University Of Bahri

Electrical Engineering Department

Fluid Mechanics and Machines
Chapter Six

Fluid Measurements
Lecturer: Jassim Salah Mohammed
Measurement Of Flow Rate
PRINCIPLE OF THE VENTURI METER
Applying Bernoulli’s equation to sections 1 and 2
Volume rate of flow :
Since pressures at level XX must be the same in both limbs :
Example :
The flow rate in a pipe is determined by use of the Venturi meter
shown in Fig. Below Using the information given in the figure
and h = 4 cm, Calculate the flow rate assuming uniform flow and
no losses (these assumptions are reasonable for highly turbulent
flows).
Solution
Example :

A venturimeter of 150 mm × 75 mm size is used to measure

the flow rate of oil having specific gravity of 0.9. The
reading shown by the U tube manometer connected to the
venturimeter is 150 mm of mercury column. Calculate the
coefficient of discharge for the venturimeter if the flow rate is
1.7 m3/min.
(Note : The size of venturimeter generally specified terms of
inlet and throat diameters)

Solution
 Example :

A venturimeter is used to measure liquid flow rate of 7500

litres per minute. The difference in pressure across the
venturimeter is equivalent to 8 m of the flowing liquid. The
pipe diameter is 19 cm. Calculate the throat diameter of the
venturimeter. Assume the coefficient of discharge for the
venturimeter as 0.96.

Solution
THEORY OF SMALL ORIFICES DISCHARGING
TO ATMOSPHERE Total Energy Per Unit Weight at A = Total
Energy Per Unit Weight at B
Example :
A jet of water discharges horizontally into the atmosphere from an
orifice in the vertical side of a large open-topped tank (Fig. below).
Derive an expression for the actual velocity v of a jet at the vena
contraction if the jet falls a distance y vertically in a horizontal
distance x, measured from the vena contraction. If the head of water
above the orifice is H, determine the coefficient of velocity.
If the orifice has an area of 650 mm2 and the jet falls a distance y of
0.5 m in a horizontal distance x of 1.5 m from the vena contraction,
calculate the values of the coefficients of velocity, discharge and
contraction, given that the volume rate of flow is 0.117 m3/min and
the head H above the orifice is 1.2 m.
Solution
Putting x = 1.5 m, y = 0.5 m, H = 1.2 m and area, A = 650 × 10−6 m2,
Example :
The actual velocity of a liquid issuing through a 7 cm diameter
orifice fitted in an open tank is 6 m/s under a head of 3 m. If the
discharge measured in a collecting tank is 0.020 m3/s, Calculate
the coefficient of velocity, coefficient of contraction and the
theoretical discharge through the orifice.

Solution
Example :
Water is discharged through a 15 cm diameter orifice in the
vertical side of an open tank at the rate of 190 litres per second.
Water stands 15 m above the centerline of the orifice. A point on
the jet measured from the vena contracta has co-ordinates 5 m
horizontal and 0.5 m vertical. Find the hydraulic coefficients Cv,
Cc and Cd of the orifice.

Solution
THEORY OF LARGE ORIFICES
For a rectangular notch :
For a vee notch :
 H.W
1. Show That :
For The Venturi meter ,the flow rate Q is given by an expression of the form :

Where A1 is Area at Section 1, m= A1/A2,h is the difference of level indicated

by the manometer Liquid in the U-tube , ρman is density of manometer
Liquid , ρ is density of Fluid in Pipe Line .
2.A venturimeter is fitted in a pipe of 30 cm diameter inclined at
40° to the horizontal to measure the flow rate of petrol having a
specific gravity of 0.8. The ratio of areas of main pipe and throat
is 5 and the throat is at 1 m from the inlet along its length. The
difference in manometer head is 40 mm of mercury. Assuming
the coefficient of discharge as 0.96. Calculate the discharge
through the venturimeter and the pressure difference between the
throat and the entry point of the venturimeter.
3.Show That: For the Vee notch Orifices, The flow rate Q is given by an expression of the form:

Where 𝜽 is The Angle of aVee notch , H is Height of Fluid in aVee notch .

4. Show That: For the rectangular notch Orifices, The flow rate Q is given by an expression
of the form:

Where B is Width of rectangular notch, H is Height of Fluid in rectangular notch

End