REP: Fluids lab
July 4
CALIBRATION OF VENTURI AND ORIFICE METERS
Venkata Sai Subhash Geddam, R Roshan, Ujjawal, Busi Swathi Priya, Lohith reddy, Yash Bharti
Department of Aerospace
IIST
ABSTRACT
In this experiment the aim is to calibrate both venturi and
orifice apparatus by plotting the graphs of coefficient of dis-
charge of a orifice meter against Reynolds number as well as
the coefficient of discharge of a venturi meter against the cor-
responding calculated Reynolds number. In order to calibrate
the venturi and orifice flow meters, a known volume of fluid is
used to pass to measure the rate of flow of the fluid through the
pipe. Venturi meter consists of a vena contracta shaped and short
length pipe which fits into a normal pipe line. On the other hand,
Orifice meters consists of a flat plate with flanges and is placed
at the middle of the pipe and behaves similarly to a venturi me-
ter. Since the Bernoulli’s Principle is followed, when Reynolds
number is decreased, the coefficient discharge of a venturi meter
and orifice meter increases. Finding all the unkowns form the
table We can get calibration curve by plotting actual discharge
vs manometric height.
NOMENCLATURE
Qth Theoretical discharge (m3 /s)
Qa Actual discharge (m3 /s)
A cross sectional area of collecting tank (m2 )
Hm Mercuric level difference in manometer (m)
a1 cross section are of pipe at inlet (m2 )
a0 Cross section area of Orifice (m2 )
h Pressure head difference in terms of fluid flowing through
pipeline (m)
∆h Height of water collected in collecting tank (m)
t Time required to collect the water up to a height ∆ h in the
collecting tank (s)
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EXP-TH 01
1 INTRODUCTION
venturi and orifice meters are two typical head meters which
are commonly used to measure flow rates. When flow is ob-
sereved pressure difference occurs between the upstream and
downstream sides of the apparatus which is caused by the nar-
rowing that changes the pressure head partly into the velocity
heads. A venturi meter consists of three parts: a short converg-
ing part, a diverging part and a throat. In the converging part
the friction has a negligible effect on the upstream side while the
diverging part is made as smooth and as tapering as possible to
eliminate drag and friction. on the other hand Orifice meter con-
sists of flat circular plate which has a circular hole, in concentric
with the pipe. The sharp edged holes are usually situated w.r.t
upstream and it resembles a squat frustum of a cone when seen
in cross-section. Orifice meter is usually cheap when compared
to a venturi meter, however, it is inconvenient in a way that the
permanent head loss is always accounted due to friction at the
constriction. Orifice and venturi meters follows the Bernoulli’s
Principle given in the equation for incompressible and compress-
ible fluid flow.
2 EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
Flow measure can be regarded as quantification of bulk fluid
movement. The experimental setup consists of 5 components
namely, main tank, pump, bypass valve, a collecting tank and
the venturi meter. Both venturi and orifice meter are installed in
the pipe connecting the collecting tank and pump. A manometer
with mercury as manometric fluid is installed between the throat
of venturi meter and pipe. Orifice meter works on the same prin-
ciple as that of Venturi meter i.e., by reducing the area of flow
passage a pressure difference is developed between the two sec-
tions and the measurement of pressure difference is used to find
the discharge Venturi and orifice meters actually have many ma-
jor differences. The pressure losses in more in orifice than in
venturi due to fact that the venturi meter has a converging part
where it can actually restore the pressure. The coefficient of dis-
charge is 0.98 for venturi meter but it is 0.6 for orifice meter due
to the vortices formed.
Pressure head difference in terms of fluid flowing through
pipeline is given by:
ρm
h = Hm [ − 1]cm
ρw
The mercury level difference is given by:
Hm = h2 − h1 cm
The average time is taken in order to get uniform evaluation and
is given by:
But it is also regarded as the rate of volume change in the col-
lecting tank and is mathematically given by
A∆h
Qa =
t
3 Procedure for conduct of experiment
3.1 procedure for orifice meter calibration
1. Note the diameter at the inlet of pipe (d1) and the diameter
of an orifice (do).
2. Note the density of manometric liquid i.e. mercury (ρm ) and
that of fluid flowing through pipeline i.e. water (ρw ).
3. Connect the U-tube manometer to the pressure toppings of
orifice meter, one end at the inlet section and the other end
at the section where jet of water leaves from orifice forming
a vena contracta.
4. Start the flow and adjust the control valve in pipeline to get
the required discharge.
5. Measure the pressure difference (Hm) between two sections
of orifice meter by using U-tube mercury manometer.
6. Measure flow rate i.e. actual discharge (Qact) through Ori-
ficemeter by collecting the water in collecting tank for a
specified period of time.
7. Change the flow rate by adjusting the control valve and re-
peat the process for at least five times.
8. Tabulate the readings and find the values of log Qa and log
Hm.
9. Plot the graph log Qa Vs log Hm.
10. Determine the value of constant ‘K’ and ‘n’ from the graph.
11. Draw the Calibration Curve by plotting the graph Qa Vs Hm.

t2 − t1 3.2 procedure for venturi meter calibration

t= cm 1. Note the pipe diameter (d1) and throat diameter (d2) of Ven-
2
turimeter.
Theoretical discharge through orifice meter is given by, 2. Note the density of manometric liquid i.e. mercury (ρm)
and that of fluid flowing through pipeline ie, water (ρw).
√ 3. Start the pump and adjust the control valve in pipeline for
a1 a2 2gh
Qth = q maximum discharge.
a21 − a22 4. Measure the pressure difference (Hm) across the Venturime-
ter by using U – tube manometer.
The coefficient of discharge of orifice meter, 5. Measure flow rate ie, actual discharge (Qact) through Ven-
turimeter by means of collecting tank.
Qa 6. Calculate the theoretical discharge (Qth) through Ven-
cd = turimeter by using the formula.
Qth
7. Decrease the flow rate by adjusting the control valve and
So Qa is indirectly written as, repeat the process for at least five times.
8. Determine the coefficient of discharge (Cd) for each flow
√ rate and find the mean value of coefficient of discharge (Cd).
a1 a2 2gh
Qa = cd ∗ q 9. Tabulate the readings and find the values of log Qa and log
a21 − a22 Hm.

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10. Plot the graph log Qa Vs log Hm. Area of the tank 2500cm2
11. Determine the value of constant ‘K’ and ‘n’ from the graph.
12. Draw the Calibration Curve by plotting the graph Qa Vs Hm. g 2500m2 /s
Rise of the water tank 5cm
Dia of pipe 2.5cm
3.3 Parameter variation and approximations
Dia of throat 1.5cm
For conducting this experiment, the time is recorded using a
stop watch which can have some random associated with it. The
water level in tank can have ambiguous values due to fluctuations
in water levels. While reading the manometer readings, there 5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
can be random error associated with it. Hence we repeat the From the experiment conducted, caluculation is done and
experiment again and again in order to validate the data for the the graph is plotted. For orifice meter,
test coefficient of discharge, (cd ) = 0.736744556.
from graph value of K= 193.77
from graph value of n 0.5583
Caliberation equation,
4 EXPERIMENTAL DATA
The experiment was done and the following readings were Qa = 0.736744556(Hm )0.5583
obtained.

From the experiment conducted, caluculation is done and

TABLE 1. Measured data for orifice meter the graph is plotted. For venturi meter, coefficient of discharge,
(cd ) = 0.972866008.
h1 h2 t1 t2
from graph value of K= 288.07
23.7 38.4 13.53 13.06 from graph value of n 0.505
Calibration equation,
23.6 38.3 15.44 14.26
24.3 37.6 115.33 15.23
Qa = 0.97286600883(Hm )0.505
26.7 35.2 20.52 19.58
30.4 31.5 60.77 60.7
24.7 37.2 16.22 15.99

TABLE 2. Measured data for venturi meter

h1 h2 t1 t2
27.4 34.9 14.94 15.93
28.2 34 17.25 17.75
FIGURE 1. for venturimeter
29 33.3 21.1 20.31
30 32.7 27.66 27.85
30.9 31.2 78.34 78.65

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 Time for 5 cm
Manometer Actual Theoretical Coefficient of
rise in
readings Discharge Discharge discharge
collecting tank ( t )
h1 h2 h=h2-h1 t1 t2
S.No. tmean (s) Qa (cm³/s) Qth (cm³/s) Cd Log Qa Log Hm Hm
cm Hg cm Hg cm Hg Sec Sec

4
1 23.7 38.4 185.22 13.53 13.09 13.31 939.1435011 1141.065959 0.823040503 2.972731958 1.167317335 14.7
2 23.6 38.3 185.22 15.44 14.26 14.85 841.7508418 1141.065959 0.737688155 2.925183559 1.167317335 14.7
3 24.3 37.6 167.58 15.33 15.23 15.28 818.0628272 1085.370223 0.753717773 2.912786659 1.123851641 13.3
4 26.7 35.2 107.1 20.52 19.58 20.05 623.4413965 867.6839115 0.718512108 2.794795636 0.929418926 8.5
5 30.4 31.5 13.86 60.77 60.7 60.735 205.8121347 312.1392803 0.659359932 2.313470977 0.041392685 1.1
6 24.7 37.2 157.5 16.22 15.99 16.105 776.1564731 1052.221299 0.737636155 2.889949284 1.096910013 12.5

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 Time for 5 cm
Actual Theoretical Coefficient
Manometer readings rise in
Discharge Discharge of discharge
collecting tank ( t )
h1 h2 h=h2-h1 t1 t2
S.No. tmean (s) Qa (cm³/s) Qth (cm³/s) Cd Log Qa Log Hm Hm
cm Hg cm Hg cm Hg Sec Sec

5
1 27.4 34.9 94.5 14.94 15.93 15.435 809.8477486 815.0471136 0.99362078 2.908403379 0.875061263 7.5
2 28.2 34 73.08 17.25 17.75 17.5 714.2857143 716.7473218 0.996565585 2.853871964 0.763427994 5.8
3 29 33.3 54.18 21.1 20.31 20.705 603.7189085 617.1437141 0.978246873 2.780834778 0.633468456 4.3
4 30 32.7 34.02 27.66 27.85 27.755 450.3693028 489.0282681 0.920947381 2.653568781 0.431363764 2.7
5 30.9 31.2 3.78 78.34 78.65 78.495 159.2458118 163.0094227 0.976911697 2.202068019 -0.522878745 0.3

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 FIGURE 5. for orificemeter

FIGURE 2. for venturimeter

FIGURE 3. for venturimeter

FIGURE 6. for orificemeter

TABLE 3. table for cd and error for venturimeter

Cd Error
0.99362078 0.068211
0.996565585 0.067115
0.978246873 0.06748
0.920947381 0.070768
0.976911697 0.090091
FIGURE 4. for orificemeter

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 TABLE 4. table for cd and error for orificemeter a1 is the area of pipe and a2 is the area of orifice. Substitut-
Cd Error ing we get,
0.823040503 0.035230323
Qth = 1141.065959cm3 /s
0.737688155 0.035688453
0.753717773 0.034075685
Now coefficient of dischage is given by,
0.718512108 0.02855086
0.659359932 0.01720556 Qa
cd = = 0.823040503
0.737636155 0.033283768 Qth

