COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Department of Mechanical Engineering

MEEN 312 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
Experiment No.: 5

Title of the experiment

Orifice and Jet Apparatus

ABTRACT/OBJECTIVE

To determine experimentally the coefficient of discharge for a small orifice.

INTRODUCTION

By using Bernoulli analysis together with conservation of mass principle this analysis needs to
be corrected in order to take into account the frictional effects (boundary layer formation) at the
walls of the outlet section. This correction is made by the correction factor known as the
discharge coefficient or coefficient of discharge. The corrected form of the Toricelli equation is
given as
(1) VQAcghexexd==2
where
: the average discharge velocity Vex
: volume flow rate Q

: outlet area Aex

: gravitational acceleration g
: free-surface height of water h
Volume flow rate and free-surface height data from a steady state experiment in which is kept
constant may be used for determining the discharge coefficient.

Method 2:
Another method of determining the discharge coefficient is by the analysis of the trajectory of
the free jet for which according to the coordinate axes defined in the attached schematic diagram,
the following relationship holds
(2) ygVxex=1222
Eliminating between (1) and (2) and solving for we obtain Vex cd
or (3) cxhyd=2 xhcyd224=
Constant head experiments which yield data on and as a function of can be used to determine .
cd

EQUIPMENT
1. Orifice
2. Jet apparatus

PROCEDURE

Method 1:
Measure the orifice diameter, removing the orifice plate if necessary
Measure the internal dimensions of the header tank
Level the experimental set-up by adjusting the feet
Ensure that the overflow pipe runs into the sump tank
Raise overflow pipe to a suitable level (obtain the necessary information from your instructor)
Control the flow until the water is just spilling into the overflow
Record the head on the scale
Measure the flow rate by using a volumetric tank or by intercepting the jet with a measuring cylinder
while timing the flow using a stop watch
Fill the necessary information in the first three columns of Table 1 provided
Repeat above procedure for four more different heights of water
Method 2:
Orifice A
Ensure that the overflow pipe hose drains into the sump tank
Level the experimental set-up by adjusting the feet, ensuring that the path of the jet coincides with
the row of measuring needles
Place a sheet of paper on the backboard and raise the needles to clear the path of the water jet
Raise the overflow pipe, open the flow control valve and admit water into the tank

Adjust the valve until the water is just spilling into the overflow
Assess the position of the Vena Contracta visually and note the distance from the orifice
Adjust each of the needles in turn to determine the jet path, marking the position of the tops of the
needles on the sheet of paper on the backboard
Fill the first three columns of Table 2 with the necessary data

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

The results are shown in the appendix.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSIONS

In conclusion, my group learned to determine experimentally the coefficient of discharge for a
small orifice.

APPENDIX