REP: Thermal/Heat Transfer/Fluids lab

February 14, 2022

EXP-FM 07

CALIBRATION OF VENTURI/ORIFICE METER

Vikram Ganesh, Swarnim Thapliyal, Siddharth Kandhway, Vankadi Jai, Shreyash Pawar, Sumit Kumar, Aashritha Sinde
Department of Aerospace
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology

ABSTRACT t Time required to collect the water up to a height ∆h in

Orifice and venturi flow meters decrease the pressure of a the colleting tank.
fluid by increasing its velocity as it flows through them. This
is done by creating a smaller area section at a certain point in
the pipe. The pressure loss was measured using a manometer
attached to each of the meters, and the flow rate was calculated 2 INTRODUCTION
that corresponded to that pressure change. Plots were made of Determining the flow rate of fluids is important in
1. Coefficient of Discharge vs. Mercury level difference in many applications. This can be done using devises called
manometer. differential flow meters. These are obstructions placed in
2. LogQa vs LogHm the pipe that alter the pressure and velocity. A commonly
3. Qa vs. Hm used device for measuring the pressure differential cross
An expression was obtained for the flow rate using the equation of a head is a manometer. It consists of a glass or plastic U-
the curve from the graphs for each of the meters. This calibrated tube containing a fluid such as water, mercury, or oil. The
the two meters and allows the flow rate to be calculated if the change in the height of the fluid in the tube indicates the
pressure difference is known. pressure difference using the formula:
Keywords : Orifice, Venturi, Mercury level
P2 = P1 + ρgh
1 NOMENCLATURE
Cd coefficient of discharge whereρ is the density of the fluid, g is the acceleration due
Hm Mercuric level difference in cm to gravity (9.81 m/s2 ), and h is the height of the fluid in the
h Pressure head difference in terms of fluid flowing tube. Manometers are very useful for measuring small to
through pipeline moderate pressure. Two devices commonly used to mea-
a1 cross section area of pipe at inlet i.e, entry section sure the flow rate of fluids are the Orifice flow meter and
a0 cross section area of orifice the Venturi flow meter. They both use the same principle
h1 left limb manometer reading in cm for measuring flow rate, which is the relationship between
h2 right limb manometer reading in cm the pressure and the velocity of the fluid. An orifice me-
Qa Actual discharge ter is a thin plate with a hole in the middle that is placed
Qth Theoretical discharge in a pipe through which the fluid flows. It increases the
V Volume of water collected in the collecting tank in velocity of the fluid as it flows through it, which decreases
cm3 the pressure. A venturi meter uses a narrowing throat in
∆h Height of water collected in collecting tank in cm the pipe that expands back to the original pipe diameter. It

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creates an increase in the velocity of the fluid, which also
results in a pressure drop across that section of the pipe. It
is more efficient and accurate than the orifice meter. V A.∆h
Qa = =
t t

3 EXPERIMENTAL SETUP V = volume of water collected in the collecting tank

The major components of this experimental set up are: A = Cross section area of collecting tank
1. Hydraulic Bench Apparatus ∆h = Height of water collected in collecting tank
2. Orifice and Venturi meters t = Time required to collect the water up to a height δh
3. Collecting tank in the collecting tank
4. U-Tube manometer After finding the discharge coefficient, we can find a
5. Stopwatch calibration curve by making a functional fit between the
These meters generally consists of short length of grad- values of the accurate mass flow rate Qa and the mercuric
ual convergence and long length of gradual divergence. we level difference in manometer Hm .
can find pressure tapping at the location before the con- From these equations we get calibration curve, this en-
vergence commences and another pressure tapping is pro- ables us to find the Qa values directly related to manometer
vided at the throat section of a Venturimeter.The Difference reading.
in pressure head between the two tapping is measured by
means of a U-tube manometer. Here in order to calibrate
the venturi and orifice meters, mass flow rate of fluid is 3.1 Procedure for conduct of experiment
considered through the meters. The ratio of mass flow To start the experiment we need to setup the venturi
rate which is found by applying bernoulli’s equation and meter or orifice meter. The pipe diameter (d1 ) and the
manometer readings (Qth ) to the mass flow rate which was throat diameter (d2 ) of venturi meter are noted. Also noted
found by calculating flow time on stopwatch (Qa ). And the density of manometric fluid i.e. mercury (ρm ) and the
this ratio is called as the coefficient of discharge (Cd ) flowing fluid water (ρm ). Later started the pump and the
In order to find the theoretical mass flow rate in the flow adjusted the control valve accordingly to get the maximum
meters, the Bernoulli’s principle is used. The theoretical discharge. Then we measured the pressure difference (Hm )
mass flow rate is given as across the flow meter using U-tube manometer. Measured
the actual discharge (Qa ) in the flow meter by means of
collecting tank and also the theoretical discharge (Qth ) by
p using the above mentioned formulas. Later by adjusting
a1 a0 2gh the control valve, decreased the flow rate and repeated
Qth = p
(a1 )2 − (a0 )2 the process for 5 times. From the data determined from
the experiment found the values of coefficient of discharge
(Cd ) and also the mean value.

