MT 330L Fluid Mechanics

Lab Manual

STUDENT NAME:
Muhammad Sohaib

SESSION:
BEMTS-F-21-A

ROLL NO: Lab No.

212002 6

DATE OF REPORT SUBMITTED: GRADE/POINTS:

20-03-2024
 Fluid Mechanics Lab

Lab No 06
Flow Meter Apparatus

Objective

1. To investigate the operation and characteristics of three different basic types

of flowmeter, including accuracy and energy losses

Method
By measurement of volume flow rates and associated pressure losses with three
flow meters connected in series and using timed volume collection to produce a
reference measurement of flow rate.

Equipment

In order to complete the demonstration we need a number of pieces of equipment.

● The Hydraulics Bench which allows us to measure flow by timed volume

collection.
● The F1-21 Flow Meter Apparatus.
● A stopwatch to allow us to determine the flow rate of water.

Technical Data

The following dimensions are used in the appropriate calculations. If required these
values may be checked as part of the experimental procedure and replaced with
your own measurements.

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For the Venturi Meter

Upstream Pipe Diameter = 0.03175 m

hence

Cross sectional area of upstream pipe A₁ = 7.92×10^-4 m²

Throat diameter = 0.015

hence

Cross sectional area of throat A2 = 1.77×10^-4 m²

Upstream Taper = 21 degrees

Downstream Taper = 14 degrees

For the Orifice Plate

Upstream Pipe Diameter hence = 0.03175 m

hence

Cross sectional area of upstream pipe A₁ = 7.92×10^-4 m² = 0.020

Throat diameter = 0.020 m

hence

Cross sectional area of throat A2 = 1.77×10^-4 m²

The manometers are connected so that the following pressure differences can be
obtained.

h1 - h2 Venturi meter reading

h1 - h3 Venturi loss

h4 - h5 Variable area meter loss

h6 - h7 Orifice plate reading

h6 - h8 Orifice plate loss

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Manometer Levels

The manometers are connected so that the following pressure differences can be
obtained.

h1 - h2 Venturi meter reading

h1 - h3 Venturi loss

h4 - h5 Variable area loss

h6 - h7 Orifice plate reading

h6 - h8 Orifice loss

Theory

Application of the Bernoulli equation yields the following result which applies for
both the Venturi meter and the orifice plate.

and Ahis the head difference in m determined from the manometer readings for the
appropriate meter, as given above,

g is the acceleration due to gravity, in m/s²

Ca is the discharge coefficient for the meter, as given below,

A, is the area of the test pipe upstream of the meter, in m²

and A₂ is the throat area of the meter, in m².

Use of a discharge coefficient, Ca, is necessary because of the simplifying

assumptions made when applying the Bernoulli equations. Values of this coefficient
are determined by experiment; the assumed values used in the software are:-

For the Venturi meter Ca = 0.98 For the orifice plate Ca = 0.63

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The energy loss that occurs in a pipe fitting (so-called secondary loss) is commonly
expressed in terms of a head loss (h, metres), and can be determined from the
manometer readings. For this experiment, head losses will be compared against the
square of the flow rate used.

Procedure - Equipment Set up

Place the flowmeter test rig on the bench and ensure that it is level (necessary for
accurate readings from the manometers). Connect the inlet pipe to the bench supply
and the outlet pipe into the volumetric tank, then secure the end of the pipe to
prevent it moving about. Start the pump and open the bench valve and the test rig
flow control valve, to flush the system.

In order to bleed air from the pressure tapping points and manometers, close both
the bench and test rig valves, open the air bleed screw and remove the cap from the
adjacent air valve. Connect a length of small bore tubing from the air valve to the
volumetric tank. Next, open the bench valve and allow flow through the manometer
tubes to purge them of air. Then tighten air bleed screw and partly open the test rig
flow control valve and partly close the bench valve. Now open the air bleed screw
slightly to allow air to be drawn into the top of the manometer tubes. Re- tighten
the screw when the manometer levels reach a convenient height.

Check that all manometer levels are on scale at the maximum flow rate (full-scale
reading on the variable area meter). These levels can be adjusted further by using
the air bleed screw or the hand pump supplied.

