Exp. No.

(4)
Air Flow velocity measurement using pitot-static tube

Objective: The aim of the experiment is to measure the air flow velocity from
the distribution of total pressure (Ptotal) and static pressure (Pstatic) along a
convergent-divergent duct and to compare these results with the prediction of
Bernoulli’s equation, Also the volume flow rate calculated along the convergent –
divergent duct.

Theory:
Show all the equations and figures to illustrate this experiment.

Figure 1

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 Description of Apparatus: The air flow bench is consists of switch to turn
on or turn off the centrifugal fan which it used to blow the air from surrounding to
the convergent-divergent duct. The bench is including the pitot-static tube to
measure the air flow velocity, and number of piezometers which it contains water
to measure the difference in total pressure and static pressure. The pitot-static
tube was made from stainless steel and it consists of two small holes (about one
inch in diameter), one hole at leading edge of the tube to measure the total
pressure and the second is lie at side wall of tube near the leading edge of the
tube to measure the static pressure.

Readings:
Distance H total pressure h Static pressure
(X mm) (mm) (mm)

total pressure

Static pressure

2
 Density of Air

( )

Velocity of Air

( )
√

Find the Area:

3
 Fig. (2): Dimensions of Convergent & Divergent passage

1. Equation at convergent part:

B= 76-(76-44)* mm where L1 = 70 mm

2. Equation at throat section:

B=44 mm
3. Equation at divergent part:

B= 76 -(76-44)* where L2 = 190 mm

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 Volume flow rate or Discharge.
More commonly we need to know the volume flow rate - this is so called as
discharge. (It is also commonly, simply called volume flow rate). The symbol
normally used for discharge is Q. The discharge is the volume of fluid flowing per
unit time.

Q=v A
vt: velocity
At: area
Where A= B d
B: Width of venturi-meter
d: depth of venturi-meter and is ( constant )

Q =
From continuity equation : Q1= Q2
Q convergent, divergent = Q throat
(v.A)convergent, divergent = vt.At

depth of venture-meter is constant

= …………(1) from continuity equation

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 Where:
Now we will find the ratio ( ) by applying Bernoulli equation:

( )
√
= ( )
√

√
=
√

=√ ……………..(2) from B.E

Procedure :
1. We try to run the blower by plug the electric motor to
AC source.
2. Adjustable the pitot-static tube to any distance (X)
from the upper end of the duct.
3. Read the static pressure and total pressure heads from
the piezometer readings.
4. Read the temperature of air inside the duct by using
the thermometer.
5. Estimate the length of duct (B) at every distance (X)
from the upper end of the duct by using the above
equations.
6. Apply B.E to find velocity ratio of convergent and
divergent portion to throat portion air then compare it
with velocity ratio produced from continuity equation.

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 Readings and Results

Xmm Length(B)/mm Po P total p Static √

pressure pressure
(Pa) (Pa) √

Notes: All elevations (h) must subtracted from (100 mm).

p = g water ´ h /1000 = 9810 ´ h /1000 (N/m )

2

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 Discussion of Results;-
1. Is the stagnation pressure constant along the duct length?
2. Is the discharge is constant at every duct section?
3. If you compare (v VS x) & (p VS x), what you see? Discuss these
figures in details.
4. What the benefit of this experiment?
5. Is the flow velocity gradient is the same at each cross-section area?
6. Is the discharge is constant at every duct section?
7. What is the relationship between static pressure and total pressure
in this experiment?