Note:

The β ratio helps determine the flow characteristics of a fluid through an orifice plate. It is defined as the ratio of the orifice diameter (d) to the pipe diameter (D). A lower β ratio indicates a higher pressure drop across the orifice, affecting fluid velocity. This ratio is crucial in flow measurement, ensuring accurate calculations in industrial and safety applications.

The orifice diameter (d) must be smaller than the pipe diameter (D), otherwise, the flow will be blocked, and measurement won’t be possible

in real-world applications, an orifice plate or nozzle is placed inside a pipe to create a pressure drop and measure flow rate. If the orifice diameter is equal to or larger than the pipe diameter, no fluid would flow through because there would be no open space left.

Parameters:

• β Ratio: The ratio of the orifice diameter to the pipe diameter.
• d (Orifice Diameter): The inner diameter of the orifice plate (must be smaller than D).
• D (Pipe Diameter): The inner diameter of the pipe.

Important Condition:

The orifice diameter (d) must always be smaller than the pipe diameter (D). If d ≥ D, the calculation is invalid.

Real-Life Applications:

• Fire Safety: Used to measure water flow in fire suppression systems.
• Industrial Flow Measurement: Ensures proper fluid distribution in pipelines.
• HVAC Systems: Helps regulate air and fluid flow in ventilation systems.

Conclusion:

By calculating the β ratio, engineers can determine the pressure drop and velocity changes in pipes, optimizing system performance in fire safety, HVAC, and industrial applications.