Procedure - Taking a Set of Results

At a fixed flow rate, record all manometer heights and the variable area meter
reading and carry out a timed volume collection using the volumetric tank. This is
achieved by closing the ball valve and measuring (with a stopwatch) the time taken
to accumulate a known volume of fluid in the tank, as measured from the sight-
glass. You should collect fluid for at least one minute to minimize timing errors.
Repeat this measurement twice to check for consistency and then average the
readings.

Ensure that you understand the operating principle of each of the three flow
meters.

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 Fluid Mechanics Lab

Application of Theory
Comment on the differences in accuracy of the meters. Could these
differences be due to experimental error?
Variable area meters fall halfway in between venturi and orifice meters in terms of
accuracy. Venturi meters typically offer more accuracy than orifice meters. The
main causes of this hierarchy are the variations in their individual designs and
guiding concepts.
1. Venturi Meter: The accuracy of venturi meters is comparatively excellent. This
accuracy results from the meter's precisely designed geometry, which lowers
measurement errors and minimizes disruptions to the flow profile. Furthermore,
the fact that venturi meters are often less sensitive to variations in fluid
characteristics like viscosity can help to produce readings that are more reliable and
accurate.
2. Orifice Meter: Because of their more basic construction, orifice meters are less
accurate than venturi meters. The flow profile may get distorted and turbulence
may be introduced by the sharp-edged orifice plate, which could result in inaccurate

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flow rate measurements. Orifice meters' sensitivity to variations in fluid

characteristics and flow conditions can also affect their accuracy.
3. Variable Area Meter (Rotameter): Compared to venturi meters, variable area
meters may have somewhat poorer accuracy, despite being typically accurate over a
broad range of flow rates. Variable area meters are subject to various issues that
affect their accuracy, including the consistency of the tapered tube and the accuracy
of the float mechanism. Variable area meters, on the other hand, have benefits in
terms of simplicity of use and installation that, in some cases, can offset slight
variations in accuracy.

Several factors can lead to experimental inaccuracy in flow meter observations,

such as:

• Calibration Errors: Measurement errors may result from inaccurate flow

meter or related apparatus calibration.

• Fluid Properties: The accuracy of flow meter readings can be impacted by

changes in fluid properties such as temperature, pressure, and viscosity.

• Installation Problems: Inadequate installation can lead to measurement

inaccuracies, such as improper positioning or disruptions in the flow profile close to
the meter.

Why does the variable area meter show less variation in head loss with
flow rate than the other two meters?

Now, because of the features of its construction, the variable area meter usually
exhibits less change in head loss with flow rate than venturi and orifice meters. A
more even distribution of flow over the variable area meter's range is made possible
by its tapered tube. Because of this, the head loss is essentially constant at all flow
rates. As opposed to this, head loss fluctuates more noticeably with changes in flow
rate in venturi and orifice meters because of differences in fluid dynamics and flow
velocity. As a result, the variable area meter's built-in design reduces head loss
changes, which helps to explain its consistent performance at various flow rates.

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Applications:

Industrial Control: Water treatment and chemical processing are two sectors that
use venturi meters for accurate flow control.

Energy Management: By maximizing the energy efficiency of HVAC systems,

variable area meters help.

Environmental Monitoring: In order to comply with regulations, wastewater

treatment plants use orifice meters.

Laboratory Research: To research fluid behavior in fluid mechanics laboratories,

flow meters are crucial.

Pharmaceutical and Medical: Accurate fluid measurement is achieved in

pharmaceutical and medical procedures by using variable area meters.

Sources of error:
1. Calibration errors in flow meters and equipment.
2. Variations in fluid properties impacting measurements.
3. Installation issues affecting meter positioning.
4. Flow disturbances from piping system irregularities.

Conclusion:
To sum up, there exist notable differences in accuracy and suitability across various
flow meter equipment options. Venturi meters emerge as the optimal selection for
precise flow control in vital industrial processes due to their exceptional accuracy
and stability. Orifice meters, while less intricate and expensive, are prone to flow
disturbances and offer slightly inferior accuracy. Variable area meters offer
versatility across different applications by striking a balance between simplicity
and precision.