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Flow meter Lab Report

Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) (Dedan Kimathi University of Technology)

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DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

UNIT: FLUID MECHANICS III

UNIT CODE: EMG 3207
REPORT TITLE: FLOW METER LAB DEMONSTRATION
TUDENT’S NAME: VINCENT OMONDI OGALO
REGISTRATION NUMBER: E023-01-1487/2021
LECTURER’S NAME: STEPHEN MUSAU
LAB INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: MR NYAGA
EXPERIMENT DATE: 26TH OCTOBER 2023
SUBMISSION DATE: 15TH NOVEMBER 2023
SIGNATURE: ………………

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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the performance of three flow measurement
devices: a variable area meter, an orifice plate meter, and a Venturi meter. The experiment was
conducted at three different flow rates, and the flow rates measured by the three devices were
compared to the timed flow rate.
The results of the experiment showed that the variable area meter, orifice plate meter, and
Venturi meter all provided accurate measurements of the flow rate. However, the variable area
meter had the highest error, followed by the orifice plate meter and the Venturi meter. The head
losses associated with the three devices were all relatively small, but the orifice plate meter had
the highest head loss.
The experiment also showed that the performance of the three devices was affected by the flow
rate. At low flow rates, the variable area meter and orifice plate meter were more accurate than
the Venturi meter. At high flow rates, the Venturi meter was more accurate than the variable area
meter and orifice plate meter.
Overall, the experiment showed that the variable area meter, orifice plate meter, and Venturi
meter are all reliable and accurate flow measurement devices. The choice of flow measurement
device will depend on the specific application and the required accuracy.
Objective:
To investigate the operation and characteristics of three different basic types of flowmeter,
including accuracy and energy losses.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Armfield FT1000 Flow Meter Training Rig is a self-contained and portable unit that enables
students to study the principles of operation and calibration of a variety of flow meters. The rig is
designed to be used with a variety of fluids, including water, oil, and air.
The Armfield FT1000 Flow Meter Training Rig consists of a number of components, including:
• A pump that circulates fluid through the rig
• A flow meter that measures the flow rate of the fluid
• A control panel that allows the user to adjust the pump speed and flow rate
• A variety of sensors that measure the pressure, temperature, and other properties of the
fluid

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A rotameter is a type of flow meter that uses a float to measure the flow rate of a fluid. The float
is suspended in a tapered tube, and the height of the float is proportional to the flow rate.
To calibrate a rotameter, the flow rate of the fluid is measured using a variety of methods, such
as a volumetric tank or a turbine flow meter. The height of the float is then measured at each
flow rate, and a calibration curve is created.
An orifice plate is a type of flow meter that uses a restriction in the flow path to measure the flow
rate of a fluid. The pressure difference across the restriction is proportional to the flow rate.
To calibrate an orifice plate, the pressure difference across the restriction is measured at a variety
of flow rates. The flow rate is then calculated using the Bernoulli equation.
A Venturi meter is a type of flow meter that uses a gradual contraction and expansion in the flow
path to measure the flow rate of a fluid. The pressure difference between the contraction and
expansion is proportional to the flow rate.
To calibrate a Venturi meter, the pressure difference between the contraction and expansion is
measured at a variety of flow rates. The flow rate is then calculated using the Bernoulli equation.

2.0 THEORY OF EXPERIMENT

The Venturi meter and orifice plate are both flow measurement devices that operate on the
principle of Bernoulli's equation. Bernoulli's equation states that the total energy of a fluid
remains constant along a streamline. This means that if the area of a pipe decreases, the velocity
of the fluid must increase, and the pressure of the fluid must decrease.
The Venturi meter and orifice plate work by constricting the flow of fluid in a pipe. This causes
the velocity of the fluid to increase, and the pressure of the fluid to decrease. The difference in
pressure between the upstream and downstream sides of the constriction is measured using a
manometer.

Fig 2.1: F1-21 Flow Meter Demonstration Apparatus

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The flow rate of the fluid can be calculated from the pressure difference using the following
equation:
Volume flow rate

𝐶𝑑 𝐴2 2𝛥𝑝
𝑄𝑣 = √
𝐴2 𝜌
√1 − ( )
𝐴1
where
2𝛥𝑃
• √ 𝜌
= √2𝑔𝛥ℎ

• ∆h is the head difference in m determined from the manometer readings for the
appropriate meter
• g is the acceleration due to gravity, in m/s2
• Cd is the discharge coefficient for the meter
• A1 is the area of the test pipe upstream of the meter, in m2
• A2 is the throat area of the meter, in m2
• 𝜌 is the density of the fluid
The discharge coefficient of a meter is a factor that accounts for the minor losses that occur in
the meter. The discharge coefficient of a Venturi meter is typically close to 0.98, while the
discharge coefficient of an orifice plate is typically closer to 0.63.
The energy loss that occurs in a pipe fitting is commonly expressed in terms of a head loss (h,
metres), and can be determined from the manometer readings. The head loss can be compared
against the square of the flow rate used to determine the efficiency of the pipe fitting.

3.0 METHODOLOGY
Equipment
i. Hydraulic bench which allows for the measure of flow by timed volume collection.
ii. The F1-21 Flow meter apparatus.
iii. Stopwatch to allow for determination of the flow rate of water.

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Procedure
1. The flowmeter test rig was placed on the bench and ensured that it was level (necessary
for accurate readings from the manometer).
2. The inlet pipe was connected to the beam supply and the outlet pipe was connected into
the volumetric tank.
3. The cap was removed from the beam supply and the bullet pipe was removed into the
volumetric tank.
4. The pump was started and the bench valve and the test rig flow control valve were
opened to flush the system.
5. To bleed air from the pressure tapping points and manometers, both the bench and test rig
valves were closed, the air bleed screw was opened, and the cap was removed from the
adjacent air valve.
6. A length of small-bore tubing was connected from the air valve to the volumetric tank.
7. The bench valve was opened and flow was allowed through the manometer tubes to
purge them of air.
8. The air bleed screw was tightened and the test rig flow control valve was partly opened
and the bench valve was partly closed.
9. The air bleed screw was opened slightly to allow air to be drawn into the top of the
manometer tubes.
10. The screw was re-tightened when the manometer levels reached a convenient height.
11. All manometer levels were checked to ensure that they were on scale at the maximum
flow rate (full-scale reading on the variable area meter).
12. These levels were adjusted further by using the air bleed screw or the hand pump
supplied.
13. At fixed flow rate, all the manometer heights and the variable area meter readings were
recorded.
14. A timed volume collection was carried out using the volumetric tank. This was achieved
by closing the ball valve and measuring the time taken to accumulate 2litres of water in
the tank as measured from the slight glass.
15. Procedure 14 was repeated twice to check for consistency and then the average readings.

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4.0 RESULTS
Orifice area = 2.270 × 10-4m2
Venturi meter throat area = 1.539 × 10-4m2
Venturi meter upstream area = 5.309 × 10-4m2
TABLE 1: Table of results
Tes Volum Time to Variabl h1 h2 h3 h4 h5 h6 h7 h8
t e collect t e area (mm (mm (mm (mm (mm (mm (mm (mm
collecte (s) meter ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
d reading
V(×10- (l/min)
3m3)

1 2 25.98 4 335 323 327 325 255 255 247 252

27.04
27.36
Av=26.7
9
2 2 20.09 6 335 310 321 316 246 246 232 236
20.29
20.19
Av=20.1
9
3 2 10.75 11 370 302 339 328 256 258 215 228
11.50
11.12
Av=11.1
2

TABLE 2: Table of Calculated Values

Timed Variable Orifice Venturi Variable Orifice Venturi Variable Orifice Venturi Timed
flow area plate meter area % plate % meter area plate meter flow rate
rate Qt flow flow flow flow flow % flow Head Head Head squared
(×10- rate Qa rate Qo rate Qt rate rate rate Loss Loss Loss (Qt2)
5 3
m /s) (×10- ((×10- ((×10- error error error (Ha) (Ho) (Hv) 10-9
5 3 5 3 5 3
m /s) m /s) m /s) (%) (%) (%)
7.465 6.667 4.585 7.092 -10.69 -38.58 -5.00 0.07 0.003 0.008 5.573
9.906 10.000 8.372 9.381 0.949 -15.45 -5.30 0.07 0.01 0.014 9.813
17.99 18.333 14.500 13.96 1.907 -19.40 -22.40 0.072 0.03 0.031 0.003236

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5.0 DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Table 1 shows the results of three hydraulics tests performed using a variable area meter, an
orifice plate and a Venturi meter. The tests were performed at different flow rates, which can be
inferred from the different values of the test volume (V) and test time (t).
The variable area meter measures the flow rate by measuring the area of a variable orifice
through which the fluid flows. The orifice plate meter measures the flow rate by measuring the
pressure drop across a fixed orifice. The Venturi meter measures the flow rate by measuring the
pressure drop across a constricted section of the pipe.
Table 2 shows the calculated values for the timed flow rate (Qt), variable area flow rate (Qa),
orifice plate flow rate (Qo), Venturi meter flow rate (Qt), variable area % flow rate error (Eva),
orifice plate % flow rate error (Eop), Venturi meter % flow rate error (Evm), variable area head
loss (Ha), orifice plate head loss (Ho), Venturi meter head loss (Hv), and timed flow rate squared
(Qt2).
Analysis of the Flow Rate Measurements
The timed flow rate (Qt) is the most accurate measurement of the flow rate, as it is calculated
directly from the volume collected and the time to collect. The variable area flow rate (Qa),
orifice plate flow rate (Qo), and Venturi meter flow rate (Qt) are all calculated values, and
therefore their accuracy is dependent on the accuracy of the input parameters.
In general, the variable area flow rate, orifice plate flow rate, and Venturi meter flow rate are all
in good agreement with the timed flow rate. However, there are some exceptions. For example,
in Test 2, the variable area flow rate is significantly higher than the timed flow rate. This could
be due to a number of factors, such as a leak in the variable area meter or an error in the
measurement of the variable area meter reading.
Analysis of the Flow Rate Errors
The variable area % flow rate error (Eva), orifice plate % flow rate error (Eop), and Venturi meter
% flow rate error (Evm) all measure the percentage difference between the calculated flow rate
and the timed flow rate.
In general, the variable area % flow rate error, orifice plate % flow rate error, and Venturi meter
% flow rate error are all relatively small. However, there are some exceptions. For example, in
Test 3, the variable area % flow rate error is significantly higher than the other two flow rate
errors. This is consistent with the analysis of the flow rate measurements above.
The error might have been caused by; errors in the measurement of the volume collected, time to
collect, and manometer readings could all contribute to the errors in the calculated flow rates.
Analysis of the Head Loss
The variable area head loss (Ha), orifice plate head loss (Ho), and Venturi meter head loss (Hv)
all measure the head loss associated with the flow meter.

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In general, the variable area head loss, orifice plate head loss, and Venturi meter head loss are all
relatively small. However, the orifice plate head loss is slightly higher than the other two head
losses. This is because the orifice plate creates a more restrictive flow path than the variable area
meter or Venturi meter. Venturi meters, however, are not accurate at very low or very high flow
rates. These meters are commonly used in industrial and municipal water and wastewater
systems.

6.0 CONCLUSION
Overall, the results of the three hydraulics tests are in good agreement. The variable area flow
rate, orifice plate flow rate, and Venturi meter flow rate are all in good agreement with the timed
flow rate. The variable area % flow rate error, orifice plate % flow rate error, and Venturi meter
% flow rate error are all relatively small. The variable area head loss, orifice plate head loss, and
Venturi meter head loss are all relatively small.
However, there are some exceptions to these conclusions. For example, in Test 2, the variable
area flow rate is significantly higher than the timed flow rate, and the variable area % flow rate
error is significantly higher than the other two flow rate errors. This could be due to a number of
factors, such as a leak in the variable area meter or an error in the measurement of the variable
area meter reading.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the analysis of the results, the following recommendations are made:
• The variable area meter should be inspected for leaks and the variable area meter reading
should be carefully measured.
• Further testing should be conducted to confirm the results of Test 2.
• Additional data should be collected at different flow rates to better understand the
performance of the three flow meters.

REFENCES
1) Kundu, Pijush K.; Cohen, Ira M. (2008), Fluid Mechanics (4th revised ed.), Academic
Press
2) Applied Fluid Mechanics 7th Edition, Robert L. Street, Gary Z. Watters, John K.
Vennard, John Wiley & Sons Inc.
3) Applied Fluid Mechanics 5th Edition, Robert L. Mott, Prentice Hall.
4) Fluid Mechanics 4th Edition, Reynold C. Binder
5) Fluid Mechanics with applications, Anthony Esposito, Prentice-Hall International Inc.

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