College of Engineering and Computer Science

Chemical Engineering Department

CME 320: Chemical Engineering Laboratory

Fall 2017 – 2018

Experiment 4 – Fluid Friction

Student Name ID

Abdullahi Idris Masari 1046588

Yahia Alanizan 1057716

Assem Sharaf 1058599

Instructor: Dr. Faiza Abdullahi

Section: 1

Experiment Date: 3rd October 2018

Submission Date: 11th October 2018

Table of Contents
Abstract..................................................................................................................................0
Introduction............................................................................................................................1
Figure 1: Armfield C6-MKII-10 apparatus............................................................................................2

Objectives...............................................................................................................................3
Experiment A - Fluid Friction:.............................................................................................................3
Experiment B - Head Loss Due to Pipe Fittings:...................................................................................3

Theory.....................................................................................................................................3
Experiment A – Fluid Friction:.............................................................................................................3
Figure 2: Relationship between head loss, h and velocity, u.................................................................................4
Equation 1: head loss.............................................................................................................................................4
Equation 2: Reynolds’ Number..............................................................................................................................5
Figure 3: The Moody diagram................................................................................................................................6

Experiment B - Head Loss Due to Pipe Fittings:...................................................................................6

Equation 3: Head loss in a pipe fitting....................................................................................................................6

Experimental Set-up................................................................................................................7
Figure 4: Armfield C6-MKII-10................................................................................................................................7
Figure 5: Pipe Schematic of C6-MKII-10 Fluid Friction Apparatus.........................................................................8
Figure 6: Schematic diagram of C6-MKII-10 Fluid Friction Apparatus...................................................................9
Test Pipe Diameters:............................................................................................................................................10
Figure 5: Hydraulics Bench...................................................................................................................................10

Procedure..............................................................................................................................11
Experiment A - Fluid Friction............................................................................................................11
Experiment B: Head loss due to pipe fittings:...................................................................................11

Data Collected.......................................................................................................................12
Table 1: Data collected for Experiment A:.........................................................................................12
Continuation Table 1: Data collected for Experiment A:...................................................................13
Table 2: Data collected for Experiment B:.........................................................................................13

Results and Calculations........................................................................................................14

Experiment A: fluid friction results...................................................................................................14
Table 3: pipe with ID 4.5mm................................................................................................................................14
Table 4: pipe with ID 4.5mm................................................................................................................................15
Figure 6: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 4.5mm................................................................................................15
 Figure 7: h vs u for pipe with ID 4.5mm...............................................................................................................16
Table 5: pipe with ID 7.7mm................................................................................................................................16
Table 6: pipe with ID 4.5mm................................................................................................................................16
Figure 8: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 7.7mm................................................................................................17
Figure 9: h vs u for pipe with ID  7.7mm..............................................................................................................17
Table 7: pipe with ID 10.9mm..............................................................................................................................18
Table 8: pipe with ID 10.9mm..............................................................................................................................18
Figure 10: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 10.9mm............................................................................................18
Figure 11: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 10.9mm............................................................................................19
Table 9: pipe with ID 17.2mm..............................................................................................................................19
Table 10: pipe with ID 17.2mm............................................................................................................................19
Figure 12: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 17.2mm............................................................................................20
Figure 13: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 17.2mm............................................................................................20
Table 11: pipe with ID 15.2mm............................................................................................................................21
Table 12: pipe with ID 15.2mm............................................................................................................................21
Figure 14: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 15.2mm............................................................................................21
Figure 15: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 15.2mm............................................................................................22

Experiment B - Head Loss Due to Pipe Fittings Results......................................................................22

Table 13: 900 Bend...............................................................................................................................................22
Table 14: 900 Bend...............................................................................................................................................22
Figure 15: Constant K plot....................................................................................................................................23
Table 15: 90 Degree Elbow..................................................................................................................................23
Table 16: 90 Degree Elbow..................................................................................................................................23
Figure 16: Constant K plot....................................................................................................................................24
Table 17: 180 degrees straight reducer...............................................................................................................24
Table 18: 180 degrees straight reducer...............................................................................................................24
Figure 17: Constant K plot....................................................................................................................................25
Table 19: Gate Valve............................................................................................................................................25
Table 20: Gate Valve............................................................................................................................................25
Figure 18: k vs Gate valve....................................................................................................................................26
Table 21: Ball Valve..............................................................................................................................................26
Table 22: Ball Valve..............................................................................................................................................26
Figure 19: k vs Ball valve......................................................................................................................................27

Discussion.............................................................................................................................27
Experiment A: Fluid Friction in pipes................................................................................................27
Experiment B: Head loss due to pipe fittings....................................................................................28

Conclusion.............................................................................................................................28
Bibliography..........................................................................................................................29

