Orifice plate design

Orifice plate shown fitted within

pipe flange bolt holes

Pipe 100 mm
K Factor 5590

Basic Course Module 8 19

 Orifice plate design

Basic Course Module 8 20

 Orifice plate design

Basic Course Module 8 21

 Orifice plate calculation
Example
The Problem:
A sprinkler system has two arrays at different elevations.
The higher, most hydraulically unfavourable array’s Design
Points flow and pressure demand is 3800 Lpm @ 6.40bar.
The lower, more hydraulically favourable array’s Design
Point demand is 3050 Lpm @ 4.9 bar.
If accepted, the lower array’s low pressure demand could
result in a higher maximum flowing condition, necessitating
a larger than specified water storage tank and fire pumps.
Unfortunately the 100mm diameter pipe connection to the
lower array is the smallest allowed by Table 64 and cannot
be reduced.
Basic Course Module 8 22
 Orifice plate calculation
Example

Demand at ‘C’ gauge

for higher array 150f
3800 Lpm @ 6.40 bar

100f
Demand at ‘C’ gauge
for lower array
3050 Lpm @ 4.90 bar
Basic Course Module 8 23
 Orifice plate calculation
Example
The Solution:
Determine the net pressure differential to be lost across an
orifice plate. (PX = 6.4 - 4.9 = 1.5 bar)
Select an orifice plate using the second formula given in
Annex B.2 with Table 80. (QX = 3050 Lpm)
2
5000
PO = 1.5 x = 4.031
3050

Refer to Table 80 to
select best Orifice plate

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 Orifice plate calculation
Example

The pressure loss PO of 4.031

falls between 4 & 5

Select the orifice plate

with the LOWER PO value

With the given ‘k’ factor and the

known flow rate, the actual net
2
pressure loss can now be FORMULA = P=
Q

calculated using a variation of k

the water flow calculation 3050 2

P= = 1.488 bar
formula given in Rule 25.5.3. 2500
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 Orifice plate calculation
Example
Inserting an Orifice plate with
a bore of 66.5 mm and a ‘k’
factor of 2500 balances the
lower array to within an
acceptable tolerance

Demand at ‘C’ gauge

for higher array 150f
3800 Lpm @ 6.40 bar

100f
Demand at ‘C’ gauge for lower array
3050 Lpm @ 4.90 + 1.488 = 6.388 bar
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