I.

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of experiment the student should be able to:
a) Identify the different parts of weighing scale and flow meter.
b) Use the platform balance and know how to read volume flow meter.
c) Know how to calibrate weighing scale.

II. DISCUSSION OF THEORY

MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHT AND VOLUME

Weighing is a primary method of measuring forces, and volumetric devices are
calibrated initially by direct weighing. Scales have been constructed to weigh a million pounds
or more (testing) machines, while the chemical balance, at the opposite extreme, will easily
weigh a millionth of a pound.

Platform Scale
Platform scale is an industrial weighing instrument consisting of a platform coupled to an
automatic system of levers and adjustable weights, used to weigh large or heavy objects.
The common platform scale used in the laboratory consists of a compound leverage
system such as the one shown. A series of standard weights hung on one end of the leverage
system serves to balance an unknown weight at the other end of the system. Knife-edge
fulcrums are ordinarily used, although torsion bands or flexure plates are introduced in large
scales to eliminate friction. The latter construction allows accuracy as great as 1 part in a million.

Triple Beam Balance

The Triple Beam Balance is a typical mechanical balance. It has a beam which is
supported by a fulcrum. On one side is a pan on which the object is placed. On the other side,
the beam is split into three parallel beams, each supporting one weight. In measuring the
weight of an object, rather than adding additional weights, each of the three weights can be slid
along the beam to increase their lever arm.
Flow Measurement in History
Our interest in the measurement of air and water flow is timeless. Knowledge of the
direction and velocity of air flow was essential information for all ancient navigators, and the
ability to measure water flow was necessary for the fair distribution of water through the
aqueducts of such early communities as the Sumerian cities of Ur, Kish, and Mari near the Tigris
and Euphrates Rivers around 5,000 B.C.

Terminology
The term flow measurement is a general term, and before selecting a flow meter it is
important to be sure what type of flow measurement is actually required. For a fluid flowing
through a pipe, flow measurement may mean any of six different types of measurement.

1. Point velocity measurement- the fluids velocity at a fixed point across the pipes
cross section (m/s)
2. Mean flow velocity measurement- average fluid velocity across the cross section of
the pipe (m/s)
3. Volumetric flow rate measurement- the rate of change in the volume of fluid passing
through the pipe with time (m3/s)
4. Total volume measurement- the total volume of fluid which has passed through the
pipe (m3)
5. Mass flow rate measurement- the rate of change in the mass of the fluid passing
through the pipe with time (kg/s)
6. Total mass measurement- the total mass of fluid passing through the pipe (kg/s)
Although the most common type of flow measurement is that of a fluid through a closed
conduit or pipe, open channel flow measurements are also regularly needed in applications
such as sewage and water treatment.
What is a Flow Meter?
A device that measures the flow rate i.e. the quantity of a fluid flowing in unit time in an
open or closed conduit. Flow meter is identified by its operating principle, such as differential
pressure meter, velocity meter, area meter, positive displacement meter or by its applied
technology viz, orifice meter, turbine meter, magnetic meter, gas ionization meter, NMR meter,
ultrasonic meter, etc.

The object of installing a flow meter is to obtain a measure of the flow rate, usually in
the form of an electrical signal, which is ambiguous and with a specified expanded uncertainty.
This signal should be negligibly affected by the inlet and outlet pipework and the operating
environment.

Water Meter

Volume Tanks
Tanks are used for the collection of fluid that has passed through a flow meter being
calibrated and can be used to dispense liquid through a flow meter for calibration.
The differential pressure (DP) between two points or levels in a liquid depends on the
density (), the acceleration due to gravity (g), and the vertical separation between the two
points or levels. Therefore, in a simple system, if one could determine the DP between the
bottom of a tank containing liquid and the surface of the liquid, the height of the liquid could be
inferred from and g. If the mean cross-sectional area of the tank were known or could be
inferred, the volume of the liquid in the tank could be determined.
Changes in the height (and therefore volume) of the liquid could be determined from DP
measurements before and after collection or discharge of liquid.

