CHE 204, Prepared by: Dr.

Usamah Al-Mubaiyedh Page 1

Flow Measurement by a Rotameter

The figure below shows another flow measuring device known as a rotameter. It consists of a
vertical graduated glass tube with a float inside it. As the fluid passes upwards through the
tube the float will be suspended until it reaches a equilibrium position, from which the fluid
flow rate can be read from the adjacent scale in the tube wall.


Derive an expression for the fluid flow rate as a function of the mass of the float, M, density
of the fluid, , density of the float,
f
, and area of the pipe, A, and annular area around the
float, a.
Consider the control volume show in figure (b):
Solution:
Apply continuity equation (CE) from point 1 to point 2:
a u A u
2 1
=
1 2
u
a
A
u =
Apply Bernoullis equation (BE) from point 1 to point 2:

2
2
2
2 1
1
2
1

2 2
P
z g
u P
z g
u
+ + = + + ( )
1 2
2
2
1
2 1
1
2
z z g
a
A u
P P +
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
Apply momentum balance (MB) from point 1 to point 2:
( ) 0
2 1
= +

y
F M M
` `

CHE 204, Prepared by: Dr. Usamah Al-Mubaiyedh Page 2

( )

|
.
|

\
|
= = = = =
(
(

+
1 2 1 2 1
Forces Gravity
float of mass
float around fluid of Volume
1 2
Forces Pressure
2 1 2 2 1 1
, 0 u
a
A
u A u m m m g M g
M
A z z A P A P u m u m
f

_

_


Note: The fluid at point 2 exerts pressure on the whole area of the pipe A, not only the
annular area a.
Simplify MB:
( ) ( ) 0 1 1
1 2 2 1
2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
Mg g A z z A P P
a
A
A u
f

Substitute BE in Simplified MB:
( ) ( ) 0 1 1
2
1
1 2 1 2
2
2
1 2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
Mg g A z z A z z g A
a
A u

a
A
A u
f

Simplify:
0 1 1
2
2 2
2
2
2
1
2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
Mg
a
A
A
u

a
A
A
u
f

Mg
a
A
a
A u
A
f
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
(
(

+
|
.
|

\
|

1 1 2
2
2
2
1


2
1
1
1 2
(

|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
a
A
A
Mg
u
f

2
1
1
1 2
(

|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

= =
a
A
A
Mg
A A u Q
f