An Improved Discharge Coefficient Model for Sharp-Edged Orifice Meter: Experimental Validation of Reader-Harris-Gallagher equation at High Reynolds Numbers

This study develops refined equation for coefficient of discharge (C<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">d</inf>) for sharp-edged orifice meter. The orifice flow meter under investigation has diametric ratio (β) of 0.5 and operates at high Reynolds Number (R<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">e</inf>) flows. Its discharge coefficient’s dependency on the Reynolds Number is analyzed extensively and new (C<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">d</inf>) model is developed which supports more accurate flow rate measurement. Empirical Reader-Harris-Gallagher (RHG) equation is also analyzed and its discrepancies are thoroughly discussed. Standard venturi flow meter is used as reference and experimental flow rate errors for the new and RHG equations are calculated. During this study, extensive amount of experiments are conducted and errors are quantified for each experiment. Both (C<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">d</inf>) models are vigorously analyzed and their minimum, maximum and mean errors at specific flow rates are calculated. Probability distribution analysis of these errors is also performed using advanced statistical and computational platforms like MATLAB. The mean measurement error (MAPE) for the new (C<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">d</inf>) model is 0.46% while it is 3.33% for RHG equation. This is considerable improvement of fidelity for orifice flow meter with new (C<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">d</inf>) equation. It is believed that this development will enhance both the effectiveness and dependability of orifice flow meter in useful engineering applications, which will result in more reliable and effective solutions in a range of industries.