1.

0 ABSTRACT

The design of Flow Meter Measurement Apparatus is basically to operate together with a
basic hydraulic bench or any water supply. This instrument is able to demonstrate the flow
measurement comparison by using orifice, venturi and rotameter. There were two main parts
on this experiment. The first part is about demonstration of the operation and characteristic of
three different basic types of flowmeter. The second part is about determination of the loss
coefficient when fluid flows through a 90 degree elbow. The fluid is flowing through
different types of flow path. Different path gives out different velocity, pressure and types of
flow which are laminar and turbulent. This apparatus is conducted in order to obtain the exact
properties of fluid flow in motion since there will be different pressure drops produce.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

Generally, flow measurement is the quantification of bulk fluid movement. Flow can be
measured in a variety of ways. Positive-displacement flow meters accumulate a fixed volume
of fluid and then count the number of times the volume is filled to measure flow. Other flow
measurement methods rely on forces produced by the flowing stream as it overcomes a
known constriction, to indirectly calculate flow. Flow may be measured by measuring the
velocity of fluid over a known area.

Experiment 1:

Flowmeter is a device used to measure the flow rate or a quantity of fluids flow through
a pipe. We were provided with the hydraulic bench (Model: FM 110) connected to the
flowmeter measurement apparatus (Model: FM 101) which consists of orifice meter, orifice
meter and rotameter.

1
Orifice meter:

Orifice meter or orifice plate is usually a thin plate with a hole in it, which is placed in a
pipe. Orifice plates are most commonly used to measure flow rates in pipes, when the fluid is
single-phase (rather than being a mixture of gases and liquids, or of liquids and solids) and
well-mixed, the flow is continuous rather than pulsating, the fluid occupies the entire pipe
(precluding silt or trapped gas), the flow profile is even and well-developed and the fluid and
flow rate meet certain other conditions. When the fluid reaches the orifice plate, the fluid is
forced to flow through the hole in the middle of the orifice plate. Vena contracta which is the
point of maximum convergence is produced downstream of physical orifice. Then, the
velocity and the pressure will change and this is due to the fluid expand. The flow rates could
be obtained from Bernoullis equation by measuring the pressure difference between normal
pipe section and the vena contracta.

Venturi meter:

2
 Venturi meter is a tube with converging part, diverging and constricted throat part that
increase velocity and decrease pressure. When a fluid flows through a throat section, which
has a smaller cross sectional area than in a pipe, the velocity of the fluid through a throat is
higher than in the pipe. If velocity higher, pressure will drop. The pressure difference is
measured using the manometer. By measuring pressure drop, discharge may be calculated.
Beyond the throat the fluid is decelerated in a pipe of slowly diverging section (sometimes
referred to as a diffuser) in order to recover as much of the kinetic energy as possible. We
must know the principle of Bernoullis equation to understand the principles of venturi meter.

Rotameter:

A rotameter is a device that measures the flow rate of fluid in a closed tube. Basically, it
consists of three elements which a uniformly tapered flow tube, a float and a measurement
scale. Rotameter is at vertical position in the system with smallest diameter at the end of the
tapered flow tube at the bottom which is the fluid inlet. When fluid flow through a float in
tapered tube, pressure difference is formed. As the float moves upwards, the fluid flowing
area increases due to the decreasing of pressure difference.

3
Experiment 2:

To get a precise and accurate reading of the flow rates and pressure drop in pipes, the value
of loss coefficient should be obtained. In long straight pipe, the pressure drop is due to the
friction in the pipe. This is known as major losses. The pressure drop caused by fittings or
valves is known as minor losses which will be calculated at the end of the experiment. As
pipes get shorter and more complicated the proportion of losses due to fittings and valves gets
larger, but by convention is also known as minor losses. The type of pipe fitting contain in
this experiment is 90 degree elbow.

3.0 AIMS/OBJECTIVES

Experiment 1:

To obtain the flow rate measurement by utilizing three basic types of flow measuring
techniques which are orifice meter, venturi meter and rotameter.

Experiment 2:

To investigate the loss coefficient of fluid through 90 degree elbow.

4.0 THEORY

EXPERIMENT 1:

Bernoulli equation is applied to calculate the flow rate in both venturi meter and orifice:

1. By determine point 1 and 2 at the flowmeter:

4
 2. By using continuity equation, we can eliminate velocity,u2:

3. Substituting this into and rearranging Bernoullis equation:

4. To get the actual result, coefficient discharge have to be consider in the calculation:

In this experiment, Z1=Z2. Therefore, Z1 and Z2can be cancelling out.

