Experiment 3: Determination of The Coefficient of Discharge With Outflow Under Constant Head Objective
Experiment 3: Determination of The Coefficient of Discharge With Outflow Under Constant Head Objective
Objective
To study how actual velocity becomes less than theoretical velocity of fluid and to study coefficient of
discharge and calculate it when head is constant
Apparatus
Hydraulic Bench
Measuring Cylinder
Stop Watch
Related theory
Orifice
An orifice is a small opening at the bottom or base of the tank through which any fluid flows out.
The size of orifice regulates the amount of fluid. Larger the size, greater will be fluid and vice versa
Venna Contracta
Vena contracta is the point in a liquid stream where the width of the stream is the least, and liquid
speed is at its greatest, for example, on account of a stream giving out of a spout (orifice). .
Coefficient of Velocity
It is the ratio of actual velocity of fluid at vena contracta its theoretical value
V ac
C v=
V Th
Its value is order of 0.97
Coefficient of Contraction
The ratio of actual area of fluid flow at vena contracta to its theoretical value
Ac
C c=
A th
Its value is also less than 1
Coefficient of Discharge
C d=C c C v
Derivation
Bernoulli’s equation is applicable when flow is steady, mechanical energy is conserved, fluid is
incompressible and flow is Frictionless.
v=√ 2 gh
v=¿ Velocity of fluid
g=¿ Gravitational acceleration (at sea level g=9.81 ms−2)
h=¿ head
This is the theoretical value for some limits. Actual velocity, considering the effects various parameters
like energy loss in frictional/viscous effect, turbulence in some regions, viscosity effecting the speed, is
given by
v=C v √ 2 gh
C v is the co-efficient of velocity. It allows for the effect of viscosity/friction and its value is always less
than 1.
Qv= A c v
Ac =C c A o
Where
Ao is the orifice area and C cis the co-efficient of contraction where, its value is always less than 1
By substituting values,
Q v =Cc A o Cv √ 2 gh
Q v = A o Cd √ 2 gh
(Qv)act ∝
Thus, the slope of (Qv)th is a straight line and the coefficient of discharge is given as
Cd =
Procedure
i. Turn on switch and open then bench valve gradually to start water flow.
ii. Using thumb close the orifice and set the value of head h.
iii. Uncover the orifice to allow the water flow out of the reservoir. Start performing the
experiment when flow becomes steady.
iv. Place a measuring cylinder in the sump tank to measure the volumetric flow rate of water.
v. As the water flows into the cylinder, note the volume of water for a specified time period. This
will give the volumetric flow rate of water.
vi. Plot a graph between flow rate Qv and square root of head . The value of Cd will be Cd =
vii. Repeat the experiment for different values of head.
d (m ) 2
π
Ao = ( 0.003 )2=7.0686 ×10−6 m 2
4
Slope=2.1 ×10−5
Slope 2.1 ×10−5
C d= = =0.671
Ao √ 2 g 7.0686 ×10−6 √ 2 ×9.81
Velocity v=√ 2 gh gives theoretical value. But in real case, some of the energy is lost in frictional/viscous
effect, head is not purely constant as water flows in and out, there come turbulence regions while fluid
flows, no fluid is purely incompressible, viscosity also effect the speed, gravitational acceleration also
varies from height to height. That is why the theoretical and actual values are different. We calculate
actual velocity by using sensors, devices or some other scientific techniques. After measuring the actual
velocity, we use it to determine the factors which decreases the velocity and their extent. Once we
know these factors, we use different constants and coefficient to equalize actual with theoretical. We
can calculate the values of coefficient and constants using this approach.