.
We will see the sample calculation of reading 1 from venturi
6 CONCLUSION meter.
In this experiment we have found the coefficient of di-
acharge for both orifice and venturimeter and we have plotted ρm
h = Hm ∗ ( − 1)
the respective caliberation chart. This curve can be used to find ρw
the discharge corresponding to the manometer reading. Also we
have done the error analysis for the cd readings and it is tabu- where, Hm = h2 − h1 , we get h = 94.5 cm, Now actual discharge
lated. we can see that the cd for venturi meter is more than that is given by,
for orifice meter. So we can say that the venturimeter is more
accurate for finding the flow discharge.
2500 ∗ 5
Qa = = 809.84774861cm3 /s
t2 − t1
REFERENCES
[1] Calibration of Venturimeter and Orificemeter, anil chejara. . Theoretical diachage is given by,
https://www.scribd.com/document/72240835/Calibration-
of-Venturimeter-and-Orificemeter/, 2014. √
a1 a2 2gh
Qth = q
a21 − a22
Appendix A: Sample calculation
We will see the sample calculation of reading 1 from orifice a1 is the area of pipe and a2 is the area of venturi meter at
meter. throat section. Substituting we get,

ρm
h = Hm ∗ ( − 1) Qth = 815.0471136cm3 /s
ρw

where, Hm = h2 − h1 , we get h = 185.22 cm, Now actual dis- Now coefficient of dischage is given by,
charge is given by,
Qa
cd = = 0.99362078
2500 ∗ 5 Qth
Qa = = 939.1435011cm3 /s
t2 − t1
.

. Theoretical diachage is given by,

Appendix B: ERROR ANALYSIS
√ As a sample error analysis, error analysis of reading 5 from
a1 a2 2gh
Qth = q venturi meter is shown. random error of 1% is taken to find the
a21 − a22 uncertainities. The uncertainities are tabulated.

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 Hm 0.10004499 = 0.0067344888

d1 0.103077641m
t 1.271277508s
√
d2 0.1011187421m 0.01235 ∗ d22 hm ∗ t ∗ [2d12 d2 − d23 ]
Ud2 = ∗ ud2
(d12 − d23 )1 .5

we have,
√ √
A1 ∗ A2 ∗ t ∗ 2gHm
cd = 0.01235 ∗ 1.52 0.3 ∗ 78.34 ∗ [2 ∗ 2.52 ∗ 1.5 − 1.53 ]
Ud2 = ∗0.101118742
q
2500 ∗ 5 ∗ A21 − A22 (2.52 − 1.53 )1 .5

where A1 A2 is the area of pipe and throat, Hm is the head loss, t

is the average time. Substituting the values, we get

√ = 0.0644920812
0.01235 ∗ d12 ∗ d22 ∗ hm ∗ t
cd = q
d12 − d22
Therefore,

now,
q
Uf = Uh2m ∗Ud21 ∗Ut2 ∗Ud22
0.01235 ∗ d12 ∗ d22 ∗ t
Uhm = √ q ∗ uhm
2 ∗ hm ∗ d12 − d22

= 0.090090656
0.01235 ∗ d2.52 ∗ 1.52 ∗ 78.495
= √ √ ∗0.10004499 = 0.0622509829
2 ∗ 0.3 ∗ 2.52 − 1.52
friction factor = 0.976911697 ± 0.09.

√
0.01235 ∗ d12 ∗ d22 ∗ hm
Ut = q ∗ ut
d12 − d22

√
0.01235 ∗ 2.52 ∗ 1.52 ∗ 0.3
= √ ∗ 1.271277508 = 0.0060464503
2.52 − 1.52

√
0.01235 ∗ d22 hm ∗ t ∗ [d13 − 2d1 d22 ]
Ud1 = ∗ ud1
(d12 − d2 )1 .5

√
0.01235 ∗ 1.52 0.3 ∗ 78.34 ∗ [2.53 − 2 ∗ 2.5 ∗ 1.52 ]
= ∗0.103077641
(2.52 − 1.5)1 .5 FIGURE 7. for venturimeter

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FIGURE 8. for orificemeter

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