CE366

HYDRAULICS
FLUID FLOW MEASUREMENT

ENGR. DJ LEX YNOT

Faculty, CE Department
 DEVICE COEFFICIENTS
Coefficient of Discharge
The coefficient of discharge is the ratio of the actual discharge through the
device to the ideal or theoretical discharge which would occur without losses
Actual Discharge 𝑸
𝑪 or 𝑪𝒅 = =
Theoretical Discharge 𝑸𝑻

The actual discharge may be accomplished by series of observation, usually by

measuring the total amount of fluid passing through the device for a known
period. The theoretical value can be accomplished using the Bernoulli’s
Energy Theorem neglecting losses.
 DEVICE COEFFICIENTS
Coefficient of Velocity
The coefficient of velocity is the ratio of the actual mean velocity to the ideal
or theoretical velocity which would occur without any losses
Actual Velocity 𝒗
𝑪𝒗 = =
Theoretical Velocity 𝒗𝑻

Coefficient of Contraction
The coefficient of contraction is the ratio of the actual area of the contracted
section of the stream or jet to the area of the opening though which the fluid
flows
Area of stream or jet 𝒂
𝑪𝒄 = =
Area of opening 𝑨
 ORIFICE
An orifice is an opening (usually circular) with a closed perimeter through
which fluid flows. It is used primarily to measure or to control the flow of fluid

Chamber A Chamber B
 ORIFICE

Theoretical velocity 𝑣𝑡 = 2𝑔𝐻 Theoretical discharge 𝑄𝑡 = 𝐴 2𝑔𝐻

Actual velocity 𝑣 = 𝐶𝑣 2𝑔𝐻 Actual discharge 𝑄 = 𝐶𝐴 2𝑔𝐻

𝑃=0 𝑃=0
Pressure = 𝑃 Pressure = 𝑃
𝑎
ℎ ℎ

𝛾1 ℎ1
ℎ

𝛾2 ℎ2
𝑯=𝒉
𝒂
𝑯=𝒉 𝟏±
𝒈
𝑷 𝜸𝟏 𝑷
𝑯=𝒉+ 𝑯 = 𝒉𝟐 + 𝒉𝟏 +
𝜸 𝜸𝟐 𝜸

Where 𝐻 is the total head producing flow in meters or feet of the flowing liquid
 VENTURI METER
Venturi meter is an instrument used in measuring the discharge through
pipes. It consists of a converging tube 𝐴𝐵 which is connected to the main
pipe at the inlet at 𝐴, and ending in a cylindrical section 𝐵𝐶 called the throat,
and a diverging section 𝐶𝐷 which is connected again to the main pipe at the
outlet 𝐷
VENTURI METER
Energy Grade Line
𝑣1 2
2𝑔
𝑣2 2
2𝑔

𝑃1
𝛾 𝑃2
𝛾

① ②

Throat
𝑧1 𝑧2
Inlet Outlet
Datum
 VENTURI METER
Consider two points in the system: ① at the base
of the inlet and ② at the throat, the energy
equation (neglecting head loss) between these
two points is:
𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑣2 2 𝑃2
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
𝑣2 2 𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑃2
− = + 𝑧1 − + 𝑧2
2𝑔 2𝑔 𝛾 𝛾

The increase in kinetic energy is equal to the

decrease in potential energy. This statement is
known as the Venturi Principle
 NOZZLE

A nozzle is a converging tube installed at the end of a pipe or hose for the
purpose of increasing the velocity of the issuing jet
The discharge through a nozzle can
𝐴0
be calculated using the equation:
𝑄 = 𝐶𝐴0 2𝑔𝐻
Where:
𝐴0 = area at the nozzle tip

The head lost through a nozzle is given by:

2
1 𝐴2 𝑣2 2 1 𝑣2 2
𝐻𝐿 = 2−1 1− 𝐻𝐿 = 2 − 1 2𝑔
𝐶𝑣 𝐴1 2𝑔 𝐶𝑣
- Neglecting velocity of approach
 PITOT TUBE

Pitot tube is a bent (L-shaped or U-shaped) tube with both ends open and is
used to measure the velocity of fluid flow

