FLOW RATE Measurement

Trainer

Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. Technical Specifications

3. Front Panel Controls

4. Operating Instructions

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 INTRODUCTION

Measurement of Pipe Flow Rate with a Rotameter Flow Meter

Values of pipe flow rate are needed for many purposes. Pipe flow measurement can be done with various
types of flow meter, including the rotameter, which is covered in this article. The principle of operation and
advantages and disadvantages of the rotameter for pipe flow measurement are discussed.

Introduction

Many fluids are transported in pipes and their flow rate needs to be monitored for many applications.
There are quite a variety of types of flow meter for pipe flow measurement. One of them, the rotameter, is
being considered in this article. The term pipe flow is being used here, and indeed circular pipes are the
most common method for conveying fluids, but most types of pipe flow meter, including the rotameter, can
be adapted for use with pressure flow of fluids in conduits of cross-sectional shape other than circular. This
could include rectangular shaped conduits or the annular shape for flow in a double pipe heat exchanger.

General Description of the Rotameter

A rotameter, also sometimes called a 'variable area' flow meter, is simply a tapered plastic or glass tube with
a float whose position in the tube is determined by the flow rate of fluid through the rotameter. The diagram
at the left illustrates this with the tapering of the tube accentuated. Pictures of a couple of rotameters are
shownrotameter pictures at the right.

As a fluid flows through the rotameter at a greater flow rate, a larger cross-sectional area of flow is needed,
so the 'float' rises until it reaches an equilibrium position where the upward force on it by the fluid is the same
as the downward force of gravity. Note that the density of the 'float' must be greater than the density of the
fluid or it would simply float to the top of the fluid at any flow rate. When used for pipe flow measurement
with a particular fluid, the position of the float in the tube can be calibrated to read flow rate directly for that
fluid.

Because of the way that gravity helps to determine the float position, a rotameter must be installed vertically,
as shown in the diagrams. Also it should be mentioned that a rotameter works well for visually noting flow
rate readings, but it doesn't lend itself well to machine reading and continuous recording of flow rate.

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 Rotameter® Principle of Operation

A Rotameter, also called a variable area flow meter, is a device for measuring the flow rate of liquids and
gases in pipes. Rotameters® feature a conical tube, where the cross section is larger at the top than at the
bottom. In the measuring tube there is a resistance body, called float, which causes the narrowed cross-
section. The measuring fluid flows through the conical tube and, at any height position, the float uncovers
another circular ring cross section between the float and the measuring tube wall. When the flow is constant,
the float adjusts to a specific height and the forces acting on the float are in equilibrium (the sum of all forces
is zero), i.e. the weight of the float (force G) is equal to the sum of the buoyant force B (weight of the
displaced fluid from the float) and the force produced by the flow K. The position of the float is thus a
measure of the flow. Due to the influence of gravity, variable area flow meters must always be installed
vertically.

Rota (Yokogawa) invented the ideal shape of the rotating float, which ensures self-stabilisation in the mea-
suring tube axis. In the case of glass or plastic measuring tubes you can simply view the float position to get
a reliable reading of the flow rate from the top of the float.

Rotameters got their name from the rotation of the float and the company name.

The Rotameter principle is one of the oldest and most sophisticated principles in flow measurement. This
mechanical principle is as simple as it is ingenious and reliable.

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 Technical Specifications

1. The trainer consists of Two water tanks, one as reservoir tank and another is as measurement tank.

2. A ROTOMETER Is connected in line to the tank from water pump.

3. A submersible pump is fitted in the resesvoir tank with By pass valve and control valve.

4. Water from the tank is pumped through submersible pump and to control valve and to rotometer to
measured tank.

5. A digital Timer running in minutes is provided with RESET Control.

6. A separate pump ON Switch is provided and when switch on pump, the timer will starts and when stop
the switch then timer will stop. And when press the reset switch then the timer will resets to 0.

7. A separate Drain pump is provided to drain back the water from measured tank to resesvoir tank for the
next experiment.

