Experiment no.

3
Discharge Coefficient of Orifice Flow
1. Objective(s):

This activity aims to determine the hydraulic coefficients of water flow through various types of orifices and
investigate the discharge losses.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:

1. Determine the value of the discharge coefficient using the Orifice Discharge Apparatus.
2. Understand the discharges losses in orifice and apply in engineering practices.

3. Discussion:

Orifice is a small opening of any cross-section on the side or at the bottom of a tank through which a fluid flow.
It is used to determine the flow rates in pipes and reservoirs. However, it should also be considered that there are
losses in the flow as it goes through an orifice. These losses are caused by jet contraction and wall friction. Thus,
the actual flow in the orifice is smaller than the theoretical flow.
Losses Due to Jet Contraction
As the flow is constricted through an orifice, the narrowest point in the fluid stream is called the vena contracta.
This reduction of the flow cross-sectional area is defined by the contraction coefficient, 𝐶𝐶. It is given by the
formula:
ac
C c= (3.1)
a
where 𝑎𝐶 is the area of vena contracta and 𝑎 is the area of orifice.
Losses Due to Wall Friction
The mean velocity of the jet decreases due to the friction of the flow on the wall as it is deflected to the jet
direction causing kinetic energy loss. It can be computed using the velocity coefficient, 𝐶𝑣.
vc
C v= (3.2)
v
where 𝑣𝐶 is the actual velocity in the vena contracta and 𝑣 is the theoretical velocity. The usual values of 𝐶𝑣
ranges from 0.95 to 0.99 depending on the type of orifice used.
Discharge Coefficient
The flow discharge through the orifice is less due to the jet contraction and wall friction which can be determined
using the discharge coefficient, 𝐶𝑑.
Qc
C d= (3.3)
Q
where 𝑣𝐶 is the actual discharge in the vena contracta and 𝑣 is the theoretical discharge. Its values range from
0.59 to 0.65.

The relationship of the hydraulic coefficients can be expressed mathematically which is shown in equation 3.4.
C d=C c × C v (3.4)
4. Resources/Instruments Required:
  Hydraulics Bench (HM 150)

 Orifice Discharge Apparatus (HM 150.12)

 Different Types pf Nozzles:

5. Experiment Procedure:
 Attach the selected nozzle and sealing ring to the base of the tank.

 Gently open the main valve and adjust the discharge.

 Take the reading of the left pressure gauge and record it in your data sheet. This will be the
theoretical head, ℎ𝑡.
 Position the pitot tube in the center of the jet and take the reading on the right pressure gauge. This
will be the actual head, ℎ𝑎.

 Adjust the spindle tip until it touches the jet flow. Record the measurement on the micrometer.
6. Data and Results:
Velocity Coefficient
Theoretical Theoretical Actual Energy Actual Velocity,
Velocity
Trial No. Energy Head, ht Velocity, vt Head, ha va
Coefficient, Cv
(mm) (mm/s) (mm) (mm/s)
1 14 524.099 10 442.945 0.845
2 16 560.286 12 485.222 0.866
3 18 594.273 14 524.099 0.882

Contraction Coefficient
Reading on Jet Diameter,
Jet Radius, rjet Inlet Diameter Contraction
Trial No. Micrometer djet
(mm) (mm) Coefficient, Cc
(mm) (mm)
1 5.57 4.43 8.86 12 0.545
2 5.64 4.36 8.72 12 0.528
3 5.70 4.30 8.60 12 0.514

Discharge Coefficient
Trial No. Contraction Coefficient, Cc Velocity Coefficient, Cv Discharge Coefficient, Cd
1 0.545 0.845 0.461
2 0.528 0.866 0.457
3 0.514 0.882 0.453

7. Sample Computations:
 Trial No.1
v t= √ 2 gh π
a a= ( d jet )
2 C d=C c × C v

√(
4 C d=0.545× 0.845
v t= 2 9.81
s2 )(
m 1000 mm
1m )
( 14 mm ) π
a a= ( 8.86 mm )
4
2 C d=0.461
mm 2
v t=524.099 a a=61.653 mm
s
Π
v a=√ 2 gh a t=ao= ( d¿ ) 2
4

