FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
EXPT 8: CALIBRATION OF AN ORIFICEMETER
BY: MWANGI EDWIN MURIMI BP12/00234/22
UNIT: CEEN 213
FLOW IN PIPES
DATE OF PRACTICAL : 26/02/2024
DATE OF SUBMISSION :
SUBMITTED TO: Mr. Korir.
SIGNATURE………….
MAR 2024
EXPT 8 : CALIBRATION OF AN ORIFICEMETER
OBJECTIVE
To calibrate the given orifice meter and to determine the variation of coefficient of discharge.
THEORY
Flow meters are used in the industry to measure the volumetric flow rate of fluids. Differential
pressure type flow meters (Head flow meters) measure flow rate by introducing a constriction in the
flow. The pressure difference caused by the constriction is correlated to the flow rate using
Bernoulli’s theorem. An orifice meter is a differential pressure flow meter which reduces the flow
area using an orifice plate. An orifice is a flat plate with a centrally drilled hole machined to a sharp
edge. The orifice plate is inserted between two flanges perpendicularly to the flow, so that the flow
passes through the hole with the sharp edge of the orifice pointing to the upstream. The relationship
between flow rate and pressure drop can be determined using Bernoulli’s equation.
A₁ A₂√2gH
𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜 =
√A₁2 −A₂2
where A1 → Area of pipe M2
Q → Theoretical discharge M3/s
A2 → Area of throat (vena contracta) M2
H → Differential pressure head of liquid
Bernoulli’s equation is applied to a streamline down the center of the pipe from a point 1 well
upstream of the restriction to point 2 in the vena contracta of the jet immediately downstream of the
restriction where the streamlines are parallel and the pressure across the duct may therefore be taken
to be uniform. For a real flow through a restriction, the assumptions above do not hold completely.
A₁ A₂√2gH
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = cd ×
√A₁2 −A₂2
Coefficient of discharge for a given orifice type is a function of the Reynolds number based on
orifice diameter and velocity, and diameter ratio. At Reynolds number greater than about 30000, the
coefficients are substantially constant and independent of diameter ratio and Reynolds number.
APPARATUS
i. Technovate fluid circuit system containing an orificemeter
ii. U-tube manometer
iii. Stop watch
iv. Bucket
v. 1000ml measuring cylinder
PROCEDURE
i. The sump was filled with clean water and the delivery valve closed till it got filled.
ii. The delivery valve was then opened and allowed to fill the Technovate fluid circuit system untill
all the air present was eliminated.
iii. The corresponding valves leading to the orifice meter were open to allow water to pass through it.
The control valve was now adjusted to have a uniform flow.
iv. The differential head readings in the manometer were read and any excess air was expelled by
opening drain cocks on top of the manometer scale.
v. The main valve into the orifice meter was operated and the respective heights on the left and right
noted as volume was measured per 5 seconds.
vi. Several readings were taken by varying the main valve ensuring a slight rise in the manometer
while recording the respective volume per 5 seconds. This changes the flow rate.
PRESENTATION OF DATA
No. Left Right h h 𝑯 Volume Volume Time Actual
𝛒𝐚𝐢𝐫
reading reading (inch) (M) = 𝐡 × [𝟏 −
𝛒𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫
] collected collected (sec) discharge
(inch) (inch) (M) (Litres) (M3) QAct
(M3/sec)
1 23.875 23.875 0 0 DATUM LEVEL
2 24.125 24.0 0.125 0.00318 3.176×10-3 0.17 0.17×10-3 5 0.34×10-4
3 24.25 24.125 0.125 0.00318 3.176×10-3 0.27 0.27×10-3 5 0.54×10-4
4 24.5 24.125 0.375 0.00953 9.51×10-3 0.41 0.41×10-3 5 0.82×10-4
5 24.875 23.625 1.25 0.0318 0.0318 0.73 0.73×10-3 5 1.46×10-4
6 25.875 21.875 4.0 0.1016 0.1015 1.45 1.45×10-3 5 2.9×10-4
7 26.0 21.5 4.5 0.1143 0.1142 1.5 1.5×10-3 5 3.0×10-4
8 26.25 21.25 5.0 0.127 0.1268 1.51 1.51×10-3 5 3.02×10-4
9 26.375 20.875 5.5 0.1397 0.1395 1.58 1.58×10-3 5 3.16×10-4
10 26.5 20.625 5.875 0.1492 0.149 1.69 1.69×10-3 5 3.38×10-4
11 26.625 20.25 6.375 0.1619 0.1617 1.71 1.71×10-3 5 3.42×10-4
12 26.875 19.625 7.25 0.1842 0.184 1.77 1.77×10-3 5 3.54×10-4
ρwater → 1000kg/m3
ρair → 1.225kg/m3
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
Diameter of inlet (D1) → 1.025 inches = 0.026035metres
Diameter of vena contracta(throat) (D2) → 0.625 inches = 0.015875metres
πD²
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 =
4
π(0.026035)2
𝐴₁ = = 𝟓. 𝟑𝟐𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎‾⁴ 𝑴²
4
π(0.015875)2
𝐴₂ = = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎‾⁴ 𝑴²
