EXPERIMENT # 2:

Flow through an Orifice

Objective:
To determine the contraction, velocity and discharge coefficients (Cc , Cv and Cd) for a sharp edged
orifice.
To determine the relationship between flow rate and head drop across the orifice and to demonstrate
that the discharge coefficient is constant over a range of flow conditions.

1.
2.

Applications of orifice:
There are several reasons you might want to install a restrictive device or orifice in a piping system.

To create a false head for a centrifugal pump.

To increase the line pressure.
To decrease the flow through a line.
To increase the fluid velocity in a line.

Apparatus:Orifice meter.

Theory:An Orifice is an opening in a vessel through which the liquid flows out.
Orifice meter is used to measure the discharge through pipe. An orifice meter, in its simplest form
consists of a plate having a sharp edge circular hole known as an orifice. This plate is fixed inside a pipe as
shown.

Vena Contracta:It has been observed, that the jet, after leaving the orifice, gets contracted. The maximum
contraction takes place at a section slightly on the downstream side of the orifice, where the jet is more or
less horizontal. Such a section is known as Vena Contracta as shown.
Section 1
Section 2

HYDRAULIC COEFFICIENTS:a) Coefficient of Contraction:Cc

b) Coefficient of Velocity:Cv

c) Coefficient of Discharge:Cd

C d = Cv x C c
We can predict the velocity at the orifice using the Bernoulli equation. Apply it along the streamline joining
point 1 on the surface to point 2 at the centre of the orifice.
P1+ (u12/2) + gz1 = P2+ (u22/ 2) + gz2_____(1)

At the surface velocity is negligible (u1 = 0) and the pressure atmospheric (p1 = 0).At the orifice the jet is
open to the air so again the pressure is atmospheric (p = 0).The eq1 will become then_________________
gz1 = (u22/ 2) + gz2
The density will be cancelled .If we take the datum line through the orifice then z1 = h and z2 =0, putting
all these values in the above equation we will get_______________

___________(2)
This is the theoretical value of velocity. Unfortunately it will be an over estimate of the real velocity because
friction losses have not been taken into account. To incorporate friction we use the coefficient of velocity
to correct the theoretical velocity,

Each orifice has its own coefficient of velocity, they usually lie in the range (0.97 - 0.99)
To calculate the discharge through the orifice we multiply the area of the jet by the velocity. The actual area
of the jet is the area of the vena contracta not the area of the orifice. We obtain this area by using a
coefficient of contraction for the orifice

So the discharge through the orifice is given by

Where Cd is the coefficient of discharge, and Cd = Cc Cv

Method:1.
Stand the apparatus on the top of the hydraulics bench and connect the bench supply hose to the
inlet pipe diffuser to about 30mm below the top of the overflow pipe.
2.
Connect a hose to the overflow pipe and push the other end of the hose into the drain hole in the
bench top.
3.
Position the apparatus so that the orifice is directly above the pipe leading to the bench weighing
tank.
4.
Switch on the bench pump and open the flow control valve to supply water to the apparatus.
5.
When the water level has risen to the top of the overflow pipe, adjust the flow control valve to
obtain a overflow pipe. This will ensure a constant water level in the tank..
6.
Determination of Cc and Cv. Set the traverse mechanism so that the sharp blade will pass through
the water jet emerging from the orifice.
7.
Traverse the blade to intersect one edge and then the opposite edge of the jet. Record the lead
screw reading at each point (the lead screw has I thread per mm and each division on the hand nut
represents 0,1mm)
8.
Now set the pitot tube in the center of the water jet. From the manometers on the side of the tank,
read the pitot head hp and the head h across the orifice.
9.
Measure the flow rate through the orifice by quantity of water in the bench weighing tank.
10.
Record the diameter d of the orifice (this is given on the apparatus)
11.
Carefully reduce the flow rate to the tank so that the head h is reduced by about 10% Adjust the
inlet pipe to keep the diffuser about 30mm below the water.
12.
When the water in the tank has settled to a constant level, read the exact value of head and measure
the flow rate through the orifice.
Repeat (11) and (12) until you have about 8 sets of readings over a range of flow rates.

Results:
Diameter of the orifice (d)
Area of orifice (A orifice )

mm =

d2 / 4 =

Tank piezometer reading (h) =

mm

Coefficient of contraction:
Lead screw reading on left side of the jet ( L1) =

mm

Lead screw reading on right side of the jet (L2) =

mm

Difference =

mm

diameter of jet (L1 L2) =

Coefficient of contraction( Cc ) = (dc / d) 2

Cc =
Coefficient of Velocity:
As from equation 2 we have____________
U2 = (2gh)
So we will take the readings of velocity in terms of water head.
U2 actual = ( 2ghp )
U2 theoretical = ( 2gh )
Coefficient of velocity = Cv = (U2 actual / U2 theoretical ) = ( 2ghp ) / ( 2gh )
By simplifying the above equation we get____________
________
Cv = (hp / h)
Pitot tube reading

Coefficient of Velocity =

hp

__________
Cv = (hp / h)
Cv

Coefficient of Discharge:
Mass of water collected =
M
Kg
Volume of water collected
=
V = M/ = M / 1000
Time taken
=
t sec
Volume Flow rate
=
Q = V / t = m3 / s
From the equation
Q = Cd A orifice 2gh
Where
Cd = ( Q ACT / Q TH)
Then by rearranging the above equation we get__________
Cd

Q
.
A orifice 2gh

m3

Variation of Flow Rate with Head:

M
(Kg)

V
(m3)

T
(s)

h
(m)

Q x 10-4
(m3 / s)

h
m

Avg Cd =

Actual Coefficient of discharge =

Cd ACT =

Theoretical coefficient of Discharge

= Cd TH =
=

% Error =

( Cd TH - Cd ACT / Cd TH ) x 100

Draw a graph between h and Q x 10-4 (m3 / s)

Cv x Cc

Cd

h
Q x 10-4 (m3 / s)
VARITION OF h Q