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Flow Rate Introduction

This lab aims to measure flow rates within a tube using two methods - a Venturi and Pitot probe - and compare the results. For the Venturi, Bernoulli's equation is applied to relate pressure and velocity measurements to calculate volumetric flow rate. For the Pitot probe, velocity profiles are determined and numerically integrated to compute flow rate. Proper documentation of measurements, uncertainties, and systematic differences between the two methods is expected. Peer assessment will also be completed to evaluate individual contributions to the group report.

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Nsangu Ya Malongi
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42 views

Flow Rate Introduction

This lab aims to measure flow rates within a tube using two methods - a Venturi and Pitot probe - and compare the results. For the Venturi, Bernoulli's equation is applied to relate pressure and velocity measurements to calculate volumetric flow rate. For the Pitot probe, velocity profiles are determined and numerically integrated to compute flow rate. Proper documentation of measurements, uncertainties, and systematic differences between the two methods is expected. Peer assessment will also be completed to evaluate individual contributions to the group report.

Uploaded by

Nsangu Ya Malongi
Copyright
© © 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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EMS410U Experimental Practice & design 2

Flow Rate Experiment


The aims of this laboratory are:

• To apply Bernoulli’s equation to flow measurements.

• To measure flow rates within a tube using a Venturi and


compare these results to the flow rates obtained from a
velocity profile measured with a Pitot probe.

The assessment for this laboratory is:

CW2 – Group Report (30% of module)

Also attached to it, is CW3 – Peer Assessment (5% of module)


Timetable

All Labs will run in the following Sessions, in G27, Weeks 4, 5


and 6:

Friday 9.00 am to 1.00 pm


2.00 pm to 6.00 pm

All Labs will last 1.5 hours within a 2 hour slot

Your group and day/time slot is on QM+


You are in different groups to those for Microscopy !!
Coursework 2 (30% of module)
Group Report of the flow rate Laboratory
Introduction, Background & Theory, Apparatus,
Procedure, Results & Discussion and Conclusion
sections.
Submission: 2 weeks after lab takes place
See detailed CW sheet on QM+
Coursework 3 (5% of module)
Peer Assessment
Each group member scores other members’ contribution
Group Management Meetings (GMMs)

You should all be familiar with these (semester 1 and


previous lab experiment):
- plan the work, plan the analysis, revise the
analysis, check the format of text and numbers,
plan the writing up, revise the text, plan the
submission
- put into action a mitigation plan, assign
responsibilities, etc…
Remember, this is a group work !!

• The work of the group is the responsibility of the whole group, not the
individual members.

• If a group does not work effectively together it is a problem that the


group must resolve (not the TA or Academic staff). This is in fact a
skill you need to learn! This should be tackled at early stages.
However, if problems persist, get in touch ASAP with academic
staff/TAs for help with members not engaging.

• Have a mitigation plan (e.g. if a group member fall ill).

• Coursework submissions are the work of the group and must be


agreed by the whole group.
Missing a lab

• Better not to but if no other option (illness), apply for an EC. If


accepted:

- Another opportunity will be offered (but later in the semester so not


ideal)

- You cannot re-join your group if you missed the actual lab session

• If no EC, EC not submitted on time or not accepted, a zero mark will be


awarded (remember 35% of module gone !!!)

• Make sure to arrive on time: 10 minutes rule applies.


Flow Rate Experiment

Make sure to watch all videos and read all documents on QM+
Objectives

• Measure the flow of air within a pipe using a


Venturi.

• Compare this result with the flow rate calculated


from a velocity traverse of the pipe using a Pitot
tube.

• Comment upon any differences between these


values and draw appropriate conclusions.
Brief summary
• In order to obtain volume flow rate, you measure the pressure
difference at the venturi and Pitot tube using two devices:
Pressure Transducer (electronic device) and basic inclined
manometer.
• Venturi → velocity using Bernoulli’s Equation → flow rate
• Pitot tube → integrate the velocity profile → flow rate
• Watch for systematic errors and report your findings.
Conservation of mass
Venturi 𝐴1 𝑣1 = 𝐴2 𝑣2 Here the
speeds are
average
Bernoulli’s Equation
speeds
1 2 1 2
𝑃1 + 𝜌𝑣1 = 𝑃2 + 𝜌𝑣2
2 2
Pitot
• You measure the pressure at different
radius values to cover half (due to
symmetry) the cross section.
• You need to integrate the profile obtained
by the Pitot Probe to obtain the flow rate.
Summarising
Venturi
• For each flow speed setting, calculate the air volumetric
flowrate, Q, using the Venturi manometer. Assume
inviscid flow. The necessary theory is found in the
documents and videos in QM+. Additionally, you will
cover these concepts in detail in EMS460U Fluid
Mechanics and Thermodynamics module and can be
found in relevant textbooks.

Pitot
• For each flow speed setting, determine the radial profile
of the velocity v(r) using the Pitot tube readings than
integrate (numerical integration here) to compute the
flow rate.
Recommended method for numerical integration
(when analytical is not possible)
→ use an Excel sheet to avoid errors
Collecting Raw data
You can use the table below to collect relevant data:

Atmospheric Pressure =
Atmospheric Temperature =
Inner Diameter at throat =
Inner Diameter at inlet to Venturi =

Venturi Pressure Difference Pitot Probe Pressure difference


SET No

IM PT Pitot Height IM PT

15
Nomenclature & standards
• In the UK, and most of the world, the distribution of a random variable
x (and its associated error) is written following the convention:
𝑥 = 𝑥ҧ ± ∆𝑥
or
𝑥 = 𝑥ҧ ± 𝛿𝑥
or
𝑥 = 𝑥ҧ ± 𝜎𝑥
where 𝑥ҧ is the mean value (or average) of x, and Dx or dx read as the
error of x. Alternatively, the standard deviation sx is also often used. In
addition, you should always report the size n of your sample (number of
measurements).
The mean value & the standard deviation

The standard deviation of a set of measurements is given by:

𝜎𝑥 = ෍ (𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥)ҧ 2 /𝑛

and theory suggests the standard error, from the standard


deviation should be:
𝜎𝑥
𝑛
Remember:

• Quantities (or numbers) are meaningless


without units (and errors when appropriate).
Showing just “numbers” in your reports or
other work like exams is not acceptable so
you will be penalised by not showing units in
your answers.

• Also think of showing the correct number of


decimals or significant figures.
Remember:

To also complete CW3 (peer assessment) once you


have finished CW2.

See Introduction to module slides/Video (week 1) for


more information on how to deal with PA

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