III. SET-UP
IV. APPARATUS
1. Platform scale (set of counter weights)
2. Steel tape
3. Calibrated tank
4. Water meter
5. Triple beam balance
 6. Thermometer

V. DATA AND RESULTS

A) Platform Scale Calibration

Load Corner Reading Center Average

(kilograms) (kilograms) (kg) (kg)

.25 .30 .30 .30 .30 .15 .27

.50 .50 .50 .50 .50 .50 .50
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50

Computations:
Average:
@ .25 kg
Average = (.30 + .30 + .30 + .30 + .15)/5 = .27 kg
@ .50 kg
Average= (.50 + .50 + .50 + .50 + .50)/5 = .50 kg
@ 1.00 kg
Average = (1.00 + 1.00 + 1.00 + 1.00 + 1.00)/5 = 1.00 kg
@ 1.50 kg
Average = (1.50 + 1.50 + 1.50 + 1.50 + 1.50)/5 = 1.50 kg

B) Sensitivity of Platform Scale

Trial Load (grams) Trial Load (grams)

1. Paper 1.67 6. Pen cap 3.0
2. Eraser 0.4 7. Flash Drive 1.5
3. Ring 1.8 8. Candy wrapper 0.15
4. Guitar pick 1.35 9. Tooth pick 0.15
5. Tissue 0.3 10. Ball chain 1.10

C) Calibration of water meter and volume tank

Trials Initial Final Volume Scale Volume Cross Height Volume

reading reading based on reading based sectional of Based
of water of water water (kg) on Area of water on
 meter meter meter mass tank (m2) (m) water
(m3) (m3) level
(m3)
1 77.6412 77.7629 60.5 .366025 0.06
2 77.7629 77.6803 58.4 .366025 0.055
3 77.6803 77.6930 55 .366025 0.04

VI. OBSERVATION
VII. CONCLUSION
VIII. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Discuss how heavy loads like ten wheeler trucks are weigh.
Trucks are weighed by driving them onto metal roadways called weighbridges,
which are supported by hydraulic rams. The heavier the truck, the greater the force on
the rams and the harder they have to push upward to balance the truck's weight exactly.
You can calculate the truck's weight from the hydraulic pressure of the rams. If you know
the truck's curb weight (kerb weight or unladen weight), which is often painted on the
side of the vehicle, you can easily calculate the weight of its cargo by subtraction.

2. What are the sources of error in weighing?

a. Reading the weight from different angles
b. Change in temperature
c. Non-level surface under weighing machine or scale
d. Additional weight of some unwanted things like dust or absorbed moisture
e. Internal fault
f. Incorrectly adjusted balance
g. Influence of the operator (parallax errors when reading a display that has a pointer,
change in the mass of an object being weighed when the operator touches it with his
or her hands)
h. Fluctuations in the displayed weight, for instance, caused by wind.
i. A balance with incorrectly adjusted sensitivity

3. With the aid of drawing discuss the operation of the following instruments used to
measure volumetric flow:
a. Rotary disk meter
OPERATION PRINCIPLE
 The motion of the disk is guided by two half balls mounted upon it, and with
each complete revolution a fixed volume of water passes through. The circular
motion of the upper end of the disk shaft operates the counting gears.

b. Rotary displacement meter

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

It measures the gas flow by trapping it between two impellers that rotate in
opposite directions. The bottom impeller turns counterclockwise, allowing the gas to
enter the space between the impeller and the casing. As the impeller reaches the
horizontal position the measured quantity of gas is contained between the impeller and
case wall. The gas discharges through to the outlet, as the impeller continues to turn.

c. Revolving drum condensate meter

 OPERATION PRINCIPLE

The drum consists of six scroll-shaped sections. Liquid enters the drum through
an axially mounted inlet Flowing Meter spout at the center of the meter. As each section
fills, excess water spills in to the next section. This shifts the center of gravity and the
drum rotates. Since the volume of each drum is a known factor, counting revolutions is
virtually 100% accurate.

