Orifice Discharge Apparatus

2.1

Nozzles:

Figure 2 Different schemes of discharge (Shapes)

2.2

Technical Data:
Standard orifice:
8 mm diameter, sharp edge.
Traverse mechanism: Micrometer with 0.01 mm division.
Pitot tube diameter: 4.5mm

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Orifice Discharge Apparatus

SUMMARY OF THEORY:

Figure 3 Discharge through the orifice

As the tank size is much larger than the orifice diameter the velocity of the water in the
tank in the direction of the orifice flow is very low and can be neglected.
The velocity of water slowly increases as it approaches the orifice. The streamline of the
flow is shown in Fig.1, from point 1 on the water surface of the tank to point 2 which is at the
smallest area of the jet. The water jet will reduce its diameter after passing through the
orifice. This is known as Vena Contracta.
Pitot head level can be adjusted to measure the velocity of the jet at the Vena Contracta.
Apply Bernoullis equation.

Where:
p
V
Z

= Pressure
= Velocity
= Elevation
= Specific weight of water
= Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81

[N/m2]
[m/s]
[m]
[N/m3]
[m/s2]

Subscript 1 and 2 refer to point 1 and point 2 respectively.

Since p1 and p2 are equal to the atmospheric pressure the theoretical velocity of jet at
Vena Contracta from equation (1) give us:

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Orifice Discharge Apparatus

The actual velocity V2, act of the jet at Vena Contracta can be measured directly by a Pitot
tube. The velocity head from the Pitot tube is equal to the height H of water in the Pitot tube,
therefore,

The ratio of V2, act to V2, th is called Velocity Coefficient Cv of the orifice, then

The ratio of the cross section area Ac of the jet at Vena Contracta to the cross-sectional
area Ao of the orifice is called the Coefficient of Contraction Cc, then

do
Ao
dc
Ac

= Orifice diameter = 8mm

= Orifice cross-sectional area
= Diameter of jet at Vena Contracta
= Cross-sectional area of jet at Vena Contracta

Theoretical discharge through the orifice

Qth = Ao V2,th = Ao2gH
Actual discharge through the orifice
Qact = AcV2, act = Ac2gHc
The ratio of actual discharge of orifice to theoretical discharge is called the Coefficient of
Discharge Cd then:

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Orifice Discharge Apparatus

EXPERIMENT:
5.1

Aim:
To find coefficient of velocity, coefficient of contraction and coefficient of
discharge of the given discharge shape.

5.2

Procedure:
1. Fill up the tank with water up to required head by adjusting valve of hydraulic
bench.
2. To measure the diameter of vena contracta lose the micrometer assembly
screw and bring micrometer disc near to jet.
3. Move the micrometer disc in such a way that it touches the first edge of water
jet and measure the reading on micrometer main scale. (Position 1).
4. Move the micrometer disc in such a way that it touches the other edge of
water jet along the diameter and measure the reading on micrometer main
scale. (Position 2).
5. Difference of reading will provide the diameter of vena contracta.

Figure 4 Measurement of Vena Contractra

6. Now move the Pitot tube beneath the water discharging from orifice as shown
in the figure and calculate Hc. Head H can be measured directly on the tube.
7. To measure the flow rate calculate the water in liters in hydraulic bench and
the time taken with a stopwatch.
Note: Move the degaussing value to its outer extent

Figure 5 Pitot tube orientations

Discussions:
Discuss the effect of different approaching shapes on
1. Cv
2. Cc
3. Cd

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Orifice Discharge Apparatus

5.3

Observations:
Sample: ________________
Flow Rate: ______________

Sr. #

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Diameter of jet
at vena contract
Dc(mm)

Static head
H(mm)

Velocity Head
Hc(mm)

Coefficient of
velocity
Cv

Coefficient of
contraction
Cc

Coefficient of
discharge
Cd