Fluid Mechanics-I Lab (MEEN 2217)

Lab Report 02

Title: Coefficient of discharge of Orifice meter

Muhammad Waqar

ME172031

January 03,2019

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1.Abstract
The purpose of this experiment is to study the coefficient of discharge through a circular orifice
cut into a horizontal pipe. These basins are used to store and release storm water runoff from
impervious areas of developed sites the discharge through the orifice was determined by measuring
the rate of change of the water flow in the pipe versus time. The experiment determined that the
discharge coefficient increased with decreasing head values.
Basically, the orifice discharge experiment consists of the time taken for a liquid with constant
flow of a liquid into the tank through an orifice.
The coefficient of discharge 𝐶𝑑 is the ratio of actual discharge by theoretical discharge, the product
of the coefficient of velocity 𝐶𝑉 and the coefficient of contraction 𝐶𝑐 . The coefficient of velocity
is the ratio obtained by dividing the actual velocity at the vena contracta (contraction of the jet
discharged) by the theoretical velocity. The theoretical velocity may be calculated

Table of Contents
1.Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ 2

2.Inroduction ................................................................................................................................... 3

3.Theory and Background............................................................................................................... 4

4.Apparatus ..................................................................................................................................... 5

5.Procedure ..................................................................................................................................... 5

6.Result ........................................................................................................................................... 6

7.Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 6

8.Concusion .................................................................................................................................... 7

9.Reference ..................................................................................................................................... 7

10.Appendix .................................................................................................................................... 8

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2.Inroduction
The orifice meter is basically a type of flow meter used to measure the flow rate of any liquids and
gases, especially steam using differential. When this orifice plate is placed in a line a differential
pressure is developed. An orifice plate is a device used to measure flow rate, for reducing pressure
or for restricting flow (in two letter cases it often called a restriction plate). Either a volumetric or
mass flow rate may be determined, depending upon the calculation associated with the orifice
meter.
In fluid mechanics, the orifice meter measure flow rate of fluid flowing through pipe. It is cheaper
device than venturi meter. It also works on the principle same as venturi meter. It is consisting of
flat circular plate which has circular hole, in concentric.
Vena contracta is the point in a fluid stream where diameter of stream is least and fluid velocity is
maximum. For example, in nozzle (orifice) diameter is minimum but velocity is maximum. It was
evaluated by Torricelli in 1643.
In venturi meter the losses are less so coefficient of discharge is high but in orifice meter due to
having no convergent and divergent cones so losses are more in orifice meter. The value of
coefficient of discharge of venturi is in between 0.93 to 0.99 less than 1. In orifice depends upon
ratios of area [3][1].
Few values are given in fig below

Figure 1-values of coefficient of discharge of orifice

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3.Theory and Background
The Roman engineer Frontenus, who was in charge of the water supply under using short pipes of
graduated sizes to meter water delivered to different users. This was purely empirical since the
effects of pressure head and orifice size were not known quantitaties until Torricelli in 1643.
We still calculate the velocity from Bernoulli's principle is a constant along a streamline in
irrational flow which is equivalent to the conservation of energy.
We will consider here the case of zero initial velocity as at the surface of a liquid in a container
with an orifice in the side. We assume that a smooth starts at the surface a distance height h above
the orifice and ignoring the pressure on the surface of the liquid since it would cancel out anyway.
The streamline then leads somehow to the orifice, and out into the jet that issues from it. We choose
the point at which the streamlines are parallel a short distance from the orifice, and find that the
velocity there is Vi = √2gh, as given by Torricelli's theorem.
The area A of the vena contracta is smaller than the area Ao of the orifice because the velocity is
higher there (converging streamlines). For a sharp-edged, or "ideal" circular orifice, A/Ao= Cc =
π/ (π + 2. Cc is called the coefficient of contraction.
Flow meter is a device used to measure flow rate.
𝑉
𝑄=
𝑡
There are devices used to measure flow rate:
1-Orifice meter
2-Venturi meter
3-Pitot tube
4-Rotameter

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 Figure 2-Orifice meter

4.Apparatus
This equipment determines the coefficients of discharge for different flow measuring devices. It
is used with Hydraulics Bench. The equipment consists of a venturi tube, an orifice plate, and a
pitot tube, made from a clear acrylic, connected in series. Pressure drop across each device is
connected to a water manometer bank with a vent valve and a hand air pump.