ℎ
Velocity of flow

𝑃2 − 𝑃1
𝑣= 2𝑔 = 2𝑔ℎ
𝛾
 UNSTEADY FLOW

The flow through orifice, weirs, or tubes is said to be steady only if the total
head producing the flow H is constant. The amount of fluid being discharged
for a time t can therefore be computed using the formula:
𝑄 = Volume/Time
In some conditions, however, the head over an orifice, tube or weir may vary
as the fluid flows out and thus causing the flow to be unsteady
UNSTEADY FLOW

𝑄𝑖𝑛

𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡
 UNSTEADY FLOW
Time to remove water from ℎ1 to ℎ2

2𝐴𝑠 ℎ1 − ℎ2
𝑡=
𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔
ℎ1
ℎ2
𝐴𝑠 𝑑ℎ 𝐴𝑠 ℎ−1/2 𝑑ℎ
𝑑𝑉 = 𝑄𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑡=න 𝑡=න
ℎ1 −𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 ℎ2 𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔
𝑑𝑉 1
𝑑𝑡 = ℎ1 ℎ1 −2+1
𝑄𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐴𝑠 𝑑ℎ 𝐴𝑠 ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝑡=න 𝑡=න
ℎ2 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡
1
𝐴𝑠 𝑑ℎ
ℎ2 𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔 − 2 + 1
𝑑𝑡 =
𝑄𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 ℎ1
𝐴𝑠 𝑑ℎ
1
ℎ1
𝑡=න 𝐴𝑠 ℎ 2 𝑑ℎ
𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔ℎ 𝑡=න
ℎ2
𝐴𝑠 𝑑ℎ ℎ2 1
𝑡=න
ℎ2 𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔 2
ℎ1 𝑄𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡
2𝐴𝑠 ℎ ℎ1 2𝐴𝑠 ℎ1 − ℎ2
𝑡= =
𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔 ℎ2 𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

Calculate the discharge in liters per second through a 100-mm diameter orifice
under a head of 5.5 m of water. Assume 𝐶𝑐 = 0.61 and 𝐶𝑣 = 0.98 Ans. 48.77 L/s
Solution:
𝑄 = 𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔𝐻
Solving for coefficient of discharge, 𝐶
𝐶 = 𝐶𝑐 × 𝐶𝑣
𝐶 = 0.61 × 0.98 = 0.5978

𝑄 = 𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔𝐻
𝜋 2
𝑄 = 0.5978 × 0.1 2 × 9.81 × 5.5
4
1000 𝐿
𝑄 = 0.04877 m3/s × 𝑸 = 𝟒𝟖. 𝟕𝟕 L/s
1 m3
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
An open cylindrical tank, 2.4 m in diameter and 6 m tall has 1 m of glycerin
𝑆𝑔 = 1.5 , 2.5 m of water, and 1.5 m of oil 𝑆𝑜 = 0.82 . Determine the discharge
through the 125 mm diameter located at the bottom of the tank. Assume 𝐶 =
0.65

Oil
1.5 m
(s.g. = 0.82)

Water 2.5 m
(s.g. = 1.0)

Glycerin 1m
(s.g. = 1.5)

125 mm ∅
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

Solution:
𝑄 = 𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔𝐻
𝜋 2
𝑄 = 0.65 0.125 2(9.81)(3.487) Oil
4
𝑸 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔𝟔 m3/s
Water

Glycerin

Equivalent Pressure (Glycerin) Equivalent Pressure (Glycerin)

𝑃𝑔𝑙𝑦 (𝑒𝑞) = 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑃𝑔𝑙𝑦 (𝑒𝑞) = 𝑃𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐻 = ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 + ℎ𝑤−𝑔𝑙𝑦 + ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙−𝑔𝑙𝑦

𝛾𝑔𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 = 𝛾𝑜𝑖𝑙 ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝛾𝑔𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 = 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑤 ℎ𝑤 𝑆.𝑔 𝑜𝑖𝑙 ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝐻 = ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 + +
𝑆.𝑔(𝑔𝑙𝑦) 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 = 𝑆.𝑔(𝑜𝑖𝑙) 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑆.𝑔(𝑔𝑙𝑦) 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 = 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑤 𝑆.𝑔 𝑔𝑙𝑦 𝑆.𝑔 𝑔𝑙𝑦
𝑆.𝑔 𝑜𝑖𝑙 ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙 ℎ𝑤 2.5 0.82 1.5
ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 = ℎ𝑔𝑙𝑦 = 𝐻 =1+ +
𝑆.𝑔 𝑔𝑙𝑦 𝑆.𝑔 𝑔𝑙𝑦 1.5 1.5
𝐻 = 3.487 m of glycerin
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 3

