FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:

TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY

LABORATORY INSTRUCTION SHEETS

COURSE CODE BNQ 10304

EXPERIMENT NO. EXPERIMENT 1

EXPERIMENT TITLE FLOWMETER MEASUREMENT

DATE
GROUP NO.
LECTURER/INSTRUCTOR/ 1)
TUTOR 2)
DATE OF REPORT
SUBMISSION
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION/DISCIPLINE: /5%
INTRODUCTION: /5%
PROCEDURE: /5%
RESULTS& CALCULATIONS /15%
ANALYSIS /15%
DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS
FOR LABORATORY DISCUSSIONS: /20%
REPORT: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS /15%
CONCLUSION /10%
SUGGESTIONS& RECOMENDATIONS /5%
REFERENCES: /5%
TOTAL: /100%

EXAMINER COMMENTS: RECEIVED DATE AND STAMP:

 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT

KOD ETIKA PELAJAR DATE:

(KEP)
JABATAN TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

Saya dengan ini mengaku bahawa saya telah menyediakan laporan ini dengan daya usaha

saya sendiri. Saya juga mengaku tidak menerima atau memberi sebarang bantuan dalam

menyediakan laporan ini dan membuat ikrar ini dengan kepercayaan bahawa apa-apa yang

tersebut di dalamnya adalah benar.

Ketua Nama:

Kumpulan No. Matriks:

(Tandatangan)

Ahli 1 Nama:

No. Matriks:

(Tandatangan)

Ahli 2 Nama:

No. Matriks:

(Tandatangan)

Ahli 3 Nama:

No. Matriks:

(Tandatangan)
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

1.0 OBJECTIVES

1. To obtain the flow rate measurement by utilizing three basic types of flow measuring techniques; rotameter, venturi meter
and orifice meter.
2. To investigate the loss coefficient of fluid through 90 degree elbow.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Demonstrate the ability to conduct experiments related to fluid flow by following standard operating
procedure effectively in a group.

3.0 INTRODUCTION / THEORY

Flowmeter Measurement apparatus is designed to operate together with a basic hydraulic bench or any water supply. It is to
familiarize the students with typical methods of flow measurement of an incompressible fluid.

The apparatus is able to demonstrate the flow measurement comparison by using a venturi device, orifice device and
rotameter. The flow comparison can be further be used to compare against the flow measurement of the hydraulics bench
which can be either by Gravimeteric or Volumetric Method, depending on the type of hydraulics bench in use.

Other features of the flow apparatus include a 90 degree elbow with pressure tappings before and after this elbow. The
purpose of these features is to provide an added function to this apparatus to allow students to calculate the total head loss
and loss coefficient when fluid flows through these devices.

In short, the apparatus allows following range of experiment to be carried out:

a) Direct comparison of flow measurement using venturi, orifice, rotameter and bench.
b) Determination of total head loss and loss coefficient of fluid flow through a 90 degree elbow.
c) Comparison of pressure drop against each device.

3.1 Rotameter

The rotameter is a flow meter in which a rotating free float is the indicating element. Basically, a rotameter consists of a
transparent tapered vertical tube through which fluid flow upward. Within the tube is placed a freely suspended “float” of pump-
bob shape. When there is no flow, the float rests on a stop at the bottom end. As flow commences, the float rises until upward
and buoyancy forces on it are balanced by its weight. The float rises only a short distance if the rate of flow is small, and vice
versa. The points of equilibrium can be noted as a function of flow rate. With a well-calibrated marked glass tube, the level of
the float becomes a direct measure of flow rate.
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

Figure 1: The Rotameter

3.2 Venturi Meter

The venturi meter consists of a venturi tube and a suitable differential pressure gauge. The venturi tube has a converging
portion, a throat and a diverging portion as shown in the figure below. The function of the converging portion is to increase
the velocity of the fluid and lower its static pressure. A pressure difference between inlet and throat is thus developed, which
pressure difference is correlated with the rate of discharge. The diverging cone serves to change the area of the stream back
to the entrance area and convert velocity head into pressure head.

