EXPERIMENT NO.

FLOW THROUGH AN ORIFICE

I. INTRODUCTION

From the application of Bernoulli’s Equation (Conservation of mechanical energy for a steady,
incompressible frictionless flow): The ideal orifice outflow velocity at the jet vena contracta (narrowest
diameter) is

𝑉𝑖 = (2𝑔ℎ)1/2

where h is the height of the fluid above the orifice.

The actual velocity is

𝑉 = 𝐶𝑣 (2𝑔ℎ)1/2 ------------------------------------------------- (1)

Cv is the coefficient of velocity, which allows for the effects of viscosity and therefore Cv < 1.

For the Pitot tube hc = V2 / 2g

Hence Cv = (hc / h0)1/2

The actual flow rate of the jet is defined as:

𝑄𝑡 = 𝐴𝐶 𝑉

where AC is the cross-sectional area of the vena contract, given by:

𝐴 𝑑 2
𝐴𝐶 = 𝐶𝑜 𝐴𝑜 𝐶𝐶 = ( 𝐶⁄𝐴 ) = ( 𝐶 ⁄ 2 )
𝑜 𝑑𝑜

where

Ao is the orifice area and Cc is the coefficient of contraction and, therefore, Cc < 1

Hence

𝑄𝑡 = 𝐴𝑜 𝐶𝐶 𝐶𝑉 (2𝑔ℎ)1/2

The product CCCV is called the discharge coefficient, Cd, so finally

𝑄𝑡 = 𝐴𝑜 𝐶𝑑 (2𝑔ℎ)1/2

If Cd is assumed to be constant, then a graph of Qt plotted against (h1/2) will be linear and the slope,

𝑆 = 𝐶𝑜 𝐴𝑜 (2𝑔)1/2

II. OBJECTIVES

To determine the coefficient of discharge, velocity, and contraction of a small orifice.

A. Flow Through an Orifice Apparatus - An apparatus to study of the flow of water through a vertically
mounted orifice.

B. Hydraulics Bench - Provides a controlled re-circulating water supply and accurate flow meter for
hydraulic and fluid mechanics experiments

C. Stopwatch – an apparatus used to measure the time.

IV. LABORATORY PROCEDURE

TECHNICAL DATA:

Orifice Diameter do = 13.5mm

Volume V = 0.005m3
PROCEDURE (EQUIPMENT SET-UP)

1. Position the apparatus across the channel on top of the hydraulic bench and level it using the
adjustable feet and the spirit level on the base. Connect the flexible inlet pipe to the hydraulic
bench snap connector in the top channel. Place the end of the overflow tube directly into the
hydraulics bench overflow (located in the side wall of the volumetric tank), and adjust the inlet
pipe to the approximate level of the head required for the experiment.
2. Remove the orifice plate from the recess in the cylinder base, by releasing the two screws (take
care not to lose the ‘O’ – ring seal). Check the orifice profile.
3. Replace the required orifice. The sharp-edged orifice (if used) should be installed with the sharp
edge uppermost.
4. Turn on the pump and open the bench valve gradually. As the water level rises in the reservoir
towards the top of the overflow tube, adjust the bench valve to give a water level 2 to 3mm
above the overflow level, with the end of the inlet tube fully submerged. This will ensure a
constant head and produce a steady flow through the orifice.

PROCEDURE

In the first part of the experiment, adjust the overflow pipe and inlet pipe as described above,
to obtain a constant head height.

DETERMINATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF DISCHARGE

To measure Cd the discharge is obtained by collection of a known quantity of water from the
orifice in the volumetric tank, and recording the value of the head ho on the orifice.

DETERMINATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF VELOCITY

To measure CV, the Pitot tube is inserted into the emerging jet close to the underside of the
tank, and the values of the Pitot head hc and head ho on the orifice are noted.

DETERMINTION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF CONTRACTION (SHARP-EDGED ORIFICE)

This should be done using the sharp-edged orifice, as there is likely to be insufficient
contraction to obtain a reliable value for the other orifices.

1. Measure CC. It is necessary to find the diameter of the jet at the vena contracta. This is
done by utilizing the fine wire attached to the head of the Pitot tube, the plane of the wire
being normal to the direction of traverse of the tube. The wire is brought to each edge of
the het in turn, just below the tank, and the position of the tube as read on the lead
screws and graduated nut read in each case. The difference of the readings represents the
diameter of the jet.
2. The second part of the experiment the inflow to the tank is reduced to lower the level in
the tank in stages, the discharge from the orifice being measured at each stage. Care
should be taken allow the level to settle to a steady value after the inflow to the tank has
been changed, and it is advisable to read this level several times while the discharge is
being collected and to record the mean value over the timed interval. About eight different
flow rates should be sufficient to establish the relationship between discharge and head on
the orifice.
 Column Unit Nom. Type Description
Heading
Orifice The size of the hole of the orifice device which
m do Measured
Diameter measures how fast a fluid is flowing
Vena Contracta The lease diameter of the point in a fluid stream.
m dc Measured
Diameter
An opening, in a vessel, througkh which the liquid
Orifiice Head m ho Calculated
flows out
An open-ended right-angled tube pointing into the
Pitot Head m hc Calculated
flow of a fluid and used to measure pressure.
Volume m3 V Measured The Volume of the water flowing.

