EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Rotameter Measurement Apparatus is designed to measure a flow of an

incompressible fluid. From this experiment, we will obtain the flow rate measurement
with comparison of pressure drop by utilizing three basic types of flow measuring
techniques; rotameter, venture meter and orifice meter. Meanwhile, the loss coefficient
can be determined when fluid flows through a 90◦ elbow by measuring flow rate on
manometers. Actual flow rates for the water is determined by using a constant volume of
10L and the time taken for the water to reach until 10L for each experiment. We could
compare the flow rates of the flowmeter based on the results we get from the graph. It
shows that venture-meter is more accurate compare to orifice meter which the flow rates
of venture-meter is closer to the actual value of the flow rates. On the whole, our
experiment was successfully done because we have achieved the objective of the
experiment.
OBJECTIVE

To study the flow measurements using rotameter-calibration and discharge measurement

using rotameter.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENTS

Measuring Tank, rotameter device, pipe setup and sump tank.

INTRODUCTION

A rotameter is an industrial device that is used to measure the flow rate of liquids and gases
through a tube. Its operation is based on the variable area principle: fluid flow raises the
float in a tapered tube, increasing the area for the passage of the fluid. In these devices, the
falling and rising action of a float in a tapered tube provides a measure of flow rate. It
belongs to a class of meters called variable area meters. A rotameter does not require an
external power as a fuel, it uses only the inherent properties of the fluid, along with gravity,
to measure the flow rate. Since the area of the flow passage increases as the float moves up
the tube, the scale becomes approximately linear. It works on the principle of up thrust
force exerted by fluid and force of gravity. In the variable area flowmeters, the drop rate is
constant and the flowrate is a function of area of constriction. It is used in wide range of
applications such as the measurement and control of machinery, control of gas burners flow
control of industrial refrigeration. The density of the liquid should be enough for the
plummet to float or else the reading would be incorrect.

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EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

Fig.01 Shows the Rotameter Experimental Setup. 5 represents rotameter device, 6

represents control valve, 7 represents Sump Tank, 8 represents Diverter, 9
represents pipe openings and 10 represents the Collecting/Measuring Tank. Fig.1
shows rotameter test rig setup,it consists a sump tank, initially which is filled by
water. A pump is fitted near the sump tank to pump the water from sump tank
to rotameter(where the volumetric flow rate of the fluid has measured)which is
fixed some distance above the pump,for further information of rotameter go
through the introduction.Control panel has fixed next to the rotatmeter.

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PROCEDURE

1. Shut down the valves before the experiment.

2. Switch on the mains, the indicator will start showing a red light then
Switch on the pump.
3. Fill the sump tank up with liquid for calibration.
4. Switch on drain valve to the sump tank and measure the amount of liquid
lost on every 1 cm decrease in the level indicator of the measuring scale
(calibration).
5. Take multiple readings and find the mean volume collected for every 1
cm decrease in level. This reading is the experimental volume occupied by
the liquid, for theoretical volume calculations, find the volume of the tank
by measuring its dimensions and calculate liquid lost per 1cm decrease in
height.
6. Find % error in theoretical and experimental volume readings.
7. Close all the valves, slightly open the bypass valve and switch the pump
on. Control the flow rate of the liquid by handling the control valve, find
the minimum and maximum flow rate of the liquid.
8. Close the bypass valve for maximum flow rate. Maintain the rotameter at
a constant flow rate and collect the liquid in the measuring tank for
seconds by tilting the flow diverter.
9. Note the volume of liquid collected by measuring the height on the level
indicator. Repeat this step 3 times for a certain flow rate (in LPH) and take
the concordant reading.
10. Note the different amounts of volume collected at different LPH, starting
from the minimum to the maximum flow rate. Find the % error in
theoretical vs experimental flow rate and plot the graphs

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

CALCULATIONS: -

For first Reading: -

𝐴∗ℎ
𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆, 𝑄=
𝑡
0.077 ∗ 0.1
=
11
𝑚3
= 0.0007
𝑠
𝑙𝑡
= 2520
ℎ𝑟
|𝑄 − 𝑅. 𝑅. |
𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = ∗ 100
𝑄
|2520 − 2700|
= ∗ 100
2520
= 7.142 %.
𝑅. 𝑅
𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 =
𝑄
2700
=
2520
= 1.071.