ρm 3.2 Parameter variation and approximations

h = Hm ( − 1)
ρw After finding the series of values of actual discharge
Qa with respect to the manometer readings Hm . It can be
h = Pressure head difference in terms of fluid flowing calibrated by approximating a relation between Qa and Hm ,
through pipeline using the relation,
a0 = Cross section area of Orifice
a1 = Cross section area of pipe at inlet Qa = K(Hm )n
Hm = Mercuric level difference in manometer
we can find the Qth by using above equations and taking log we get
manometer readings for finding Hm . The coefficient of
discharge is given as
log(Qa ) = log(K) + n log(Hm )

Qa in this way we approximate and found the values of K and

Cd = n.
Qth

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4 EXPERIMENTAL DATA TABLE 3. Calculations for orifice meter

Given in Table 1 and Table 2. Sl.No Hm (cm Hg) t Sec Qa (cm^3)/s Qth (cm^3)/s Cd
Diameter of Pipe = 25mm 1 14.7 13.31 939.143501 1140.682 0.823318
Diameter of Orifice = 15mm
2 14.7 14.85 841.750842 1140.682 0.737936
Collecting Tank C/s = 500mx500mm
3 13.3 15.28 818.062827 1085.005 0.753971
4 8.5 20.05 623.441397 867.3922 0.718754
TABLE 1. Readings for orifice meter 5 1.1 60.735 205.812135 312.0343 0.659582
h1 h2 6 12.5 16.105 776.156473 1051.868 0.737884
t1 t2
Sl.No
Sec Sec
cm Hg cm Hg
TABLE 4. Calculations for venturi meter
1 23.7 38.4 13.53 13.09
Sl.No Hm cm Hg t mean Sec Qa cm^3/s Qth cm^3/s Cd
2 23.6 38.3 15.44 14.26
1 7.6 15.3 816.9935 820.1869 0.996106
3 24.3 37.6 15.33 15.23
2 5.7 15.495 806.7118 710.3027 1.13573
4 26.7 35.2 20.52 19.58 3 5.1 18.7 668.4492 671.8791 0.994895
5 30.4 31.5 60.77 60.7 4 3.7 21.97 568.9577 572.2778 0.994198

6 24.7 37.2 16.22 15.99 5 2.1 29.425 431.1374 431.1374 0.985321

6 12.5 16.105 776.156473 1051.868 0.737884

TABLE 2. Readings for venturi meter

meter compared to venturi meter. We also observe that
h1 h2 t1 t2 for venturi meter, when Hm is 5.7 cm of Hg value of Cd is
Sl.No greater than 1 so we can say that bernoulli’s equation is not
cm Hg cm Hg Sec Sec
valid for that condition.
1 27.4 35 15.2 15.4
2 28.8 34.5 15.37 15.62
3 28.5 33.6 18.68 18.72 6 CONCLUSION
4 29.3 33 21.69 22.25 After analysing 6 different readings taken under differ-
ent conditions, we were able to plot the graphs of "Coef-
5 29.9 32 28.63 30.22 ficient of discharge Vs Hm", "log Qa Vs log Hm", "Actual
6 24.7 37.2 16.22 15.99 discharge Vs Hm" with error bands for both Venturi meter
as well as Orifice meter, we concluded that the Cd value
of venturi meter is relatively higher for venturi meter as
compared to orifice meter(as viscous losses are more for
Orifice meter).The intercept and the slope of "Log Qa Vs
log Hm" graph shows the log(k) and n values respectively.
5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS By using these calibration values one can find directly the
actual discharge without measuring volume in a discharge
From Experimental Data given, Coefficient of Dis- tank. For orifice meter value for constants K and n are
charge values are calculated and required graphs(in ab- 197.2423 and 0.5641 respectively,so calibration equation for
stract) are plotted . it will be Qa = 197.2423 ∗ Hm
0.5641 .For venturi meter value for

Cd values for Orifice meter is less than that of Venturi constants K and n are (4.688 ∗ 10−6 ) and 2.139 respectively,so
meter, which implies that viscous flows are more in orifice calibration equation for it will be Qa = 4.688 ∗ 10−6 ∗ Hm
2.139 .

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FIGURE 1. Coefficient of Discharge vs. Height of mercury for
orificemeter
FIGURE 3. Actual Discharge vs. Height of mercury for ori-
ficemeter

FIGURE 4. Coefficient of Discharge vs. Height of mercury for

FIGURE 2. log Qa vs. log Hm for orificemeter venturimeter

References 2. Diameter of orifice (do) - 15mm

[1] Calibration of Orifice meter,Lab manual page 36-44 3. Collecting tank size - 500*500 mm
[2] Fluid Mechanics, Cengel and Cimbala
Observations readings:
Manometer reading left limb (h1 ) = 30.4 cm of Hg
Manometer reading right limb (h2 ) = 31.5 cm of Hg
Appendix A: SAMPLE CALCULATION
Hm = h2 -h2 = 31.5-30.4 = 1.1 cm of Hg
Given specifications:
t1 = 60.77 sec
t2 = 60.7 sec
1. Diameter of pipe (d1 ) - 25mm tmean = (t1 +t2 )/2 = 60.735 sec

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 Cd = 0.659582

Appendix B: ERROR ANALYSIS

For error analysis of tmean , h1, h2, the least count of their
values is taken as there error in measurement as systematic
error.
∆tmean = 0.01s; ∆h1 = ∆h2 = 0.1cmHg
Then we calculated error in each derived quantities,
assuming other quantities as constants.
Systematic errors:
∆h1 = ∆h2 = 0.1cmHg
∆Hm = ∆h1 + ∆h2 = 0.2cmHg
∆tmean = (0.01 + 0.01)/2 = 0.01s
FIGURE 5. Actual Discharge Qa vs. Height of mercury Hm for
∆h = ∆Hm ∗ (13.6 − 1) = 0.2 ∗ 12.6 = 2.52cmHg
venturimeter
∆tmean 2500 ∗ 5 ∗ 0.01
∆Qa = −A ∗ htank ∗ 2 =− = −0.5339cm3 /s
tmean 15.32
a1 ∗ a2 ∆h
∆Qth = =
p
√ ∗ 2g ∗ √
2
a1 − a0 2 2 h
√
4.90625 ∗ 1.76625 ∗ 2 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 100 ∗ 2.52
√ √ = 8.4531cm3
(2 ∗ 156.24 ∗ 4.906252 − 1.766252
Q ∗ ∆Qact − Qact ∗ ∆Qth
∆cd = th = −0.0068
Q2th

After calculation of systematic error of each quantity,

for random error we have taken 1% of value for respective
error in values. After calculation of both systematic errors
and random errors in quantities , the overall error is
calculated using :
FIGURE 6. log Qa vs. log Hm for venturimeter
q
∆Xoverall = ∆Xsystematic
2 + ∆Xrandom
2

dHg Random Errors (1% of each value):

