1.

0 ABSTRACT
The objectives of this experiment is to obtain the flow rate measurement by utilizing mass flow
meter and rotameter and to compare flow rate measurement by utilizing mass flow meter and
rotameter. In this experiment, flow rate can be calculate by getting the data of pressure, volume
and temperature. For comparison purpose, three experiment was conducted with same pressure
but different open valves. All apparatus is set up based on start-up procedure. The temperature and
differential pressure will change once the rotameter is adjusted. The reading of temperature and
differential pressure were taken when its stable. Then the experiment repeated with different
valves that being open, and the reading was taken. The all values needed to calculate the flow rate
was recorded. After all the calculation, the values of flow rate can be refer in result section. The
experiment is achieved because the objectives of experiment are determined.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
The gas flow measurement bench has been designed to study on the fluid flow of compressible
gas. The unit is self-contained supplied with facilities to study the fluid flow measurement using
different flow measuring device, such as electronic flowmeter, orifice, venture and rotameter. The
investigation of a compressible fluid flow is done using different measuring instrument and
techniques. This includes primary flow measurement devices (e.g orifice and venture) as well as
secondary flow measurement devices (e.g differential transmitter). In additional to this a rotameter
is also provided for direct flow measurement and indication. Pressure and flow measurement are
provided for flow compensation of a compressible fluid. All the flow measuring devices are
strategically arrange in a pipe work for easy access and configuration, so that the comparison of
different measurement or devices can be accomplished.

3.0 OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this experiment is to obtain the flow rate measurement by utilizing mass flow
meter and rotameter and to compare flow rate measurement by utilizing mass flow meter and
rotameter.

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4.0 THEORY
Fluid flow measurement can be expressed in two ways whereas the flow measurement of
incompressible fluid or the flow measurement of compressible fluid. For the compressible fluid,
gases, the flowrates are normally expressed in terms of mass flow rate. The investigation of a
compressible fluid flow can be done by using different measuring instrument and technique that
are primary flow measurement (orifice and venture) as well as secondary flow measurement
devices ( differential transmitter). In additional to this a rotameter is also provided for direct flow
measurement and indication. As the obstruction type flowmeters used, some additional correction
factor needs to be introduced from the basic principle to take in to account the compressibility of
the gas used. The mass flow rate gases can be expressed as:

where;
v1 = specific volume of the gas in m3/kgf
1 2 1
Y = 1- (0.41 + 0.35 4) 1

K = specific heat ratio Cp/cv of the gas at state 1

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4.1 Rotameter
The orifice meter and venture work on the principle of constant area variable pressure drop. Here
the area of obstruction is constant, and the pressure drop changes with flow rate. On the other hand
Rotameter works as a constant pressure drop variable area meter. It can be only be used in a vertical
pipeline. Its accuracy is also less (2%) compared to other types of flow meters. But the major
advantages of rotameter are, it is simple in construction, ready to install and the flow rate can be
directly seen on a calibrated scale, without the help of any other device such as differential pressure
sensor. Moreover, it is useful for a wide range of variation of flow rates. Rotameter consists of a
vertical pipe, tapered downward. The flow passes from the bottom to the top. There is cylindrical
type metallic float inside the tube. The fluid flows upward through the gap between the tube and
the float. As the float moves up or down there is a change in the gap, as a result changing the area
of the orifice. In fact, the float settles down at a position, where the pressure drop across the orifice
will create an upward thrust that will balance the downward force due to the gravity. The position
of the float is calibrated with the flow rate.

Figure 1: Basic construction of rotameter

4.2 Venturi Meter
The venturi meter consists of a venturi tube and a suitable differential pressure gauge. The venturi
tube has a converging portion, a throat and a diverging portion as shown in the figure below. The
function of the converging portion is to increase the velocity of the fluid and lower its static
pressure. A pressure difference between inlet and throat is thus developed, which pressure
difference is correlated with the rate of discharge. The diverging cone serves to change the area of
the stream back to the entrance area and convert velocity head into pressure head.

Figure 2: Venturi meter

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4.3 Orifice Meter
The orifice for use as a metering device in a pipeline consists of a concentric square-edged circular
hole in a thin plate, which is clamped between the flanges of the pipe as shown in the figure below.

