School of Engineering and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department

General Civil Engineering

Flow Measurement
through Pipes: Venturi
meter and Orifice
Module 1 Chapter 01 – Hydraulics 2

Objective After this chapter, the student should be able to:

 To apply the equations of flow in orifice and venturi meter

Content This chapter focuses on

 Venturi meter
 Orifice

Related These are supplemental content necessary for this chapter

 Application of Bernoulli’s Energy Equation
Readings 

Flow measurement through Venturi meter
Flow measurement through Orifice

Page 1 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Flow measurement through Venturi meter and Orifice

A pressure differential is created along the flow by providing either gradual (venturi meter) or
sudden(orifice) constriction in the pipeline, and is related to flow velocities and discharge by the energy
and continuity principles.

VENTURI METER

ORIFICE

FORMULA:
𝑣𝑎 = 𝐶𝑣 𝑣𝑡
where:
𝑣𝑎 = 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑣𝑡 = 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝐶𝑣 = 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦; ≤ 1.00

CHAPTER 01 Page 2 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

𝐴𝑎 = 𝐶𝑐 𝐴𝑜

where:
𝐴𝑎 = 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐽𝑒𝑡
𝐴𝑜 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐶𝑐 = 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛; ≤ 1.00

𝑣𝑡 = √2𝑔ℎ (𝐷𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑖’𝑠 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)

𝑄𝑡 = 𝐴𝑜 𝑣𝑡
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐴𝑎 𝑣𝑎
= (𝐶𝑐 𝐴𝑜 )(𝐶𝑣 𝑣𝑡 )
= (𝐶𝑐 𝐶𝑣 )(𝐴𝑜 𝑣𝑡 )
𝑄𝑎 = (𝐶𝑐 𝐶𝑣 )𝑄𝑡
𝐶 = 𝐶𝑐 𝐶𝑣
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄𝑡

CHAPTER 01 Page 3 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

ORIFICE:
𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
𝛾ℎ (0)2 0 𝑣2 2
+ = +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
𝑣2 2
ℎ=
2𝑔
𝑣𝑡 = √2𝑔ℎ

Constant Head
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄𝑡
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 𝑣𝑡
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ

Falling Head

𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ
𝑑ℎ 1
𝐴 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ2
𝑑𝑡
𝐴
1 𝑑ℎ = 𝑑𝑡
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ2
𝑡2 ℎ2
𝐴
∫ 𝑑𝑡 = − ∫ 𝑑ℎ
𝑡1 ℎ1 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ

𝑡2 ℎ1
𝐴
∫ 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ 𝑑ℎ
𝑡1 ℎ2 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ

CHAPTER 01 Page 4 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Falling Head (Time to discharge with constant Surface Area)

𝑡2 ℎ1
𝐴
∫ 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ 1 𝑑ℎ
𝑡1 ℎ2 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ2
𝑡2 ℎ1
𝐴 1
∫ 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ ℎ−2 𝑑ℎ
𝑡1 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔 ℎ2

ℎ
1 𝐴 1 1
[𝑡]𝑡𝑡21
= [ ℎ2 ]
1 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔
2 ℎ2

2𝐴 1 1
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 = 𝛥𝑡 = [ℎ1 2 − ℎ2 2 ]
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔

2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔

Falling Head (Time to discharge with constant Surface Area, with acceleration)
2𝐴(√𝑃1 − √𝑃2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2(𝑔 + 𝑎)𝛾

2𝐴(√𝛾ℎ1 − √𝛾ℎ2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2(𝑔 + 𝑎)𝛾

2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 )√𝛾

𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2(𝑔 + 𝑎)√𝛾

2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2(𝑔 + 𝑎)
where:
𝑡 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
𝐴 = 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
ℎ1 = 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
ℎ2 = 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝑎 = 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑈𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒)
𝐴𝑜 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐶𝑐 = 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛; ≤ 1.00

CHAPTER 01 Page 5 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Submerged Orifice (time to discharge, prismatic)

2𝐴𝐵(√𝛥ℎ1 − √𝛥ℎ2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 (𝐴 + 𝐵)√2𝑔
where:
𝑡 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
𝐴 = 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘
𝐵 = 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘
𝛥ℎ1 = 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝛥ℎ2 = 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝐴𝑜 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐶𝑐 = 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛; ≤ 1.00

CHAPTER 01 Page 6 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 1
Installed is a venturi meter on a pipe 250mm in diameter in which the maximum flow is 125liter
per second. Where the pressure head is 6m of water. To ensure that the pressure head at the throat
does not become negative;
a.) compute the velocity of flow at the throat
b.) smallest possible diameter of the throat
c.) if the weight of water passing through the meter in 2min was 13,800kg, compute the meter
coefficient

Given:
Q = 125 liters/sec = 0.125 m3/s d1 = 250 mm = 0.25 m
3
P1 = Pressure head = 𝛾(6𝑚) = 9810 N/m (6m) = 58860 Pa
P2 = 0 (Pressure head at the throat does not become negative)

Solution:
a.) velocity of flow at the throat (v2)

𝑄 = 𝑣𝐴
𝑄 𝑄
𝑣= =𝜋
𝐴 ( )2
4 𝑑
𝑄 0.125 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑣1 = 𝜋 = 𝜋
( )2 ( )2
4 𝑑1 4 0.25
𝑚
𝑣1 = 2.546
𝑠

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
2
0.125 𝑚3 /𝑠
( 𝜋 )
2 ( 𝑑 ) 2
58860 𝑃𝑎 ( 2.546 ) ( 0 ) 4 2
+ 𝑚 = + 𝑚
𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝑘𝑔 𝑚
1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 2 (9.81 𝑠 2 ) 1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 2 (9.81 2 )
𝑠
𝑚 𝑠 𝑚 𝑠
𝑚
𝑣2 = 11.145
𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 7 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

b.) smallest possible diameter of the throat (d2)

𝑄 = 𝑣𝐴
𝑄 𝑄
𝑣= =𝜋
𝐴 ( )2
4 𝑑
𝑄 0.125 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑣2 = 𝜋 = 𝜋
(𝑑2 )2 (𝑑 )2
4 4 2
𝑑2 = 0.1195 𝑚 = 119.502 𝑚𝑚 (𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡)

c.) if the weight of water passing through the meter in 2min was 13,800kg, compute the meter
coefficient
1 𝑚3
13800 𝑘𝑔 ( ) = 13.8 𝑚3
1000 𝑘𝑔
13.8 𝑚3 𝑚3
𝑄𝑎 = = 0.115
60 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑠
2 𝑚𝑖𝑛 ( 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 )

𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑄𝑡
𝑚3
𝑄𝑎 0.115 𝑠
𝐶= =
𝑄𝑡 𝑚3
0.125 𝑠

𝐶 = 𝐶𝑑 = 0.92

CHAPTER 01 Page 8 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 2
Water flows through a horizontal venturi meter having an inlet diameter of 31cm and throat
diameter of 19cm. If the pressure at the inlet is 750kPa and that at the throat is 550kPa, find the
discharge through the venturi meter. Neglect any losses.

Given:
P1 = 750 kPa = 750000 Pa P2 = 550 kPa = 550000 Pa
d1 = 31cm = 0.31m d2 = 19cm = 0.19m
h1 = h 2

Required:
Q

Solution:
𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ = +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔

𝑄 = 𝑣𝐴
𝑄 𝑄
𝑣= =𝜋
𝐴 ( )2
4 𝑑

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ = +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
2 2
𝑄 𝑄
(𝜋 ) (𝜋 )
( 0.31 )2 ( 0.19 )2
750000 𝑃𝑎 550000 𝑃𝑎
+ 4 𝑚 = + 4 𝑚
𝑘𝑔 𝑚 2 (9.81 2 ) 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 2 (9.81 2 )
1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 𝑠 1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 𝑠
𝑚 𝑠 𝑚 𝑠
𝑚3
𝑄 = 0.612
𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 9 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 3
Water flows through a horizontal venturi meter as
shown at a rate of 2.12cfs.
Determine:
a.) change in pressure head
b.) velocity at the throat
c.) discharge coefficient

