EXPERIMENT 4 : COEFFICIENT OF VELOCITY ( CV ) OF A SMALL ORIFICE

INRODUCTION

An Orifice Meter is a type of flow meter used to measure the rate of flow of Liquid
in form of steam, using the Differential Pressure Measurement principle. It is used for
robust applications as it is known for its durability and is economical. It consists of an
Orifice Plate which is the basic element of the instrument. A differential pressure drop is
developed across the Orifice Plate which is linear and is in direct proportion to the flow-
rate of the liquid. Since there is a drop in pressure it is used where a drop in pressure or
head loss is permissible.

An orifice is an apparatus consists of an adjustable head tank with orifices of different

diameters and a jet trajectory tracer. The orifice is a circular opening in the side or base of
a tank reservoir through which fluid is discharge in the form of a jet, usually into the
atmosphere. The flow rate volume that discharged through an orifice will depend upon
the fluid above the level of the orifice and it can therefore, be used as means of flow
measurement. The adjustable head tank is fed with water from a Hydraulic Bench. The
head is maintained at a constant value by an adjustable overflow and is indicated by a
level scale. A jet trajectory tracing device allows the path followed by the jet to be
ascertained. Leveling is achieved by means of an adjustable foot. Figure below shows the
Orifice and Free Jet Flow.
 The term “small orifice” is defined as an orifice with the head producing flow so
that it can be assumed that this head does not vary appreciably from point to point across
the orifice.
The statement of Torricelli’s theorem is that the velocity of the issuing jet is
proportional to the square root of head producing flow. However, in practice, the actual
discharge is considerably less than the theoretical discharge.

2.0 Objective
This experiment is carried out to determine the coefficient of velocity for a small orifice.

3.0 Apparatus and Materials

1. Hydraulics Bench F1-10
2. Orifice and Jet Apparatus F1-17
Head Tank
Backboard

Needle
Locknut

Screw

Baffle

Orifice Plate with ‘O’ Ring

4.0 Procedure
1. The apparatus that connected to the bench and the overflow pipe hose are drained
to the sump tank.
2. The apparatus levelled by adjusting the feet and ensure the path of the jet coincide
with the row measuring needles.
3. The blank sheet graph paper is placed on the blackboard and the needles are
raised to clear the path of the water jet.
4. The overflow pipes is raised up and then the flow control valve is opened, the
water is flowed into the head tank.
5. The valve adjusted until the water just spilling into the overflow pipe. The head
values are taken down from scale point up to the outlet of vena contract (h).
6. The needles are adjusted up to the just top of water and the levels at top of the
needles are marked at sheet paper provided.
7. The steps are repeated from the head pressure 360 mm to 280 mm.
5.0 Safety, Health and Precaution
Safety and health;
1. Food and beverages are prohibited in the lab.
2. Use personal protective equipment at all times.
- Lab coat, shoe and long pants. Goggle, glove and mask if required.
3. Use laboratory equipment for its designed purpose.
4. Long hair and loose clothing have to be confined.
5. Wash hands upon completing the experiments.
6. Ensure the laboratory supervisor is informed of any dangerous condition.
7. Prevent disturbing or distraction other people during the conduction of
experiment.
8. Dispose waste properly.
9. Avoid switching on and off the equipments with wet hand.

Precaution;
1. Conduct readings and measurement on eye level.
2. Ensure that all the screws are tightened so that the needle will be in constant
position when readings are taken.
3. Ensure that the flow of water flowing out is in constant trajectory before taking
the readings.

6.0 Results, Calculation and Discussion

6.1 Results and Calculations

Diameter of the Orifice = 4mm

Coefficient of Velocity,
𝑥
𝐶𝑉 (𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) =
2√𝑦ℎ
For height of water, H = 360mm

Head, h Height, y Distance, x x2 (mm2) 𝒙𝟐 CV

(mm)
𝒉
(mm) (mm) (mm) ( Theoretical )

360 0 20 400 1.111 0

6 90 8100 22.5 0.9682

20 160 25600 71.111 0.9428

46 230 52900 146.9444 0.8937

78 300 90000 250 0.8951

122 370 136900 380.2778 0.8828

174 440 193600 537.7778 0.8790

238 510 260100 722.5 0.8712

Average Cv 0.7916

'
 Graph for H = 360 mm
800

700

600

500
x2/h (mm)

400
(mm)

300

200

100

0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Height of water, mm

1
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒, 𝑚 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 1
=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 4𝐶𝑣 2

1
3.03 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝐶𝑣(𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙) = 0.2872
For height of water, H = 340mm

Head, h Height, y Distance, x x2 (mm2) 𝒙𝟐 CV

(mm)
𝒉
(mm) (mm) (mm) ( Theoretical )

340 0 20 400 1.1764 0

4 90 8100 23.8235 1.2202

22 160 25600 75.2941 0.9250

48 230 52900 155.5882 0.9002

82 300 90000 264.7059 0.8983

128 370 136900 402.6471 0.8868

184 440 193600 569.4119 0.8796

250 510 260100 765 0.8746

Average Cv 0.8231

'
 ( Graph for H = 340 mm )
900

800
y = 3.0412x + 9.2618
R² = 0.9997

700

600
x2/h ( mm )

