Venturi meters are accurate for a certain range of flows and have long been used for measuring flows in which type of pipelines?

• A. smaller pipelines
• B. underground pipelines
• C. larger pipelines
• D. pneumatic pipelines

Answer: (C)

Venturi meters measure flow by converting a pressure difference created as the fluid speeds up through a smooth throat into a flow rate. This method provides accurate readings over a wide range of flows while keeping the energy loss to a minimum because the pressure drop is relatively small for a given large volume of water. That combination makes Venturi meters especially well suited to large-diameter pipelines, where you’re moving substantial amounts of water and want accurate measurement without imposing large head losses on the system. In smaller pipes, orifice-type meters are often used instead because they are simpler and cheaper for lower flow rates, and in pneumatic (gas) systems the dynamics differ, so Venturi meters aren’t as commonly applied there.