Experiment No.

6-A
Determination of the Coefficient of Discharge in
an Orifice (Constant Head)
An orifice is a sudden flow restriction of short length (zero length for sharp
edge orifice). Orifices are treated as either sharp edge orifice or a short
tube orifice. Orifices are primarily used to control flow or create a pressure
differential (drop). Orifices may be fixed or variable (valve). Many types of
valves and flow devices can essentially be viewed as orifices. In valves,
there can be numerous flow passages, but usually somewhere in the flow
passage is a restriction that controls flow, which is why a valve often
behaves like an orifice.
The theoretical discharge of an orifice is given by Q = AV
Where:
Q- Discharged through an orifice
A- Area of the orifice
V- Velocity of water flowing through where V = 2gh
g- Gravitational acceleration
h- Head as shown

I.

Experimental Objectives
-

II.

To demonstrate the characteristics of flow over an orifice

To determine the discharge coefficient of an orifice under
constant head
Materials and Apparatuses Required

The apparatuses necessary to perform this experiment are the

following:
III.

Orifice
Orifice tank
Calibrating bucket/container
Stopwatch
Ruler
Water Hose
Procedures

a. Select an orifice to be screwed in the orifice tank

b. Supply the orifice with a constant flow of water until the level of
water in the tank is constant also. Use a hose in supplying the tank.
Measure the height of water in the tank
c. Determine the actual discharge of the orifice using the volumetric
method procedure.

Qa =

Volume
Time

d. Compare the theoretical discharge

Qt= Area x Velocity
V= 2 gh
e. Compute the coefficient of discharge
Cd =
f. Make five trials

Qa
Qt

IV.

Laboratory Data

1
Area of the bucket (m2)
Height of water in bucket (m)
Time elapsed to fill the bucket (s)
Actual Discharge, (m3/s)

TRIAL
2

.0523

.0523

.0523

.064

.081

.104

12.21

15.91

20.93

2.74x10-4

2.66x10-4

2.60x10-4

Average Actual Discharge

2.6676x-4

Area of the orifice (m2)

1.13x10-4

Height of water in the orifice

tank (m)
Velocity of water (m/s)
Theoretical Discharge, Qt (m3/s)
Coefficient of Discharge, Cd

Computations:

.29
2.3853
2.6954x10-4
0.9897