduction
1.1. Background
A device named as modern orifice meter was used by Thomas Weymouth in 1904 in his
research paper. Later on “Measurement of Gas by Orifice Meter” in 1918 written by Westcott
published by Metric Metals. The Foxboro Company published a Book “The Orifice Meter and
Gas Measurement” in 1921. [1]

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 1.2. Theory
 Flow meter

Flow meter is a device which is used to measure the flow rate (Q). There are many types of
flow meters.

 Venturi meter
 Orifice meter
 Pitot tube
 Rota meter [2]

 Orifice Meter

Orifice is a tube or pipe in which both ends are open but orifice diameter is very small as
compared to the related pipe. Orifice tube is used to measure the coefficient of discharge. When
a fluid is allowed to flow inside the pipe, the orifice plate slow down the flow which results in
fluid pressure loss.

Derivation

We can derive the equation of coefficient of discharge by using Bernoulli’s Equation

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
By neglect the hydrostatic
pressure z,
𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ = + (1)
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
Coefficient of discharge is 4
√1 (𝐷1 )
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝐷 2 (2)
𝐶𝑑 = 𝜋 2
√2𝑔Δℎ
4 𝐷1
1.3. Uses of Orifice Meter
 Flow rate

The concentric orifice plate is used to measure the flow rate of fluid.

The eccentric and segmental orifice is used in fluid that contain suspended materials like solid.

 Industrial applications

Chemical, petroleum, treatment plants, power generation systems, gas generation and
distribution, etc.[3]

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2. Apparatus
Following apparatus is required to perform this experiment

i. Stop watch
ii. Hydraulic bench
iii. Flow Meters

Figure 1 Front view of Flow Meters apparatus

3. Procedure
i. Place the Hydraulics Bench in a smooth plane.
ii. Set the Orifice Meter on the Hydraulics Bench, and hookup water supply with
the test apparatus.
iii. Discharge valve of the apparatus should be Open. And air bleed valve should
be closed.
iv. Start the pump that is connected with Hydraulic Bench and open the valve
slowly now note the Rota meter reading.

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 v. Note the water levels by using the manometer and observe the reading in proper
way.
vi. Take the next reading before taking the next reading open the valve slightly that
is connected with Rota meter.
vii. Note the volume of measuring tank and time.

4. Result
All results should be taken as follows
Table 1 Calculation and Observation

Flow Hydraulic bench reading Orifice meter reading Co. of

on Rota Discharge
meter
Vol (T) Flow rate h1 h2 ∆h Cd.
(L)
8 0.005 36.25 0.000159 0.075 0.055 0.020 0.61
10 0.005 29.37 0.000170 0.113 0.082 0.031 0.62
12 0.005 25.07 0.00020 0.217 0.181 0.036 0.66
14 0.005 21.75 0.000229 0.332 0.287 0.045 0.68
16 0.005 18.40 0.000271 0.435 0.379 0.056 0.72

5. Discussion
 Its values is not precise as venturi .the values of venturi is very near to 1 that shows its
precision.
 As shown in Table 1 where the time is decreases heads increases.
 As the time decreases values of flow rate increases.
 Coefficient of discharge (Cd) shows its precision.
 Due to some unknown errors the values of the total head changed slightly. These errors
may be,
i. Systematic errors
ii. Random errors / personal errors
 We also notice that the pump of the hydraulic bench shows fluctuation in the flow of
water.

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 6. Conclusion
Conclusion is that its accuracy is not better than venturi meter but as compared to venturi or
other devices it installation is cheaper. It is also used to measure flow rate of compressible
fluids. Due do some reasons like friction values of total head will changed but this is so small
that is negligible.

7. Reference
[1]_ [Online]. Available: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001514537 [Accessed 30
December 2018].

[2]_ [Online]. Available: https://www.maxmachinery.com/what-is-a-flow-meter/ [Accessed

30 December 2018].

[3]_ [Online]. Available https:// www.quora.com/What-are-some-industrial-uses-of-venturi-

and-orifice-meters [Accessed 30 December 2018].

8. Appendix
8.1. Specimen calculation
Volume = v = 0.005 (m)

Time required = 36 (sec)

P1
Pressure head at orifice h1 = = 0.075
γ

P2
Pressure head at orifice h2 = = 0.055
γ

P1 P2
Change in height = ∆h = - = 0.020
γ γ

Diameter of orifice = D1 = 0.02 (m)

Diameter of pipe = D2 = 0.029 (m)

V 0.005 m3
Discharge= Qact = t = =0.000159( )
29 s

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 D 4
√( 1 ) −1
D2
Qact
Coefficient of discharge = Cd = π = 0.61
√2gΔh D 2
4 1

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