Activity No.

7:

CALIBRATION OF VENTURI METERS

ChE 34: Chemical Engineering Laboratories 1

Group 3
Writer:
Pecson, Johara Jane G.
20150007390
Co-workers:
Awatin, Khrystian Dominic B.
20044002
Ferolino, Mishel P.
20150007203
Instructor:
Dr. Shierlyn S. Paclijan

Date Performed: January 20, 2020

Date Submitted: January 23, 2020
Abstract
This experiment makes use of the venturi meter to determine its coefficient of discharge and to
determine the relationship of the coefficient of discharge and Reynold’s number to the water flow rate.
The average of the coefficient of discharge for the three trials are 0.5391, 0.4676, and 0.8682
respectively. Both the coefficient of discharge and the Reynold’s number show a direct relationship
with the water flow rate.
Introduction
Venturi meters are measuring devices used to measure the flowrate of compressible and
incompressible fluids in a pipe. The Venturi meter (shown in figure 1) is consist of two cross section,
the inlet and throat and it has three parts: the converging part, the throat and diverging part. In the
converging part the fluid that enters the inlet section and it converges until it reaches the throat. The
throat is located between the converging and diverging part and has the least cross section between the
two portions. The diverging part is where the cross section area increases and the fluid diverges. [1]
The Venturi meter applies on the principle of Bernoulli’s Theorem wherein the speed of the
moving fluid (liquid or gas) increases, the pressure within the fluid decreases. [2] In the experiment there
is a sudden decrease of the pressure of the fluid in the throat leading to an increase in the velocity of the
flow. The pressure of the fluid in section 1 (the inlet) and section 2 (throat) is measured and the pressure
difference is obtain. This pressure difference along with the measured diameter of the inlet and throat
of the Venturi meter the flowrate is calculated.

Figure 1. Venturi Meter Diagram [3]

The objective of the experiment is to calculate the coefficient of discharge of Venturi meter and
to determine the relationship of the coefficient of discharge and Reynolds number to the water flowrate.
Theoretical Background
The derivation of the equation for the Venturi meter the friction is neglected and the pipe is
assumed horizontal. [4] Assuming turbulent flow and writing the mechanical energy balance equation
between sections 1 and 2 for an incompressible fluid,

𝑣12 𝑝1 𝑣22 𝑝2
+ = +
2 𝜌 2 𝜌
The continuity equation for a constant pressure is given by the equation,

𝜋𝐷12 𝜋𝐷22
𝑣1 = 𝑣2
4 4

Combining equations 1 and 2 and eliminating 𝑣1 ,

1 2(𝑝1 − 𝑝2 )
𝑣2 = √
4 𝜌
√1 − (𝐷2 )
𝐷1

The experimental coefficient (coefficient of the discharge) is introduced to account for the small friction
loss and it’s given by the equation,

𝐶𝑑 2(𝑝1 − 𝑝2 )
𝑣2 = √
4 𝜌
𝐷2
√1 − ( )
𝐷 1

where 𝑣2 is the throat velocity of the fluid, 𝐶𝑑 is the coefficient of discharge, 𝐷1 is the diameter at the
inlet and outlet, 𝐷2 is the diameter at the throat, 𝑝1 is the pressure at section 1 and 𝑝2 is the pressure at
section 2 (throat), 𝜌 is the density of the fluid inside the pipe.
The discharge of coefficients are use to calibrate Venturi meters. It is define as the ratio of the
actual discharge and the theoretical discharge of a liquid. The discharge coefficient is always less than
one because if it is greater than one that would mean that the fluid ended up with more energy than it
started with. [5]
Procedure
As the venturi meter was already set up, the supply valve was opened until the pressure
readings stabilized. For the first reading of every trial, the valve was moved clockwise to 15o while for
every second reading on every trial, the valve was moved clockwise to 45o and finally for every third
reading on each trial the valve was moved clockwise to 75o. After each reading, water from the venturi
meter was collected for approximately one second.
Results
Table 1.1. Summary of results

Trial 1
3
Angle VFR2 (m /s) v2 (m/s) ∆P (Pa) Cd NRe
1 0.001452174 5.041864767 20000 0.7597301 108168.2913
2 0.000871795 3.026821931 30000 0.37239975 64937.51253
3 0.000655797 2.276890027 10000 0.48520492 48848.45492
Trial 2
Angle VFR2 (m3/s) v2 (m/s) ∆P (Pa) Cd NRe
1 0.001150442 3.994270482 20000 0.60187404 85693.17765
2 0.000956522 3.320988769 20000 0.50042102 71248.57513
3 0.000406154 1.410142923 10000 0.30050124 30253.24113
Trial 3
Angle VFR2 (m3/s) v2 (m/s) ∆P (Pa) Cd NRe
1 0.001642857 5.703906034 10000 1.21550151 122371.7411
2 0.001303571 4.52592544 10000 0.96447402 97099.31627
3 0.00057377 1.99209833 10000 0.42451585 42738.52681

Table 1.2. Average Volumetric Flow Rate, Coefficient of Discharge, and Reynold’s Number for each
angle

Average
Angle 3
VFR2 (m /s) Cd NRe
1 0.001415158 0.859035216 105411.07
2 0.001043963 0.6124316 77761.80131
3 0.00054524 0.403407337 40613.40762

Cd vs NRe
120000
y = 141323x - 13725
100000
Reynold's Number, NRe

R² = 0.9827

80000

60000

40000

20000

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Coefficient of Discharge, Cd

Figure 1.1. Average coefficient of discharge vs Reynold’s number

 VFR vs Cd
1
0.9
Coefficient of Discharge, Cd
y = 517.94x + 0.1063
0.8 R² = 0.9827
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0008 0.001 0.0012 0.0014 0.0016
Volumetric Flow Rate, VFR (m3/s)

Figure 1.2. Average volumetric flow rate vs coefficient of discharge

VFR vs NRe
120000
y = 7E+07x - 2E-10
100000
Reynold's Number, NRe

R² = 1

80000

60000

40000

20000

0
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0008 0.001 0.0012 0.0014 0.0016
Volumetric Flow Rate, VFR (m3/s)

Figure 1.3. Average volumetric flow rate vs Reynold’s number

Discussion of Results
In a venturi meter, a converging section can be found to increase the fluid’s flow velocity. The
decrease in area will create a corresponding pressure drop hence, decrease the flow rate of the fluid. A
sudden contraction and expansion of flow can be observed on the throat of the pipe. Due to this
contraction and expansion, small amount of friction loss is accounted by the fluid. The friction loss is
measured through the discharge of the fluid or coefficient of discharge, Cd. A straight pipe will create
a Cd of 1 because there is little or no friction at all, that affects the flow rate of the discharge. However,
a venturi meter can obstruct the flow of the liquid hence a Cd of less that 1 was obtained. The experiment
demonstrates the proportionality of Reynold’s number, NRe and coefficient of discharge, Cd to the water
flow rate, VFR. Referring to Figure 1.2 and Figure 1.3, an extremely linear regression (0.9827 and 1)
is obtained. Hence, as the volumetric flow rate increases, the NRe and Cd also increases. In Figure 1, the
graph also expresses NRe being directly proportional to Cd. High values of NRe were calculated, showing
turbulence in flow in all trials. Because of the proportionality of NRe to Cd, Cd values were also calculated
to be closer than 1.
Conclusion
The average of the coefficient of discharge for the three trials are 0.5391, 0.4676, and 0.8682
respectively. The coefficient of discharge and the Reynold’s number have a direct relationship where
Reynold’s number increases with coefficient of discharge. This is observed to be true as at turbulent
flow the flow rate is greater which means that more water is discharged and increases the coefficient of
discharge. Graphs were also illustrated to show that coefficient of discharge and Reynold’s number both
show a direct relationship with water flow rate as well.
Nomenclature
Cd discharge coefficient of water
Cv experimental coefficient for venturi meter
D1 diameter at entrance of throat
D2 throat diameter
P1 pressure at entrance of throat
P2 pressure at the throat
𝜌 density of the fluid
V1 average velocity entrance of throat
V2 throat velocity
μ viscosity of water

Literature Cited
[1] Venturi Meters. (2011, February 2). Retrieved January 22, 2020, from Thermopedia:
http://thermopedia.com/content/1241/
[2] Mishra, P. (2016, June 24). Venturi Principle. Retrieved January 22, 2020, from Mechanical
Booster: https://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2016/06/venturimeter-principle-construction-working-
diagram.html
[3] Rashid (2019, July 2013). Working of Venturi – Construction, Principle with Diagram. Retrieved
January 22, 2020, from Mechanical Walkins: meter-construction-principle-with-diagram/
[4] Geankoplis, C. J. Transport Processes and separation process principles Third edition. Prentice
Hall Press Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA ©2003
[5] Wilson, A. (2007, November 16). Discharge Coefficient. Retrieved January 22, 2020, from
SWMM Knowledge Base: https://www.openswmm.org/Topic/3615/discharge-coefficient
APPENDICES
RAW DATA

TABLE 2.1. Data collected from the experiment

TRIAL 1
Pressure Reading, Pa
RUN t, sec V, mL VFR, mL/s
P1 P2 P3
1 1.15 30000 10000 30000 1670 1452.173913
2 1.56 50000 20000 40000 1360 871.7948718
3 1.38 110000 100000 100000 905 655.7971014
TRIAL 2
Pressure Reading, Pa
RUN t, sec V, mL VFR, mL/s
P1 P2 P3
1 1.13 40000 20000 40000 1300 1150.442478
2 1.38 80000 60000 70000 1320 956.5217391
3 1.3 110000 100000 100000 528 406.1538462
TRIAL 3
Pressure Reading, Pa
RUN t, sec V, mL VFR, mL/s
P1 P2 P3
1 0.98 10000 0 10000 1610 1642.857143
2 1.12 70000 60000 70000 1460 1303.571429
3 1.22 110000.0 100000 90000 700 573.7704918

Table 2.2. Venturi meter and water properties

Venturi meter
D1, m D2, m th, m
0.03505 0.01915 0.0009648
Water Properties
T, ⁰C p, kg/m3 μ, kg/m-s
25 997.08 0.00089

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
Diameter of throat, D2 = 0.01915 m
π(0.01915 m)2
Area throat, A2 = 4
= 0.000288023 m2
π(0.0305 m)2
Area pipe , A1 = 4
= 0.000964864 m2

Solve for VFR:

𝑉 0.00167 𝑚3
𝑉𝐹𝑅 = 𝑡
= 1.15 𝑠
= 0.001452174 m3/s
Solve for v2:
𝑉𝐹𝑅 0.001452174 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑣2 = = = 5.041864767 m/s
𝐴2 0.000288023 𝑚2

Solve for ∆P:

∆P = P1 – P2 = 30000 Pa – 10000 Pa = 20000 Pa

Solve for Cd:

4 0.01915 m 4
√1−(𝐷2) m
√1−( )
𝐷1 0.03505 m
𝐶𝑑 = 𝑣2 = 5.041864767 × = 0.759730102
2(𝑝1 −𝑝2 ) s 2(20000 𝑃𝑎)
√ 𝜌
√997.08 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Solve for NRe:

m
𝐷2 𝑣2 𝜌 0.01915 m ×5.041864767 ×997.08 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
s
𝑁𝑅𝑒 = = =108168.2913 (Turbulent)
μ 0.00089