HYDRAULICS

Lecture 4. Fluid Flow Measurements

Learning Objectives.
After this lesson, students should be able to
1. Understand the application of Bernoulli’s Energy 𝟐𝒈𝑯
𝒗𝟐 =
Equation in flow measurements. √ 𝒅 𝟒
𝟏 − ( 𝟐)
2. Familiarize with the differerent flow measuring 𝒅𝟏
devices and discuss how these are used in Where:
determining fluid properties. H= energy heads producing flow
3. Derive the fomulas for each flow measuring devices ∆𝑃
𝐻 = ∆𝑧 +
for the calculation of other unkown fluid properties. 𝛾
4. Use the derived equations in solving flow ∆𝑧 = 𝑧1 − 𝑧2
measurement related problems. 𝑃 𝑃1 𝑃2
∆ = −
𝛾 𝛾 𝛾
Required Knowledge in:
1. Continuity Equation 3. NOZZLE
2. Bernoulli’s Energy Equation
It is a device installed or connected at the end of the
3. Principle of Manometry
pipe or hose for the purpose of increasing the velocity
4. Projectile Motion
of the issuing jet.

1. PITOT TUBE
It is a device used for measuring the velocity of flow at
any point in a pipe or a channel. It is based on the principle that if
the velocity of flow at a point becomes zero, the pressure there
is increased due to the conversion of the kinetic energy into
pressure energy. In its simplest form, the pitot-tube consists of a
glass bent at right angles as shown:

𝒗𝟏 = √𝟐𝒈(𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏 )
But ∆𝒉 = 𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏 4. ORIFICE METER
Thus, 𝒗𝟏 = √𝟐𝒈∆𝒉 It is a small opening of any cross section (such as
circular, triangular, rectangular etc.) on the side or at the bottom
of a tank, through which a fluid is flowing.
2. VENTURIMETER
It is a device used for measuring the rate of a flow of
a fluid flowing through a pipe. It consists of converging
part, throat and diverging pipe.

𝟐𝒈𝑯
𝒗𝒐 =
√ 𝒅𝒐 𝟒
𝟏−( )
𝒅𝒑

Hydraulics Leselle C. Quitaneg

 3. In a test to determine the discharge coefficient of a 2”
HYDRAULIC COEFFICIENTS by ½” venturimeter, the total weight of water passing
through the meter in 5 mins was 768 lbs. A mercury-
water differential gage connected to the inlet and
Coefficient of Discharge, Cd
throat showed an average mercury difference of 1.18
Also called meter coefficient. ft. Determine the meter coefficient.
𝑸𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍
𝑪𝒅 = = 𝑪𝒄 𝑪𝒗
𝑸𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍

Coefficient of velocity, Cv
𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒋𝒆𝒕
𝑪𝒗 = =
𝒗𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒐

Coefficient of contraction, Cc
𝟐 4. A 2” circular orifice (not standard) at the end of the 3-
𝑨𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒋𝒆𝒕 𝒅𝒋𝒆𝒕 in diameter pipe shown in the figure discharges into
𝑪𝒄 = = =( ) the atmosphere a measured flow of 0.6 cfs of water
𝑨𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒐 𝒅𝒐
when the pressure in the pipe is 10 psi. The jet velocity
is determined by a pitot tube to be 39.2 fps. Find the
device coefficients.
EXAMPLES.
1. A 2.5” fire hose discharges water through a nozzle
having a jet diameter of 1”. The head loss in the nozzle
is 4% of the velocity head of the jet. If the gage
pressure at the base of the nozzle is 60 psi, find
a. the flow in gpm.
b. Maximum horizontal range to which the stream
can be thrown, I the fire hose is placed 135 ft
from the ground.

2. A mercury-kerosene manometer is connected to a

pitot-tube as shown. The deflection on the
manometer is 7 in. Assume specific gravity of
kerosene is 0.81.
a. What is the difference in pressures between
point 1 and point 2?
b. What is the kerosene velocity in the pipe?
c. What is the flow rate in the pipe if its diameter
is 6”?

Hydraulics Leselle C. Quitaneg