1.

0 INTRODUCTION
The objective of this experiment is to use a Venturi meter to measure fluid flow rates.
Flow measurement is important in the industry where the need to accurately control the flow
of fluids are crucial. For instance, in a factory that needs an accurate mixture of two
chemicals must be able to tell exactly how much of each chemical is being supplied per
minute to be able to ensure that the final product is useable. There are many ways to measure
the flow rate of a fluid and the flow measurement apparatus that will be used in this
experiment provides a number of these flow measuring methods. For this experiment
however, we will only be looking at using the Venturi meter to measure the flow rate.

Flow rate is the product of the velocity of the flowing fluid with area from which fluid
is flowing. According to the following equation (Equation 2), the velocity of the fluid
increase as the cross-sectional area decreases.

Q1 = Q2

A1V1 = A2V2 ------- (2)

A = Area of the pipe (m2)

V = Velocity of the fluid (ms-1)

The water from the hydraulic bench enters the apparatus and passes through the Venturi
meter which starts off as a gradually converging section which is a pipe that gets smaller, a
throat which is a small unchanging pipe, and it is then followed by a long gradually diverging
section which is pipe that gets bigger. After that, the flow passes through an orifice meter and
rotameter theoretically. However, this section is not covered in this particular experiment.
Finally, the flow will leave the apparatus and enter the weigh tank in the hydraulic bench.

The Bernoulli’s Principle can be considered to be a statement of the conservation of

energy principle appropriate for flowing fluids. A fluid’s flow must be consistent with a
number of specific standards, especially the conservation of fluid and mass. In fluid
dynamics, the Bernoulli’s Principle is the concept of conservation of energy is applied for
ideal fluids in steady flow. This theorem is essential to many aspects and fields of industries.
Bernoulli’s equation is shown below:

1 1
P1 + 2 ρV12 + ρgh1 = P2 + 2 ρV22 + ρgh2 ------- (3)
P = Pressure of the fluid flowing (Pa)
V = Velocity of the fluid (ms-1)
ρ = Density of the fluid (kgm-3)
h = Height (m)

An equation for the drop in pressure due to the Venturi effect can be derived from a
combination of Bernoulli's equation and the continuity equation that is shown above. The
derived equation is shown below:

1 1
Bernuolli’s Equation : P1 + 2 ρV12 + ρgh1 = P2 + 2 ρV22 + ρgh2

Continuity Equation: A1V1 = A2V2

In Venturi Meter,

1 1
P1 + 2 ρV12 = P2 + 2 ρV22 ----- (4)

A2V 2
V1 = A -------- (5)
1

By substituting Equation 5 into 4, the equations can be derived into the formula shown
below:
1 A2V 2 2 1
P1 + ρ( ) = P2 + ρV22
2 A1 2

1 A2V 2 2
P1 – P2 = ρ [ V22 - ( ) ]
2 A1
1 A2
ρgh1 - ρgh2 = ρV22 [ 1 - ( )2 ]
2 A1
1 A2
ρg(h1 – h2) = ρV22 [ 1 - ( )2 ]
2 A1
 g( h1 – h2)
1 2
V = A
2 2 [1−( 2 )² ]
A1
2 g(h1 – h2 )
V22 = A
[1−( 2 )²]
A1

2 g(h1 – h 2)
√
V2 = A
[1−( 2 )²]
----- (6)
A1

P = pressure of the fluid flowing (Pa)

V = Velocity of the fluid (ms-1 )

ρ = density of the fluid (kgm-3 )

h = height (m)

The average time taken for the water to fill up 1000ml is calculated by adding the three
data of time taken for the water to fill up 1000ml and by dividing it by three. This method is
then done to the remaining rotameter readings to get the average time taken for the water to
fill up 1000ml.
These data are then presented in a table that is shown in the Results & Discussion
portion as well as with some calculations to enable us to relate and have a better
understanding between each of the experimental results.