Formulas for flow rate through orifice

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a formula to calculate the mass flow rate of liquids through an orifice, given the orifice size and pressure conditions. Participants explore various approaches, equations, and coefficients relevant to fluid dynamics, particularly in the context of orifice flow measurement.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a formula for mass flow rate through an orifice, specifying the need for it to apply to multiple liquids with known specific gravities.
  • Another participant suggests using Bernoulli's equation for an upper limit and recommends finding the minor loss coefficient from the orifice manufacturer for better accuracy.
  • A participant expresses confusion about needing flow rate as an input variable for Bernoulli's equation and questions if it can be rearranged to use pressure as the input.
  • One participant provides a formula from hydraulic data, detailing different equations based on the ratio of diameters and coefficients for various orifice shapes.
  • There is a discussion about the participant's mathematical skills, with one expressing frustration about their limitations in rearranging equations.
  • Another participant clarifies the difference between mass flow rate and volumetric flow rate, providing a relationship between the two and suggesting a formula for mass flow rate involving the discharge coefficient, area, density, and pressure differential.
  • One participant emphasizes that algebra is sufficient for the calculations and shares a resource on orifices and discharge coefficients, while also noting the potential confusion with units of measurement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and mathematical ability, leading to some disagreement on how to approach the calculations. There is no consensus on a single formula or method, as multiple approaches and equations are discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of the discharge coefficient and its dependence on the orifice's characteristics, as well as the need for clarity on units of measurement. Some assumptions about fluid properties and conditions are not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in fluid dynamics, engineering applications involving orifices, and those seeking to understand the calculations related to flow rates in various contexts.

jakeh_16
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I am in need of a formula to calculate mass flow rate of liquids through a known orifice size and known pressure/secondary pressure.

I need to do this for multiple liquids and I know the specific gravity for each liquid.
can anyone help with this formula.
 
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Bernoulli's equation will give an upper limit. A better approximation can be had by finding the minor loss coefficient for your orifice plate from the manufacturer.
 
i had a quick look at Bernoulli's equation and it appears the first variable needed is the flow rate. which is what I am trying to find.
is there a way to calculate flow rate from orifice size and pressure.

basically I have a 2mm orifice at 50 psi and want to know the flowrate.
 
jakeh_16 said:
i had a quick look at Bernoulli's equation and it appears the first variable needed is the flow rate. which is what I am trying to find.
Can't you re-arrange it so that the input variable is pressure and the output variable is flow rate?
 
not with my mathematical skills. damn
 
from cameron hyrdraulic data:

Q=19.636*C*d1^2*h^(1/2)*(1/(1-(d1/d2)^4))^(1/2) where d1/d2 >0.3
Q=19.636*C*d1^2*h^(1/2) where d1/d2<0.3

reentrant tube length = 1/2 to 1*dia C=0.52
sharp edged C=0.61
square edged C=0.61
reentrant tube length = 1 1/2*dia C=0.73
square edged tube flows full C=0.82
well rounded C=0.98

from there use bernoulli's equation to determine pressure drop across orifice.
 
jakeh_16 said:
not with my mathematical skills. damn
What is the highest level of math that you have completed?
 
done trig, work, mechanical advantages etc in fitting and machining apprenticeship that's it. so not much
 
  • #10
Do you need the mass flow rate (i.e. the amount of fluid mass transferred per second) or the volumetric flow rate (the amount of volume transferred per second)?

The two are related via the following relation:

## Q_m = \rho Q_v##

You can find the flow rate via the following equation provided you can either approximate the discharge coefficient or determine it otherwise. Sources I can reference suggest that a well-drilled, clean and smooth orifice can be approximated with a discharge coefficient of 0.5 to 0.7, for example.

You can find the mass flow rate (## Q_m ##) via a restatement of the discharge coefficient equation:

## Q_m = C_d A \sqrt{2 \rho \Delta P} ##

...where:
  • ##C_d## is the aforementioned discharge coefficient
  • ##A## is the area of the orifice
  • ##\rho## is the density of the fluid
  • and ##\Delta P## is the pressure differential (drop) across the orifice.
 
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  • #11
Algebra is all you need.
Here's a link with a section on orifices with a little more help on discharge coefficients.
http://web.mst.edu/~cottrell/ME240/Resources/Fluid_Flow/Fluid_flow.pdf section 2.2what nobody ever tells you about is the units...

I'm so old i grew up with pressure in poundals/square foot, mass in poundsmass. area in square feet and density in poundsmass /cubic foot .

you'll probably use more modern units .

.
 

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