UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY
(CGE617)

NAME :
STUDENT NO. :
GROUP :
EXPERIMENT : GAS FLOWMETER
DATE PERFORMED :
SEMESTER :
PROGRAMME / CODE :

No. Title Allocated Marks (%) Marks

1 Abstract/Summary 5
2 Introduction 5
3 Aims 5
4 Theory 5
5 Apparatus 5
6 Methodology/Procedure 10
7 Results 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Discussion 20
10 Conclusion 10
11 Recommendations 5
12 Reference 5
13 Appendix 5
TOTAL MARKS 100

Remarks:
Checked by: Rechecked by:

--------------------------- ---------------------------
Date: Date:
 TABLE OF CONTENT

1. ABSTRACT/SUMMARY ...............................................................1
2. INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................1
3. AIMS ...............................................................................................2
4. THEORY .........................................................................................2
5. APPARATUS ..................................................................................2
6. METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURE ...............................................3
7. RESULTS ........................................................................................5
8. CALCULATIONS ..........................................................................7
9. DISCUSSION ...............................................................................13
10. CONCLUSION .............................................................................13
11. RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................13
12. REFERENCE ...............................................................................13
13. APPENDIX ...................................................................................14

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

1. ABSTRACT/SUMMARY

These experiments are mean to obtain and compare the flow rate measurement by
utilizing mass flow rate meter and rotameter. The measurements are obtained by using different
measuring equipment and techniques which are orifice, venturi meter, rotameter and
differential transmitter. This experiment is started with supplying the equipment with
compressible fluid which in this case is a gas by using compressor powered by electric. After
that, with different set of tests conducted, different sets of valves which range from V1 to
V13, are either opened or closed in order to obtain the data for each experiment. The data
showed on the indicators are observed and recorded. Each experiment is run for six times for a
same pressure, but with different value of rotameter. Then, repeat the experiment by applying
greater pressure. Generally, the results are expected to be in such a way that as the flow rate
increases, the pressure will decrease.

2. INTRODUCTION

Gas Flow Measurement Bench (Model: FM 120) are designed to allow the study of
study on compressible gas’s flow. This unit is self-contained and equip with different flow
measuring devices like electronic flowmeter, orifice, venturi and rotameter. Thus, the
measuring devices can help us to observe the fluid flow of the compressible gas. These
experiments are completed by using measuring instrument and techniques such as orifice,
venturi and differential pressure transmitter. With the present of rotameter, it also provides
us with direct flow measurement and indication of the fluid. The measuring devices are
arranged as it will be easily access and configure for later on, thus the comparison of
different measurement can be achieved.

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

3. AIMS
1. To achieve the flow rate measurement by using mass flow meter and rotameter.
2. To differentiate flow rate measurement by using mass flow rate meter and
rotameter.
3. To estimate the overall experimental constant of the venturi meter and differentiate
with theoretical calculated constant.
4. To estimate the overall experimental constant of the orifice meter and differentiate
with theoretical calculated constant.

5. THEORY
6. APPARATUS

Figure 1: Gas flow measurement bench

Figure 2: Gas air compressor

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

7. METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURE
5.1 General Start-up Procedures
1. All valves were closed before starts the experiment.
2. The compressor was connected to the gas flow measurement bench using PU
tubes.
3. The compressor pressure was regulated to 1 bar.
4. The main switch on the panel was turned on.
5. The desired valves are opened according to the experimental procedures.
5.2 General Shut-down Procedures
1. All the pressure in the piping were released by opening all of the valves.
2. The main switch on the panel was turned off.
5.3 Experiment 1: Determination of the operation and characteristic of mass flow
meter and rotameter.
1. The pressure tubing was connected and the compressor pressure was set to 1
bar.
2. Valve V1, V2 and V13 were opened.
3. Valve V13 was regulated to 10 LPM.
4. The temperature reading, TT1, Pressure reading, PT1 and mass flow meter,
FT1 reading were recorded after the reading has stabilized.
5. Step 3 and 4 were repeated with different flow rates.
6. The experiment was repeated with different compressor pressure.
5.4 Determination of the operation and characteristic of venturi meter.
1. The pressure tubing was connected and the compressor pressure was set to 1
bar.
2. Valve V4, V5, V9 and V10 were opened.
3. The rotameter was set to 10 LPM by regulating valve V13.
4. The temperature reading, TT1, pressure reading, PT1, mass flow meter, FT1
and differential pressure reading, DPT1 were recorded after the reading has
stabilized.
5. Step 3 and 4 were repeated foe different flow rates.
6. The experiment was repeated for different compressor pressure.

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

5.5 Determination of the operation and characteristic of orifice meter.

1. The pressure tubing was connected and the compressor pressure was set to
1 bar.
2. Valve V7, V8, V11 and V12 were opened.
3. The rotameter was set to 10 LPM by regulating valve V13.
4. The temperature reading, TT1, pressure reading, PT1, mass flow meter, FT1
and differential pressure reading, DPT1 were recorded after the reading has
stabilized.
5. Step 3 and 4 were repeated foe different flow rates.
6. The experiment was repeated for different compressor pressure.

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

8. RESULTS

Experiment 1: Determination of the operation and characteristic of mass flow meter and
rotameter.
Compressor Pressure at 1 bar:
Mass flow
Rotameter
Mass flow meter
Pressure, Rotameter Temperature, reading at
meter, FT1 reading FT1
PT1 (bar) (LPM) TT1 (°C) standard
(LPM) at standard
condition
condition
1.00 0 0 30.3 0 0
0.57 11.0 10 31.0 15.43 16.55
0.52 21.5 20 31.1 29.20 31.31
0.49 31.9 30 31.2 42.47 45.54
0.47 40.8 40 31.3 53.58 57.45
0.44 48.9 50 31.5 62.87 67.42

Compressor Pressure at 3 bar:

Mass flow
Rotameter
Mass flow meter
Pressure, Rotameter Temperature, reading at
meter, FT1 reading FT1
PT1 (bar) (LPM) TT1 (°C) standard
(LPM) at standard
condition
condition
3.00 0 0 30.7 0 0
2.75 18.7 10 30.7 62.43 66.94
2.71 36.2 20 30.9 119.48 128.12
2.68 52.9 30 31.1 173.08 185.59
2.59 62.3 40 31.4 198.68 213.03
2.41 62.3 50 31.7 188.56 202.19

Experiment 2: Determination of the operation and characteristic of venturi meter.

Compressor Pressure at 1 bar:
Differential Calculated
Pressure, Rotameter Temperature,
Pressure, DPT1 Flowrate, Q
PT1 (bar) (LPM) TT1 (°C)
(mbar) (LPM)
1.00 0 30.9 2 4.15
0.83 10 30.9 2 3.77
0.79 20 31.0 3 4.51
0.76 30 31.0 4 5.10
0.73 40 31.1 5 5.60
0.69 50 31.3 6 5.95

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

Compressor Pressure at 3 bar:

Differential Calculated
Pressure, Rotameter Temperature,
Pressure, DPT1 Flowrate, Q
PT1 (bar) (LPM) TT1 (°C)
(mbar) (LPM)
3.00 0 31.0 3 8.78
2.89 10 31.1 3 8.61
2.83 20 31.2 4 9.84
2.79 30 31.2 4 9.77
2.63 40 31.4 6 11.62
2.30 50 31.5 7 11.73

Experiment 3: Determination of the operation and characteristic of orifice meter.

Compressor Pressure at 1 bar:
Differential Calculated
Pressure, Rotameter Temperature,
Pressure, DPT1 Flowrate, Q
PT1 (bar) (LPM) TT1 (°C)
(mbar) (LPM)
1.00 0 31.0 2 2.94
0.97 10 31.2 3 3.55
0.94 20 31.3 4 4.04
0.91 30 31.3 6 4.85
0.88 40 31.5 9 5.86
0.84 50 31.8 12 6.59

Compressor Pressure at 3 bar:

Differential Calculated
Pressure, Rotameter Temperature,
Pressure, DPT1 Flowrate, Q
PT1 (bar) (LPM) TT1 (°C)
(mbar) (LPM)
3.00 0 31.0 3 6.24
2.12 10 31.0 3 5.25
2.08 20 31.1 4 5.99
2.04 30 31.2 6 7.28
2.00 40 31.2 9 8.82
1.95 50 31.4 12 10.05

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

9. CALCULATIONS
For each of these experiments, there will be a calculation in order to obtain the
variable that we needed.
Experiment 1: Determination of the operation and characteristic of mass flow meter
and rotameter.
To obtain the mass flow meter reading, FT1 at standard condition, which is at 0° C or
273.15K and 1.0132 bar by using equation:

P1V1 P2V2
=
T1 T2

Sample calculation when compressor pressure is at 1 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 1) × 0
=
273.15 30.3 + 273.15

V1 = 0

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 0.57) × 11.0

=
273.15 31.0 + 273.15

V1 = 15.43

Sample calculation when compressor pressure is at 3 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 3) × 0
=
273.15 30.7 + 273.15

V1 = 0

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 2.75) × 18.7

=
273.15 30.7 + 273.15

V1 = 62.43

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

To obtain the Rotameter reading at standard condition, which is at 20°C or 293.15K and
1.0132 bar by using equation:

