Discharge and loss coefficients for viscoelastic fluids in differential pressure flow meters

Differential pressure devices such as an orifice and Venturi are widely used in the measurement of flow rate of fluid mainly due to cost effectiveness and easy installation. In the current study, the viscoelastic effect on discharge and loss coefficients of those flow meters were investigated experimentally. Aqueous solutions of Polyacrylamide (200, 500, and 800 ppm) as viscoelastic fluids were used. Discharge coefficient of an orifice for viscoelastic fluids increased significantly up to approximately 15-20% when compared with that for water, while loss coefficient decreased up to 10-25% depending on the diameter ratio, .betha.. Also, pressure recovery for viscoelastic fluids was extended much longer than that for water. On the other hand, discharge and loss coefficients of Venturi for viscoelastic fluids were found to be strongly dependent on the Reynolds number. In both flow meters, the concentration effect for discharge and loss coefficients was not observed at more over than 200 ppm of aqueous solution. Conclusively, orifice and Venturi flow meters should be calibrated very carefully in the flow rate measurement for viscoelastic fluids.