Figure 3: Orifice meter

Pressure connections for attaching separate pressure gauges are made at holes in the pipe walls on
both side of the orifice plate. The downstream pressure tap is placed at the minimum pressure
position, which is assumed to be at the vena contracta. The centre of the inlet pressure tap is located
between one-half and two pipe diameters from the upstream side of the orifice plate, usually a
distance of one pipe diameter is employed.
Based on the theory above, you are required to construct a lab procedure for general start up and a
procedure to determine the flow rate for three basic types of flow measuring techniques such as
rotameter, venturi meter and orifice meter. You can use Bernoulli Equation to calculate the
flowrate measurement for venturi meter and orifice meter.

4
5.0 MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

Figure: Gas Flow Measurement Bench

1 Rotameter 4 Pressure Transmitter

2 Mass Flow Meter 5 Temperature Transmitter
3 Differential Pressure Transmitter 6 Gas Air Compressor

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6.0 PROCEDURE
6.1 General Start-up Procedures
1. All valves were closed.
2. The compressor and the gas flow measurement bench were connected using PU tubes.
3. The compressor pressure were regulated to 1 bar.
4. The main switch was turned on.
5. Desired valves were opened according to the experimental procedures.
6.2 Experiment 1: Determination of the Operation and Characteristic of Mass Flow
Meter and Rotameter.
1. The pressure tubing were connected and the compressor pressure was set to 1 bar.
2. Valve V1, V2 and V3 were opened.
3. Valve V13 was regulated to 10 LPM.
4. The temperature reading, TT1, pressure reading, PT1 and mass flowmeter, FT1 were
recorded after the reading had stabilized.
5. Step 3 and 4 were repeated with different flowrates.
6. The experiment was repeated with different compressor pressure.
6.3 Experiment 2: Determination of the Operation and Characteristic of Venturi Meter.
1. The pressure tubing were connected and the compressor pressure was set to 1 bar.
2. Valve V4, V5, V9 and V10 were opened.
3. The rotameter was set to 10 LPM by regulating valve 13.
4. The temperature reading, TT1, pressure reading, PT1, mass flowmeter, FT1 and
differential pressure reading, DPT1 were recorded after the reading had stabilized.
5. Step 3 and 4 were repeated with different flowrates.
6. The experiment was repeated with different compressor pressure.
6.4 Experiment 3: Determination of the Operation and Characteristic of Orifice Meter.
1. The pressure tubing were connected and the compressor pressure was set to 1 bar.
2. Valve V7, V8, V11 and V12 were opened.
3. The rotameter was set to 10 LPM by regulating valve 13.
4. The temperature reading, TT1, pressure reading, PT1, mass flowmeter, FT1 and
differential pressure reading, DPT1 were recorded after the reading had stabilized.
5. Step 3 and 4 were repeated with different flowrates.
6. The experiment was repeated with different compressor pressure.
6.5 General Shut-down Procedures
1. All the pressure in the piping were released.
2. The main switch in the panel was turned off.

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7.0 RESULT

Experiment 1: Determination of the Operation and Characteristic of Mass Flow Meter and
Rotameter.

Initial Pressure, Po = 1bar

Pressure, Mass Flow Rotameter Temperature, Mass Flow Meter Rotameter
PT1 Meter, FT1 TT1 (oC) Reading FT1 at Reading at Std.
(LPM)
(LPM) Std. Condition Condition
(bar)
(LPM) (LPM)
0.85 7.6 6 28.0 12.67640844 10.74045
0.74 12.4 10 28.0 19.46149968 16.84393
0.71 23.2 20 28.1 35.77689439 33.10041
0.69 34.3 30 28.2 52.26303140 49.05807
0.66 44.2 40 28.2 66.16144063 64.25862
0.65 52.3 50 28.4 77.76655422 79.79026

Initial Pressure, Po = 2bar

Pressure, Mass Flow Rotameter Temperature, Mass Flow Meter Rotameter
PT1 Meter, FT1 TT1 (oC) Reading FT1 at Reading at Std.
(LPM)
(LPM) Std. Condition Condition
(bar)
(LPM) (LPM)
1.91 12.3 6 28.3 32.15543410 16.83407
1.87 18.2 10 28.3 46.92852377 27.67287
1.82 32.8 20 28.4 83.08024484 54.36791
1.81 47.2 30 28.4 119.13252180 81.26402
1.75 53.7 40 28.6 132.57002890 105.97900
1.65 62.3 50 28.7 148.18582840 127.63720

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Experiment 2: Determination of the Operation and Characteristics of Venturi Meter

