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Orifice Test Experiment

The document describes an experiment to determine the flow rate through a circular orifice and calculate the coefficient of discharge (Cd). Measurements were taken of head above the orifice and mass of water collected over time. The flow rate was calculated and plotted against head to determine Cd and n exponent. Cd was found to be 0.068, lower than expected due to experimental errors. While the objectives were achieved, errors affected the results and orifice meters are less accurate than Venturi meters.

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Emmanuel Mulayi
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116 views4 pages

Orifice Test Experiment

The document describes an experiment to determine the flow rate through a circular orifice and calculate the coefficient of discharge (Cd). Measurements were taken of head above the orifice and mass of water collected over time. The flow rate was calculated and plotted against head to determine Cd and n exponent. Cd was found to be 0.068, lower than expected due to experimental errors. While the objectives were achieved, errors affected the results and orifice meters are less accurate than Venturi meters.

Uploaded by

Emmanuel Mulayi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ORIFICE TEST EXPERIMENT

Introduction

An orifice meter is a simple device used for measuring the discharge through pipes. The basic principle
on which an orifice meter works is that by reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow passage, a
pressure difference between the two sections before and after orifice is developed and the measure of
the pressure difference enables the determination of the discharge through the pipe. However an orifice
meter is a cheaper arrangement for discharge measurement through pipes and its installation requires a
smaller length as compared with a Venturi meter.

Objective

To confirm the expression for the flow through a circular orifice,

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴√2𝑔ℎ𝑛

and to determine 𝐶𝑑 and 𝑛.

Apparatus

1. Orifice tank.
2. Stop watch
3. Bucket
4. Weighing balance.

Procedure

1. The pump to the overhead steady head tank was switched on and time was allowed for the tank
to fill and water to flow through the overflow.
2. The valve to the orifice tank was opened and the head over the orifice adjusted to 1m.
3. The discharge was collected for a noted time in a bucket and weighed.
4. The whole procedure was repeated until 12 sets of readings were obtained.

Data

Diameter of orifice, d = 10mm


h Mass Time
(cm) (Kg) (s)
100 6.985 31.11
94 6.435 31.0
88 5.885 29.11
82 5.635 32.39
76 5.205 29.53
70 5.135 30.74
64 5.235 30.91
58 5.685 35.05
52 5.635 35.01
46 6.035 40.43
40 5.885 43.78
34 5.71 45.52

Calculations

-The flow is obtained by,

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠⁄𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑄= =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Density of water = 1000kg/m3

Mass Volume Time Flow


(Kg) (m3) (s) (m3/s) x 10-4
6.985 0.006985 31.11 2.24526
6.435 0.006435 31 2.07581
5.885 0.005885 29.11 2.02164
5.635 0.005635 32.39 1.73973
5.205 0.005205 29.53 1.76261
5.135 0.005135 30.74 1.67046
5.235 0.005235 30.91 1.69363
5.685 0.005685 35.05 1.62197
5.635 0.005635 35.01 1.60954
6.035 0.006035 40.43 1.4927
5.885 0.005885 43.78 1.34422
5.71 0.00571 45.52 1.25439
-Analyzing the expression

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴√2𝑔ℎ𝑛 = 𝐾ℎ𝑛 where 𝐾 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴√2𝑔

log 𝑄 = 𝑛𝑙𝑜𝑔 ℎ + log 𝐾 (y=mx + c)

-n is obtained as the gradient from the graph of log Q against log h.

-Log K is obtained as the y- intercept from the graph of Log Q against log h.

Graph of log Q against log h


-3.6
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

-3.65
y = 0.4719x - 4.6235
R² = 0.9296
-3.7

-3.75
Log Q

-3.8

-3.85

-3.9

-3.95
Log h

-From the graph n = 0.4719 and log K = -4.6235

-Therefore K=2.3796 x 10-5

𝐾 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴√2𝑔

𝜋𝑑2 𝜋(0.01)2
𝐴= = = 7.854 × 10−5 𝑚2
4 4

2.3796 × 10−5 = 𝐶𝑑 × 7.854 × 10−5 × √2 × 9.81


Results

n= 0.4719

Cd= 0.068

Discussion

- The Coefficient of discharge was obtained as 0.068 which is significantly below the
recommended limit of around 0.6. This is due to errors in the experiment which influenced the
results among which is the value of Cd.
- Source of error in the experiment may include:
1. Wrong measurement of orifice diameter.
2. Lack of synchrony between stopwatch operations and taking of mass measurements.
3. Reading errors when taking mass readings.
- The Coefficient of discharge is the rate of actual flow to the theoretical flow rate. Thus the
higher the Cd the closer the actual flow rate is to the theoretical flow rate indicating that the
orifice meter is better machined.
- The orifice meter is the less accurate than the Venturi meter since it has a lower Cd because of a
sudden contraction at the orifice area and eddy formation. This is in contrast to the Venturi
meter which has a gradual decrease in the area at the throat hence no eddy formation

Conclusion

-The orifice meter helped us understand the measurement of discharge from a pipe and to define
relationships between the discharge and the dimensions of the orifice meter. The experiment gave us a
real understanding of the expression of discharge through an orifice meter. All the objectives were
achieved but many errors were encountered during the experiment and thus affected results.

References

- Experiments in Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines: Theory and Procedures, by M. N. Shesha


Prakash
- A Textbook of Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines, by Dr. R.K. Bansai
- University of Nairobi hydraulics laboratory manual

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