Figure 1 - Flow Measurement Apparatus

3 – Flow Measurement
Lab 3 – Group E1
3.1 - Introduction
For lab three, we were required to apply Bernoulli’s equation along with theory behind figure 12.

Figure 2 - Steady Flow Energy Equation

Head loss ΔH12, is a consequence of vortices emerging throughout the stream, these vortices arise
due to the flow being viscous which creates a wall shear stress. A pressure force is required to
overcome this shear stress and as such there is an increase in energy due to the increase in flow. As
the flow of the tube is viscous a non-uniform velocity profile form’s. Bernoulli’s equation is unable to
correctly find the kinetic energy per unit mass in each section of pipe subsequentially the head loss
(ΔH) can only be calculated through experimental data.

3.2 – Aim
The aim of lab three was to understand the typical methods of measuring the discharge of an
incompressible fluid. Through steady-flow energy as well as Bernoulli’s equation we aim to calculate
values that cannot be measured. Discharge can be determined by a Venturi meter, an orifice plate,
and a rotameter. Whereas head loss for each meter can be determined and compared to those
arising in a rapid enlargement and a 90ᴼ elbow.

3.3 – Description of Apparatus

Figure 13 and figure 14, shows the flow measurement apparatus which will be utilised in this
experiment. Water enters the equipment through a control valve which is hooked up to a tap, it
then flows through a Venturi meter, which consists of a gradually converging section, followed by a
throat, and a long gradually diverging section. After a change in cross-section through a rapidly
diverging section, the flow continues along a settling length and through an orifice plate meter. The
pressure monitoring system has eleven manometers, nine are connected to tapping’s in the
pipework and two are left free for other measurements.

Figure 3 - Flow Measurement Apparatus

Figure 4 - Close up of Flow Apparatus

3.4 – Method
3.4.1 – Preparation of the Apparatus
For this experiment to be carried out, the apparatus must be checked before the procedure is
started. These checks can be seen listed below:

1. Connect the supply hose from the hydraulic bench or tap to the inlet of the Venturi meter
and secure with a hose clip. Connect a hose to the control valve outlet and direct its free end
into the hydraulic bench-measuring device or sink. Before continuing, refer to the hydraulic
bench manual to find the method of flow evaluation, or by other means as directed by your
instructor. Please note: No action is needed for this section. All pipes have been
connected.

2. Make sure the air purge valve is closed. Close the control valve fully, then open it by about
1/3. Switch on the hydraulic bench pump. Slowly open the hydraulic bench valve until water
starts to flow. Allow the flow measurement apparatus to fill with water. Open the bench
valve fully, and then close the control valve. Connect the hand pump to the air purge valve
and pump until all the manometers read
approximately 330 mm. Dislodge any entrapped air from the manometers by gentle tapping
with the fingers. Check that the water levels are constant. The levels will rise slowly if the
purge valve is leaking.

3. Check that the tube ferrules and the top manifold are free from water blockage, which will
suppress the manometer level. Blockages in the ferrules can be cleared by a sharp burst of
pressure from the hand pump.

3.4.2 – Equipment
- Stopwatch
- Flow Measurement Apparatus
- Hydraulic Bench
o With a supply of water
3.4.3 – Procedure
1. The hydraulic bench is switched on as to allow flow throughout the flow apparatus.

2. Next, the valve was opened as to increase the flow within the flow apparatus, until the
rotameter read 10mm.

3. Once, the rotameter is at the desired height and a steady flow is achieved the plug is put
into the hydraulic bench and the stopwatch is started until the bench reads 5 litres.

4. The time is then recorded down for the given rotameter height which we can then
determine the mass flow rate from.

5. For manometers A to I the height is recorded for the given rotameter height.
 6. Steps two to five are then repeated but increasing the rotameter heigh by 5mm until an
overall heigh of 50mm is achieved.

