Numerical Study on Performance Characteristics of Multihole Orifice Plate

Abstract

The multi-hole orifice plate is one of the effective devices for measuring flow rate accurately. In this study, an experimental and numerical investigation of the flow characteristics behavior caused by a water flow through a multi-hole orifice configuration is reported. A circular centered single hole orifice and a multi-hole orifices are used for the test. Orifices of interest for present study have an area ratio of 0.36, the equivalent diameter ratio of 0.6 and number holes 9, 16 and 25. Discharge coefficients for flow through multi-hole orifices are evaluated. Parameters investigated were the number of holes, orifice pressure drop and Reynolds number. In the present work, k-ε turbulence model has been used to predict velocity fields, pressure loss and discharge coefficient around this device. Advantages gained by using multiple holes in an orifice plate instead of a single hole are discussed. It is shown that number of holes, orifice diameter and aspect ratio influences the discharge coefficients. Tests were conducted under laboratory conditions. The experimental results were compared with numerical modeling and appropriate conclusions are discussed.