4
𝐀₁ 𝐀₂√𝟐𝐠𝐇
𝑸𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐 =
√𝐀₁𝟐 −𝐀₂𝟐
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×3.176×10‾ᵌ
For 2 : QTheo = = 53.245078×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
0.34×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 53.245078×10‾⁶ = 0.639
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×3.176×10‾ᵌ
For 3 : QTheo = = 53.245078×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
0.54×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 53.245078×10‾⁶ = 1.01
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.0318
For 4: QTheo = = 92.13603×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
0.82×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 92.13603×10‾⁶ = 0.889
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.00953
For 5: QTheo = = 168.4817×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
1.46×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 168.4817×10‾⁶ = 0.866
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.1015
For 6: QTheo = = 301.00398×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
2.9×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 301.00398×10‾⁶ = 0.963
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.1142
For 7: QTheo = = 319.28041×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
3.0×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 319.28041×10‾⁶ = 0.939
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.1268
For 8: QTheo = = 336.4332×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
3.02×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 336.4332×10‾⁶ = 0.897
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.1395
For 9: QTheo = = 352.8794×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
3.16×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 352.8794×10‾⁶ = 0.895
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.149
For 10: QTheo = = 364.6971×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
3.38×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 364.6971×10‾⁶ = 0.9267
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.1617
For 11: QTheo = = 379.9218×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
3.42×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 379.9218×10‾⁶ = 0.900
(5.324×10‾4 )(1.98×10‾4 )√2×9.81×0.184
For 12: QTheo = = 405.2734×10-6 M3/s
√(5.324×10‾4 )²−(1.98×10‾⁴ )²
3.54×10‾⁴
𝐶𝑑 = 405.2734×10‾⁶ = 0.8735
The mean Cd
0.639 + 1.01 + 0.889 + 0.866 + 0.963 + 0.939 + 0.897 + 0.895 + 0.9267 + 0.9 + 0.8735
=
11
→ Cd = 0.805
SOURCES OF ERRORS
It was noticed that there may be errors although minimal that may lead to different results. They
include;
Equipment malfunction like leaks,clogging affect the flow rate.
Frictional losses in the system due to pipe fittings, valves and bends.
Parallax error in reading the volume in the measuring cylinder.
DISCUSSIONS & CONCLUSIONS
Certainly, the coefficient of discharge is a critical parameter in determining the efficiency of flow
through an orifice meter. A Cd value of 0.805 suggests that the flow could be restricted like a case of a
sharp edged or thin plate causing higher energy losses due to vortices and turbulence at the vena
contracta.
Therefore, it’s so crucial to analyze the flow characteristics and the orifice meters’ design to
understand reasons behind such a Cd value and take corrective measures if necessary for more
accurate flow measurement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After the experiment it was recommended that the orifice meter needs to be calibrated properly to
reduce significant errors in the experiment.
Also the orifice plate needs to be inspected for any physical damage like corrosion or deposits on the
plate that might affect the flow pattern.
REFERENCES
I. Tomaszewska-Wach, B. (2023). Numerical Analysis of the Differential Flowmeter: Standard
Orifice and Slotted Orifices. Energies, 16(14), 5573.
II. Bekraoui, A., Hadjadj, A., Benmounah, A., & Oulhadj, M. (2019). Uncertainty study of fiscal
orifice meter used in a gas Algerian field. Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 66, 200-208.
III. Reader-Harris, M., Forsyth, C., & Boussouara, T. (2021). The calculation of the uncertainty of
the orifice-plate discharge coefficient. Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 82, 102043.
IV. Raheem, A., Siddiqi, A. S. B., Ibrahim, A., Ullah, A., & Inayat, M. H. (2021). Evaluation of
multi-holed orifice flowmeters under developing flow conditions–An experimental study. Flow
Measurement and Instrumentation, 79, 101894.
