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CHE204-HD9 - Rotameter Equation

1) A rotameter consists of a vertical glass tube with a float inside that is used to measure fluid flow rate. As fluid passes upwards, the float reaches an equilibrium position indicating the flow rate on an adjacent scale. 2) An expression is derived relating the fluid flow rate to properties of the float, fluid, and pipe geometry. Applying continuity, Bernoulli's equation, and momentum balance yields an expression for flow rate as a function of these variables. 3) The derived expression shows that the fluid flow rate is directly proportional to the mass of the float and pipe area, and inversely proportional to the densities of the fluid and float and the annular area around the float.

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537 views2 pages

CHE204-HD9 - Rotameter Equation

1) A rotameter consists of a vertical glass tube with a float inside that is used to measure fluid flow rate. As fluid passes upwards, the float reaches an equilibrium position indicating the flow rate on an adjacent scale. 2) An expression is derived relating the fluid flow rate to properties of the float, fluid, and pipe geometry. Applying continuity, Bernoulli's equation, and momentum balance yields an expression for flow rate as a function of these variables. 3) The derived expression shows that the fluid flow rate is directly proportional to the mass of the float and pipe area, and inversely proportional to the densities of the fluid and float and the annular area around the float.

Uploaded by

acetilen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHE 204, Prepared by: Dr.

Usamah Al-Mubaiyedh Page 1



Flow Measurement by a Rotameter

The figure below shows another flow measuring device known as a rotameter. It consists of a
vertical graduated glass tube with a float inside it. As the fluid passes upwards through the
tube the float will be suspended until it reaches a equilibrium position, from which the fluid
flow rate can be read from the adjacent scale in the tube wall.


Derive an expression for the fluid flow rate as a function of the mass of the float, M, density
of the fluid, , density of the float,
f
, and area of the pipe, A, and annular area around the
float, a.
Consider the control volume show in figure (b):
Solution:
Apply continuity equation (CE) from point 1 to point 2:
a u A u
2 1
=
1 2
u
a
A
u =
Apply Bernoullis equation (BE) from point 1 to point 2:

2
2
2
2 1
1
2
1

2 2
P
z g
u P
z g
u
+ + = + + ( )
1 2
2
2
1
2 1
1
2
z z g
a
A u
P P +
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
Apply momentum balance (MB) from point 1 to point 2:
( ) 0
2 1
= +

y
F M M
` `

CHE 204, Prepared by: Dr. Usamah Al-Mubaiyedh Page 2

( )

|
.
|

\
|
= = = = =
(
(

+
1 2 1 2 1
Forces Gravity
float of mass
float around fluid of Volume
1 2
Forces Pressure
2 1 2 2 1 1
, 0 u
a
A
u A u m m m g M g
M
A z z A P A P u m u m
f

_

_


Note: The fluid at point 2 exerts pressure on the whole area of the pipe A, not only the
annular area a.
Simplify MB:
( ) ( ) 0 1 1
1 2 2 1
2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
Mg g A z z A P P
a
A
A u
f


Substitute BE in Simplified MB:
( ) ( ) 0 1 1
2
1
1 2 1 2
2
2
1 2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
Mg g A z z A z z g A
a
A u

a
A
A u
f


Simplify:
0 1 1
2
2 2
2
2
2
1
2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
Mg
a
A
A
u

a
A
A
u
f


Mg
a
A
a
A u
A
f
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
(
(

+
|
.
|

\
|

1 1 2
2
2
2
1


2
1
1
1 2
(


|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
a
A
A
Mg
u
f


2
1
1
1 2
(


|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

= =
a
A
A
Mg
A A u Q
f

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