Discharge coefficient

In a nozzle or other constriction, the discharge coefficient (also known as coefficient of discharge) is the ratio of the actual discharge to the theoretical discharge, i.e., the ratio of the mass flow rate at the discharge end of the nozzle to that of an ideal nozzle which expands an identical working fluid from the same initial conditions to the same exit pressures.

Mathematically the discharge coefficient may be related to the mass flow rate of a fluid through a straight tube of constant cross-sectional area through the following equation:

C d = m ˙ ρ V ˙ = m ˙ ρ A u = m ˙ ρ A 2 Δ P ρ

C d = Q e x p / Q t h e o

Where:
C d = Discharge Coefficient through the constriction (unit-less).

m ˙ = Mass flow rate of fluid through constriction (unit mass of fluid per unit time).

ρ = Density of fluid (unit mass per unit volume).

V ˙ = Volumetric flow rate of fluid through constriction (unit volume of fluid per unit time).
A = Cross-sectional area of flow constriction (unit length squared).

u = Velocity of fluid through constriction (unit length per unit time).

Δ P = Pressure drop across constriction (unit force per unit area).

This parameter is useful for determining the irrecoverable losses associated with a certain piece of equipment (constriction) in a fluid system, or the "resistance" that piece of equipment imposes upon the flow.

This flow resistance, often expressed as a unit-less parameter, k , is related to the discharge coefficient through the equation:

k = 1 C d 2

which may be obtained by substituting Δ P in the aforementioned equation with the resistance, k , multiplied by the dynamic pressure of the fluid, q .

An example in open channel flow

Due to complex behavior of fluids around some of the structures such as orifices, gates, and weirs etc., some assumptions are made for the theoretical analysis of the stage-discharge relationship. For example, in case of gates, the pressure at the gate opening is non-hydrostatic which is difficult to model; however, it is known that the pressure at the gate is very small. Therefore, engineers assume that the pressure is zero at the gate opening and following equation is obtained for discharge:

Q = A 0 ( 2 g H 1 )

where:

Q = Discharge

A 0 = Area of flow

g = Acceleration due to gravity

H 1 = Head just upstream of the gate

However, the pressure is not actually zero at the gate; therefore, discharge coefficient, Cd is used as follows:

Q = C d A 0 ( 2 g H 1 )