Venturi and Orifice Volumetric Flow Measure-Ment
Venturi and Orifice Volumetric Flow Measure-Ment
Venturi and Orifice Volumetric Flow Measure-Ment
ment
key words: Volumetric and mass flux, venturi and orifice meter, device cali-
bration, .
goals: The objective of this exercise is to gain knowledge in volumetric meth-
ods employing Venturi effect. Calibration of orifice and Venturi meter.
1 Introduction
As the fluid flows through a constriction it experiences a drop in fluids pres-
sure. Although it is referred to as the Venturi1 effect it was probably known
in times of a Roman engineer Frontinus2 .
To satisfy the continuity equation, velocity of the flow through a
constricting pipe will increase. Which in turn causes a drop in pressure
(Bernoulli’s principle). Figure 13 illustrates the phenomena named Venturi
effect.
Figure 1: The Venturi effect. As the pipe contracts, the pressure of the fluid
decreases.
1
introducing an area ratio m = ( Dd )2 and solving for the volumetric flow rate
(in fact just a theoretical value) Qt one would get:
√
m πD2 2(p1 − p2 )
Qt = √ (2)
1 − m2 4 ρ
Equation 2 states that for a given geometry the flow rate might be cal-
culated simply by measuring the pressure difference p1 − p2 . While deriving
equation 2 some idealistic assumptions were made. Due to that equation 2
will overestimate the actual flow rate if used for a real fluid. Therefore
to calculate the actual flow rate a modification is required. The following
equation is used:
Q = Cd Qt (3)
where Cd is so called coefficient of discharge. In general it is a function
of device type and geometry, but also depends on the Reynolds number of
Cd
the flow. Figure 2 shows a values of √1−m 2 plotted as a function of Re for
4
different area ratio of a Venturi meter .
2. Start the flow through the installation, manipulate the flow rate with
a valve.
2
Figure 2: Discharge coefficient dependency on geometry and Reynolds num-
ber for a Venturi meter.
5. Repeat the measurements at different flow rates. Ask the tutor for the
number of test you should perform.
7. Calculate the actual flow rate using data from experiment and the
discharge coefficient.
VD
8. Calculate the Reynolds number. Re = υ
3
Figure 3: Different types of constriction flow meters. a,b - orifices, c - nozzle,
d - Venturi constriction meter, e - Venturi nozzle.
Dear student,
should you have any remarks, observations or comments concerning this in-
struction. Please do not hesitate to make them.