For many years, process and manufacturing engineers have shown interest to know the liquids

velocities and flow rates in plants pipeline systems. In late 18th centaury the Idea of Venturi-
effects was impregnated and an easy-to-use measuring device was born when Engineer Clemans
Hutchel [1], Inverted a device in which differential Pressure is converted into kinetic energy
used, for liquid flow in pipeline, Venturi meter. The conceptual geometry of venturi meter is its
two directional trumpet shape such that fluid flows through a converging cone pipe into constant
diameter throat and then exits the throat via diverging cone [1][2]. The shape is shown below
connected to a U-Tube manometer finishing the conceptual construct of Venturi meter.

From a knowledge of pressure

difference between section 1 and section two the pressure head difference H can be calculated
using Bernoulli's equation [3], and eventually corresponding discharge from pressure head. On a
flat surface with constant elevation, assuming steady flow laminar and streamline flow of
incompressible fluid the Bernoulli equation is reduced to equation 1. Left hand side of equation 1
correspond to difference in pressure head at section1 and two (h). [3]
P 1−P2 V 21−V 22
=
pg 2g

V 21−V 22
H=
2g

From continuity equation of steady flow (A1V1=A2V2) we can substitute V2 in equation 2.

Velocity at section two is then multiplied by known cross section area 2 to get frictionless flow
discharge Q [3][4]

v2
H= ¿]
2g
a1 a2 √2 gh
Qthe = m3/sec
√ a21−a22
Due to friction energy losses in real pipeline systems the calculated discharge is higher than the
actual experimental discharge [2][3][4]. To account for the friction error the theoretical discharge
Is multiplied by coefficient of discharge (Cd) which is characteristics of material and Venturi
flow system.

AR 3 0.01 3
Qact = m /sec = m /s
t t
Nowadays the venturi meter is used in many fields involving liquid flow measurement because
they are easy to use, high reproducibility, are accurate over wide range, can be used in
compressible fluids [5] and involve power loss [6]. They are used to quantity of gas in pipe,
measure flow of chemicals in pipeline and also air flow in carburetors in machines and
aerodynamics [6]. Apart from that they are also used in medical field to measure flow rate of
blood in arteries.[4]

References
[1] "Invention of the Venturi Meter". Nature. 136 (3433): 254. August 17, 1935.
doi:10.1038/136254a0. Accessed from; https://doi.org/10.1038%2F136254a0. Accesed on 10-
05-2021.

[2] Rajput RK. A Text Book of Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Machines. in S.C Publishing.
285-290
[3] white

[4] Amit Rakshit & Sumana Ghosh (2021) Actual Discharge on Venturimeter - A Literature,
accessed from ;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349886847_Actual_Discharge_on_Venturimeter_-
_A_Literature on 10-05-2021 DOI:10.36811/ijme.2021.110004
[5] jane A. sattery & michael J. Reader-Harris (2000), computational flow through
venturimeter. Flow centre NEL, U.K. No 00005330

[6] Anderson, John (2017). Fundamentals of Aerodynamics (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-
Hill Education. p. 218. ISBN 978-1-259-12991-9.