P1V1 P2V2
=
T1 T2

Sample calculation for compressor pressure is at 1 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 1) × 0
=
293.15 30.3 + 273.15

V1 = 0

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 0.57) × 11.0

=
293.15 31.0 + 273.15

V1 = 16.55

Sample calculation when compressor pressure is at 3 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 1) × 0
=
273.15 30.3 + 273.15

V1 = 0

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

1.0132 × V1 (1.0132 + 2.75) × 18.7

=
293.15 30.7 + 273.15

V1 = 66.94

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

Experiment 2: Determination of the operation and characteristic of venturi meter.

Calculated Flowrate, Q can be obtained by using:
D1 = 0.0127m

D2 = 0.00635 m

0.00635
β=
0.0127

= 0.5
−1⁄
E = (1 − β4 ) 2

−1⁄
= (1 − 0.54 ) 2

= 1.0328

P
Density, ρ =
RT

Cd EπD22 √2ρ∆P
Q=
4

Sample calculation when compressor pressure is at 1 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

1.00 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (30.9 + 273.15)K
kg

= 1.15 kg⁄m3

0.985 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 1.15 × 2

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 4.15 LPM

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

0.83 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (30.9 + 273.15)K
kg

= 0.95 kg⁄m3

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

0.985 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 0.95 × 2

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 3.77 LPM

Sample calculation when compressor pressure is at 3 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

3.00 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (31.0 + 273.15)K
kg

= 3.44 kg⁄m3

0.985 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 3.44 × 3

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 8.78 LPM

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

2.89 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (31.1 + 273.15)K
kg

= 3.31 kg⁄m3

0.985 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 3.31 × 3

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 8.61 LPM

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

Experiment 3: Determination of the operation and characteristic of orifice meter.

Calculated Flowrate, Q can be obtained by using:
D1 = 0.0127m

D2 = 0.00635 m

0.00635
β=
0.0127

= 0.5
−1⁄
E = (1 − β4 ) 2

−1⁄
= (1 − 0.54 ) 2

= 1.0328

P
Density, ρ =
RT

Cd EπD22 √2ρ∆P
Q=
4

Sample calculation when compressor pressure is at 1 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

1.00 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (31.0 + 273.15)K
kg

= 1.15 kg⁄m3

0.7 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 1.15 × 2

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 2.94 LPM

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

0.97 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (31.2 + 273.15)K
kg

= 1.11 kg⁄m3

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

0.7 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 1.11 × 3

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 3.55 LPM

Sample calculation when compressor pressure is at 3 bar:

 Rotameter at 0 LPM:

3.00 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (31.0 + 273.15)K
kg

= 3.44 kg⁄m3

0.7 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 3.44 × 3

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 6.24 LPM

 Rotameter at 10 LPM:

2.12 × 105 N⁄m2

ρ=
J
287 . K × (31.0 + 273.15)K
kg

= 2.43 kg⁄m3

0.7 × 1.0328 × π × 0.006352 √2 × 2.43 × 3

Q=( ) × 1000 × 60
4

= 5.25 LPM

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 CGE617: RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY

10. DISCUSSION
11. CONCLUSION
To conclude this experiment, we had achieved all of the objectives. For experiment
1, mass flow meter and rotameter have the same relationship. As rotameter is set increase,
the mass flow meter will also increase. For experiment 2 and 3, the venturi and orifice also
gave the same result as they have same characteristic in term of flow restriction. As the
rotameter is set increase, the flow rate for both venturi and orifice will also increase. Based
on all of the experiment, the temperature and pressure are also affected by the flow of the
fluid. as the flow increase, the pressure will decrease, but the temperature will increase.

12. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Check for any leakage at the tubes and connection between the compressor and the
gas flow measurement bench.
2. Check the pressure gauge at the inlet of the Gas Flow Measurement Bench before
performing the experiment.
3. Let the data stabilized for several minutes before recorded it.
4. In case of any leakage problem, refer to lab assistant or handle the situation with
proper equipment as this experiment involves with pressurized air.

5. REFERENCE
1. Areej. (2018, March 30). What is a Rotameter ? Retrieved from
https://automationforum.co/what-is-a-rotameter/
2. Orifice, Nozzle and Venturi Flow Rate Meters. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/orifice-nozzle-venturi-d_590.html
3. Laboratory Equipment Supplies. (n.d.). Gas Flow Measurement Bench - FM120.
Retrieved from https://www.labequip.co.za/p/629936/gas-flow-measurement-bench--
fm120

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4. APPENDIX

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