5
A1 : Area at point 1

A2: Area at point 2

P1: Pressure at point 1

P2: Pressure at point 2

U1: Velocity at point 1

U2: Velocity at point 2

Values of discharge coefficient are determined by experimented, the assumed values

used in the software are:

CdVenturi meter= 0.98

Cd Orifice plate = 0.63

The head loss (h, metre) is recorded due to the height reading of manometer. In this
experiment, the head losses will be compared with the flow rate used. Pressure loss for
venture meter is low while for the orifice the pressure loss is medium.

6
EXPEREMINT 2:

90 Degree Elbow

To calculate the loss coefficient, the equation use is:

V2
HL = K x 2g

Where,

HL= Head Loss

K= Loss Coefficient

V= flow velocity

g= Acceleration of gravity (9.81N)

7
5.0 APPARATUS

Figure: Flow meter

8
6.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

EXPERIMENT 1:

1. Apparatus was placed on the bench, inlet pipe connected to bench supply and outlet pipe
into volumetric tank.
2. With the bench valve fully closed and the discharge valve fully opened, the pump supply
and the hydraulic bench was started up.
3. The bench valve was slowly opened until it is fully opened.
4. When the flow in the pipe is steady and there is no trapped bubble, bench valve is started
to close in order to reduce the flow to the maximum measurable flowrate.
5. By using the air bleed screw, water level in the manometer was adjusted. The maximum
reading of manometer was retained with the maximum measurable flowrate.
6. Reading on manometer (A-J), Rotameter and maximum measureable flowrate was noted.
7. Step 6 is repeated for different flow rates. The flow rates can be adjusted by utilizing both
bench valve and discharge valve.

EXPERIMENT 2

1. Repeat step (1-6) from experiment 1.

2. Complete the data table.

Vs
2
3. Graph of H against for 90 degree elbow was plotted to determine the coefficient of
2g
losses.

9
7.0 RESULT

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

flowmeter

Manometer reading (mm)

No. A B C D E F G H I J

1 251 249 240 244 246 247 247 226 236 235

2 276 267 231 256 255 268 259 175 213 208

3 302 291 220 260 271 285 286 105 175 170

4 349 330 210 291 311 329 325 12 135 125

No. Rota meter Vol Time (s) Flowrate Flowrate using Bernoulli eq.
(L) (L/min)
(L/min) Q(L/s)
venturi orifice

1 5 3 33.9 0.0885 5.9342 5.2709

2 10 3 16.0 0.1875 12.0024 10.5420

3 15 3 10.0 0.3000 16.2024 15.4746

4 20 3 8.5 0.3529 21.0948 20.3496

10
Determination of the loss coefficient when fluid flows through a 90 degree elbow:

Differential Piezometer V V2/2g

Volume Time Flowrate,Q
Head, h' (mm)
No. (L) (sec) (l/min)
(m/s) (mm)
Elbow (hI-hJ)
1 3 33.9 0.0885 1 0.1667 1.4164
2 3 16.0 0.1875 5 0.3532 6.3583
3 3 10.0 0.3000 5 0.5650 16.2704
4 3 8.5 0.3529 10 0.6647 22.5192

11
8.0 CALCULATION

EXPERIMENT 1
Venturi meter:
Upstream pipe diameter, 1 = 26 mm
2
2 (26103 )
Cross sectional area, A1 = = = 5.309310-4 m2
4 4

Throat diameter, 2 = 16 mm
2
2 (16103 )
Cross sectional area, A2 = = = 2.010610-4 m2
4 4

Discharge coefficient Cdven = 0.98

hA hc = pressure difference across venturi, m

Reading 1:

For rota meter= 5 L/min, hA=251 mm @ 0.251 m, hC=240 mm @ 0.24 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =

3L
= 33.9

= 0.0885 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

2(9.81)(0.2510.24)
=(0.98)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( )
5.3093104

9.8903105 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=5.9342 L/min

12
Reading 2:

For rota meter= 10 L/min, hA=276 mm @ 0.276 m, hC=231 mm @ 0.231 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =
3L
= 16

= 0.1875 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

2(9.81)(0.2760.231)
=(0.98)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( 4 )
5.309310

2.0004104 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=12.0024 L/min

Reading 3:

For rota meter= 15 L/min, hA=302 mm @ 0.302 m, hC=220 mm @ 0.22 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =
3L
= 10