h = Hm ( dw − 1) = 13.86 cm of water
∆Hm = 0.01 ∗ Hm = 0.124cmHg
Calculations:
∆tmean = 0.01 ∗ tmean = 0.153s
Theoretical discharge through Orifice meter-
√ ∆h = 0.01 ∗ h = 1.5624cmHg
a ao 2gh
Qth = 1q ∆Qact = 0.01 ∗ Qact = 8.1699cm3 /s
a21 −a2o ∆Qth = 0.01 ∗ Qth = 10.4819cm3 /s
√
Qth = 4.90625∗1.76625
√ 2∗9.81∗13.86 ∆cd = 0.01 ∗ cd = 0.00779
4.906252 −1.766252
Qth = 312.0343 cm3 /s
q
Overall Errors (∆Xoverall = ∆Xsystematic
2 + ∆Xrandom
2 ):
ActualdischargethroughOri f icemeter −
Qact = VT = A∆h ∆Hm = 0.23532cmHg
t
∆tmean = 0.15332s
Qact = 2500∗5
60.735 ∆h = 2.965045cmHg
Qact = 205.8121347 cm3 /s
∆Qact = 8.18736cm3 /s
Coefficient of discharge of the Orifice meter-
Q ∆Qth = 13.4656cm3 /s
Cd = Qact ∆cd = 0.01034
th
Cd = 205.8121
312.0343

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 TABLE 5. Systematic errors - Orifice meter
∆Hm ∆tmean ∆Qact ∆h ∆Qth ∆cd
0.2 0.01 -0.5339 2.52 8.4531 -0.0067
TABLE 8. Sytematic error - Venturi meter
0.2 0.01 -0.5374 2.52 8.5572 -0.007 ∆Hm ∆tmean ∆Qact ∆h ∆Qth ∆cd
0.2 0.01 -0.5051 2.52 8.8160 -0.0074 0.2 0.01 -0.488 2.52 10.942 -0.0136
0.2 0.01 -0.3692 2.52 9.8674 -0.0087 0.2 0.01 -0.4627 2.52 11.499 -0.0153
0.2 0.01 -0.1002 2.52 17.788 -0.0255 0.2 0.01 -0.4299 2.52 11.954 -0.0165
0.2 0.01 -0.4381 2.52 8.9749 -0.0072 0.2 0.01 -0.3514 2.52 13.245 -0.020
0.2 0.01 -0.2603 2.52 15.474 -0.0273

TABLE 6. Random errors - Orifice Meter

∆Hm ∆tmean ∆Qact ∆h ∆Qth ∆cd
0.124 0.153 8.1699 1.5624 10.4818 0.0077
0.121 0.1525 8.1967 1.5246 10.3542 0.0079
0.114 0.1573 7.9465 1.4364 10.0503 0.0079 TABLE 9. Random error - Venturi Meter
∆Hm ∆tmean ∆Qact ∆h ∆Qth ∆cd
0.091 0.184 6.7934 1.1466 8.97942 0.0075
0.074 0.16 7.8125 0.9324 8.0973 0.0096
0.028 0.3532 3.5390 0.3528 4.980 0.0071
0.067 0.16435 7.6057 0.8442 7.704 0.0098
0.11 0.1689 7.4008 1.386 9.87242 0.0074
0.062 0.1705 7.3313 0.7812 7.411 0.0098
0.0505 0.1886 6.6277 0.6363 6.689 0.0099
0.037 0.2191 5.7051 0.4662 5.7256 0.0099
TABLE 7. Overall errors - Orifice Meter
∆Hm ∆tmean ∆Qact ∆h ∆Qth ∆cd
0.2353 0.1533 8.1873 2.9650 13.4656 0.0103
0.2337 0.1528 8.2143 2.9453 13.4327 0.0106
0.2302 0.1576 7.9626 2.9006 13.3690 0.0108
0.2197 0.1842 6.8035 2.7685 13.3415 0.0115 TABLE 10. Overall error - Venturi Meter
0.2019 0.3533 3.5404 2.5445 18.473 0.0265 ∆Hm ∆tmean ∆Qact ∆h ∆Qth ∆cd
0.2282 0.1691 7.4137 2.8767 13.3421 0.0104 0.2132 0.1603 7.8277 2.6869 13.612 0.0167
0.2109 0.1646 7.6197 2.6576 13.842 0.0182
0.2093 0.1707 7.3435 2.6383 14.065 0.0192
0.2062 0.1888 6.6370 2.5990 14.839 0.0224
0.2033 0.2193 5.7110 2.5627 16.500 0.0291

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