Given:
QActual = 2.12 cfs

Solution:
a.) change in pressure head (P1 – P2 = ΔP)
𝑃2 = 𝑃1 + 𝛴𝛿ℎ
𝑙𝑏 ℎ + 9 𝑙𝑏 9 𝑙𝑏 ℎ
𝑃2 = 𝑃1 + (62.4 3 ) ( 𝑓𝑡 ) − 13.6 (62.4 3 ) ( 𝑓𝑡 ) − (62.4 3 ) ( 𝑓𝑡 )
𝑓𝑡 12 𝑓𝑡 12 𝑓𝑡 12
𝑙𝑏
𝑃1 − 𝑃2 = 𝛥𝑃 = 589.68 2 = 4.095 𝑝𝑠𝑖
𝑓𝑡

b.) velocity at the throat (v2)

𝑄 = 𝑣𝐴
𝑄 𝑄
𝑣= =𝜋
𝐴 (𝑑 )2
4
𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑎 2.12 𝑠
𝑣2(𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙) =𝜋 = 2
(𝑑2 )2 𝜋 ( 4 𝑓𝑡)
4 4 12
𝑓𝑡
𝑣2(𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙) = 24.293
𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 10 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
𝑃1 − 𝑃2 𝑣1 2 𝑣2 2
+ =
𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔
2 2

𝑄𝑡 𝑄𝑡
[ 2] [ 2]
𝑙𝑏 𝜋 12 𝜋 4
589.68 2
𝑓𝑡 4 (12 𝑓𝑡) 4 (12 𝑓𝑡)
+ =
𝑙𝑏 𝑓𝑡 𝑓𝑡
62.4 3 2 (32.2 2 ) 2 (32.2 2 )
𝑓𝑡 𝑠 𝑠
𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑡 = 2.166
𝑠
𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑡 2.166
𝑣2(𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) =𝜋 = 𝑠
2
( )2 𝜋 ( 4 𝑓𝑡)
4 𝑑2 4 12
𝑓𝑡
𝑣2(𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) = 24.823
𝑠

c.) discharge coefficient (Cd)

𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄𝑡
𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑎 2.12 𝑠
𝐶𝑑 = =
𝑄𝑡 𝑓𝑡 3
2.166 𝑠

𝐶𝑑 = 0.979

CHAPTER 01 Page 11 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 4
A tank filled with water to a depth of 2.40m is accelerated upward at a ratio of 3m/sec 2. Find
the velocity of the discharge at the orifice 2cm in diameter located at the bottom of the tank.

Given:
h = 2.40m a = 3m/sec2
dOrifice = 2cm = 0.02m

Required:
v

Solution 1:
𝑎
𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ (1 + ) (𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝑔
𝑁 3 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑃 = 9810 ( 2.4 𝑚 ) (1 + )
𝑚3 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑃 = 30744 𝑃𝑎

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
𝑃 (0)2 0 𝑣𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒 2
+ = +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
2
30744 𝑃𝑎 (𝑣𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒 )
= 𝑚
𝑘𝑔 𝑚
1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 2 (9.81 𝑠 2 )
𝑚 𝑠
𝑚
𝑣𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒 = 7.841
𝑠

Solution 2:
𝑣𝑡 = √2(𝑔 + 𝑎)ℎ (𝑈𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒)
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑡 = √2(𝑔 + 𝑎)ℎ = √2 (9.81 2 + 3 2 ) 2.4 𝑚
𝑠 𝑠
𝑚
𝑣𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒 = 7.841
𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 12 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 5
CE BOARD: May 1994
A 1.25cm diameter orifice in a vertical wall of a tank under a constant head of 5.50m discharges
0.45m3 in 9.50 minutes. Find the coefficient of discharge.

Given:
dOrifice = 1.25cm = 0.0125m h = 5.50m
Qa = 0.45m3 in 9.50 minutes.

Required:
Cd

Solution:
𝑚
𝑣𝑡 = √2𝑔ℎ = √2 (9.81 ) (5.5 𝑚)
𝑠2
𝑚
𝑣𝑡 = 10.388
𝑠

𝑚 𝜋
𝑄𝑡 = 𝑣𝑡 𝐴 = 10.388 [ (0.0125 𝑚)2 ]
𝑠 4
𝑚3 𝑚3
𝑄𝑡 = 1.275 𝑥 10−3 = 0.076
𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄𝑡
0.45 𝑚3
𝑄𝑎
𝐶𝑑 = = 9.5 𝑚𝑖𝑛3
𝑄𝑡 𝑚
0.076 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝐶𝑑 = 0.619