Water flows through an orifice at the vertical side of a large tank under a
constant head of 2.4 m. How far horizontally from the tank will the water jet
strikes the ground 1.5 m below the orifice? Ans. 3.79 m
Solution:
𝑣𝑜 = 2𝑔𝐻 = 2(9.81)(2.4) = 6.862 𝑚/𝑠

𝑔𝑥 2
𝑦 = 𝑥 tan 𝜃 −
2.4 m 2 𝑣𝑜 2 cos 2 𝜃
𝑣𝑜 9.81𝑥 2
−1.5 = 𝑥 tan 0° −
2 (6.862)2 cos2 0°
𝒙 = 𝟑. 𝟕𝟗 m
1.5 m

𝑥 =?
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
A Venturi meter having a throat diameter of 150 mm is installed in a horizontal
300 mm diameter water main as shown. The coefficient of discharge is 0.982 and
the actual discharge of flow is 142 liters per second. Neglect head loss

300 mm ∅ 150 mm ∅

① ②
ℎ
𝑦

Mercury (s.g. = 13.6)

a. Compute the velocity at the throat. Use the theoretical discharge Ans. 8.18 m/s
b. Determine the change in pressure head from 1 to 2 Ans. 3.20 m
c. Difference in level of mercury columns Ans. 254 mm
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
Solution:
Velocity of the throat:
𝑄2 = 𝐴2 𝑣2
𝑄2 0.1446
𝑣2 = =𝜋 = 𝟖. 𝟏𝟖 m/s
𝐴2 0.15 2
4
𝑄
𝐶=
𝑄𝑡
0.142
0.982 =
𝑄𝑡
𝑄𝑡 = 0.1446 m3 /s
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
Solution:
Change in pressure head
𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑣2 2 𝑃2 𝑄1 0.1446
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2 𝑣1 = =𝜋 = 2.046 m/s
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 𝐴1 2
4 0.3
(2.046)2 𝑃1 (8.183)2 𝑃2
+ +0= + +0
2(9.81) 𝛾 2(9.81) 𝛾
𝑃1 𝑃2 8.183 2 (2.046)2
− = −
𝛾 𝛾 2 9.81 2(9.81)
𝑷𝟏 𝑷𝟐
− = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟎 m
𝜸 𝜸
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
Solution:
Difference in level of mercury columns

𝑃1 𝑃
+ (ℎ + 𝑦) − 𝑦(13.6) − ℎ = 2
𝛾 𝛾
𝑃1 𝑃2
− = 𝑦(12.6)
𝛾 𝛾
3.2 = 𝑦(12.6) 𝑦 = 0.254 m
𝒚 = 𝟐𝟓𝟒 mm
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
A cylindrical tank 6 m in diameter and 4 m high is filled with water. If an orifice
200 mm in diameter with coefficient of discharge of 0.86 is placed at the bottom
of the tank.
a. How long will it take for the water surface to drop the upper 1 meter?
b. How long will it take for the water surface to drop from 4 m to 2 m depth?
c. How long will it take before the tank stops discharging water from the
tank?

4m

6m∅
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
Solution:
a. Time to drop water surface by 1 m

2𝐴𝑠 ℎ1 − ℎ2
𝑡=
𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔
𝜋
2×4 6 2 4− 3
𝑡= 𝜋
0.86 × 4 0.2 2 2(9.81)

𝒕 = 𝟏𝟐𝟔. 𝟔𝟏 s
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
Solution:
b. Time to drop from 4 m to 2 m

2𝐴𝑠 ℎ1 − ℎ2
𝑡=
𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔
𝜋
2×4 6 2 4− 2
𝑡= 𝜋
0.86 × 4 0.2 2 2(9.81)

𝒕 = 𝟐𝟕𝟔. 𝟖𝟎 s
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
Solution:
c. Time to empty the tank

2𝐴𝑠 ℎ1 − ℎ2
𝑡=
𝐶𝐴𝑜 2𝑔
𝜋
2×4 6 2 4− 0
𝑡= 𝜋
0.86 × 4 0.2 2 2(9.81)

𝒕 = 𝟗𝟒𝟓. 𝟎𝟓 s