Module 6 Flow Measurement Me12
Module 6 Flow Measurement Me12
Coefficient of Velocity, 𝑪𝝂
The coefficient of velocity is the ratio of the actual mean velocity to the ideal (or theoretical) velocity which
would occur without any losses.
𝜈𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝜈𝑎
𝐶𝜈 = =
𝜈𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝜈
Coefficient of Contraction, 𝑪𝒄
The coefficient of contraction is the ratio of the actual area of the contracted section (vena contracta) of the
stream or jet to the area of the opening through which the fluid flows.
𝐴𝑗𝑒𝑡 𝐴𝑎
𝐶𝑐 = =
𝐴𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴
Coefficient of Discharge, 𝑪𝒅
The coefficient of discharge is the ratio of the actual discharge through the device to the ideal (theoretical)
discharge which would occur without losses.
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑄𝑎
𝐶𝑑 = =
𝑄𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑄
𝐶𝑑 = 𝐶𝜈 𝐶𝑐
𝑄 = 𝐶𝜈 𝐶𝑐 𝐴 𝜈 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴 𝜈
A. Venturi Meter
An instrument used in measuring the discharge through pipes. It consists of a converging tube which is
connected to the main pipe at the inlet and ending in a cylindrical section, called the throat, and a diverging
section which is connected again to the main pipe at the outlet.
2
1
ℎ𝑙𝑖𝑞
𝑧1 𝑧2
Manometer
𝜈1 2 𝑃1 𝜈2 2 𝑃2
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
𝝂𝟐 𝟐 − 𝝂𝟏 𝟐 𝑷𝟏 − 𝑷𝟐
=( ) + (𝒛𝟏 − 𝒛𝟐 ) → 𝐸𝑞. 1
𝟐𝒈 𝜸
𝜋 𝜋
(𝐷1 )2 𝜈1 = (𝐷2 )2 𝜈2
4 4
Theoretical Discharge
When the velocity of flow is obtained, the theoretical discharge can be calculated.
𝑄 = 𝐴1 𝜈1 = 𝐴2 𝜈2
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴1 𝜈1 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴2 𝜈2
B. Pitot Tube
A bent L-shaped tube with both ends open which used to measure the velocity of fluid flow.
When the tube is placed in a moving stream, the liquid enters the opening at point 2 until the surface in the tube
rises a distance ℎ above the stream surface. An equilibrium condition is then established, and the quantity of the
liquid in the tube remains unchanged as the flow remains steady. Point 2 at the face of the tube facing the stream
is called the stagnation point.
1 2
Considering a particle at point 1 to be moving with a velocity as 𝝂. As the particle approaches point 2, its
velocity is gradually retarded to 0 at point 2. Writing the energy equation between 1 and 2 neglecting friction:
𝜈1 2 𝑃1 𝜈2 2 𝑃2
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
Note that
→ 𝜈1 = 𝜈
𝑃1
→ ℎ1 =
𝛾
𝑃2
→ ℎ2 =
𝛾
→ 𝑧1 = 𝑧2
→ 𝜈2 = 0
Therefore,
𝜈2
+ ℎ1 = ℎ2
2𝑔
But ℎ2 − ℎ1 = ℎ
Finally
𝜈2
=ℎ or 𝝂 = √𝟐𝒈𝒉
2𝑔
C. Orifice
An opening with a closed perimeter through which fluid flows. It is used primarily to measure or to control the
flow of fluid. The upstream face of the orifice may be rounded or sharp. An orifice with prolonged side, such as
a piece of pipe, having a length to two or three times its diameter, is called a tube.
𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐵
𝑨 𝑩
𝜈𝐴 ℎ
1 2 𝜈
𝜈1 2 𝑃1 𝜈2 2 𝑃2
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
Note that
→ 𝜈1 = 𝜈𝐴
→ 𝜈2 = 𝜈
→ 𝑃1 = 𝑃𝐴 + 𝛾ℎ
→ 𝑃2 = 𝑃𝐵
Therefore
𝜈𝐴 2 𝑃𝐴 + 𝛾ℎ 𝜈 2 𝑃𝐵
+ +0 = + +0
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
𝜈𝐴 2 𝑃𝐴 𝜈 2 𝑃𝐵
+ +ℎ= +
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
𝜈 2 𝜈𝐴 2 𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐵
= +ℎ+ −
2𝑔 2𝑔 𝛾 𝛾
𝜈𝐴 2 𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐵
𝜈 = √2𝑔 [ +ℎ+( )]
2𝑔 𝛾
Note that the expression inside the square bracket is the total dynamic head 𝐻. That is
𝜈𝐴2 𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐵
𝐻= +ℎ+( )
2𝑔 𝛾
𝝂 = √𝟐𝒈𝑯
Actual Velocity
𝝂𝒂 = 𝑪𝝂√𝟐𝒈𝑯
𝝂𝒂 = 𝑪𝝂√𝟐𝒈𝒉
Theoretical Discharge
𝑸 = 𝑨𝝂 = 𝑨√𝟐𝒈𝒉
Actual Discharge
𝑸𝒂 = 𝑨𝝂𝒂 = 𝑪𝒅 𝑨√𝟐𝒈𝒉
𝐴𝑆
𝐻1 𝐴𝑂
𝐻2
𝟐𝑨𝑺
𝒕= [√𝑯𝟏 − √𝑯𝟐 ]
𝑪𝒅 𝑨𝑶 √𝟐𝒈
where:
𝐴𝑆 = surface area of liquid inside the tank
𝐶𝑑 = coefficient of discharge
𝐴𝑆1
𝐴𝑆2 𝐻2 𝐻1
𝑨𝑺𝟏 𝑨𝑺𝟐 𝟐
𝒕= [√𝑯𝟏 − √𝑯𝟐 ]
𝑨𝑺𝟏 + 𝑨𝑺𝟐 𝑪𝑨𝒐 √𝟐𝒈