NY-87-05-3 -- Spreadsheet Analysis of Laboratory Data PDF

This paper describes an undergraduate experiment that incorporates a personal computer spreadsheet program to reduce and analyze data obtained from a Flow Meter Test Loop. This experiment is a part of the newly developed course entitled ME 4054, Thermal Sciences Laboratory. One of the primary objectives of this course is the intelligent use of the personal computer for data acquisition and control, data reduction, and data analysis, as well as report preparation and word processing. The Flow Meter Test Loop consists of eight in-line flowmeters arranged in series: orifice, averaging pitot-tube, venturi, laminar flow element, rotameter, hot-film sensor, turbine meter, and a bellows-type positive displacement meter. Direct electronic data acquisition is avoided for pedagogical reasons; however, tile students directly read and input values for pressures, temperatures, and differential pressures to a spreadsheet program resident on an on-site computer. The spreadsheet program is used to compute tile mass flow rate of air through each device and to prepare graphical illustrations highlighting the performance characteristics of each flowmeter.

Units: Dual