BACHELOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING(HONS)

LAB REPORT
EKB 2081 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB 1
NAME Mathaneshan A/L Rajagopal
STUDENT ID 1103173003
EXPERIMENT TITLE Rectangular-notch
DATE OF EXPERIMENT 6/12/2018
DATE OF SUBMISSION 13/12/2018

NAME OF GROUP MEMBERS STUDENT ID

NISHA FAREENA KHAN 1102171011
ABISHEK SEKHAR 1103173001
MATHANESHAN RAJAGOPAL 1103173003

DETAILS TOTAL MARKS SIGNATURES

AWARDED
Attitude 5
Participation 5
Lab report 40
Total 50

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB 1

INCHARGE
(MS. NURUL
SAKINAH/MS.MADIHAH)
 TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 Abstract …………………………………. ……………...2

2.0 Introduction ……………………………………………...3

2.1 Principle

2.2 Application

2.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of venturi meter

3.0 Materials and Apparatus………………………………...7

4.0 Experimental Procedure………………………………...7

5.0 Results and Discussion………………………………...9

6.0 Conclusion and Recommendation…………………….11

7.0 References……………………………………………....12

8.0 Appendix………………………………………………....13

1
 1.0Abstract
The aim of this experiment is to determine the discharge coefficient of rectangular
notch. Rectangular notch is a measurement instrument to determine the flow rate of
fluid system, and in this experiment, water is used as the fluid. To determine the
discharge coefficient of rectangular notch, two types of flow rate are to be determined,
that is the theoretical flow rate and actual flow rate. To determine the theoretical
discharge of rectangular notch, a theoretical formula is applied through the derivation
of Bernoulli’s equation and substitutions from the area of rectangular notch by taking
length of notch and its differential height. The Vernier hook or point gauge functions to
measure the height difference of the water at different flow rates and the value of the
height difference is then applied into the derived Bernoulli’s equation to obtain
theoretical discharge value. The actual flowrate can be determined by taking ratio of
time taken for water to fill the tank at constant volume, in which the volume is 9 Liters.
The experiment is repeated about 5 times from an estimated transient flow to turbulent
flow. Once both theoretical and actual discharge are measured and tabulated, a graph
is plotted representing actual discharge versus theoretical discharge. The slope
obtained from the graph, which represents the discharge coefficient yields a value of
1.15 which lies above the range of discharge coefficient of rectangular notch.

2
 2.0Introduction
A notch is defined as an opening provided in a tank, such that the opening extends
even above the free surface of the liquid in the tank. In a way, it is a large orifice having
no upper edge. Generally, a notch is used to measure the discharge of water from a
tank. A weir is also a notch but in a large scale. The weir is a notch cut in a dam to
discharge surplus quantity of water. The notch or weir can be classified into triangular
notch or v-notch, rectangular notch and trapezoidal (Reddy.R, n.d.)In this experiment,
the rectangular notch was used to determine the flow rate of water.

Rectangular notch, or rectangular weir is a flat plate obstruction in an open channel

flow path, with a linear, level opening for water to flow through the weir or notch. It is
used to measure the flow of water over the weir and through open channel by using a
Vernier hook or point gauge to measure the pressure head of water over the weir or
notch crest. (Bright Hub Engineering, 2018)Its construction is simple, as it is a
standard shape of weir . The top edge weir will be either keen or crested in a narrow
shape. Due to its construction, the rectangular weir or rectangular notch can be
suitable for larger flowing channels or flow rates of water (The Constructor Civil
Engineering Home, n.d.)

2.1Working Principle
The working principle of the rectangular notch begins with the flow of water to the
notch. Water will obtain a certain height over the crest and the depth depends the
flowrate of the water. In other words, as flowrate increases, height of water increases.
A Vernier scale is used to lessen the error in height measurement of the water flow
over the notch. Since a weir is used as an upscale, which means it is a prototype of
a notch, weirs are used to measure very high flowrate of water ,but on the other hand,
notches can handle low discharge of water and this is efficient because the height of
the water over the crest is reasonable and can be measured accurately (Gupta.S.C,
2006).The Bernoulli’s equation between point 1 and 2 in figure 2.11 will express the
discharge formula for a rectangular notch.

3
 1 2

Figure 2.11 shows a rectangular notch of top view(left) and end view (right)

Apply Bernoulli’s equation between point 1 and 2 in figure 2.11 gives:

𝑃1 𝑉1 2 𝑃2 𝑉2 2
+ 2𝑔 +Z1= 𝛾 + 2𝑔 +Z2……. (2-1)
𝛾

Where P=Pressure, N/m2

V=velocity, m/s

Z=elevation, m

𝛾=specific weight of water, kg/m3

g=acceleration due to gravity, m/s2

Since point 1 is on the surface of the water and the cross-section area at point
1 is large, then pressure P1=0 and velocity V1=0, and also point 2 is in the jet over the
weir crest then P2=0, from equation 1 gives

𝑉2 2
0 + 0+Z1=0 + 2𝑔 +Z2

𝑉2 2
Z1-Z2= 2𝑔 =h………. (2-2)

V=V2=√2𝑔ℎ

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Then the volume flow rate passing through the differential area dA will be

dQ=dA. V

=dA√2𝑔ℎ………. (2-3)

Rectangular notch:

dA =B. dh………. (2-4)

Where: B= width of notch, m

Substitute dA from equation in equation gives

dQ = B. dh. √2𝑔ℎ

=B.√2𝑔.√ℎ dh

𝐻
Q=B√2𝑔 ∫0 √ℎdh……….... (2-5)

3
2
Qt=3B√2𝑔.𝐻 2

Rectangular notch actual flow rate:

3
2
Qact = Cd3B√2𝑔.𝐻2 ………. (2.6)

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 2.2Applications
Some applications of rectangular notch or rectangular weir includes:

1. Nappe aeration to ensure the flow of water over the weir crest(nappe) stays
aerated.
2. For applications where the flow of water is relatively constant and channel width
is restricted. This is true in areas with stone soils or large amount of rocks.
3. In applications where the width of channel is constricted or where the banks are
relatively short (OPENCHANNELFLOW, n.d.)
4. Installed in open channels such as streams to determine flowrate.

2.3 Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages of using rectangular notch or weir are:

1. Easy to construct
2. Simple to determine flow with proper equations (Visual Encyclopedia of
Chemical Engineering, n.d.)
3. Can determine high flow rate of water.

The disadvantage of rectangular notch or weir are:

1. Device must be installed in the stream where no irregulating of steady flow by

upstream or downstream blockages.
2. Requires consistent flow profiles.
3. Specific constraints on pipe/channel sizes and grades. (Visual Encyclopedia
of Chemical Engineering, n.d.)

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 3.0Materials and Apparatus

The materials and apparatus for this experiment are:

1. Hydraulic bench.
2. Water.
3. Rectangular notch.
4. Vernier hook or point gauge.
5. Stopwatch.
6. Strainer

4.0Experimental Procedure

Figure 4.11 shows the rectangular notch

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The experimental procedure of rectangular notch is as follow:

1. Switch on the pump of the hydraulic bench and allow water to flow through the
notch. Start with a slow discharge by regulating the valve of the pump.
2. Wait for water to overflow the notch and stop the pump. Once the overflow
stops, use a Vernier hook or point gauge to measure the level in the channel
flow.
3. Ensure that the position of the Vernier hook or point gauge should be upstream
of the notch and located at a distance 4 times the depth of the level water level
above the notch.
4. Once the hook of the Vernier hook is parallel to the water surface, remove it
and measure the readings of the main and Vernier scale of the Vernier hook or
point gauge which will give the height difference of the water. This will give the
Theoretical discharge
5. Once the Vernier hook readings taken down, use a stopper and close the valve
of the tank. Wait until the reading of the upper tank reaches 0Litres.
6. Use a stopwatch and record the time taken for water to fill the tank up to 9
Pitesti’s will give the actual discharge.
7. Tabulate the data in an observation table and repeat the experiment with
increasing flow rates by estimation.
8. Calculate the discharge and plot it on a graph representing actual discharge vs
theoretical discharge.

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 5.0Results and Discussion
0.0009
Actual Discharge,Qa,m3/s 0.0008 y = 1.1456x + 0.0002

0.0007
0.0006
0.0005
0.0004
0.0003
0.0002
0.0001
0
0 0.0001 0.0002 0.0003 0.0004 0.0005 0.0006
Theoretical Discharge,Qt,m3/s

Figure 5.01 shows a graph of actual discharge Qa vs Qt

The reading of the Vernier scale and main scale of Vernier hook, and the time taken
for water to fill the tank until 9 Liters were measured and tabulated in the observation
table. The theoretical and actual discharge were calculated based om the table to
determine the discharge coefficient of the rectangular notch. The theoretical discharge
is use to determine the flow rate of a rectangular notch by means of formula derived
from Bernoulli’s equation. Actual discharge is the discharge determined by measuring
the time taken for water to fill a boundary system at constant volume. Experimentally,
the actual flow rate would obtain a lesser value as compared to the theoretical
discharge since the energy and friction is greater in an actual discharge as compared
to theoretical discharge. In addition, theatrical discharge uses a theoretical formula
which is gives a higher value as compared to actual discharge which takes ratio of
volume of water over time taken for water to flow.