d. Piston meter
d.1) Rotary Piston Meter
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Liquid enters into a precision machined chamber which contains an oscillating

piston. The position of the piston divides the chamber into compartments containing an
exact volume. The liquid pressure causes the piston to oscillate and rotate its centre hub.
The movements of the hub are sensed through the meter wall by a series of magnets.
Each revolution of the piston hub is equivalent to a fixed volume of liquid, which is
indicated as flow by an indicator or totaliser. Close clearances between the piston and
the chamber ensure minimum slippage of the liquid for highly accurate and repeatable
measurement of each volume cycle.

d.2) Reciprocating Piston Meter

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
 Suppose the piston is at the bottom of its stroke. The valve is so arranged that
inlet liquid is admitted below the piston, causing it to travel upward and the liquid above
the piston to be discharged to the outlet pipe. When the piston has reached the limits of
its travel, the top of the cylinder is cut off from the outlet side and opened to the inlet
liquid supply. At the same time the bottom of the cylinder is opened to the outlet side
but cut off from the inlet liquid. The pressure of the incoming liquid will therefore drive
the piston downward, discharging the liquid from below the piston to the outlet pipe.
The process repeats.
As the piston reciprocates, a ratchet attached to the piston rod provides an
actuating force for an incremental counter, each count representing a predetermined
quantity of liquid.

e. Bellow Gas meter

OPERATION PRINCIPLE
 Bellows gas meters measure the quantity of gas passing through them by filling
and emptying, in a regular sequence, one or more internal chambers of known capacity.
Counting the times each chamber is filled and emptied gives the volume of gas
delivered.

4. Define the following terms:

a. Coefficient of discharge
The ratio of an actual discharge through an orifice to the theoretical discharge is
known as coefficient of discharge. Mathematically coefficient of discharge,

Thus the value of coefficient of discharge varies with the values of and . An
average of coefficient of discharge varies from 0.60 to 0.64.

b. Coefficient of velocity
The ratio of actual velocity of the jet, at vena-contracta, to the theoretical
velocity is known as coefficient of velocity.
The theoretical velocity of jet at vena-contracta is given by the relation,
, where h is the head of water at vena-contracta.
Mathematically coefficient of velocity,
 The difference between the velocities is due to friction of the orifice. The value of
Coefficient of velocity varies slightly with the different shapes of the edges of the orifice.
This value is very small for sharp-edged orifices. For a sharp edged orifice, the value of
increases with the head of water.

c. Coefficient of contraction
The ratio of the area of the jet, at vena-contracta, to the area of the orifice is
known as coefficient of contraction. Mathematically coefficient of contraction,

The value of Coefficient of contraction varies slightly with the available head of
the liquid, size and shape of the orifice. The average value of is 0.64.

5. With the aid of illustration discuss the operation of gasoline and fuel meter.

Fuel gauge DFM has three-dimension ring type measuring chamber. DF generates an
impulse, when the volume of fuel (which is equal to volume of the measuring chamber)
passes through it.
REFERENCES:

Baker, R. C. (2000). Flow Measurement Handbook: Industrial Designs, Operating

Principles, Performances and Applications. New York, USA: Cambridge University Press.

Bishop, R.H. (2002). The Mechatronics Handbook, Second Edition. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor
& Francis Group, LLC.

Mechanical Measurements. (2010). In W. Boyes (Ed.), Instrumentation Reference Book

(Fourth ed.). Burlington, MA: Butterworth- Heinemann.

Treloar, R. (2010). Gas Installation Technology (Second Edition ed.). West Sussex, UK:
John Wiley and Sons.

Woodford, Chris. (2009) Weights and Balances. Retrieved from

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/weights_and_balances.html. [Accessed September 19, 2015]

Flow Meters. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2015, from

http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/flowmeters.html

Menu. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.trimec-

fp.com.au/products/multipulse-rotary-piston-meters/

Orifice. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2015, from

http://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/fluid_mechanics/orifice/index.php