8. The measurment water tank is rectangle in shape and its size as:

Length = 36 cm

Width = 26 cm

Height = 20 cm

Total volume of a rectangular prism shaped tank is length times width times height. Therefore,
V(tank) = lwh

The filled volume of a rectangular tank is just a shorter height with the same length and width. The new
height is the fill height or f. Therefore:
V(fill) = lwf

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 Operating instructions

1. Switch on the trainer.

2. Keep the measurement water tank empty by draining the water if any by switching on the Drain pump switch .

3. Now switch ON the pump and keep the or adjust the Ball valve at the back of the trainer to say 2 LPM in the
Rotometer.

4. Now the Timer will also ON and count in minutes.

5. Now Wait Till for 2 Minute and stop the pump motor and take reading of water height at the water tank with
scale provided at tank..

6. Now Keep the measurement water tank empty by draining the water if any by switching on the Drain pump
switch .

7. Now switch ON the pump and keep the or adjust the Ball valve at the back of the trainer to say 4 LPM in the
Rotometer.
8. Now Wait Till for 4 Minute and stop the pump motor and take reading of water height at the water tank with
scale provided at tank..

9. Like wise for different LPM At the Rotometer, take readings for different ie, For rotometer settings of 5 LPM
for 5 minutes and For 6 LPM for 6 minutes.

Our Given Tank size is Length 36 cm, Width is 26 cm

Formula == L x W x H x cm3 Tank Depth Volume

0.00 cm 0.00 Liters
1.00 cm 0.936 Liters
FILLED WATER 2.00 cm 1.872 Liters
SL ROTOMETER Calculated 3.00 cm 2.808 Liters
Level in TANK Value in Liters
Value in LPM 4.00 cm 3.744 Liters
CM
5.00 cm 4.68 Liters
1. 2 LPM 6.00 cm 5.616 Liters
7.00 cm 6.552 Liters
2. 3 LPM 8.00 cm 7.488 Liters
9.00 cm 8.424 Liters
3. 4 LPM 10.00 cm 9.36 Liters
11.00 cm 10.296 Liters
4. 5 LPM 12.00 cm 11.232 Liters
13.00 cm 12.168 Liters
5. 6 LPM 14.00 cm 13.104 Liters
15.00 cm 14.04 Liters
16.00 cm 14.976 Liters
17.00 cm 15.912 Liters
18.00 cm 16.848 Liters
19.00 cm 17.784 Liters
20.00 cm 18.72 Liters

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 Manual for

FLOW RATE Measurement

Trainer

( Sr. No:............................)

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 Rotameters are the most widely used type of variable-area (VA) flowmeter. In these devices, the falling and
rising action of a float in a tapered tube provides a measure of flow rate (see Figure 1). Rotameters are
known as gravity-type flowmeters because they are based on the opposition between the downward force
of gravity and the upward force of the flowing fluid. When the flow is constant, the float stays in one position
that can be related to the volumetric flow rate. That position is indicated on a graduated scale. Note that to
keep the full force of gravity in effect, this dynamic balancing act requires a vertical measuring tube.

Other forms of gravity-type VA meters may incorporate a piston or vane that responds to flow in a manner
similar to the float's behavior. All these devices can be used to measure the flow rates of most liquids, gases,
and steam. There are also similar types that balance the fluid flow with a spring rather than gravitational
force. These do not require vertical mounting, but corrosive or erosive fluids can damage the spring and lead
to reduced accuracy.

The term rotameter derives from early versions of the floats, which had slots to help stabilize and center
them and which caused them to rotate. Today's floats take a variety of shapes, including a spherical configu-
ration used primarily in purgemeters (which will be discussed later on). The materials of construction include
stainless steel, glass, metal, and plastic.

The tapered tube's gradually increasing diameter provides a related increase in the annular area around the
float, and is designed in accordance with the basic equation for volumetric flow rate:

equation (1)

where:

Q = volumetric flow rate, e.g., gallons per minute

k = a constant
A = annular area between the float and the tube wall
g = force of gravity
h = pressure drop (head) across the float

With h being constant in a VA meter, we have A as a direct function of flow rate Q. Thus, the rotameter
designer can determine the tube taper so that the height of the float in the tube is a measure of flow rate.

