EAH 221/3 – FLUID

MECHANICS
FLOW MEASUREMENT
DR. NURIDAH SABTU
(nsabtu@usm.my)
ROOM 3.23
 CHAPTER 15: FLOW MEASUREMENT
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

q Describe six factors that should be considered when

specifying a flow measurement system.
q Describe four types of variable-head meters: the venturi
tube, the flow nozzle, the orifice, and the flow tube.
q Compute the velocity of flow and the volume flow rate for
variable-head meters, including the determination of the
discharge coefficient.
q Describe the rotameter variable-area meter, turbine
flowmeter, magnetic flowmeter, vortex flowmeter, and
ultrasonic flowmeter.
 CHAPTER
OBJECTIVES pt.2

q Describe two methods of measuring mass flow rate.

q Describe the pitot-static tube and compute the velocity of
flow using data acquired from such a device.
q Define the term anemometer and describe two kinds.
q Describe seven types of level measurement devices
 CHAPTER OUTLINE
1.  Introductory Concepts
2.  Flowmeter Selection Factors
3.  Variable-Head Meters
4.  Variable-Area Meters
5.  Turbine Flowmeter
6.  Vortex Flowmeter
7.  Magnetic Flowmeter
8.  Ultrasonic Flowmeters
9.  Positive-Displacement Meters
10.  Mass Flow Measurement
11.  Velocity Probes
12.  Level Measurement
13.  Computer-Based Data Acquistion and
Processing
 REFERENCES

1.  Mott, R.L and Untener J.A (2016). Applied Fluid

Mechanics, 7th Edition, Pearson, China.
2.  Cengel, Y.A. and Cimbala, J.M. (2014). Fluid
Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, 3rd
Edition, McGraw Hill Education, Singapore.
3.  Munson, Okiishu, Huebsch and Rothmayer (2013).
Fluid Mechanics. 7th Edition, Wiley.
4.  Shames (2013). Mechanics of Fluid. 4th Edition,
McGraw Hill.
 INTRODUCTION

What is flow measurement?

The ability to measure the velocity, volume flow

rate, or mass flow rate of any liquid or gas.
 INTRODUCTION

Examples
in daily
life?

WHY do we measure flow?

 INTRODUCTION

HOW do we measure flow?

 FLOWMETER
SELECTION
3 4
PRESSURE TYPE OF
LOSS INDICATION

2
5
ACCURACY
REQUIRED TYPE OF
≈5% FLUID

SELECTION
1
OF 6
FLOWMETER
RANGE
CALIBRATION
turndown
 INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF FLOWMETERS

Based on Based on
average measurement of
velocity/volume mass
Typical Mass-flow
Flowmeter Measurement
Q = Av M = ρQ

Velocity Level
Probes Measurement

Measures
velocity Measures water
level
 TYPES OF FLOWMETERS
1
7 VARIABLE- HEAD 2
POSITIVE METERS VARIABLE-AREA
DISPLACEMENT METERS
METERS

6 3
ULTRASONIC FLOWMETERS TURBINE
FLOWMETERS FLOWMETER

5 4
MAGNETIC/
ELECTROMAGNETIC VORTEX
FLOWMETERS FLOWMETER
 TYPE OF MASS FLOWMETERS

CORIOLIS mass flow meter

TYPES OF VELOCITY PROBES

PITOT TUBE

CUP ANEMOMETER

HOT WIRE
ANEMOMETER
TYPES OF LEVEL MEASUREMENT

1.  FLOAT TYPE

2.  PRESSURE SENSING
3.  CAPACITANCE PROBE
4.  VIBRATION TYPE
5.  ULTRASONIC
6.  RADAR
7.  GUIDED RADAR
 INTRODUCTION

TYPICAL
FLOWMETER
Q = Av

Based on average velocity/

volume
 INTRODUCTORY
CONCEPTS

Differential Head
Flowmeters Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV2V8Dazpz0
 VARIABLE-HEAD METERS

What is the BASIC PRINCIPLE

of variable-head meters?
Ø  Pressure difference between points before and after the
restriction is used to indicate flow rate.
Ø  Because when a fluid stream is restricted, its pressure
decreases by an amount that is dependent on the rate of
flow through the restriction.
VARIABLE-HEAD METERS
 VARIABLE-HEAD METERS

VENTURI
TUBE ORIFICE

What are examples of variable-

head meters?
FLOW FLOW
NOZZLE TUBES
VENTURI TUBE
VENTURI METER
 ORIFICE PLATE

—  A flat plate with an accurately machined, sharp-edged hole

is referred to as an orifice.
ORIFICE PLATE
ORIFICE PLATE
 FLOW NOZZLE

—  The flow nozzle is a gradual contraction of the flow stream

followed by a short, straight cylindrical section
FLOW NOZZLE
 FLOW TUBE

A flow tube is broadly defined by the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) as
any differential-pressure-producing primary whose design differs from the classic venturi.
Flow tubes fall into three main classes, depending on the hydraulic position of the inlet and
throat pressure tap. Type 1 has static pressure taps at both the inlet and outlet, Type 2 has a
corner tap in the inlet and a static tap in the throat, and Type 3 has a corner tap at both the
inlet and outlet.
 FLOW TUBE

Similar to venturi, nozzle and orifice meter – but with lower pressure loss
 VARIABLE-HEAD METERS

Can you IDENTIFY variable-head

meters in this video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNBWI6MV_lY
QUESTIONS
Thank you for listening!