Time The time it takes for the fluid to flow out from the
s t Measured
orifice.
The amount volume flowing out of the container
Flow Rate m3/s Qt Calculated
per second.
Coefficient of The ratio of the actual discharge to the theoretical
Cd Calculated
Discharge discharge.
Coefficient of The ratio of actual velocity of the jet, at vena-
Cv Calculated
Velocity contracta, to the theoretical velocity.
Coefficient of The ratio of the area of the jet, at vena-contracta,
CC Calculated
Contraction to the area of the orifice.
FLOW THROUGH AN ORIFICE

V. RESULTS

do dC ho hC V t Qt
1 (m) (m) (m) (m) (m ) 3
(sec) (
m3/s)
Cd CV CC k

1 0.0135 0.0135 0.385 0.361 0.005 16.47 3.036 x 10-4 0.2808 0.9683 1 0.5683

2 0.0135 0.0140 0.380 0.355 0.005 15.71 3.181 x 10-4 0.2981 0.9665 1.0754 1.0394

3 0.0135 0.0130 0.382 0.353 0.005 16.00 3.123 x 10-4 0.2913 0.9613 0.9273 0.8314

do dC ho hC V t Qt
2 (m) (m) (m) (m) (m3) (sec) (
m3/s)
Cd CV CC k

1 0.0135 0.011 0.362 0.365 0.005 26.08 1.92 x 10-4 0.5030 1.004 1.004 0.67

2 0.0135 0.011 0.360 0.335 0.005 15.64 5.137 x 10-4 0.6403 0.9647 0.9647 0.6405

3 0.0135 0.011 0.384 0.390 0.005 19.84 2.52 x 10-4 0.6590 0.992 0.992 0.659

do dC ho hC V t Qt
3 (m) (m) (m) (m) (m3) (sec) (
m3/s)
Cd CV CC k

1 0.0135 0.013 0.390 0.345 0.005 11.36 4.401 x 10-4 0.872 0.941 0.927 0.872

2 0.0135 0.013 0.390 0.340 0.005 10.44 4.789 x 10-4 0.934 0.934 0.927 0.866

3 0.0135 0.013 0.387 0.347 0.005 13.39 3.734 x 10-4 0.945 0.945 0.927 0.876
 do dC ho hC V t Qt
4 (m) (m) (m) (m) (m3) (sec) (m3/s)
Cd CV CC k

1 0.0135 0.0125 0.370 0.350 0.005 17.27 2.90 x 10-4 0.7520 0.9725 0.8573 0.83

2 0.0135 0.0128 0.315 0.305 0.005 19.54 2.56 x 10-4 0.8778 0.9839 0.8922 0.72

3 0.0135 0.0110 0.294 0.288 0.005 20.56 2.43 x 10-4 0.6560 0.9890 0.6640 0.71

do dC ho hC V t Qt
5 (m) (m) (m) (m) (m ) 3
(sec) (
m3/s)
Cd CV CC k

1 0.0135 0.0130 0.380 0.340 0.005 16.74 3.901 x 10-4 0.9273 1 0.9273 0.765

2 0.0135 0.0128 0.380 0.218 0.005 19.20 2.600 x 10-4 0.7550 0.8400 0.8900 0.749

3 0.0135 0.0116 0.247 0.227 0.005 21.35 2.300 x 10-4 0.7078 0.9587 0.7383 0.730

VI. SAMPLE COMPUTATION

Trial 1: Partially submerged

do = 0.0185m V = 0.005m3

dc = 0.0135mm t = 16.47s

hC = 0.361m ho = 0.385m

𝑉𝑂 √2𝑔ℎ𝑐 √2(9.81)(0.361)
𝐶𝑉 = = =
𝑉𝑡 √2𝑔ℎ𝑡 √2(9.81)(0.385)

𝐶𝑉 = 0.9683

𝜋(0.0135)2
𝐴𝐶 4
𝐶𝐶 = =
𝐴𝑂 𝜋(0.0135)2
4

𝐶𝐶 = 1

0.005
𝐴𝐶 10.47
𝐶𝑑 = =
𝐴𝑂 𝜋(0.0135)2
( 4 )(2(9.81))(0.385)

𝐶𝑑 = 0.2808

𝐾 = 𝐶𝐶 𝐶𝑉 = (1)(0.9683) = 0.9683
VII. CONCLUSION

After conducting the experiment about the flow through an orifice, the students were able to collect
sufficient data to determine the flow rate of the fluid in a orifice and its coefficients. Based from the
acquired information, the wider the orifice head is set, the slower the flow rate is. Moreover, the students
conclude that the flow of liquid through an orifice is dependable on the volume of liquid inside the
apparatus.

VIII. APPLICATION TO ENGINEERING

Orifice plates are most commonly used to measure flow rate in pipes, when the fluid is single-phase
(rather than being a mixture of gases and liquids, or of liquids and solids) and well –mixed, the flow is
continuous rather than pulsating, the fluid occupies the entire pipe, the flow profile is even and well-
developed and the fluid and flow rate meet certain other conditions.

IX. REFERENCE

https://www.tecquipment.com/digital-hydraulic-bench

https://www.slideshare.net/KrishnaKPesivadiya/orifice-meter-and-its-applicationppt