Estimation The Volume Flow Rate Using Venturi-meter

Apparatus
Objective:
1. To teach the students how to measure the volume flow rate using
principle Bernoulli theorem.
2. To understand how to measure the volume flow rate by traditional
method using collected tank and stop watch.
3. And how to estimate the coefficient of discharge (Cd) for
ventui-meter apparatus.

Apparatus:
Venturi-meter is a device consisting of a transparent convergent-
divergent mounted in direction of flow such that it gives a suitable
contraction at certain position along the pipe to create pressure
difference between this section and upstream section. The schematic
diagram of venture-meter tube is illustrated in figure (1). The
Pressure tapping is provided at the location upstream the throat
section and another pressure tapping is provided at contraction
section of a venturi-meter. The Difference in pressure head between
the two tapping is measured by means of a piezometer. On applying
the continuity equation and Bernoulli’s equation between the two
sections, the following relationship is obtained in terms of governing
variables.
The device consists of transparent pipes with venturi-meter fitted
across a pipeline leading to a collecting tank, Stop Watch, centrifugal
pump, throttle valves to control the quantity of water, group of
piezometers connected different sections as shown in figure (2).

1
Fig. (1)

Fig. (2)

2
Theory:
The volume flow rate of water had been estimated using venturi-meter
apparatus as a theoretical method by applying the Bernoulli and Continuity
equations between two sections (upstream the contraction section and at throat
section).
From the satisfy conservation of mass principle, we apply the Continuity
equation as follows:
Q1 =Q 2 ……………………………………………………………………………………… (6.1)

Where: Q1 , Q2 are the volume flow rates at upstream contraction

section and at throat section respectively.
In other form, equation (6.1), can be re-written as follows:
V 1 ×A 1 =V 2× A 2 …………………………..……………………… (6.2)

Where: V 1 is the water velocity at main pipe before contraction section,

V 2 is the velocity at throat section. A 1 is the cross-section area at

main pipe, while A 2 is the cross section area at throat section.

Because we haven’t the values of two velocities we find one of velocity
in term of another as shown:
V 1 =V 2× A 2 / A1 …………………………………………………. (6.3)
Now from Bernoulli equation, we have:
P1 V 21 P2 V 22
+ + Z 1= + +Z 2
γw 2g γw 2g …………………..……………………. (6.4)
Where: P is the static pressure, γ w is the weight density of water, Z
is the elevation head, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
Because the pipe line is horizontal, then there is no difference in potential
energy or vertical head between the two sections ( Z 1 =Z2 ), or:
P1 V 21 P2 V 22
+ = +
γ w 2 g γ w 2 g ………………………………………………….. (6.5)
To reduce the number of variables in this equation, we are substituting Eq.
(6.3) in the above equation; and therefore Eq. (6.5) can be re-written as
follows:
P1 V 22 ( A 2 / A 1 )2 P2 V 22
+ = +
γw 2g γ w 2 g ………………………………………… (6.6)
The pressures can be estimated using a number of piezometers to measure
the static pressure heads ( h1 , h2 ) as follows:
P1 P2
=h1 =h2
γw , γw ……………………………………………………..(6.7)
Then equation (6.6), can be written as follows:

3
 P1 P2 V 22 A
− = [1−( 2 )2 ]
γw γw 2 g A1 ………………………………………………. (6.8)
Or,
2
V A
h1 −h2 = 2 [ 1−( 2 )2 ]
2g A1 ………………………………………………… (6.9)
Finally, the velocity at throat section can be calculated as shown in
following equation:
2 g× Δh
V 2 =|
A2 2
( )
[1−
A1
]
……………………………..…………………….. (6.10)

While the flow rate at throat section can be calculated using Quntinuity equation
as follows:
2 g×Δh
Q2 =Q theortical =A 2|
A2 2
( )
[ 1−
A1
]
………………………………………. (6.11)

The difference between theoretical and actual discharges is called (coefficient of

discharge, Cd)
Qactual
C d=
Qtheoretical …………………………………………………. (6.12)
The actual discharge can be calculated by collected a certain quantity of water
in regular cross-sectional area tank at specified time using stop watch to
measure the time that wanted to collect a suitable volume of water as shown in
following equation:
Watervolume A×H
Qactual= =
time t ………………………………………… (6.13)
Where: A is the cross section area of a water tank, H is the water depth or
height inside this tank, and t is the time required to collect this
quantity of water.

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 Fluid Flow Measurement Panel

Procedure:
* Note the pipe diameter (d1) and throat diameter (d2) of Venturi-meter.
* Start the flow and adjust the control valve in pipeline for maximum discharge.
* Measure the pressure difference (∆h) across the Venturimeter by using
piezometer.
* Measure flow rate i.e. actual discharge (Qac) through Venturimeter by means
of collecting tank and stop watch or by using equation (6.13).
* Calculate the theoretical discharge (Qth) through Venturimeter by using the
formula using equation (6.11).
* Decrease the flow rate by adjusting the control valve and repeat the process
for at least five times.

Recorded readings:

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Sample of Calculation:
 H1 = 21 cm
 H2 = 1 cm
 ρWater =1000 kg/m3
 g = 9.81 m/s2
 d1=24 mm
 d2=16 mm

 ∆H = H1-H2 21-20 = 20 cm

 To find the pressure difference apply the following equation: (

∆H 9810∗20 N
∆ P=¿ ), or ∆ P= =1962 2
100 100 m

 To find the actual discharge directly using Rotameter (Q act )apparatus

Qact Rotameter = 22 L/m

π
 To find the cross section area of pipe using: (A= 4 d )
2

π
 A1= d 21 ⟹ A1=¿
4
π
 A2= d 22 ⟹ A2=¿
4

2( g)×( ∆ h)

¿ find theoretical flowrate apply the following equation Q th =Qth= A 2 ×

Q th=¿
√[ ( )]
1−
A2
A1
2

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Actual volume flow rate Qact using rectangular tank and stop watch
method:
L= 59 cm W= 49 cm H= 6 cm

 Tank volume = L * W * H

Tank volume ¿

WaterVolume A×H
Qactual= =
time t

Qactual=

Qactual
C d=
Qtheoretical
Cd =

Results:

No. Pressure Time QRota Qact Qth Cd

3 3 3
Head ∆h H1 H2 ∆H require (m /s) (m /s) (m /s) Eq.6.12
B.E(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (sec) Eq. 6.13 Eq. 6.11
1
2
3

Procedure:
1. We are running the centrifugal pump by push the on switch
button.

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2. Measure the pipe diameter (d1) and throat diameter (d2) of
venturi-meter tube.
3. Observe the flow and adjust the flowrate using a control valve
in pipeline for maximum discharge.
4. Measure the pressure difference (∆h) across the venturi by
using piezometer.
5. Measure volume flow rate i.e. actual discharge (Qac) through
venture using knowable tank volume to collect specified
quantity of water and measuring the time required to collect
this volume.
6. Calculate the theoretical discharge (Qth) through orifices using
Bernoulli equation.
7. Estimate the discharge coefficient Cd from theoretical and
practical volume flow rate results.
8. Decrease the flow rate by adjusting the control valve and
repeat the above processes at least five times.