FM351 · Flow Meter Calibration

Experimental Apparatus for the Study of Flow Meter Calibration

Learning objectives / experiments

Determination of the accuracy of each flow meter, such as:
- Nozzle
- Venturi
- Sharp-edged orifice
- Pitot tube
Determination of the coefficient of discharge of each flow meter
Determination of the pressure loss and of the k value of each flow meter, referred to the straight pipe
Study of the effect of a constriction on the pressure in a pipe
Measurement of the velocity profile across the pipe with the Pitot tube
Study of the boundary layer and of surface friction in pipe flow

Description

The FM351 is a short pipe run on a base plate, open in the middle between two quick-change adaptors. Any of the five flow elements drops into that gap and locks without tools. Four water manometers on the panel behind the run show the pressure across the element and across the whole flow meter assembly. A ball valve downstream sets the flow rate. The apparatus works on our FM500 hydraulic bench or on any laboratory bench.

Software

hydraulic data management software, supplied with the apparatus
simple to use, with clear options for displaying the data
records every reading and calculates the flow rate, the coefficient of discharge and the k value
exports the charts and the results for the report

Main characteristics

quick-change adaptors and pressure connections, so flow meters change without tools
five flow elements supplied, nozzle, Venturi, sharp-edged orifice, Pitot tube and straight pipe
four water manometers on a common manifold with air valve and hand pump
Pitot tube with micrometer head traverse and wall tapping for the static pressure
straight pipe for comparing the true pressure losses of the flow meters
flow control valve downstream, so the flow reaches the meter undisturbed
works on the worktop of our FM500 hydraulic bench and of any laboratory hydraulic bench, on a hose connector

Technical specifications

Operating environment use in the laboratory

Operating temperature +5…+40 °C

Operating relative humidity 80 % at temperatures below 31 °C, decreasing linearly to 50 % at 40 °C

Net dimensions W 760 × H 745 × D 450 mm

Weight approx. 12 kg

Flow elements 5, interchangeable, each 340 mm between the adaptor faces

Nozzle flow meter profiled nozzle

Venturi flow meter converging cone, throat and diverging cone

Orifice flow meter sharp-edged plate

Pitot tube micrometer head traverse, wall tapping for the static pressure

Straight pipe plain bore, the reference for the true losses

Manometers 4, water-filled, 16 mm bore, common manifold with air valve and hand pump

Manometer scale printed on the panel, 0…600 mm water

Pressure tappings 4, two across the flow meter and two across the flow meter assembly

Flow control ball valve downstream of the flow meter

Bench connection hose connector, to the FM500 or any laboratory bench

Scope of delivery

1 FM351 apparatus, with the four water manometers, their manifold and the downstream ball valve
Included flow elements:
- Nozzle flow meter
- Venturi flow meter
- Sharp-edged orifice flow meter
- Pitot tube with micrometer head and wall tapping
- Straight pipe, for the loss reference
1 hand pump for the manometer manifold
1 set of hoses for the hydraulic bench connection
1 hydraulic data management software licence
1 set of instructional material with the experiment procedures

All components and accessories listed under Scope of delivery are supplied, whether or not they are visible in the illustrations.