Thermofluids Lab – MEC454 / LS1/ Rev.

02-2016

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL

Program : Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical (EM220)

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing) (Hons) (EM221)
Course : THERMOFLUIDS LAB
Course Code : MEC454

Course Outcome:
CO1 Conduct each experiment correctly through established procedures and good record
keeping. [PO1, LO1, SS1]{C2}.
CO2 Analyze the basic experimental data accordingly as required by each experiment
[PO2, LO3, SS1]{C4}.
CO3 Produce a basic technical report for each experiment in a structured format and
professional manner [PO9, LO4, SS2]{A2}.
CO4 Work in a group as a leader or as a member [PO10, LO9, SS3]{A4}.

LAB SHEET NO: 2

TITLE: FLOW THROUGH VENTURI TUBE AND ORIFICE PLATE

1.0 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this experiment are:

1. to determine the coefficient of discharge of a Venturi tube,
2. to determine the coefficient of discharge of an orifice plate.
 Thermofluids Lab – MEC454 / LS1/ Rev. 02-2016

2.0 APPARATUS

Figure 1

3.0 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Figure 1: Venturi tube

 Thermofluids Lab – MEC454 / LS1/ Rev. 02-2016

d2 d1

Figure 2: Orifice plate

Bernoulli’s equation (with no loss assumption):

p1 v12 p v 2
  z1  2  2  z2
g 2 g g 2 g
A
v2  1 v1 (continuity equation)
A2
p1
 h1 (pressure head at 1)
g
p2
 h2 (pressure head at 2)
g
z1  z2 (horizontal flow)

2 g (h1 - h2 )
� v1 
2
� A1 �
� � -1
� A2 �

Theoretical Discharge

2 g ( h1 - h2 )
Qtheoretical  A1v1  A1
2
 A1  (1)
  -1
A
 2

Equation (1) shows that the theoretical discharge (volume flow rate) through Venturi tube (or
orifice plate) can be determined if we know the inlet and the throat area and the difference of
manometer level between the inlet and the throat of the Venturi tube (or orifice plate).

Actual Discharge

Qactual  C d Qtheoretical (2)

where Cd is coefficient of discharge.

 Thermofluids Lab – MEC454 / LS1/ Rev. 02-2016

The actual discharge is obtained by measuring directly the quantity of flowing water per
second.

4.0 METHOD OF APPROACH

Venturi and Orifice Meter Specifications

1. Venturi tube:
- inlet diameter, d1 = 28.4 mm
- throat diameter, d2 = 14.0 mm
2. Orifice plate:
- inlet diameter, d1 = 18.5 mm
- throat diameter, d2 = 14.0 mm

Part A: Flow through a Venturi Tube

1. Record the inlet and throat diameters of the Venturi tube.
2. Fix the Venturi tube into section 6 as shown in Figure 1.
3. Close all valves except those that will let the water flows from the tank to section
Venturi tube and return back to the tank. Verify the direction of flow in the pipe.
4. Connect the manometer hoses to the pressure tapping points of the Venturi tube.
5. Switch on the pump. Try to remove air bubbles from the apparatus.
6. Adjust the valve on the left side of the Venturi tube to a certain position.
7. Measure and record the value of h1 and h2.
8. Measure and record the actual volume flow rate (Qactual).
9. Repeat steps 6 to 8 for 5 values of Qactual.

Part B: Flow through an Orifice Plate

1. Execute the same steps as in Part A for orifice plate.

5.0 DATA AND CALCULATION

1. For part A, put the data obtained in Table 1 (See end of this manual). Calculate the
remaining parameters using formula given in the theoretical part.
2. For part B, put the data obtained in Table 2 (See end of this manual). Calculate the
remaining parameters using formula given in the theoretical part.

6.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Part A: Flow through a Venturi Tube and

Part B: Flow through an Orifice Plate

1. Plot the curves Qactual (vertical) against Qtheoretical (horizontal) in a graph paper. Obtain
the slope that indicates the value of Cd (eq. 2).
2. Discuss the curves obtained.

7.0 REPORT

Each group must submit a report no later than one week after the experiment. The report
must contain at least:
 Thermofluids Lab – MEC454 / LS1/ Rev. 02-2016

1. Cover page
2. Typed introduction, theoretical background, procedures, data and tables (to be done
by the group)
3. Discussion, conclusion and references (to be done individually in the same report)
4. Appendix: Hand written raw data taken during the experiment and signed by the
lecturer (or lab. technician) after the experiment.

NEW EDITION: 24 JULY 2006 BY PROF. MADYA DR. WIRACHMAN WISNOE

REVISION 1: 2014
REVISION 2: 3 MARCH 2016 BY PROF. DR. WIRACHMAN WISNOE
 Thermofluids Lab – MEC454 / LS1/ Rev. 02-2016

Part A: Flow through a Venturi Tube

Inlet inside diameter, d1 = mm = m
Inlet cross-sectional area, A1 = m2
Throat inside diameter, d2 = mm = m
Throat cross-sectional area, A2 = m2
Area ratio, A1/A2 =
Gravitational acceleration, g= m/s2

(a) (b) (a)/(b) (c) (d) eq. 1

Volume Time
Measurement Qactual h1 h2 h1 - h2 Qtheoretical
measured observed
No. (litres) (s) (litres/s) (m3/s) (mm) (mm) (mm) (m) (m3/s)
1
2
3
4
5

Table 1

Signature of Lecturer or Lab. Technician:

Date:
 Thermofluids Lab – MEC454 / LS1/ Rev. 02-2016

Part B: Flow through an Orifice Plate

Inlet inside diameter, d1 = mm = m
Inlet cross-sectional area, A1 = m2
Throat inside diameter, d2 = mm = m
Throat cross-sectional area, A2 = m2
Area ratio, A1/A2 =
Gravitational acceleration, g= m/s2

(a) (b) (a) / (b) (c) (d) (c) - (d) eq. 1

Volume Time
Measurement Qactual h1 h2 h1 - h2 Qtheoretical
measured observed
No. (litres) (s) (litres/s) (m3/s) (mm) (mm) (mm) (m) (m3/s)
1
2
3
4
5

Table 2

Signature of Lecturer or Lab. Technician:

Date: