COURSE OUTCOME #5: Explain operating principles for common flow measuring

instruments.
TOPICS: Nozzles
Weirs
Type of Weirs
LEARNING OUTCOME: Calculate flow rate and other flow properties for the different
flow measuring instrument.
For weir or an orifice meter, estimate uncertainty using the
RMS method.

NOZZLE
Generally,
a nozzle is a device
designed to control the
direction or
characteristics of
a fluid flow (especially
to increase velocity) as
it exits (or enters) an
enclosed chamber
or pipe. It is often a
pipe or tube of varying
cross - sectional area.

Figure 1. Nozzles

Technically, the flow nozzle is an instrument for measuring flow rate by using the
pressure drop across a nozzle that is typically placed inside a conduit. As compared to
an orifice meter, the flow nozzle is better in flows that cause wear (e.g., particle-laden
flow). The reason is that erosion of an orifice will produce more change in the pressure-
drop versus flowrate relationship. Both the flow nozzle and orifice meter will produce
about the same overall head loss.

Nozzles are frequently used to measure flow rates of the liquid discharged into
the atmosphere, used in situation where suspended solids have the property of settling
and used also for high pressure and temperature steam flows.
 Nozzle Description
` The main parts of flow nozzle arrangement used to measure flow rate are
as follows:

1.A flow nozzle which is held between flanges of pipe carrying the fluid whose flow
rate is being measured. The area of flow nozzle is minimum at its throat.

2.Openings are provided at two places 1 and 2 for attaching a differential pressure
sensor (u-tube manometer, differential pressure gauge etc.,) as show in the Figure 2
below.

Nozzles can be described as convergent (narrowing down from a wide diameter

to a smaller diameter in the direction of the flow) or divergent (expanding from a smaller
diameter to a larger one) or de Laval nozzles/convergent-divergent (CD nozzles).
 Operation of Nozzle

Basically, a nozzle is like a tapering tube, with the outlet diameter lesser than
the inlet diameter. Due to this reduction in cross sectional area, the fluid experiences a
pressure drop as it exits from the other end of the nozzle, but its flow velocity increases
considerably. The nozzle operates as follows:

1. The fluid whose flow rate is to be measured enters the nozzle smoothly to the section
called throat where the area is minimum.

2. Before entering the nozzle, the fluid pressure in the pipe is p1. As the fluid enters the
nozzle, the fluid converges and due to this its pressure keeps on reducing until it
reaches the minimum cross section area called throat. This minimum pressure p2 at the
throat of the nozzle is maintained in the fluid for a small length after being discharged in
the downstream also.

3. The differential pressure sensor attached between points 1 and 2 records the
pressure difference (p1-p2) between these two points which becomes an indication of
the flow rate of the fluid through the pipe when calibrated.

Measured pressure
losses
Figure 3. Fluid Flow in a Nozzle
 Types of Nozzzle
There are different types of nozzles that vary according to their application.
These are jet, high velocity ,propelling, magnetic, spray, vacuum and shaping nozzle.

Jet

A gas jet, fluid jet, or hydro jet is a nozzle intended to eject gas or fluid in a
coherent stream into a surrounding medium. Gas jets are commonly found in gas
stoves, ovens, in light beore the development of electric light,carburetors where
smooth calibrated orifices are used to regulate the flow of fuel into an engine, and
in jacuzzis or spas.

Another specialized jet is the laminar jet. This is a water jet that contains devices
to smooth out the pressure and flow, and gives laminar flow, as its name suggests. This
gives better results for fountains.

Jet nozzles are also used in large rooms where the distribution of air via ceiling
diffusers is not possible or not practical. Diffusers that uses jet nozzles are called jet
diffuser where it will be arranged in the side wall areas in order to distribute air. When
the temperature difference between the supply air and the room air changes, the supply
air stream is deflected upwards, to supply warm air, or downwards, to supply cold air.

High velocity

Frequently, the goal of a nozzle is to increase the kinetic energy of the flowing

medium at the expense of its pressure and internal energy.

Convergent nozzles accelerate fluids, but do not exceed the speed of sound in
the fluid due to sonic choking at the narrowest point. Divergent nozzles slow fluids, if the
flow is subsonic, but accelerate sonic or supersonic fluids. Convergent-divergent
nozzles accelerate fluids that have choked in the convergent section to supersonic
speeds.

Rocket engines and supersonic jet engines  use CD nozzles, whereas subsonic

jet engines use convergent nozzles.

Propelling

A propelling nozzle is a nozzle that converts the internal energy of a working gas

into propulsive force. It is the nozzle, which forms a jet, that separates a gas turbine,
being gas generator, from a jet engine.
 This nozzle can be equipped with an afterburner or a reheat system, supersonic
flight speeds, at which high nozzle pressure ratios are generated, turbofan engines and
rocketmotors.

Magnetic

Magnetic nozzles have also been proposed for some types of propulsion, such
as VASIMR, in which the flow of plasma is directed by magnetic fields instead of walls
made of solid matter.

Spray

Many nozzles produce a very fine spray of liquids. Atomizer nozzles are used for
spray painting, perfumes, carburetors for internal combustion engines, spray
on deodorants, antiperspirants and many other similar uses.

Vacuum

Vacuum cleaner nozzles come in several different shapes. Vacuum nozzles are

used in vacuum cleaners.

Shaping

Some nozzles are shaped to produce a stream that is of a particular shape. For
example, extrusion molding is a way of producing lengths of metals or plastics or other
materials with a particular.

Advantages of Nozzzle
1. Installation is easy and is cheaper when compared to venturi meter
2. Has high coefficient of discharge.
3. It is very compact

Disadvantages of Nozzzle
1. Pressure recovery is low

2. Maintenance is high
 3. Installation is difficult when compared to orifice flow meter.

Calculating Flow Rate from a Nozzle

Thi s formula is used to determine the flow ra te , gi ven a no zzle
dia me te r and pre ssu re . Or the re qui red nozzle dia me te r to ach ieve a
speci fi ed flow rate gi ven the pre ssu re .