SIMPLIFICATION OF FLUID-FLOW COMPUTATIONS FOR ORIFICE METERS.

This report presents the derivation of the H number for use with the thin-plate orifice fluid-flow meter with vena contracta taps. The arduous task of velocity determination was circumvented by elimination of the Reynolds number in calculation of mass flow rate. Further simplification was attained by use of a digital computer program to realign extensive experimental, enabling a tabular and graphic presentation of the three dimensionless parameters. Use of these three parameters permits convenient determination of the mass flow rate through knowledge of the easily measured factors contained in the H number. Determination of the items normally associated with measurement of fluid-flow by an orifice meter i.e., the velocity of approach, coefficient of discharge, and flow coefficient was eliminated, resulting in a more simplified method of analysis.