Minor Losses

Gunther Anderson
Ryan Barr
Risa Benvenga
Introduction

● Minor losses result from changes in geometry or added components to a

piping system
● Minor losses along with major losses are responsible for pressure drops
along a pipe
Minor Loss Equation

● Total minor head loss is

determined as follows:

● K values vary based on the

component’s geometry
and physical properties
Hydraulic Components

● Added components will interrupt the

smooth flow of fluid, causing minor
losses from flow separation and mixing
Types of Minor Losses

● Inlet and Exit Transitions

● Expansion and Contraction
● Bends and Elbows
● Tees
● Valves
● Pipe Connections and Fittings
Inlet and Exit Transitions
● Shape of the transition
greatly affects the KL
value
● Well-rounded entrances
are the most efficient
● A vena contracta or
“necking” can occur by
the entrance which
causes an increase in the
velocity at the entrance
Expansions and Contractions
● Ruling Equations:

or

where Vs is the velocity in the smaller diameter

● Head loss is caused by a sudden

increase or decrease in the pressure
head of the pipe
Expansions and Contractions

● The magnitude of this loss is a function of the ratio of the two

diameters and its angle to the horizontal.
Bends
● Change in direction causes fluid
separation from the inner wall
● A larger angle causes a greater head
loss
● The radius of the bend and diameter
of the pipe also contribute to the
losses
Tees
● Converging and separating flows will
both cause minor losses due to
directional changes
● T - shape introduces multiple corners
that cause additional mixing and flow
separation
● Flanged fittings cause less energy
resistance than threaded
Valves

● Used to control the flow

● Disruption of flow causes minor losses
● Fully closed valves halt flow
completely
● Partially opened valves disrupt flow
more than fully opened valves
Vena Contracta

● As diameters change in a hydraulic system (entrance), eddies form from the

vena contracta
● Energy loss associated with this is due to the recovery of the flow following
the vena contracta, as well as the shear force from the eddies
Equivalent Length

● The equivalent length of pipe is representative of the frictional loss within a

fitting or valve that would produce the same loss due to friction
● Equivalent length is determined by the following equation:

● Once an equivalent length of pipe is determined, it is added to the actual

length of pipe to determine total losses
Pipe Connections and Fittings

● Fabrication of ends can cause imperfections such

as burrs that will disrupt the flow and head losses
● Pipes may be:
○ threaded
○ welded
○ flanged
○ glued
● All connections cause head losses if not properly
connected or fabricated
Tips for Reducing Head Loss
Excessive head loss will result in unnecessary cost burdens for system operators
● Replace pipes through the project lifetime: Solids will
accumulate along the pipe walls, constricting the
diameter and altering surface roughness
● Minimize pipe lengths and number of components:
Both are directly proportional to head loss
● Uniform pipe diameter
● Operate at design velocity
Flat top taper to avoid gas
pockets and pipe blockage
Minor Loss
Example 1
Minor Loss
Example 2
Conclusion

● Generally: as you increase flow by 10%, the minor losses increase by 20%
● All energy losses which occur in hydraulic systems are not solely due to
boundary friction
● These minor losses cause nonuniformities in the flow path, resulting in
small energy losses due to: changes in pipe diameter, pipe geometry,
entrance from a reservoir, exit to a reservoir, or control devices (valves)
● The two methods of head loss in a pipe come from friction and minor
losses, and minor contains a smaller energy magnitude
References

Cruise, James F., M. M. Sherif, and V. P. Singh. "8.4 Minor Losses in Pipes." Elementary
Hydraulics. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning, 2007. 232-35. Print.
"Head Loss Coefficients." Vano Engineering. N.p., 30 Dec. 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <https:
//vanoengineering.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/head-loss-coefficients/>.
Hibbeler, R. C. "10.2 Losses Occurring from Pipe Fittings and Transitions." Fluid Mechanics. N.p.:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2015. 528-33. Print.
"Fluid Flow through Real Pipes." Pump-House, University of California, Santa Barbara (2004): n.
pag. Web. http://www.cs.cdu.edu.au/homepages/jmitroy/eng247/sect10.pdf - pg. 17
Gabryjonczyk, R. “Reducing Head Loss in Sludge Pumping Applications.” Water World. N.p. Web.
<http://www.waterworld.com/articles/wwi/print/volume-28/issue-2/editorial-
focus/technical-notes--pumps/reducing-head-loss-in-sludge-pumping.html>