Initial Pressure, Po = 1bar

Pressure, Rotameter Temperature, Differential Pressure Calculated
PT1 TT1 DPT1 (mbar) Flowrate, Q
(LPM)
(LPM)
(bar) (oC)
0.80 6 28.7 0.06 6.434875
0.73 10 28.5 0.28 13.283240
0.69 20 28.7 1.00 24.397430
0.67 30 28.8 2.08 34.667030
0.65 40 28.8 3.50 44.293320
0.58 50 29.0 4.96 49.791890

Initial Pressure, Po = 2bar

Pressure, Rotameter Temperature, Differential Pressure Calculated
PT1 TT1 DPT1 (mbar) Flowrate, Q
(LPM)
(LPM)
(bar) (oC)
1.80 6 29.0 0.06 9.647519611
1.76 10 28.9 0.24 19.082603490
1.70 20 28.9 1.00 38.282485990
1.67 30 28.9 2.11 55.115675540
1.62 40 29.0 3.47 69.602692000
1.52 50 29.0 5.88 87.763563610

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Experiment 3: Determination of the Operation and Characteristics of Orifice Meter

Initial Pressure, Po = 1bar

Pressure, Rotameter Temperature, Differential Pressure Calculated
PT1 TT1 DPT1 (mbar) Flowrate, Q
(LPM)
(LPM)
(bar) (oC)
0.77 6 28.7 0.12 6.344790647
0.74 10 28.7 0.52 12.947885280
0.71 20 28.9 1.98 24.739974670
0.68 30 29.0 4.06 34.664351110
0.65 40 29.1 6.79 43.821305510
0.60 50 29.2 10.40 52.097179250

Initial Pressure, Po = 2bar

Pressure, Rotameter Temperature, Differential Pressure Calculated
PT1 TT1 DPT1 (mbar) Flowrate, Q
(LPM)
(LPM)
(bar) (oC)
1.82 6 29.0 0.15 10.90051270
1.78 10 28.9 0.49 19.48702410
1.73 20 28.9 1.97 38.52065345
1.66 30 29.0 3.94 53.35409488
1.63 40 29.0 6.89 69.91478315
1.59 50 29.1 9.79 82.29693375

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8.0 CALCULATION
Experiment 1: Determination of the operation and characteristic of mass flow meter and
rotameter
The mass flow meter, FT1 unit LPM is defined at conditions 0 C, 1.0132 bar (abs).
P1V1 P2V2
=
T1 T2
Pressure of compressor at 1 bar:
1.01321 (1.0132 + 0.85)7.6
=
273.15 28.0 + 273.15
V1 = 12.67640844 LPM

The rotameter unit LPM is defined at condition 20 C, 1.0132 bar (abs)

1.01321 (1.0132 + 0.85)6.0
=
293.15 28.0 + 273.15
V1 = 10.74045 LPM

For pressure of compressor at 2 bar, the steps are just the same. Just replace the value of Pressure
and Temperature based on the data collected.

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Experiment 2: Determination of the operation and characteristic of venturi meter
Pressure of compressor 1 bar:
D1=0.0127 m
D2=0.00635 m
0.00635
= 0.0127

=0.5
E = (1- 4)-1/2
= (1-0.54)-1/2
=1.0328

Density, =

0.85105 /2
=

287 . (28.0 + 273.15)

= 0.98345425 kg/m3
CdED222
Q (at PT1 0.85 bar) = 4

0.006352 x2x0.9835x0.06x100
= 0.9851.03281 x 100060
4

= 6.434875 LPM

For pressure of compressor at 2 bar, the steps are just the same. Just replace the value of Pressure,
Differential Pressure and Temperature based on the data collected.

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Experiment 3: Determination of the operation and characteristic of orifice meter
Pressure of compressor 1 bar:
D1=0.0127 m
D2=0.00635 m
0.00635
= 0.0127

=0.5
E = (1- 4)-1/2
= (1-0.54)-1/2
=1.0328

=

0.77105 /2
=

287 . (28.7 + 273.15)

= 0.888827838 kg/m3

CdED222
Q (at PT1 0.77 bar) = 4

0.006352 x2x0.8888 x0.46x100

= 0.71.0328 x 100060
4

= 6.344790647 LPM

For pressure of compressor at 2 bar, the steps are just the same. Just replace the value of Pressure,
Differential Pressure and Temperature based on the data collected.