Rotameter Design Components

The two basic components of every rotameter are the tapered metering tube and the float. Tube sizes vary
from 1/16 to 4 in., with a 1/8–2 in. range being the most common. Of course, each model has limitations as
to capacity, temperature, pressure, and, in the case of liquids, viscosity.

Glass Tube Rotameters. With a tapered metering tube made of borosilicate glass, this was the original
rotameter. Introduced in the mid-1940s, it is referred to as a "general-purpose" rotameter. Because the float
is normally visible in the tube, the
Rotameters and the Market

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 How to Calculate Volume in Litres

A liter (or litre) is a metric unit used to measure volume or capacity.[1] Liters are a common measurement
often used to measure beverages and other liquids, such as a 2 liter bottle of soda. Sometimes you will need
to calculate the volume of an object in liters, given the object’s dimensions. In other instances, you will need
to convert the volume of something that is already given in another unit, such as milliliters or gallons. In all of
these instances, through simple multiplication or division, you can easily determine volume in liters.

Finding Volume in Liters from Dimensions

Convert the dimensions to centimeters. If the dimensions are given in meters, inches, feet, or some other unit
of measurement, convert each dimension to centimeters (cm) before calculating the volume. This will make it
easier to convert to liters. Consider the following conversions:

1 meter = 100 centimeters.[2]

So, if the length of a cube is 2.5 meters, that converts to 250 centimeters, since 2.5×100=250{\displaystyle
2.5\times 100=250}.

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.[3] So, if the length of a cube is 5 inches, that converts to 12.7 centimeters, since
5×2.54=12.7{\displaystyle 5\times 2.54=12.7}.

1 foot = 30.48 centimeters.[4] So, if the length of a cube is 3 feet, that converts to 91.44 centimeters, since
3×30.48=91.44{\displaystyle 3\times 30.48=91.44}.

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 Find the volume of the shape. How you find the volume will depend on the shape of the three-dimen-
sional object you are measuring, since the volume of each type of shape is calculated differently.

To find the volume of a cube, you can use the formula Volume=Length×Width×Height

The volume of a three-dimensional shape will be in cubic units, such as cubic centimeters

For example, if a fish tank is 40.64 cm long, 25.4 cm wide, and 20.32 tall you would calculate the
volume by multiplying these dimensions together:

Volume=Length×Width×Height
Volume=40.64×25.4×20.32=40.64
Volume=20,975cm3

Convert cubic centimeters to liters.

To do this, use the conversion rate 1liter=1,000cm3

Dividing the volume (in cubic centimeters) of the shape by 1,000 will give you the volume in liters (L)

For example, if the volume of the fish tank, in cubic centimeters, is 20,975, to find the volume in liters,
calculate 20,975÷1,000=20.975

So, a fish tank that is 40.64 cm long, 25.4 cm wide, and 20.32 tall has a volume of 20.975 L.

How to Calculate Liters

The volume of an aquarium can be measured in liters.

Liters are a unit in the metric system used to express volume, particularly with liquids. To calculate the
capacity of a container in liters, you need to know the length, width and depth of the container. For ex-
ample, calculating liters can be useful if you are trying to determine how large of an aquarium you need for
your fish.

Measure the length, width and depth of the container holding the liquid, in meters. For example, an aquarium
might measure 1 meter long, 0.5 meters high and 0.7 meters deep.

Multiply the length times the width times the depth of the container to calculate the volume of the container in
cubic meters. In this example, you would multiply 1 by 0.7 by 0.5 to find that the container has a volume of
0.35 cubic meters.

There are 1,000 liters in a cubic meter, so you need to multiply the number of cubic meters by 1,000 to
convert cubic meters to liters. Finishing this example, you would multiply 0.35 by 1,000 to find that the
volume of the aquarium would be 350 liters.

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