√(
v a= 2 9.81

v a=442.945
s2
mm
)(
m 1000 mm
1m )
( 10 mm ) π
a t= ( 12 mm )
4
a t=113.097 mm
2

s
aa
va C c=
C v= at
vt 61.653 mm
2

mm C c= 2
442.945 113.097 mm
s C c =0.545
C v=
mm
524.099
s
C v =0.845

8. Discussion:
Interpretation:

In this experiment, we are tasked with determining the hydraulic coefficients of water flow through various types
of orifices and investigating discharge losses using the Hydraulic bench (HM 150) and the Orifice Discharge
Apparatus (HM 150.12). This equipment is made up of several parts, including the chosen type of nozzle, the
primary valve that controls water discharge, pitot tube, inlet basket, jet, spindle tip, and micrometer.

The orifice discharge apparatus is an important tool for calculating discharge losses. It's linked to a fluid supply,
in this case water, and devices like pressure gauges and flow meters are used to measure characteristics upstream
and downstream of the orifice. The discharge losses were computed using the orifice equation, which relates flow
rate, orifice size, and fluid properties while maintaining a constant flow rate. Throughout our experiment, a variety
of factors influence discharge losses in an orifice discharge system. The size of the orifice is a significant variable,
with smaller orifices resulting in higher losses due to increased wall friction and jet contraction, and larger orifices
resulting in reduced losses. Furthermore, the nozzle shape is important with sharp-edged nozzles producing higher
losses than well-rounded ones. Because we are employing an inlet cone kind of nozzle, the data we obtained shows
that we have larger discharged losses than rounded ones. Furthermore, water flow control has a substantial impact
on discharge losses in an orifice discharge process. Changing the flow rate allows for fluid velocity manipulation,
which modifies the amount of discharge losses substantially, with turbulent flow being associated with larger losses
due to increased internal friction and turbulence. Furthermore, it produces pressure variations upstream and
downstream, compromising orifice performance and resulting in losses.

We repeated the experiment three times with different types of discharge flow. In this experiment, we have
chosen to employ an intake cone nozzle. To carry out this experiment, we begin by placing the specified type of
nozzle in the tank's base and then open the main valve that regulates the discharge. Following that, we carefully
positioned the pitot tube in the center of the jet to record the actual head reading. The spindle tip is then adjusted
until it hits the jet flow, and the reading is recorded in the micrometer. We can determine the theoretical and actual
value of velocity using the data obtained from the measurement of the actual head. Moreover, the velocity
coefficient and contraction coefficient are calculated using the measurement obtained from the micrometer reading.
The discharge coefficient was then calculated using the contraction coefficient and velocity coefficient
measurements.

Analysis:

Based on the data we have collected, the actual energy head is seemingly lesser than the theoretical energy head,
which is caused by discharge losses in the flow as it goes through the orifice. The three trials and their findings
demonstrated and supported that the form of the orifice and the nozzle itself determine how discharge losses occur.
As a result, the discharge coefficient is lower because the orifice meter has a sharp-edged opening that creates more
turbulent flow, which leads to more energy losses and thus a lower coefficient of discharge because of the increased
fluid friction and jet contraction.

9. Conclusion:
 In conclusion, the orifice flow discharge coefficient is lower than theoretical values. The discharge losses in the
flow as it passes through the orifice are primarily responsible for the lower coefficient. Some of the components
influencing it are as follows: the design of the orifice, particularly having a sharp-edged opening, adds to greater
turbulence in the flow. Turbulence, in turn, causes additional energy losses, such as fluid friction and jet contraction.
These additional losses impair the efficiency of the orifice, resulting in a lower discharge coefficient than would be
expected theoretically. In conclusion, the experimental data show that the discharge coefficient of this particular
orifice flow is influenced by the orifice shape, causing it to be lower than expected. Furthermore, while analyzing
fluid systems, these components must be carefully evaluated in order to enhance efficiency and decrease losses,
ensuring that fluid flows smoothly and efficiently through the system.

In engineering application, the lower observed discharge coefficient compared to theoretical values has
significant impacts, particularly in hydraulics engineering. Fluid flow rate prediction and control are critical for
system design and operation. Engineers must evaluate different orifice designs, develop effective flow control
procedures, and optimize systems using practical data rather than theoretical calculations. This emphasizes the
discharge coefficient's practical usefulness in guaranteeing reliable and efficient fluid systems in a variety of
engineering applications.

10. References: