EXPERIMENT NO.

06 DISCHARGE COEFFICIENT OF A VENTURI METER

OBJECTIVE To be able to calculate the discharge coefficient of a venturi meter.

APPARATUS Flow meter apparatus

THEORY

Figure 1. Section of a venturi meter

The venturi meter is used to measure flow rate in a pipe using Bernoulli’s Energy
theorem.
The pressure heads at the inlet and at the throat can be measured using pressure
gages, while the elevation heads at both points are equal. By the continuity
equation Q1 = Q2, the theoretical velocities can be acquired using the Bernoulli’s
Energy theorem.
The theoretical velocity acquired from the Bernoulli’s Energy theorem neglects
head loss. To account for the head loss, an actual velocity can be got by
observation of the actual discharge. The coefficient of discharge is therefore given
by:
𝑄𝑎
𝐶= 𝑄𝑡
[eqn. 1]

where: 𝐶 = coefficient of discharge

𝑄𝑎 = actual discharge
𝑄𝑡 = theoretical discharge
PROCEDURE
1. Switch on the flow meter and at the instant the water passes through the venturi meter,
start the stopwatch.
2. Observe the discharge of water through the venturi meter and read the pressure gages
attached at the inlet and throat of the meter and record.
3. Observe the discharge of water that accumulates in the volumetric container for a time t.
4. At the stoppage of flow, record the volume accumulated in the container at a time t.

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 DATA SHEET
EXPERIMENT NO. 06 DISCHARGE COEFFICIENT OF A VENTURI METER

Name : ____________________________________________ Date Performed : _________________

Group No.: ______ Date Submitted: __________________

DATA Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Actual discharge,
Qa (m3/s)
Time, t (s)
Pressure at inlet,
P1 (kPa)
Pressure at throat,
P2 (kPa)
Area at inlet, A1
(m2)
Area at the throat,
A2 (m2)
Theoretical velocity
at inlet, v1 (m/s)
Theoretical velocity
at throat, v2 (m/s)
Coefficient of
discharge, C

Instructor’s Signature: __________________

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:

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DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

CONCLUSION

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