CHAPTER 01 Page 13 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 6
CE BOARD: Nov 2006
An orifice having an area of 0.0003m2 is located on the vertical side of a tank. The tank has a
constant cross-sectional area of 0.40m2. It takes 312 seconds to lower the head from 1.20m to 0.6m
a.) coefficient of discharge
b.) using C=0.60, determine the time to lower the head from 1.20m to 0.80m
c.) using C=0.60, determine the head after 240 seconds from initial head of 1.20m

Given:
AOrifice = 0.0003m2 A = 0.40m2 t = 312 sec
h1 = 1.20m h2 = 0.6m

Solution:
a.) coefficient of discharge (Cd)
2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔

2(0.40𝑚2 )(√1.2𝑚 − √0.6𝑚)

312 𝑠 =
𝑚
𝐶𝑑 (0.0003 𝑚3 )√2 (9.81 )
𝑠2
𝐶𝑑 = 0.619

b.) using C=0.60, determine the time to lower the head from 1.20m to 0.80m
2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 ) 2(0.40𝑚2 )(√1.2𝑚 − √0.8𝑚)
𝑡= =
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔 𝑚
(0.6)(0.0003 𝑚3 )√2 (9.81 2 )
𝑠
𝑡 = 201.699 𝑠𝑒𝑐

c.) using C=0.60, determine the head after 240 seconds from initial head of 1.20m
2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔
2(0.40𝑚2 )(√1.2𝑚 − √ℎ2 )
240 𝑠 =
𝑚
0.6(0.0003 𝑚2 )√2 (9.81 2 )
𝑠
ℎ2 = 0.733 𝑚

CHAPTER 01 Page 14 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 7
CE BOARD: May 2000
A cylindrical tank 4m in diameter is divided by a vertical partition along its diameter. A
submerged square orifice 20cm x 20cm (C=0.60) is located on the side of the partition. At a certain
instant, the water level in one side is 6m higher than the water level on the other side. How long will
it take for the water surface to be at the same level?

Given:
D = 4m Orifice = 20cm x 20cm = 0.04 m2 C = Cd = 0.60
Δh1 = 6m Δh2 = 0

Required:
t @ Δh2 = 0

Solution:
𝜋
[ (4 𝑚 ) 2 ]
𝐴=𝐵= 4
2
𝐴 = 𝐵 = 2𝜋 = 6.283 𝑚3

2𝐴𝐵(√𝛥ℎ1 − √𝛥ℎ2 ) 2(2𝜋)(2𝜋)(√6 𝑚 − √0)

𝑡= =
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 (𝐴 + 𝐵)√2𝑔 𝑚
0.6(0.04)(2𝜋 + 2𝜋)√2 (9.81 )
𝑠2
𝑡 = 144.775 𝑠𝑒𝑐

CHAPTER 01 Page 15 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 8
CE BOARD: May 1999
An open cylindrical tank 4m in diameter and 10m high contains 4m of oil (sg=0.8) and 6m of
water. An orifice 100mm in diameter is located at the bottom of the tank with Cc=0.90 and Cv=0.98.
Find the time to discharge all the contents in mins.

Given:
D = 4m do = 100mm = 0.1 m Cc = 0.90
Cv = 0.98

Required:
Time to discharge all the contents in mins

Solution:

2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 ) √𝛾 2𝐴(√𝛾ℎ1 − √𝛾ℎ1 )

𝑡= ∗ =
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔 √𝛾 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔𝛾

2𝐴(√𝑃1 − √𝑃2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔𝛾

𝐶𝑑 = 𝐶𝑐 𝐶𝑣 = 0.9(0.98) = 0.882

Total time needed to discharge all the water (𝑡𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ):

𝑃1 = 0.8𝛾𝐻2 𝑂 (4 𝑚) + 𝛾𝐻2 𝑂 (6 𝑚)
𝑃1 = 0.8(9810 𝑁/𝑚3 )(4 𝑚) + (9810 𝑁/𝑚3 )(6 𝑚)
𝑃1 = 90252 𝑃𝑎

𝑃2 = 0.8(9810 𝑁/𝑚3 )(4 𝑚)

