11/9/2017 Calculation of Flow through Nozzles and Orifices – Neutrium

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CALCULATION OF FLOW THROUGH NOZZLES AND ORIFICES

SUMMARY
This article provides calculation methods for correlating design, flow rate
and pressure loss as a fluid passes through a nozzle or orifice. Nozzles and
orifices are often used to deliberately reduce pressure, restrict flow or to
measure flow rate.

1. DEFINITIONS
D : Diameter
A : Area
Cd : Discharge coefficient
g : Gravitational acceleration
h : Fluid head

Δh : Change in fluid head

k : Ratio of specific heats (CP /CV )

P : Pressure

ΔP : Differential pressure (P2 − P1 )

Y : Expansion coefficient (Y = 1 for incompressible flow)
z : Elevation
β : Ratio of pipe diameter to orifice diameter (Do /D1 )
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ρ : Mass density

Subscripts

1 : Upstream of orifice or nozzle

2 : Downstream of orifice or nozzle

c : Compressible fluid

i : Incompressible fluid
o : Orifice or nozzle

s : Static pressure

2. INTRODUCTION
In the case of a simple concentric restriction orifice the fluid is accelerated
as it passes through the orifice, reaching the maximum velocity a short
distance downstream of the orifice itself (the Vena Contracta). The increase
in velocity comes at the expense of fluid pressure resulting in low pressures
in the Vena Contracta. In extreme cases this may lead to cavitation when
the local pressure is less than the vapour pressure of a liquid.

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Downstream of the Vena Contracta in the recovery zone, the fluid

decelerates converting excess kinetic energy into pressure as it slows. When
the fluid has decelerated and returned to the normal bulk flow pattern the
final downstream pressure has been reached.

The discharge coefficient Cd characterises the relationship between flow

rate and pressure loss based on the geometry of a nozzle or orifice. You can
find typical values in our article on discharge coefficients for nozzles and
orifices .

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3. CALCULATIONS
The relationships for flow rate, pressure loss and head loss through orifices
and nozzles are presented in the subsequent section. These relationships all
utilise the parameter β , the ratio of orifice to pipe diameter which is
defined as:

Do
β=
D1
Where the point downstream of the orifice is sufficiently far away that the
fluid has returned to normal full pipe velocity profile.

3.1 Horizontal Orifices and Nozzles

For orifices and nozzles installed in horizontal pipework where it can be
assumed that there is no elevation change, head loss and flow rate may be
calculated as follows:

Property Equation

Q = Cd Ao Y √
2ΔP
Flow rate (in terms of P )
ρ (1 − β 4 )

Q = Cd Ao Y √
2gΔh
Flow rate (in terms of h)
(1 − β 4 )

Pressure loss
2
1
ΔP = ρ (1 − β ) ( )
4 Q
2 Cd Ao Y
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2
1
(1 − β ) ( )
Q
Head Loss
4
Δh =
2g Cd Ao Y

3.2 Vertical Orifices and Nozzles

For orifices and nozzles installed in horizontal piping, with elevation
change Δz = z1 − z2 , the following head loss and flow rate equations
may be used:

Property Equation

Q = Cd Ao Y √
2 (ΔP + ρgΔz )
Flow rate (in terms of P )
ρ (1 − β 4 )

Q = Cd Ao Y √
2g (Δh + Δz )
Flow rate (in terms of h)
(1 − β 4 )

2
1
ΔP = ρ (1 − β ) ( ) − ρgΔz
Q
Pressure loss
4
2 Cd Ao Y

2
1
(1 − β ) ( ) − Δz
Q
Head Loss Δh = 4
2g Cd Ao Y

3.3 Expansion Coefficient

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The expansion coefficient takes account of the difference between the

discharge coeffcicient for compressible and incompressible flows. It is
defined as:

Cd,c
Y =
Cd,i

The expansion factor Y is typically determined empirically and can be

calculated using one of the formulas below.

For incompressible fluids:

Y =1

American Gas Association method as described in AGA 3.1:

ΔP
Y = 1 − (0.41 + 0.35β 4 )
kPs,1

International Standards Organistion method as described in ISO 5167-2:

Y = 1 − (0.351 + 0.256β + 0.93β ) (1 − ( ) )

Ps,2 1/k 4 8
Ps,1

4. FURTHER READING
1. Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook, R. W. Miller

2. Albright's Chemical Engineering Handbook, L. Albright

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3. Instrument Engineers' Handbook, Vol. 1: Process Measurement and

Analysis

Article Created: February 11, 2015

   

ARTICLE TAGS

Discharge Coefficient Expansion Coefficient Flow Orifice Nozzle

Orifice Restriction Orifice Venturi Meter

© 2017 Native Dynamics | Contact | Copyright and Disclaimer

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11/9/2017 Discharge Coefficient for Nozzles and Orifices – Neutrium

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DISCHARGE COEFFICIENT FOR NOZZLES AND ORIFICES

SUMMARY
The discharge coefficient is a dimensionless number used to characterise
the flow and pressure loss behaviour of nozzles and orifices in fluid
systems. Orifices and nozzles are typically used to deliberately reduce
pressure, restrict flow or to measure flow rate. This article gives typical
values of the discharge coefficient for common orifice and nozzle designs.

1. DEFINITIONS
Cd : Discharge Coefficient
Cd,∞ : Discharge Coefficient at infinite Reynolds number
D1 : Full pipe diameter
D0 : Constricted diameter (mm)

K : Resistance Coefficient

Re : Reynolds Number (measured at full pipe diameter and velocity)

β : Area Ratio (Do /D1 )

2. INTRODUCTION

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There are two distinct uses for nozzles and orifice plates. The first is to
restrict flow where high accuracy is generally not important and the second
is flow measurement where calculation accuracy is critical.

For the purpose of flow restriction an orifice plate is typically used and it is
generally acceptable to use typical values of the discharge coefficient as
presented in this article for the orifice sizing calculation.

For the purpose of flow measurement either an orifice or nozzle may be

used and the accuracy of the discharge coefficient has greater importance.
For orifice plate installation the discharge coefficient will vary depending
on the location of the pressure tappings. Common arrangements are:

Corner tappings : Tapping points are at the flange.

Flange tappings : Tapping points are 1" upstream and downstream of

orifice plate in the flanges.

2.5D and 8D tappings : Tapping points are 2.5 pipe diameters

upstream and 8 pipe diameters downstream.

D and 1/2 D tappings : Tapping points are 1 pipe diameter upstream

and half a pipe diameter downstream.

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Other devices with high accuracy and greater pressure recovery exist such
as ASME, ISA, Venturi Nozzles and Lo Loss Tubes. When using these devices
the vendor should be consulted for the exact discharge coefficient.

3. DISCHARGE COEFFICIENT VALUES

3.1 Relationship to Resistance coefficient K

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The discharge coefficient may be directly related to the resistance

coefficient via the follow equation:

1
K=
Cd2

3.2 Typical Values for Discharge Coefficient Cd

For simple pressure loss or flow rate calculations where high accuracy is
not critical the following typical values may be used:

Equipment Type β min β max Cd

Orifice Plate, thin sharp edged - - 0.61

Venturi Nozzle, Machined 0.4 0.75 0.995

Venturi Nozzle, Rough Welded Sheet Metal 0.4 0.70 0.985

Venturi Nozzle, Rough Cast 0.3 0.77 0.984

3.3 Precise Relationships for Discharge Coefficient

Where a higher degree of accuracy is required, such as for flow rate
measurement, the relationships below may be used.

b
Cd = C∞ +
Ren

Values for C∞ , b and n are presented below. Dimensions in millimeters.

Device Cd,∞

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