Gas Dynamics Laboratory

Experiment title: Calibration and Performance of Choked Nozzle Meter

Objectives:
The aim of this experiment is to emphasize the effects of area change in compressible
flow. The student is expected to understand, appreciate and analyse the choking phenomena due
to area change in air flow.
1. The student will measure and calibrate the convergent nozzle mass flow rate and identify
the critical pressure ratio with reference to a standard orifice flow meter.
2. The student will also readjust the calibration results for some other gases (Butane,
Methane, Hydrogen and Arogon).

Background:
• The gas mass flow rate for the convergent nozzle flow meter is given by:
k M Po1
m'  Ath k 1
R To1
 k 1 2  2  k 1
1  M 
 2 
where:
k = ratio of specific heats of gas
R = gas constant, J/kg K
Ath = exit area of the nozzle , m2
Po1 = absolute stagnation pressure upstream of nozzle, N/m2
To1 = absolute stagnation temperature upstream of nozzle, K
M = mach number at nozzle exit

• The critical pressure ratio, the pressure ratio under choked conditions (M=1), is given by:
k
Po1  2  k 1
 
Po 2  k  1 

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 • Therefore, the mass flow rate for the convergent nozzle under choked conditions
becomes:
k 1 k 1
k  2  2k 1 Po1 k  2  2k 1 Po1
m  Ath    C d A*  
R  k  1 To1 R  k  1 To1

where A* = minimum nozzle area under choked conditions = Ath ,

Cd = is the nozzle discharge coefficient, to account for the nozzle geometry and other
factors.
• Note that A* and Cd are constant for a certain nozzle. Note also that k and R are gas
constants; i.e. independent of the mass flow rate. Therefore, for a certain nozzle and a
certain gas, the mass flow rate depends on the upstream stagnation pressure and
temperature only. This is obviously a convenient method for measuring mass flow rates
for gases.
• The air mass flow rate can be simplified by the following form:
Po1
 air  MFair
m
To1
k 1
k 2  k 1
2 
 
*
where MFair is called the air Meter Factor , and is equal to C d A
R  k  1
• For any other gas, the mass flow rate is directly given by:
Po1
 gas  MFgas
m
To1
where MFgas can be obtained from:
k 1
 
 k  2  2k 1 
 
 R  k  1 
  gas
MFgas  MFair k 1
 
 k  2  2k 1 
 
 R  k  1 
  air

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 • The mass flow rate of a compressible flow through an orifice meter is typically given by:

  Y C M A 2 2 1 P1  P2   Y K A 2 2 1 P1  P2 
m
where:
C = discharge coefficient of the orifice
M = velocity of approach factor = 1/ ( 1 - (A2/Al )2)1/2
K = flow coefficient = C M
 = diameter ratio of orifice = d /D
1= upstream density
Y= expansion factor  1
Note that details of the various coefficients of the orifice may be obtained from standard tables
and charts such as those included in ASME or BS standards.

Equipment Required and Description:

1. The main screw compressor, dryer, receiver tank and pipe distribution system up to the
the Gas Dynamic Laboratory. The compressor capacity is 8.2 m3/min and a rated
operating pressure of 9.8 bar.
2. The experimental set up consists of an isolating ball valve , a regulating needle valve, the
choked nozzle meter, and different types and sizes of convergent nozzles. Also, a surge
tank is used (located downstream of the nozzle meter) to damp out any fluctuations
resulting from the choked nozzle or the orifice meter.
3. The measuring equipment includes calibrated pressure gages, pressure
manometers, barometer and thermometers.

Safety Precautions :
1. Observe all safety requirements posted at laboratory entrance.
2. Wear your safety helmet.
3. Read and understand all the experiment instructions before you start the experiment. Ask
advice whenever necessary.
4. Must follow the No Smoking rule.

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Experimental Procedure:
1. Remove all tools and any obstructions from around the experiment area for access to all
controls.
2. Select a specific nozzle and register its type and size. Screw it tightly between the two
flanges of the nozzle meter.
3. Read and register the barometric pressure and ambient temperature in the laboratory.
4. Switch on the compressor and wait untill the system is pressurised to the upper
experiment pressure level.
5. Adjust the air flow by turning the reglating valve to 1.5 bar (absolute). Wait for steady
state to be maintained. Then record all the required readings of the instruments.
6. Increase the flow rate by the regulating valve in steps of 0.5 bar, up to the upper pressure
level of the experiment. For each setting, record the data after establishing steady state
flow as in step number 5.
7. The nozzle mass flow rate obtained from the orifice meter (equal to that of the nozzle) is
plotted versus Po1/ (To1)1/2
8. The nozzle air meter factor, MFair , is obtaied from the graph for the specified nozzle.
9. The nozzle meter factor for any required gas, MFgas , is then calculated and the nozzle
calibration for the mass flow rate of that gas is predicted.
Note that for any gas, the ratio (Po2 / Pol) should not exceed the critical value for choking
conditions to be established.

Results:
Results are to include:
1. Recorded data of the experiment.
2. Tabulated results.
3. Calibartion curves for the air and the other selected gases.

Comments and Conclusions:

The student must carefully study the recorded data and predicted results and make his own notes,
comments and conclusions.

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 Data of Experiment
Date: Gas: Air Orifice Size: 12.9 mm
Barometric Reading (mm Hg): Ambient Temperature:

Nozzle Orifice
Upstream Upstream Downstream P Upstream Density Mass
Stag. Stag. Stag. Press.
Po1 / To1 Manometer Conditions (kg/m3) Flow
Press. Po1 Temp. To1 Po2 Reading, Press. Temp. Rate
( kgf /cm2) (C) (kgf / cm2) (kPa/K1/2) mm H2O mm C (kg/s)
H2O

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 Properties of some gases at 300 K

Chemical R Cp k
Gas
Formula (kJ/kg K) (kJ/kg K) (Cp/ Cv)
Butane C4 H10 0.14304 1.7164 1.091
Methane C H4 0.51835 2.2537 1.299
Air 0.287 1.0035 1.4
Hydrogen H2 4.12418 14.2091 1.409
Argon Ar 0.20813 0.5203 1.667

Viscosity of air at some selected temperatures

Temperature (C) 10 20 30
 (kg/m s) 17.69*10-6 18.17*10-6 18.65*10-6

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