500

(mm)
400
Linear ((mm))

300

200

100

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Height of water, ( mm )

1
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒, 𝑚 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 1
=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 4𝐶𝑣 2

1
3.0412 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝐶𝑣(𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙) = 0.2867
For height of water, H = 320mm

Head, h Height, y Distance, x x2 (mm2) 𝒙𝟐 CV

(mm)
𝒉
(mm) (mm) (mm) ( Theoretical )

320 0 20 400 1.25 0

4 90 8100 25.3125 1.2578

22 160 25600 80 0.9534

50 230 52900 165.3125 0.9092

88 300 90000 281.25 0.8939

138 370 136900 427.8125 0.8804

198 440 193600 605 0.8740

270 510 260100 812.8125 0.8675

Average Cv 0.8295

'
 ( Graph for H = 320mm)
900

y = 2.9845x + 12.59
800 R² = 0.9996

700

600
x2/h ( mm )

500

400

300

200

100

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Height of water, y ( mm )

1
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒, 𝑚 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 1
=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 4𝐶𝑣 2

1
2.9845 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝐶𝑣(𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙) = 0.2894
 For height of water, H = 300mm

Head, h Height, y Distance, x x2 (mm2) 𝒙𝟐 CV

(mm)
𝒉
(mm) (mm) (mm) ( Theoretical )

300 0 20 400 1.3333 0

6 90 8100 27.0000 1.0607

24 160 25600 85.3333 0.9428

54 230 52900 176.3333 0.9035

94 300 90000 300.0000 0.8932

146 370 136900 456.3333 0.8840

210 440 193600 645.3333 0.8765

270 510 260100 867.0000 0.8960

Average Cv 0.8071

'
 ( Graph for H = 300 mm)
1000

900
y = 3.1343x + 4.8332
R² = 0.999
800

700

600
x2/h ( mm )

500
(mm)

400 Linear ((mm))

300

200

100

0
0 100 200 300
Height of water, y ( mm )

1
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒, 𝑚 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

1
3.1343 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝐶𝑣(𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙) = 0.2824
For height of water, H = 280mm

Head, h Height, y Distance, x x2 (mm2) 𝒙𝟐 CV

(mm)
𝒉
(mm) (mm) (mm) ( Theoretical )

280 0 20 400 1.4286 0

8 90 8100 28.9286 0.9508

28 160 25600 91.4286 0.9035

58 230 52900 188.4286 0.9024

102 300 90000 321.4286 0.8876

159 370 136900 488.9286 0.8768

228 440 193600 691.4286 0.8707

304 510 260100 928.9286 0.8740

Average Cv 0.7832

'
 ( Graph for H = 280 mm)
1000

y = 3.0295x + 6.7241
900 R² = 0.9998

800

700

600
x2/h ( mm )

500
(mm)
Linear ((mm))
400

300

200

100

0
0 100 200 300 400
Height of water, y ( mm )

1
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒, 𝑚 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

1
3.0295 =
4𝐶𝑣 2

𝐶𝑣(𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙) = 0.2873
DISCUSSION
According to the data tabulated from height of water, H of 360mm to 280mm, as the
distance, x increases, height from top of the board to the water jet increases too. Resulting
in the calculation of coefficient of velocity, Cv, the average Cv fluctuates as the H
decreases. Besides, the calculated theoretical Cv is compared with experimental value and
shows huge error. This shows that there are mistakes when conducting the experiment
and most possibly is due to;
 The measurement of height is taken before the trajectory flow is stable.
 Readings are not taken properly such that not according to eye level which leads
to parallax error in the data, also due to that the lining in the board is difficult to
see and the value of the measurement is at the side of the board.
 The screw is not tighten and the needle might be moved slightly due to that the
pressure from water jet flow.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Putting the errors aside, the heights of the trajectory of flow from the orifice of various
distances produce the coefficient of velocity, Cv. The value of Cv fluctuates as the height
of water, H decreases. Concluding that, there is definite error in the experiment.
Errors are fatal as it would bring misleading accidents. We have suggested a few
recommendations in improving the conduction of experiment in reducing the errors;
 Ensure that the water trajectory is constant before taking measurements.
 Tighten the screw of the needle to make sure it will be in stable condition
 Always take measurements on eye-level to improve accuracy of data and use a
long ruler to measure the height of needle.
 Have more than one person in taking the height of needle to ensure accuracy.
APPENDICES AND REFERENCES
8.1 Reference
 White, Frank M. Fluid Mechanics 4th ed. McGraw-Hill, 1999
 Nor Azidawati binti Haron. IUKL Laboratory Manual (Hydraulics laboratory)
BEC303, June 2013

8.2 Appendix

The tank of water as measured according to One of the student is measuring the height
the value given, H of water, u using ruler

The experiment is ongoing ( The picture

shown the Orifice equipment used for this Adjusting the valve
experiment )