Figure 3-Apparatus setup

5.Procedure
1. Set up the Hydraulics Bench and place Flow Meter apparatus on the bench
2. Adjust the screw at the base for level, and connect water supply hose from
the Bench to the test apparatus
3. Open the discharge valve of the test set. Close the vent valve on the
manometer top manifold and attach the hand air pump

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 4. Open the measuring tank discharge valve and closed the Hydraulics Bench
flow control valve
5. Start the hydraulic bench pump and slowly open the bench flow control
valve until air bubbles are completely removed from the test set, then reduce the
flow rate to required flow rate
6. Observe water levels in the manometer and ensure that all levels can be
observed. If they are too high, pump air into the manometer head manifold. If they
are too low slightly close the test equipment discharge valve or bleed air out from
manometer head manifold by vent valve
7. Record manometer levels for orifice meter
8. Record the measuring tank volume and time

6.Result
Hydraulic Bench
Flow on Flow Rate Orifice Meter
Measuring Tank Cd
Rotameter ‘Qact’
Volume Time ‘t’ h1 h2 ∆h (m)
(l/sec) (m3s-1)
‘V’ (m3) (sec) (m) (m)

8 0.005 36 161.29 0.078 0.05 0.020 0.61

10 0.005 29.8 240.45 .113 0.082 0.031 0.62

12 0.005 25 277.78 0.217 0.181 0.036 0.66

14 0.005 21.75 288.5 0.332 0.287 0.045 0.68

16 0.005 18.4 295.8 0.435 0.379 0.056 0.72

7.Discussion
The frictional loss in a flow nozzle meter is much less than in an orifice meter, but higher than in
a venturi meter. A typical flow nozzle discharge coefficient value is between 0.93 and 0.98.
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Vena contracta is the point in a fluid stream where diameter of stream is least and fluid velocity is
maximum. For example, in nozzle (orifice) diameter is minimum but velocity is maximum. It was
evaluated by Torricelli in 1643.
In venturi meter the losses are less so coefficient of discharge is high but in orifice meter due to
having no convergent and divergent cones so losses are more in orifice meter. The value of
coefficient of discharge of venturi is in between 0.93 to 0.99 less than 1. In orifice depends upon
ratios of area.
We get also flow on rotameter with different values like 8,10 and 12 litters per mint. We also goes
to hydraulic bench readings volume per unit time or we can say flow rate which is meter cubic per
second with 5 litters volume flow through orifice meter noting time 31,20 and 18 seconds
respectively. With flow of rotameter values.
We also get the readings of variable flow meter readings. These readings are actually the changes
of heights taken from the tubes of hydraulic bench.
Then, the actual flow is taken by volume flow per unit time. At the end the coefficient of discharge
was taken by the calculation.
The values of coefficient of discharge are in between 0.6 to 0.8 which is less than the values from
venturi where the values are in 0.93 to 0.99 less than one nothing more than it [3][2].

8.Concusion
The conclusion of the experiment is that the coefficient of discharge values that we have taken are
in between 0.82 to 0.85. In the conclusion I would like to tell you again about the decrease in value
from a venturi meter to a orifice meter is that the losses in orifice meter are more because of the
resistive plate in which cases losses but in venturi there are converging and diverging tube surface
[1][2].

9.Reference
[1]. https://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/fluids/orifice.htm
[2]. https://www.chegg.com/homework-help/definitions/coefficient-of-discharge-5
[3]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discharge_coefficient

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10.Appendix

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