VENTURIMETER

By,
Vaishnavi S
Introduction
What is Venturimeter?

A venturimeter is a device used for

measuring the rate of flow of a fluid flowing
through a pipe.
Venturi meters are a versatile solution in
that their laying length can be changed to fit
a defined space; they can be modified to
provide rate of flow control or measure
sewage; they can be used reliably for billing
or custody transfer; and they can be used for
rectangular or circular metering
Main parts of Venturimeter

• The main parts of a venturimeter are:

• A short converging part: It is that portion
of the venturi where the fluid gets
converges.
• Throat: It is the portion that lies in
between the converging and diverging part
of the venturi. The cross section of the
throat is much less than the cross section
of the converging and diverging parts. As
the fluid enters in the throat, its velocity
increases and pressure decreases.
• Diverging part: It is the portion of the
venturimeter (venturi) where the fluid gets
diverges.
Properties
Venturimeter has been defined, it must be thoroughly tested to determine its:
• Discharge coefficient value
• Shape of the coefficient as defined by its relationship to pipe Reynolds number
• Installation sensitivity based on testing “typical” disturbers for both upstream and downstream
conditions
• Tap location sensitivity
• Headloss across the profile
• Accuracy and repeatability
• Applicability for liquids, gasses, slurries, sludge, mixed media and varying viscosities must be
determine and proven

Precautions
Entrapped air from differential mercury manometer must be driven out.
Maintain a constant discharge before taking any reading.
Principle of Venturimeter

• The working of venturimeter is based on the principle of Bernoulli’s equation and the equation of
continuity.
• Bernoulli’s Statement: It states that in a steady, ideal flow of an incompressible fluid, the total
energy at any point of the fluid is constant. The total energy consists of pressure energy, kinetic
energy and potential energy or datum energy.
• Mathematically

Here all the energies are taken per unit weight of the fluid.
• The Bernoulli’s equation for the fluid passing through the section 1 and 2 are given by
Working
The venturimeter is used to measure the rate of
flow of a fluid flowing through the pipes. Lets
understand how it does this measurement step by
step.
Here we have considered two cross section, first at
the inlet and the second one is at the throat. The
difference in the pressure heads of these two
sections is used to calculate the rate of flow
through venturimeter.

As the water enters at the inlet section i.e. in the converging part it converges and reaches to the throat.
The throat has the uniform cross section area and least cross section area in the venturimeter. As the water enters
in the throat its velocity gets increases and due to increase in the velocity the pressure drops to the minimum.
Now there is a pressure difference of the fluid at the two sections. At the section 1(i.e. at the inlet) the pressure of
the fluid is maximum and the velocity is minimum. And at the section 2 (at the throat) the velocity of the fluid is
maximum and the pressure is minimum.
The pressure difference at the two section can be seen in the manometer attached at both the section.
This pressure difference is used to calculate the rate flow of a fluid flowing through a pipe.
Expression for the rate of flow
Considered a venturimeter is fitted to a horizontal pipe through which fluid ( water) is flowing as shown in the figure given below.
Advantages and Uses
• Venturimeters are a versatile solution in that their laying length can be changed to fit a defined
space; they can be modified to provide rate of flow control or measure sewage.
• Venturimeters can be oriented in any plane and can measure accurately whether the line fluid is
flowing upwards or downwards.
• Venturimeters have no moving parts, and can function reliably and accurately for decades, with
some examples in service for more than 100 years.
• One of the significant benefits of the Venturmeter is that the design can be modified to fit almost
any requirement, and it can be constructed with a broad range of materials depending upon
application and the matter that will be measured. The actual Venturimeter design has not
remained static over the last century, and there are two versions in particular that have made
significant impacts on Venturimetering – the Modified Short Form Venturi meter and the Insert
Venturimeter.

In public water supply systems:

Pumping
Source Reservoir Venturimeter Treatment distribution
station
PARTS
SUMMARY PRINCIPLES
Converging part Bernoulli’s Principle
Throat Continuity equation
Diverging part

EXPRESSION

WORKING
Incompressible fluid
2 sections (Sec1- wider, sec2- narrower)
Diameter decreases, velocity increases, pressure drop decreases,
difference in the pressure drop gives flow rate.
USES
Plumbing
Venturi meters are used in pipelines at wastewater collection systems and treatment
plants.
Carburetors
The venturi in carburetors is used to measure airflow in a car engine

IN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Pumping
Source Reservoir Venturimeter Treatment distribution
station