At the end of this topic, you should be able to:

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Explain and describe how the orifice, venture meter and pitot tube works. Derive an equation to measure the quantity of fluid flowing through the flow meters above. Apply the equation to calculate the fluid flow.

A pipe orifice is a plate with an opening which is fitted in a pipeline. It produces a constriction within the flow. The cross sectional area of the flow at the orifice is much smaller compared to the cross sectional area of the pipeline. The actual discharge is given by: Qact=CdQ For a sharp edge orifice, Cd = 0.65. Even though the accuracy of the measurement is lower compared to venturi meter but the cost are much cheaper.

An orifice is an opening either in the side or base of a tank. An orifice maybe circular, rectangular or triangular in shape. Water discharges from an orifice into the atmosphere as a jet. An orifice is considered small when the pressure at the top and bottom of the orifice is almost the same.