7. Once all measurements are taken the valve is closed and the pump turned off

3.5 – Result and Analysis

3.5.1 - Results
Table 1 - Results Table

Test Number
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A 167.00 193.50 210.50 241.00 236.00 229.00 220.00 210.00 195.00
B 163.50 187.00 203.00 232.00 224.00 214.00 202.00 189.00 169.00
C 165.50 192.00 198.50 238.50 232.00 224.00 214.00 202.00 185.00
D 165.00 190.50 207.00 236.50 230.00 222.00 213.00 199.00 184.00
Manometer
E 159.00 180.50 197.00 229.00 265.00 258.00 247.00 234.00 219.00
levels (cm)
F 162.00 185.50 200.00 230.00 220.00 211.00 197.00 182.00 161.00
G 161.00 185.00 200.00 229.50 226.00 216.00 205.00 190.00 172.00
H 163.00 187.50 202.50 231.50 221.00 210.00 200.00 184.00 164.00
I 76.50 84.50 97.00 130.50 119.00 110.00 98.00 82.00 64.00
Rotameter (cm) 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 50.00
Water Weight (Kg) 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Time (s) 91.28 76.90 68.00 60.65 52.20 47.70 45.20 44.10 36.40

Venturi 1.80 2.45 2.63 2.89 3.33 3.73 4.08 4.41 4.91

Orifice #NUM! #NUM! #NUM! #NUM! 5.68 5.80 5.98 6.10 6.44
Mass Flow
rate (Kg/s) Rotameter 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.13

Weigh
0.05 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.11 0.11 0.14
Tank

Venturi 2.57 1.38 9.58 1.66 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.28 2.30

Orifice -68.16 -61.17 -31.81 -8.84 298.20 249.17 220.89 196.91 177.39
ΔH / Inlet
Rotameter 86.50 103.00 105.50 101.00 102.00 100.00 102.00 102.00 100.00
Kinetic Head
Diffuser 28.69 37.11 -93.58 36.29 30.97 27.77 20.32 28.69 18.68

Elbow -56.55 -38.65 -33.74 -23.09 38.12 36.52 24.81 25.57 27.68

Please Note: It should be noted that during this lab the valves were not open correctly and as such
some of the readings from the manometer were incorrect and as such gave negative values which is
incorrect. As such below is results from group (D1). Their results were more accurate than the
 original ones even though they limited their test range from one to ten centimetre which is not
ideal.

Test Number
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A 266 268 270 271 272 274 278 285 290 297
B 264 260 257 254 249 246 239 234 227 220
C 263 265 264 264 263 264 264 267 267 270
D 261 264 262 262 261 261 262 262 263 264
Manometer
E 265 265 264 263 263 262 265 268 270 273
levels (cm)
F 262 259 254 248 243 235 226 216 206 194
G 262 260 255 251 246 240 232 225 218 207
H 263 260 256 251 245 240 232 224 216 205
I 160 159 156 151 147 141 130 122 113 103
Rotameter (cm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Water Weight (Kg) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Time (s) 92 71 56 44 37 32 27 25 22 21

Venturi 1.36 2.72 3.47 3.97 4.61 5.09 6.01 6.87 7.64 8.44

Orifice 1.47 2.07 2.68 3.28 3.78 4.40 5.28 6.10 6.77 7.52
Mass Flow
rate (Kg/s) Rotameter 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05

Weigh
0.05 0.07 0.09 0.11 0.14 0.16 0.19 0.20 0.23 0.24
Tank

Venturi 8.98 2.25 2.76 2.47 2.34 2.14 2.15 2.11 2.19 2.10

Orifice 119.28 59.64 61.17 70.17 69.15 76.68 79.52 81.08 80.78 81.59
ΔH / Inlet
Kinetic Rotameter 103.00 101.00 100.00 100.00 98.00 99.00 102.00 102.00 103.00 102.00
Head
Diffuser 110.81 26.98 29.74 26.27 23.33 25.27 19.91 24.39 21.08 22.47

