EM 324 Lab: Mass Flow and Bernoulli

Objective
Understand how the Bernoulli equation can be used to measure flowrate using both a
pitot-static tube and a venturi.

Introduction: Venturis and Pitot-Static Probes

The Bernoulli equation is useful because of its simplicity. While this simplicity can lead
to significant errors, mostly due to the neglect of viscous effects, there are many practical
engineering devices which are often well-modeled with the Bernoulli equation. Two of
these devices are the venturi tube and the pitot-static tube.
A venturi tube has a converging and diverging cross-section; the smallest diameter
between these sections is called the throat. Velocity through a venturi will increase as the
flow reaches the throat; the Bernoulli equation predicts that the pressure will vary in the
opposite way. Venturi tubes are used in many ways; in one common application, flow
rate can be determined by measuring the pressure drop from entrance to throat.
A pitot-static tube contains small pressure ports (well-drilled holes) to access the static
pressure (along a face parallel with the flow) and the stagnation pressure (at a stagnation
point). Measurement of these two pressures allows determination of the flow velocity.

Pitot-Static Velocity Measurement

Using a pitot-static tube and manometer array, measure the static, stagnation, and airbox
pressure at 10 locations every 25 mm along the length of a converging/diverging passage
starting at the 10 mm position. From these measurements, calculate the velocity at each
location. Sketch a plot of the velocity (m/s) and pressure (mbar) versus position (mm)
along the passage. Since the manometers only allow accurate measurement of pressure
differences, please plot local static pressure referenced to the airbox pressure (i.e. p
pairbox)this quantity will generally be negative, since pressure should drop as the
velocity increases through the venturi. For your reference, the geometry of the passage is
shown on the back of this handout, although it is unnecessary for the calculations. Be
sure to note the temperature and barometric pressure for the calculation of air density.

Flow Rate from a Venturi

Using the H5 water flow apparatus, measure the pressure change from section A to
section D (the converging section of a venturi). Other geometry data is given on the
apparatus. Calculate the volumetric and mass flow rates based on this pressure drop and
the given geometry. Then compare this calculation to a direct measurement of mass flow
rate using a scale, a bucket, and a stopwatch. Calculate the error between the two
approaches.

Deliverables
Please include the following in the Discussion section of your report:

Sketched plot of velocity and p pairbox vs. position.

Comparison of calculated (from Bernoulli) versus measured mass flow rate.

Converging-Diverging Duct for Pitot-Static Measurements

76 mm
70 mm

44 mm
44 mm

190 mm

76 mm