Area of Collecting/Measuring Tank, 𝐴 = 0.077𝑚2.

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GRAPHS: -

3000

2500

2000
Q(lt/hr)

1500

1000

500

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
R.R.(lt/hr)

Graph 01.

This graph shows that the Experimental Volumetric flow-rate is proportional to the
Rotameter Volumetric flow-rate. It can also be seen that at high flow-rates there is a bit of
deviation. So, it can be noted that rotameter is not that accurate for higher flow-rates.

PRECAUTIONS: -

The measurement instrument should be properly calibrated.

Make sure that the zero error is not there.

RESULT: - The plot of experimental volume flow-rate v/s Rotameter volume flow-rate is
a STRAIGHT LINE.

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 APPENDIX: -

Table 1: Observation and Calculations

S.No. ROTAMETER 𝑯𝟏 𝑯𝟐 ∆h TIME EXPERIMENTAL

FLOW-RATE FLOW RATE
(cm) (cm) (cm) (Sec)
𝟑
(𝒎 /𝒔) (𝒎𝟑 /𝒔)

1.) 500 5 8 3 15 554

500 8 11.5 3.5 15 646.8
500 11.5 14 3.5 15 646.8

2) 750 5 9 4 15 739.2

750 9 13.5 4.5 15 831.6

750 13.5 17 4.5 15 769

3) 1000 5 10.5 5.5 15 1016.4

1000 10.5 16 5.5 15 1016.4

1000 16 21.2 5.2 15 960.96

4) 1250 5 11.9 7.9 15 1459.92

1250 11.9 18.5 6.6 15 1219.68

1250 18 25.5 7.5 15 1386

5) 1500 5 13.5 8.5 15 1570.8

1500 13.5 20 7.5 15 1386

1500 20 28.5 8.2 15 1515.36

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6) 1750 5 15 10 15 1848
1750 15 24.3 9.3 15 1718.64

1750 24.3 34 9.7 15 1792.56

7) 2000 5 15.7 10.7 15 1977.36

2000 15.7 26.5 10.8 15 1995.84

2000 18 28.8 10.5 15 1940.4

CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Knowing that, flowrate is quantity of a gas or liquid moving through a pipe which
passes per unit time; usually represented by the symbol Q. The SI unit is (cubic
meters per second). In this experiment, flowrate was measured by using the
rotameter. This measuring technique operation and characteristics are to be
determined by comparing Experimental flow rate v/s Rotameter flow rate. It was
found that rotameter was accurate for only small flow-rates.

Based on this experiment, there are many ways to improve the experiment and
obtain the best results. Firstly, before we run the experiment, we must study the
manual lab that have been given to us. So, we can run the experiment smoothly
and fully understand the unit and procedures. We also can improve our skill and
knowledge to ensure that experiment can be done smoothly. Besides, we have to
ensure that there are no air bubbles for better accuracy and to avoid readings
error. We can use a pen or screw driver to depress the staddle valve at the top
right side of manometer board. Depress staddle valve lightly to allow fluid and
trapped air to escape out. Allow sufficient time for bleeding to allowing all
bubbles escape.

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REFERENCES
1. Noel De Nevers, ‘Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers’, Mc-Graw Hill
Chemical Engineering Series,3rd Edition,2004.
2. Diagram is from Wikipedia.
3. Perry’s Handbook for the Formulae and Calculations.
4. https://www.scribd.com/doc/30424235/Rotameter Experiment(Q v/s
R.R.)-profile(Time-22:45,03/10/2018)

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