Figure 2: Venturi Meter

Assume incompressible flow and no frictional losses, from Bernoulli’s Equation

p1 v1 p v
2 2
  Z1  2  2  Z 2 ………………….…………………………... (1)
 2g  2g
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TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

Use of the continuity Equation Q = A1V1 = A2V2, equation (1) becomes

p1  p 2 V2   A2  
2 2

 Z1  Z 2  1     ………………….…………………... (2)
 2g   A1  
 

1 / 2 1/ 2
  A 2    p1  p 2 
Ideal Q  A2V2  A2 1   2  
  2g   Z1  Z 2  …………...… (3)
  A1      

However, in the case of real fluid flow, the flow rate will be expected to be less than that given by equation (2) because of
frictional effects and consequent head loss between inlet and throat. In metering practice, this non-ideality is accounted by
insertion of an experimentally determined coefficient, Cd that is termed as the coefficient of discharge. With Z1 = Z2 in this
apparatus, equation (3) becomes

1 2
  A 2    p 1  p 2 
12

Actual Q  Cd  A2  1   2   2 g   ……………..…. (4)

 
  A1      

Hence,
1 2
  At 2 
q  Cd  At  1     2 g P1  P2  /  1 2 …………………....…. (5)
  A  

Where,
Cd = Coefficient of discharge (0.98)
D2 = Throat diameter = 16 mm
D1 = Inlet diameter = 26 mm
At = Throat area = 2.011 x 10-4 m2
A = Inlet area = 5.309 x 10-4 m2
g = 9.81 m/s2
 = Density of water = 1000 kg/m3
P1 = Inlet pressure (Pa)
P2 = Throat pressure (Pa)
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

3.3 Orifice Meter

The orifice for use as a metering device in a pipeline consists of a concentric square-edged circular hole in a thin plate, which
is clamped between the flanges of the pipe as shown in the figure below.

Figure 3: Orifice Meter

Pressure connections for attaching separate pressure gauges are made at holes in the pipe walls on both side of the orifice
plate. The downstream pressure tap is placed at the minimum pressure position, which is assumed to be at the vena
contracta. The centre of the inlet pressure tap is located between one-half and two pipe diameters from the upstream side of
the orifice plate, usually a distance of one pipe diameter is employed. Equation (4) for the venturi meter can also be applied to
the orifice meter where

1 2
  A 2    p1  p2 
12

Actual Q  Cd  A2  1   2   2 g   ……………………… (6)

 
  A1      

The coefficient of discharge, Cd in the case of the orifice meter will be different from that for the case of a venturi meter.

1 2
  At  2 
Q  Cd  At  1     2 g h7  h8 1 2 ……………………………. (7)
  A  

Where,
Cd = Coefficient of discharge (0.63)
D7 = Orifice diameter = 16 mm
D8 = Orifice upstream diameter = 26 mm
At = Orifice area = 2.011 x 10-4 m2
A = Orifice upstream area = 5.309 x 10-4 m2
(h7 – h8) = Pressure difference across orifice (m)
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

3.4 90o elbow

Figure below shows fluid flowing in a pipeline where there is some pipe fitting such as bend or valve, and change in pipe
diameter. Included in the figure is the variation of piezometric head along the pipe run, as would be shown by numerous
pressure tappings at the pipe wall.

Figure 4: Piezometric head along pipeline

If the upstream and downstream lines of linear friction gradient are extrapolated to the plane of fitting, a loss of piezometric
head,  h, due to the fitting is found. By introducing the velocity heads in the upstream and downstream runs of pipe, total
head loss, H can be determined in which

V V
2 2
H  h  1  2 ……………………………………………………………… (8)
2g 2g

Energy losses are proportional to the velocity head of the fluid as it flows around an elbow, through an enlargement or
contraction of the flow section, or through a valve. Experimental values for energy losses are usually expressed in terms of a
dimensionless loss coefficient K, where

H H
K or 2 ……………………………..………………………………… (9)
V1 / 2g V2 / 2g
2

depending on the context.

 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

For results of better accuracy, long sections of straight pipe are required to establish with certainty the relative positions of the
linear sections of the piezometric lines. However, in a compact apparatus as described in this manual, only two piezometers
are used, one placed upstream and the other downstream of the fitting, at sufficient distances as to avoid severe
disturbances. These piezometers measure the piezometric head loss,  h’ between the tapping.

Thus,
h  h'h f ……………………………..……………………………………… (10)

 L  V 
2
Where h f  4 f   
 D  2 g 

Δhf = friction head loss which would be incurred in fully developed flow along the run of pipe
between the piezometer tappings
f = friction factor
L = distance between the piezometer, measured along the pipe center line
D = pipe diameter
V = average velocity of fluid flow in pipe

The friction head loss is estimated by choosing a suitable value of friction factor, f for fully developed flow along a smooth
pipe. The method used in this manual to determine the friction factor is the prandtl equation

1
f
 
 4 log Re f  0.4 ………………………………………………………… (11)

Typical values derived from this equation are tabulated in the table below:

Re x 104 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

F x 10-3 9.27 7.73 6.96 6.48 6.14 5.88 5.67

In determination of the fraction factor, f, it is sufficient to establish the value of f at just one typical flow rate, as about the
middle of the range of measurement due to the fact that f varies only slowly with Re, and the friction loss is generally fairly
small in relation to the measured value of h’.
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

Characteristic of flow through elbow and at changes in diameter

90o Elbow

Figure 5 shows flow round a 90o elbow which has a constant circular cross section.

Figure 5: 90° Elbow

The value of loss coefficient K is dependent on the ratio of the bend radius, R to the pipe inside diameter D. As this ratio
increase, the value of K will fall and vice versa.

H  K  V 2 / 2 g …………………………………………………..…………… (12)

Where,

K = Coefficient of losses
V = Velocity of flow
g = 9.81 m/s2
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

4.0 EQUIPMENTS & MATERIALS

4.1 Sketch of apparatus and devices

Figure 6: Sketch of apparatus and devices

 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

Figure 7: Part Identification Diagram

1. Manometer Tubes 6. Rotameter

2. Discharge Valve 7. 90° Elbow
3. Water Outlet 8. Orifice
4. Water Supply 9. Venturi
5. Staddle Valve
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

5.0 PROCEDURES

5.1 Demonstration of the operation and characteristic of three different basic types of flowmeter

1. Place apparatus on bench, connect inlet pipe to bench supply and outlet pipe into volumetric tank.
2. With the bench valve fully closed and the discharge valve fully opened, start up the pump supply from hydraulic bench.
3. Slowly open the bench valve until it is fully opened.
4. When the flow in the pipe is steady and there is no trapped bubble, start to close the bench valve to reduce the flow to
the maximum measurable flow rate.
5. By using the air bleed screw, adjust water level in the manometer board. Retain maximum readings on manometers with
the maximum measurable flow rate.
6. Note readings on manometers (A - J), rotameter and measured flow rate.
7. Step 6 is repeated for different flow rates. The flow rates can be adjusted by utilizing both bench valve and discharge
valve.
8. To demonstrate similar flow rates at different system static pressures, adjust bench and flow control valve together.
Adjusting manometer levels as required.

5.2 Determination of the loss coefficient when fluid flows through a 90 degree elbow

1. Follow steps 1 to 5 in 5.1.

2. Note readings on manometers (I and J) and measured flow rate.
3. Step 2 is repeated for different flow rates. The flow rates can be adjusted by utilizing both bench valve and discharge
valve.
4. Complete the tables below.
2
5. Plot graph H against Vs 2g for 90 degree elbow to determine the coefficient of losses.

5.3 General Shut-down Procedures

1. Close water supply valve and venturi discharge valve.

2. Turn off the water supply pump.
3. Drain off water from the unit when not in use.
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

6.0 RESULTS & CALCULATION

Demonstration of the operation and characteristic of three different basic types of flowmeter

Flowrate calculated
Flowrate,
Manometer reading (mm) Rotameter Vol Time using the Bernoulli's
Q
(l/min) (l) (min) Equation (l/min)
(l/min)
A B C D E F G H I J Venturi Orifice

Determination of the loss coefficient when fluid flows through a 90 degree elbow

V V2/2g
Flowrate,Q Differential Piezometer Head, ∆h' (mm)
(l/min) (m/s) (mm)
Elbow (hI-hJ)
 FACULTY: ENGINEERING EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: FLUID
REVISION NO:
MECHANICS

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/3/2014

EXPERIMENT: FLOWMETER
MEASUREMENT AMENDMENT
DATE:

7.0 DATA ANALYSIS

8.0 DISCUSSIONS & CONCLUSION

Approved by / Disahkan oleh :

Prepared by / Disahkan oleh:

Signature / Tandatangan :
Signature/Tandatangan:
Name / Nama : PM. DR. ANGZZAS SARI
Name/Nama: DR. NOR FAIZAH BINTI RAZALI
BINTI MOHD KASSIM
Date/Tarikh :
Date / Tarikh :