Elbow -49.70 -1.80 -9.17 -1.80 2.37 -1.80 -1.80 0.08 1.24 0.69
Table 2 - Results table with experimental data from group D1
3.5.2 - Venturi Meter
Mass flow rate and head loss is calculated by the following equations:
Equation 1 - Calculation of discharge for Venturi Meter

m=0.962 × √h a−hb ( kg/ s)

m=0.962 × √ 266−264=1.36 kg /s

Equation 2 - Calculation of Head loss for Venturi Meter

V 2a
=0.167 ( ha−hb ) (mm)
2g
2
Va
=0.167 (266−264 )=0.334 mm
2g

Equation 3 - Inlet Kinetic Heads calculation

∆ hac
Head loss= 2
Va
2g
3
Head loss= =8.98 Inlet Kinetic Heads
0.334

Table 3 - Venturi Meter Table of Results

V 2a
Δhac
Test Number 2g Head Loss
(mm)
(mm)

1 0.334 3 8.98

2 1.336 3 2.25

3 2.171 6 2.76

4 2.839 7 2.47

5 3.841 9 2.34
 6 4.676 10 2.14

7 6.513 14 2.15

8 8.517 18 2.11

9 10.521 23 2.19

10 12.859 27 2.10

3.5.3 – Orifice Meter

Equation 4 - Calculation of discharge for Orifice meter

m=0.846 × √ he −h f (kg / s)

m=0.846 × √265−262=3 kg/s

Equation 5 - Calculation of Head Loss for Orifice Meter

m=0.83 ( he −hf ) (mm)

m=0.83 ( 265−262 )=2.49 mm

Equation 6 - Inlet Kinetic Heads Orifice Meter

∆ h ef
Head loss= 2
Va
÷16
2g

2.49
head loss= =119.28 Inlet Kinetic Heads
0.021
Table 4 - Orifice Meter Table of Results

2
Va
Δhef
Test Number 2 g ÷ 16 Head Loss
(mm)
(mm)

1 0.021 2.49 119.28

2 0.084 4.98 59.64

3 0.136 8.3 61.17

4 0.177 12.45 70.17

5 0.240 16.6 69.15

6 0.292 22.41 76.68

7 0.407 32.37 79.52

8 0.532 43.16 81.08

9 0.658 53.12 80.78

10 0.804 65.57 81.59

3.5.4 – Rotameter

Figure 5 - Calibration Curve

Data for the rotameter was interpolated from figure 15. Where density is Q(lit/min)/60
Equation 7 - Calculation for discharge for Rotameter

2.96
m= =0.05 kg /s
60

Equation 8 - Head loss for Rotameter

∆ hhi =hh−hi (mm)

∆ hhi =¿263 – 160 = 103 mm

Table 5 - Rotamter Table of Results

Mass Flow Rate Δhhi

Test Number
(kg/s) (mm)

1 0.04 103

2 0.04 101

3 0.04 100

4 0.04 100

5 0.04 98

6 0.04 99

7 0.05 102

8 0.05 102

9 0.05 103

10 0.05 102

3.5.5 – Weigh tank

Equation 9 - Calculation of discharge for Weigh Tank

pV
m= ( kg/ s)
t

5 ×1
m= =0.05 kg /s
92
Table 6 - Weigh Tank Table of Results

Time Mass Flow Rate

Test Number
(s) (kg/s)

1 92 0.05

2 71 0.07

3 56 0.09

4 44 0.11

5 37 0.14

6 32 0.16

7 27 0.19

8 25 0.20

9 22 0.23

10 21 0.24

3.5.6 – Wide-Angled Diffuser

Equation 10 - Calculation of Head Loss for Wide-Angled Diffuser

∆ hcd =( hc −hd ) + ( V 2c V 2d
−
2g 2g )
(mm)