= 0.3000 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

2(9.81)(03020.22)
=(0.98)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( 4 )
5.309310

13
 2.7004104 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=16.2024 L/min

Reading 4:

For rota meter= 20 L/min, hA=349 mm @ 0.349 m, hC=210 mm @ 0.21 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =
3L
= 8.5

= 0.3529 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

2(9.81)(0.3490.21)
=(0.98)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( )
5.3093104

3.5158104 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=21.0948 L/min

14
 Orifice plate:
Upstream pipe diameter, 1 = 26 mm
2
2 (26103 )
Cross sectional area, A1 = = = 5.309310-4 m2
4 4

Throat diameter, 2 = mm
2
2 (16103 )
Cross sectional area, A2 = = = 2.010610-4 m2
4 4

Discharge coefficient Cdven = 0.63

hG hH = pressure diffenrence across orifice, m

Reading 1:

For rota meter= 5 L/min, hG=247 mm @ 0.247 m, hH=226 mm @ 0.226 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =
3L
= 33.9

= 0.0885 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

2(9.81)(0.2470.226)
=(0.63)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( )
5.3093104

8.7849105 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=5.2709 L/min

15
Reading 2:

For rota meter= 10 L/min, hG=259 mm @ 0.259 m, hH=175 mm @ 0.175 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =
3L
= 16

= 0.1875 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

2(9.81)(0.2590.175)
=(0.63)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( 4 )
5.309310

1.3665104 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=10.5420 L/min

Reading 3:

For rota meter= 15 L/min, hG=286 mm @ 0.286 m, hH=105 mm @ 0.105 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =
3L
= 10

= 0.3000 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

16
 2(9.81)(0.2860.105)
=(0.63)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( )
5.3093104

2.5791104 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=15.4746 L/min

Reading 4:

For rota meter= 20 L/min, hG=325 mm @ 0.325 m, hH=12 mm @ 0.012 m

Time Flowrate, Qt (L/min) = =
3L
= 8.5

= 0.3529 L/s

To calculate flowrate by Bernoullis equation:

2
= 2 ( )
1( 2 )2
1

2(9.81)(0.3250.012)
=(0.63)(2.0106 104 ) ( 2 )
2.0106104
1( 4 )
5.309310

3.3916104 3 1000 60
= 1
13

=20.3496L/min

17
 Percentage error for rotameter, venturi meter and orifice plate.

No. Flowrate, Q Rotameter, Q Venturi, Q Orifice, Q

(L/min) (L/min) (L/min) (L/min)
1 0.0885 60 55.31 5.9342 5.31 5.2709 5.31
100% 100% 100%
5.31
1 5.31 5.31
= -5.84%
=5.31 L/min =5.84% = -0.74%
2 0.1875 60 10 11.25 12.0024 11.25 10.5420 11.25
100% 100% 100%
1 11.25 11.25 11.25
=11.25 L/min = 11.11% =6.69% = -6.29%
3 0.3000 60 15 18 16.2024 18 15.4746 18
100% 100% 100%
1 18 18 18
=18 L/min =16.67% = -9.99% = -14.03%
4 0.3529 60 20 21.17 21.0948 21.17 20.3496 21.17
100% 100% 100%
1 21.17 21.17 21.17
=21.17 L/min = -5.53% = -0.36% = -3.88%
5 Average 9.79% 0.55% 6.24%

Experiment 2

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

To calculate the velocity:

13 1 1
( ) = () 1000 2
60

Where:

V=Velocity, m/s

Q=Flow rate, L/min

A=area of pipe= 2

18
To calculate area:

Given diameter, D= 0.026 m

= 2 = (0.013)2 = 5.3093 104 2

Reading 1:

Flow rate, Q= 0.0885 L/s

0.0885 13 1
( ) =
1000 5.3093 104 2

=0.1667 m/s

2
To calculate :
2

2 2 1 1000
= (0.1667)2 ( 2 ) 2

2 2(9.81) 1

= 1.4164 mm

Reading 2:

Flow rate, Q= 0.1875 L/s

0.1875 13 1
( ) =
1000 5.3093 104 2

=0.3532 m/s

2
To calculate :
2

2 2 1 1000
= (0.3532)2 ( 2 )
2 2(9.81) 2 1

= 6.3583 mm

19
Reading 3:

Flow rate, Q= 0.3000 L/s

0.3000 13 1
( ) =
1000 5.3093 104 2

=0.5650 m/s

2
To calculate :
2

2 2 1 1000
= (0.5650)2 ( 2 ) 2

2 2(9.81) 1

= 16.2704 mm

Reading 4:

Flow rate, Q= 0.3529 L/s

0.3529 13 1
( ) =
1000 5.3093 104 2

=0.6647 m/s

2
To calculate :
2

2 2
2 1 1000
= (0.6647) ( 2 )
2 2(9.81) 2 1

= 22.5192 mm

20
 GRAPH OF PIEZOMETER HEAD AGAINST
VELOCITY HEAD
12

10
PIEZOMETER HEAD (MM)

y = 0.35x + 1.1756

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
VELOCITY HEAD (MM)

Theoretical value:
Elbow flanged regular 90 degree= 0.3

The slope, K = 0.35

% error = (0.35-0.3) x 100%
0.3
= 16.67%

21
9.0 DISCUSSION

The first thing that we have done together with team members was to demonstrate the
flowmeter measurement apparatus (Model: FM 101) which consists of rotameter, venturi
meter and orifice plate. Luckily, we were able to differentiate these measurement as
mention on the introduction of this report. On the first experiment, we were done with the
calculation of flow rate by utilizing three basic types of flow measuring techniques which
are rotameter, venturi meter and orifice plate. Basically, the objective on the first
experiment is achieved. We decide to change all the flow rate units in L/min at the end of
the calculation but we still fill in the unit in L/s on table or tabulated data. This is due to
the reading that we obtained on each measurement.

We took four readings to ease the flow of calculation for each measurement. There
were ten unknowns on manometer reading which is A to J. We were compared the
average percentage error that we have obtained to time flow rate for rotameter, venturi
meter and orifice plate which are 9.75%, 0.55% and 6.24%. We conclude that percentage
error for venturi is the lowest one and make it the best device to calculate the flow rate.

Theoretically, venturi meter is a more accurate device compare to orifice and rota
meter. Therefore, we prove this theory by comparing the percentage error for the three
devices where we realised that the error of venturi is the lowest rather than the others. So
that, this theory is proven. We can consider the first experiment is achieved the main
objective. In order to obtain the accurate data, we were fixed the flow rate of rota meter
which is 5, 10, 15 and 20 in L/min respectively.

For the experiment 2 which is determination of the loss coefficient when fluid flows
through 90 degree elbow. The main objective of this experiment was to investigate the
loss coefficient of fluid through 90 degree elbow. We were going to obtain the value of
differential Piezometer head in mm by doing the subtraction method of Hi Hj from the
manometer reading. From the graph that have been plotted, gradient or simply the slope K
of the graph is 0.35. Unfortunately, we were given the theoretical value which is 0.3. So it
is slightly different with calculated value. We come with the percentage error which is
16.67%. We assumed the experiment was failed since the percentage error was exceeded
15%. We realised this error is might be due to air bubble that trap inside the tube that
connected to manometer.

22
10.0 CONCLUSION

As a conclusion for experiment 1, we can say that the most accurate flow meter is a
venturi meter. From this experiment, we determine that the flow rate % error for venturi
meter is lower than the orifice plate. From the theory, the more efficiency of flow meter has a
less flow rate % error. Simply, the venturi meter is a more accurate device compare to others.
The hypothesis and objective of this experiment is achieved. The experiment 1 is successful.

As a conclusion for experiment 2, the value of the loss coefficient or the slope K that we
obtained from the graph is 0.35. We come with percentage error which is 16.67%. The
experiment 2 is unsuccessful.

11.0 RECOMMENDATION

There are some precautions and suggestions that can be taken for safety and to get better
result when conducting the experiment of Flow Meter Demonstration. Firstly, we should avoid
error in taking readings and make sure eyes of observer are parallel to the reading scale in order
to get the accurate data. Secondly, the observer must be fixed to one person only to measure
the apparatus reading to avoid perspective errors. This is because when we fixed different
person to handle the apparatus reading, it will makes the data become not accurate. Next, the
experiment must be conduct at least twice to obtained average result.

23
12.0 REFERRENCE

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orifice_plate
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotameter
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect
4. Lab manual, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, UiTM Shah Alam.
5. www.engineeringtoolbox.com/
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfttGXOOEO0

13.0 APPENDICES

Figure 1: APPARATUS

24
Figure 2: Venturi meter and manometer

Figure 3: Rotometer and Discharge Valve

25
Figure 4: 90 degree elbow

Figure 5: Orifice meter

26
27