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9.0 DISCUSSION
In this gas flow meter measurement bench laboratory, we have run 3 different experiments with 3
different objectives. The data and results have been taken properly and the calculations were made
in sample of calculations section.
For experiment 1, the objective was; determination of the operation and characteristic of
mass flow meter and rotameter. Mass flow meter and rotameter has its own functionality. For
example, rotameter is a device that measures the volumetric flow rate of a fluid while mass flow
meter measures mass flow rate of a fluid travelling through a tube. The experiment was conducted
with different initial pressure which is 1bar and 2bar. The reason why two values of pressure was
taken into account was to make comparison so that we can observe the result and make discussion.
From the results calculated, we can see the pattern are similar for mass flow meter and rotameter
flowrate, which is, as the volumetric flowrate and mass flowrate increases, the value of pressure
decreases. This result follows Bernoullis principle, which state that, as the velocity or flowrate
increases, the value of pressure will decreases and vice versa.
For experiment 2, the objective was; determination of the operation and characteristics of
venturi meter. Venturi meter is a flow measurement instruments which use a converging section
of pipe to give an increase in the flow velocity and a corresponding pressure drop from which the
flowrate can be deduced. From the table result, it shows that the value of differential pressure
increases as the rotameter (volumetric flowrate) increases. This is because, venturi meter
consisting of a tube with a short, narrow center section and widened, tapered ends, so that a fluid
flowing through the center section at a higher velocity than through an end section creates a
pressure differential that is a measure of the flow of the fluid. So, as the rotameter value increases,
the differential pressure (pressure drop) increases, the calculated flowrate Q increases, and the
pressure value decreases. This second experiment also present us the Bernoulli principle, whenever
high speed flowrate flows, the pressure value decreases.
Lastly, for experiment 3, the objective was; determination of the operation and
characteristics of orifice meter. Orifice meter is a device used for measuring flow rate, for reducing
pressure or for restricting flow (in the latter two cases it is often called a restriction plate). Orifice
meter and venturi meter have similar function. The only different is orifice meter use orifice plate
to create pressure differential while venturi meter has converging section. In this last experiment,
the result present us similar result with experiment 2 which, as the rotameter value increases, the
differential pressure (pressure drop) increases, the calculated flowrate Q increases, and the
pressure value decreases.
From overall experiment, the flowrate of rotameter is higher than venturi and orifice meter.
The ascending orders of flowrates are from orifice, venturi and rotameter. Orifice meter has lower
mass flowrates because orifice has high head loss due to the gradual change in diameter of the
structure compared to rotameter and venturi meter. Sudden change in diameter of orifice plate
makes streamline difficult to change directions suddenly. The venturi is widely used particularly
for large volume liquid and gas flows since its exhibits little pressure loss than orifice.

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10.0 CONCLUSION
The objective of the experiment which to obtain mass flowrate measurement by utilizing mass
flowmeter and rotameter compare with mass flowrate meter and rotameter was achieved
successfully. For experiment 1, both mass flow rate and the rotameter increased as the pressure
decreased. For experiment 2 and 3, the calculated flow rate increased when the pressure decreased.
The calculated flow rate in venture was higher than orifice meter. By the end of the experiment, it
can be concluded that the volume of a fixed mass of gases and rotameter depends on the pressure
and temperature.

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
There are several recommendations that can be follow for safety purpose and to get a more accurate
result. First thing first, always go through and understand a lab manual before conducting an
experiment so it will be safer if the experiment deal with a dangerous hazard. Other than that,
ensure all the valves are close before start with second and third experiment so it will not affect
the reading taken. Moreover, only take all the reading once it show a stability or reading can be
taken three times and take the average of the reading for a more accurate reading. Lastly if the
experiment takes a long time, rotate or change people that takes the reading to prevent a human
error.

12.0 REFERENCES
I. Harlan Bengston. Bright Hub Engineering, The Orifice, Flow Nozzle, and Venturi Meter
for Pipe (2010). Retrieved from
http://www.brighthubengineering.com/hydraulics-civil-engineering/52906-orifice-flow-
nozzle-and-venturi-meter-for-pipe-flow-measurement/
II. Kharagpur. Measurement System. Flow Measurement. Retrieved from
https://slidedocument.org/l-07-ss-iac-ee-nptel
III. Omega Sensing Incredible Things. Flow Meter (Introduction to Flow Measurement).
Retrieved from
https://www.omega.com/prodinfo/flowmeters.html

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13.0 APPENDICES

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