𝑃2 = 31392 𝑃𝑎

𝜋
2𝐴(√𝑃1 − √𝑃2 ) 2 [4 (4 𝑚)2 ] (√90252 𝑃𝑎 − √31392 𝑃𝑎)
𝑡= =
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔𝛾 𝜋 𝑚
0.882 [ 4 (0.1 𝑚)2 ] √2 (9.81 2 ) (9810 𝑁/𝑚3 )
𝑠
𝑡𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 996.036 𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 16 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Total time needed to discharge all the oil (𝑡𝑜𝑖𝑙 ):

𝑃1 = 0.8(9810 𝑁/𝑚3 )(4 𝑚)
𝑃1 = 31392 𝑃𝑎
𝑃2 = 0

𝜋
2𝐴(√𝑃1 − √𝑃2 ) 2 [4 (4 𝑚)2 ] (√31392 𝑃𝑎 − √0)
𝑡= =
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔𝛾 𝜋 𝑚
0.882 [ 4 (0.1 𝑚)2 ] √2 (9.81 2 ) (9810 𝑁/𝑚3 )
𝑠
𝑡𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 1488.388 𝑠

𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑡𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 + 𝑡𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 996.036 𝑠 + 1488.388 𝑠 = 2484.425 𝑠

𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 41.407 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 17 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 9
A venturi meter is introduced in a 300 mm diameter horizontal pipeline carrying water under a
pressure of 150 kN/m2. The throat diameter of the meter is 100 mm and the pressure at the throat is
400 mm of mercury below atmosphere(negative). If 3% of the differential pressure is lost between inlet
and throat, determine the flow rate in the pipeline

Given:
d1 = 300 mm = 0.3 m P1 = 150 kN/m2 =150000 Pa
d2 = 100 mm = 0.1 m h2 = - 400 mm = -0.4 m of mercury
3% of the differential pressure is lost between inlet and throat

Required:
flow rate in the pipeline (Q)

Solution 1:
𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ
𝑁
𝑃2 = [𝑠𝑔(𝐻𝑔) 𝛾𝐻2 𝑂 ]ℎ2 = [(13.6) (9810 )] (−0.4 𝑚)
𝑚3
𝑃2 = −53366.4 𝑃𝑎

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
𝑃1 𝑃2 𝑣1 2 𝑣2 2
− + =
𝛾 𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔
𝑃1 𝑃2 0.03(𝑃1 − 𝑃2 ) 𝑣2 2 𝑣1 2
( − )− = −
𝛾 𝛾 𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔
(𝑃1 − 𝑃2 ) 0.03(𝑃1 − 𝑃2 ) 𝑣2 2 𝑣1 2
[ ]− = −
𝛾 𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔
0.97(𝑃1 − 𝑃2 ) 𝑣2 2 𝑣1 2
= −
𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔
𝑄 2 𝑄 2
0.97[150000 𝑃𝑎 − (−53366.4 𝑃𝑎)] [ ] [ ]
𝐴2 𝐴1
= −
𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔

CHAPTER 01 Page 18 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

2 2
𝑄 𝑄
[𝜋 ] [𝜋 ]
0.97[150000 𝑃𝑎 − (−53366.4 𝑃𝑎)] ( 𝑑2 ) 2 (𝑑1 )2
= 4 − 4
𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔
2 2
𝑄 𝑄
[𝜋 ] [𝜋 ]
0.97[150000 𝑃𝑎 − (−53366.4 𝑃𝑎)] (0.1 𝑚)2 (0.3 𝑚)2
= 4 𝑚 −
4
𝑚
𝑘𝑔 𝑚 2 (9.81 2 ) 2 (9.81 2 )
1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 𝑠 𝑠
𝑚 𝑠
𝑚3
𝑄 = 0.157
𝑠

Solution 2:
Modified Bernoulli’s energy equation for real fluid flows
𝑃1 𝛼1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝛼1 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2 + ℎ𝐿
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
where:
𝛼1 , 𝛼2 = 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐) 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
ℎ𝐿 = 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠

Assume 𝛼1 = 𝛼2 = 1
𝑃1 𝛼1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝛼1 𝑣2 2
+ + ℎ1 = + + ℎ2 + ℎ𝐿
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
𝑄 2 𝑄 2
𝑃1 ( )
1 𝐴[ ] 𝑃2 ( )
1 𝐴 ]
[
1 2
+ = + + ℎ𝐿
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
2 2
𝑄 𝑄
[𝜋 ] [𝜋 ]
𝑃1 (𝑑1 )2 𝑃2 (𝑑2 )2 0.03(𝑃1 − 𝑃2 )
+ 4 = + 4 +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
2 2
𝑄 𝑄
[𝜋 ] [𝜋 ]
(0.1 𝑚) 2 (0.3 𝑚)2
150000 𝑃𝑎 4 (−53366.4 𝑃𝑎) 4 0.03[150000 𝑃𝑎 − (−53366.4 𝑃𝑎)]
+ 𝑚 = + 𝑚 +
𝑘𝑔 𝑚 2 (9.81 2 ) 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 2 (9.81 2 ) 𝑘𝑔 𝑚
1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 𝑠 1000 3 (9.81 2 ) 𝑠 1000 3 (9.81 2 )
𝑚 𝑠 𝑚 𝑠 𝑚 𝑠

𝑚3
𝑄 = 0.157
𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 19 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 10
A large rectangular orifice 0.40 m wide and 0.60 m deep, placed with the upper edge in a
horizontal position 0.90 m vertically below the water surface in a vertical side wall of a large tank, is
discharging to atmosphere. Calculate the rate of flow through the orifice if its discharge coefficient is
0.65

Given:
bOrifice = 0.40 m hOrifice = 0.60 m
h1 = 0.90 + 0.60 = 1.5 m h2 = 0.90 m
Cd = 0.65

Required:
Rate of flow through the orifice (Q)

Solution:
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑄𝑡 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 𝑣𝑡
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ (𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠)
ℎ 1
𝑄𝑎 = ∫ℎ 2 𝐶𝑑 [𝑏(𝑑ℎ)]√2𝑔ℎ2
1

ℎ2 1
𝑄𝑎 = ∫ 𝐶𝑑 𝑏√2𝑔ℎ2 𝑑ℎ (𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠)
ℎ1

For rectangular orifice (𝑏 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)

ℎ2 1 ℎ2 1
𝑄𝑎 = ∫ 𝐶𝑑 𝑏√2𝑔ℎ2 𝑑ℎ = 𝐶𝑑 𝑏√2𝑔 ∫ ℎ2 𝑑ℎ
ℎ1 ℎ1
ℎ2
1 3 2 3 3
𝑄𝑎 = [ 𝐶𝑑 √2𝑔ℎ2 ] = 𝐶𝑑 𝑏√2𝑔 (ℎ2 2 − ℎ1 2 )
3 3
2 ℎ1

2 3 3
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑏√2𝑔 (ℎ2 2 − ℎ1 2 ) (𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦)
3
𝑚 3 3
𝑄𝑎 = (0.65)(0.4 𝑚)√2 (9.81 ) [ ( 1.5 𝑚 ) 2 − (0.9)2 ]
𝑠2
𝑚3
𝑄𝑎 = 0.755
𝑠

CHAPTER 01 Page 20 of 21
Module 1 – Venturi meter and Orifice

Sample Problem 11
A vertical circular tank 1.25 m diameter is fitted with a sharp-edged circular orifice 50 mm in
diameter in its base. When the flow of water into the tank was shut off, the time taken to lower the
head from 2 to 0.75 m was 253 s. Determine the rate of flow (in liters per second) through the orifice
under a steady head of 1.5 m

Given:
D = 1.25m do = 50mm = 0.05m
t = 253 s from h1 = 2 to h2 = 0.75

Required:
Rate of flow (Q) at h = 1.5 m

Solution:

2𝐴(√ℎ1 − √ℎ2 )
𝑡=
𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔
𝜋
2 [ 4 (1.25 𝑚)2 ] (√2 𝑚 − √0.75 𝑚)
253 𝑠 =
𝜋 𝑚
𝐶𝑑 [4 (0.05 𝑚)2 ] √2 (9.81 2 )
𝑠
𝐶𝑑 = 0.611

𝜋 𝑚
𝑄𝑎 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐴𝑜 √2𝑔ℎ = 0.611 [ (0.05 𝑚)2 ] √2 (9.81 2 ) (1.5 𝑚)
4 𝑠
𝑚3
𝑄𝑎 = 0.00651
𝑠

References
➢ Marriot, M. (2016). Nalluri & Featherstone’s Civil Engineering Hydraulics: Essential Theory with
Worked Examples (6th ed.)

CHAPTER 01 Page 21 of 21