A graph of actual discharge against theoretical discharge were plotted based on figure
5.01. A linear graph was obtained and the coordinates, that is the points of the
theoretical and actual discharge are away from the intersection of the linear line.
Cases like these can be due to the error when reading the Vernier scale and main
scale or a Vernier hook or point gauge. The slope obtained from the graph shows a
value of 1.15 which yields the discharge coefficient of the rectangular notch. Discharge
coefficient is the ratio of actual discharge and theoretical discharge and is used to

9
determine the pressure loss that occurs in a flow rate measurement system.
Rectangular notch minimizes the pressure loss of the water flow but however, the loss
is still present no matter the presence of the notch. The discharge coefficient value of
1.15 indicates that the pressure loss is undetermined. This is due to the fact that the
discharge coefficient value exceeded more than 1.0. Note that discharge coefficient
can never exceed the value of 1.0 as this will disobey the law of conservation of energy
which states that energy is never created nor destroyed but converted to another form.
The energy formation in the rectangular notch definitely created some loss through
friction since not all flow measurement are ideal to ensure friction loss is negligible in
a stream of fluid. Although the discharge coefficient of rectangular notch was achieved,
it lies above the discharge coefficient range that is 0.6-0.62. The reason could be due
to the actual discharge of rectangular notch could affect the discharge coefficient as
well due to the loss of water to surrounding or the error in measuring the time as water
fills the tank about 9 Liters. Also, the error in measuring the Vernier hook which can
affect the value of theoretical discharge. Flow rate of the strainer can also affect the
discharge of rectangular notch since this notch is suitable for high flow rate and since
the experiment started with a lesser flow rate, both theoretical and actual discharge
were affected. For example, based on the figure 5.01, some of the actual discharge
yield a higher discharge value than theoretical discharge which is impossible since the
energy loss is greater in an actual discharge. Measuring the inner depth of the water
instead of the surface depth of the water in the rectangular notch can give false reading
since the height of the water level is equivalent to 4 times the distance of the Vernier
hook from the notch. Hence, flow rate calculation, that is the theoretical discharge may
have been affected. The flow rates did increase as the flow rate of the strainer
increases. Thus, the variable head meter of rectangular notch increases. In other
words, as flow rate increases, variable head meter of rectangular notch increases.

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 6.0Conclusion and Recommendation
The experiment was not successful as the value of discharge coefficient obtained from
the slope of the graph did not achieve its range of rectangular notch discharge
coefficient value that is from 0.6-0.62. It was supposed to be shown that compared to
v-notch the rectangular notch consists of the higher discharge coefficient value which
tells that it undergoes minor pressure loss as compared to triangular notch. The
rectangular notch is actually a very good instrument to measure higher flow rates of
water but due to certain circumstances, it has failed to meet its objectives.

In order to improve the experiment, certain recommendation is required. First of all,

use a digital Vernier hook which will give a precise value of the height difference of
water flow rate in rectangular notch. Besides that, repeating the experiment at most
two times of same flow rate will result in an accurate theoretical and actual discharge
value by taking average of them both.

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 7.0References

Bright Hub Engineering. (2018). Retrieved December 10, 2018, from Use a Rectangular Weir to
Measure Water Flow Rate in an Open Channel:
https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hydraulics-civil-engineering/65880-open-channel-
flow-measurement-5-the-rectangular-weir/

Gupta.S.C. (2006). Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Machines. New Delhi, Delhi, India: Dorling
Kindersley. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from
https://books.google.com.my/books?redir_esc=y&id=9JMsyTymCgwC&q=v-
notch#v=onepage&q&f=true

OPENCHANNELFLOW. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2018, from RECTANGULAR WEIRS FOR WATER
RIGHTS MEASUREMEN: https://www.openchannelflow.com/blog/rectangular-weirs-for-
water-rights-measurement

Reddy.R. (n.d.). engineeringenotes. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from Classification or Types of
Notches and Weirs in Fluid Mechanics:
http://www.engineeringenotes.com/fluids/weirs/classification-or-types-of-notches-and-
weirs-fluid-mechanics/47397

The Constructor Civil Engineering Home. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2018, from WHAT IS A
WEIR?TYPES OF WEIRS AND FLOW OVER WEIRS: https://theconstructor.org/water-
resources/what-is-weir-types-flow-over-weirs/11873/

Visual Encyclopedia of Chemical Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2018, from Open
Channel Flowmeter:
http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/Flowmeters/OpenChannel/OpenChannel.ht
ml

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 8.0Appendix
Part A: Sample Calculation of theoretical and actual discharge of Rectangular
notch

Calculation of actual discharge, Qa:

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
Actual Discharge = Qa = , 𝑚³/𝑠
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

Volume Collected = V = 0.009 m³.

Time taken = 44.64 s.

Actual Discharge = Qa = 0.000202 m³/s.

Calculation of theoretical discharge, Qt:

Experiment 2:

1𝑚
Vernier Scale Reading = 2.0 x 0.05 mm x = 1 x 10-4 m.
1000𝑚𝑚

Main scale Reading = 0.8 cm = 0.008 m.

Vernier Scale + Main Scale = Height of the water level = H = 0.0081 m

Length of width of notch, B=0.03m

2
𝑄𝑡 = x0.03m√2𝑔 𝑥 [𝐻]5/2
3

√𝑚
𝑄𝑡 = 0.02m x 4.43 [0.0081𝑚]5/2
𝑠

√𝑚 √𝑚3
𝑄𝑡 = 0.02m x 4.43 7.29𝑥10−4
𝑠 𝑠

𝑄𝑡 = 6.46 𝑥 10−5 m³/s

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Part B: Attached written observation table of Rectangular notch

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