HYDRA 325 - HYDRAULICS
MODULE 08B PART2: THE ENERGY EQUATION
8.4.4 ORIFICE
[Link] ORIFICE WITH A CONSTANT HEAD
Orifice is an opening with a closed
perimeter through which fluid flows.
The primary purpose of this opening is to
measure and control the fluid flow.
The upstream face maybe rounded or sharp.
An orifice with prolonged side such as piece
of pipe, having a length of about three
times its diameter is called a tube.
According to shape, orifice maybe circular,
square or rectangular in cross-section.
A circular sharp-crested orifice is the most
commonly used for metering because of
the simplicity of its design and construction.
Use the Energy Equation and consider sections (1) and (2) in the figure below while neglecting friction
losses,
�1 2 �1 �2 2 �2
+ + �1 = + + �2
2� � 2� �
where �1 = 0, �1 = �2 = 0 (exposed to atmosphere, �1 = �, and �2 = 0 (datum)
�� = ���
Experimentally, it is found out that the actual mean velocity of the jet from a sharp-edged orifice is
little less than the theoretical velocity. This difference is attributed to the fluids viscosity which was
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HYDRA 325 - HYDRAULICS
MODULE 08B PART2: THE ENERGY EQUATION
neglected in deriving the formula above, to correct for the head losses initially neglected, a correction
factor known as coefficient of velocity Cv must be multiplied to the theoretical velocity.
�� = �� = ��� → �� = �� ��
�� = �� ���
The discharge through an orifice is therefore:
�� = ���
�� = � ��� & �� = �� ���
In the figure shown, the individual particles of
the mass approaching the orifice follow
converging paths. Due to the inertia of the
particles getting close to the inner wall, they
cannot make abrupt changes in their direction
as they get to the opening. This causes them to
follow curvilinear paths affecting a contraction
of the jet up to a section, say B-C, at which
point the stream paths are assumed to be
parallel, and the pressure having a value equal
to that of the surrounding medium.
The section B-C where the contraction of the jet ceases is called the vena contracta. Its distance from
the inner wall of the orifice is roughly ½ of the diameter of the orifice. The unitless ratio of the area of
the vena contracta to the area of the orifice is known as the coefficient of contraction, Cc.
�
�� =
�
The theoretical discharge is the product of the area of the orifice and the theoretical velocity.
�� = ���
Furthermore, the real or actual discharge is obtained at the issuing jet (vena contracta) and
represented as the product of the area of the contracted section and the actual velocity.
�� = ��� → �� = �� � �� 2��
�� = �� �� � 2�� → �� = �� ���
Where:
� = coefficient of discharge, � = �� ��
� = cross-sectional area of orifice
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HYDRA 325 - HYDRAULICS
MODULE 08B PART2: THE ENERGY EQUATION
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 08:
Solve for the theoretical velocity of the jet, the actual velocity and the discharge of the orifice
Situation �� �� � �� �� ��
1 Exposed to 5 m of oil 5 1.0 0.97
atmosphere cm (rounded)
2 Exposed to 5 m of 5 0.62 0.98
atmosphere water cm (sharp
edged)
3 70 0 1.6 m 7.5 0.95 0.95
kPa kPa (�. �. = cm
3.0)
considering the following:
�.�����
Ans: �� = �
, �� = �. ����/�, �� = �. ����/�
�.�����
�� = , �� = �. ����/�, �� = �. ����/�
�
�.�����
�� = , �� = �. ����/� , �� = �. ����/�
�
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HYDRA 325 - HYDRAULICS
MODULE 08B PART2: THE ENERGY EQUATION
Problem 09:
An orifice at the side of the tank is located 1 � above the bottom of the tank which is resting on
the ground. The jet of water strikes a distance of 2.75 � horizontally away from the orifice with
�� = 0.98. The height of the tank is 4 � and it is filled with water 2 � depth and on top of it is
another liquid having a depth of 1 �.
a. Determine the velocity of the jet.
b. Determine the equivalent constant head of water that causes flow out of the tank.
c. Determine the specific gravity of the liquid.
Ans: � = �. ���/�, � = �. ����, �� = �. ���
[Link] UNSTEADY FLOW IN ORIFICE (CASE I:�� = �)
The surface drops and the volume decreases. Rate of change in the volume is the outflow, ��
� ���
= �� = ��� 2�ℎ
��
� ���
�� =
��� 2�ℎ
NOTE: ℎ2 < ℎ < ℎ1
ℎ1 � ���
1
�=
��� 2� ℎ2 ℎ1/2
ℎ1
1 � �ℎ
�=
��� 2� ℎ2 ℎ1/2
Sides of the tank are vertical, A is constant
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HYDRA 325 - HYDRAULICS
MODULE 08B PART2: THE ENERGY EQUATION
��
�= �� �/� − �� �/�
��� ��
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 10:
A vertical cylindrical tank has an orifice in its side at a point 0.60 � above the bottom. If the
discharge reduces the depth of water in the tank from 6 � to 4 � in 78 �������, what is the time
required to reduce the depth from 3.6 � to 1.6 �?
Ans: � = ���. ����
[Link] UNSTEADY FLOW IN ORIFICE (CASE II:�� ≠ �� )
�� < �� , the liquid surface drops
��
� ��� � ��
= �� − �� → �=
�� �� ��� ��� − ��
�� > �� , the liquid surface rises and the volume increases
��
� ��� � ��
= �� − �� → �=
�� �� �� − ��� ���
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 11:
A sharp-edged orifice 10 �� in diameter in the side of the tank having a horizontal cross-section
2 �2 discharges water under a constant head. The rate by which the head is kept constant is
suddenly changed from 0.023 �3 /� to 0.034 �3 /�. How long will it take after the change occurs
for the head over the orifice to be 2 �? Use � = 0.60.
Ans: � = ���. ����
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HYDRA 325 - HYDRAULICS
MODULE 08B PART2: THE ENERGY EQUATION
[Link] UNSTEADY FLOW IN SUBMERGED ORIFICE
Unsteady flow problem in a submerged orifice
usually requires the determination of the time for
the equalization of the surfaces in the two tanks,
that is, when the flow through the orifice ceases or
when the surfaces reach the same elevation, using
the free-flow type.
ℎ�
� ���
�=
0 ��� 2�ℎ
ℎ� = ℎ1 − ℎ2 at � = 0
�� ��
���� = ��
�� + ��
�1 and �2 – cross sectional areas of the chambers
�1
�2 �ℎ2
����� = ����� → �=
�2 ��
�1
1 �1 �2
�= �−1/2 �ℎ
��� 2� �2 �1 + �2
� �� ��
�= �� − ��
��� �� �� + ��
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 12:
Two vertical circular cylindrical tanks are connected near the bottom by a short tube having a
cross-sectional area of 7.25 ��2. The inside diameters of the tanks are 3 � and 1.5 �
respectively. The tanks contain oil. With the valve connecting tube closed, the oil surfaces are 4 �
in the larger tank and 0.60 � in the smaller tank above the tube. With� = 0.78, find the time
required for the surfaces to equalize following a quick opening of the valve. Assume the
properties of the tube to be similar to that of an orifice.
Ans: � = ����. ����
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