∆ hcd =( 263−261 ) + ( 0.334−0.021 )=2.31 mm

Equation 11 - Inlet Kinetic Heads for Wide-Angled Diffuser

∆ hcd
Head loss= 2
Va
÷16
2g

2.31
Head loss= =111 Inlet Kinetic Heads
0.021
Table 7 - Wide-Angle Diffuser Table of Results

2
Va
Δhcd
Test Number 2 g ÷ 16 Head Loss
(mm)
(mm)

1 0.021 2 111

2 0.084 1 27

3 0.136 2 30

4 0.177 2 26

5 0.240 2 23

6 0.292 3 25

7 0.407 2 20

8 0.532 5 24

9 0.658 4 21

10 0.804 6 22

3.5.7 – Right Angled Bend

Equation 12 - Calculation of Head Loss for Right Angled Bend

( )
2 2
Vg V h
∆ hgh=( hg−hh ) + − (mm)
2 g 2g

∆ hgh=( 262−263 ) + ( 0.021−0.058 )=−1.04 mm

Equation 13 - Inlet Kinetic Heads for Right Angle Bend

∆ h gh
Head loss=
Orifice Inlet Kinetic Head
 −1.04
Head loss= =−49.7 Inlet Kinetic Head
0.021
Table 8 - Right Angled Bend Table of Results

V 2a
Outlet Kinetic Δhgh
Test Number 2 g ÷ 16 Head Loss
head
(mm) (mm)
(mm)

1 0.021 0.058 -1 -49.7

2 0.084 0.234 0 -1.80

3 0.136 0.380 -1 -9.17

4 0.177 0.497 0 -1.80

5 0.240 0.672 1 2.37

6 0.292 0.818 0 -1.80

7 0.407 1.140 0 -1.80

8 0.532 1.490 1 0.08

9 0.658 1.841 2 1.24

10 0.804 2.250 2 0.69

3.6 – Discussion
A common theme throughout all the different calculation was test one was always an outlier
compared to the other test results. This is further backed by the second lot of data only having a
rotameter range of one to ten cm which limits the range of test data available. Even though some of
the data was wrong which would affect the calculations, they were performed to show competency
in how to calculate the values needed given that the data was incorrect.

Looking at figure 16 it is interesting to note the that the mass flow rate between the Venturi and the
Orifice is very similar this is to be expected due to the straight-line pathway they take within the
circuit as seen in figure 14. The interesting part is the drop off then to the Rotameter which is after
the right-angled bend as there is a ninety-seven percent decrease in mass flow rate on average
between these two points. This could be due to the shear force along the wall being greater along
the bend then in a straight-line, this is backed by when the flow increase as does the energy within
the system therefore meaning more energy is needed to overcome this force which inturn
decreasing the mass flow rate.

Additionally, the flow rates within the system increased as the rotameter went higher due to
allowing more flow within the system. The same weight was used for all experiments, but time went
down, thus increasing mass flow rate.

Mass Flow Rate In Apparatus

9.00
8.50
8.00
7.50
Mass FLow Rate in Apparatus (kg/s)

7.00
6.50
6.00
5.50
Venturi
5.00
Orifice
4.50
4.00 Rotameter
3.50 Weigh Tank
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

Time (s)

Figure 6 - Mass Flow Rate vs Time

3.7 – Conclusion
Within lab three we aimed to become familiar with the process which is used to measure fluid flow.
To calculate mass flow rate within the system a Venturi meter, Orifice meter, and a rotameter was
used, it was also necessary to measure the Head loss or energy loss within the system. The results
from a calculation aspect were done correctly but as explained above the original experimental data
as well as the other groups data was not ideal and as such the results collect represent this issue.
Regardless of the issue explained above the practical element of the experiment enhanced the
learning of the group, through being able to measure the fluid flow and get hands on experience
with a manonmeter. Apart from test ones data being an outlier all other results from this
experiment are as expected from a theory/calculation side.
4.0 - References

Cengel, Yunas A., & Cimbala, John M. (2017). Fluid mechanics: Fundamentals and applications. (4th
ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

John , C., & Yunus, Ç. (2019). Fluid mechanics: Fundamentals and applications. (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill
Education.

TecQuipment. (2015). H215/H215A Reynolds Number and Transitional Flow.