1
Abstract

The objectives of the experiment are to investigate the relationship

between head loss and velocity for water flow through a smooth bore
pipe, to determine the relationship between fluid friction coefficient
and Reynolds’ number for flow of water, to determine the head loss for
fittings and lastly, to present the different applications of velocity and
understand the different velocities and rate measurements. To achieve
these objectives, we used the fluid friction apparatus (Armfield C6-
MKII-10), which is also known as the hydraulic bench. It showed in our
results that at a certain flow velocity, the flow changes from laminar to
turbulent. We found that there is a linear relationship between
Reynolds’ number and friction factor. For experiment A, we took 5
readings for 5 pipes. For each pipe reading, we recorded the head loss
and calculated the Reynolds’ number. All the calculated Reynolds
numbers for every pipe is turbulent flow. We also calculated the friction
factors and plotted a graph of friction factor vs Log of Reynolds
numbers.

0
Introduction

Pipes are everywhere around us. In the kitchen, in our toilets, in taps,
even in our air conditioners. Every time we turn the faucet or the spigot
on, we expect water to flow without any disturbance. A lot of study and
experiments were carried to ensure the correct amount of pressure
needed to keep the water flowing and also to know the right type of
pipe to use.

pressure drop is affected by the kinetic energy loss and friction in every
engineering process that involves piping systems. This friction is
produced by the pressure drop, which influences the flow of the fluid.

When an incompressible fluid flows through a pipe, a friction force

along the pipe wall is created against the fluid. The frictional resistance
generates a continuous loss of energy or total head in the fluid and
hence decreases the pressure of the fluid as it moves through the pipe.
In our experiment, we also explore the factors that may lead to loss of
friction in pipes. Some of these factors include: The velocity of the fluid,
the ID (inside diameter) of the pipe, the roughness of the inside of the
pipe and finally the length, L, of the pipe.

In addition to energy or head loss due to friction, there are always head
losses in pipes due to an enlargement or contraction of the flow
section, bends, junctions, valves etc. which are known as minor or small
losses. When the direction of flow is altered, energy losses occur which
are not recovered are dissipated in eddies and additional turbulence
and finally lost in the form of heat. However, this energy must be
supplied if the fluid is to be maintained in motion, in the same way, as

1
energy must be provided to overcome friction. In practice, in long pipe
lines of several kilometers the effect of minor losses may be negligible.
for short pipeline the losses may be greater than those for friction

In this experiment, we used the Armfield C6-MKII-10 apparatus. There

exists other apparatus used to perform the same experiment, however.
[ CITATION PRO11 \l 1035 ][ CITATION Ric \l 1035 ]

Figure 1: Armfield C6-MKII-10 apparatus

2
Objectives

Experiment A - Fluid Friction:

Determine the relationship between the head loss due to fluid friction
and velocity for flow of water through a smooth bore pipe.
Experiment B - Head Loss Due to Pipe Fittings:
Determine the head loss associated with flow of water through
standard fittings used in plumbing installations

Theory

Experiment A – Fluid Friction:

As per professor Reynolds, two types of flow can exist in the pipe.
These flows may be either:

1. Laminar flow
h∝u

2. Turbulent flow
h ∝ un
where:
h = head loss due to friction
u = velocity of the fluid

A transition phase separates these two flows. In this phase, a

definite relationship between h and u does not exist. This is
demonstrated in the below figures of h vs u and log h vs log u
3
 Figure 2: Relationship between head loss, h and velocity, u

Moreover, the head loss due to friction for a circular pipe flowing full
can be calculated using the below formula

Equation 1: head loss

Where:

L = length of the pipe between tappings

d = internal diameter of the pipe

u = mean velocity of water through the pipe (m/s)

g = acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

f = pipe friction coefficient.

4
The Reynolds’ number, Re, can be calculated using this formula;

Equation 2: Reynolds’ Number

μ = Molecular viscosity

ρ = Density

The moody diagram shown below can be used to calculate the pipe’s
friction coefficient, f. The diagram shows the dependence of the friction
factor, f, on the Reynolds’ number and the ratio between pipe
roughness and diameter (ε /D ¿.
The upper left corner of the diagram represents the Laminar flow. For
this flow, f is independent of relative roughness and dependent on Re.
The horizontal lines on the diagram represent the turbulent flow, in
which friction factor, f, depends on relative roughness and is
independent of Re

5
 Figure 3: The Moody diagram

Experiment B - Head Loss Due to Pipe Fittings:

As it will be important for this experiment, the Head loss inside a pipe is
directly proportional to the velocity head of the fluid flowing through
the fitting. This can be illustrated in the below formula.

u2
h=K
2g
Equation 3: Head loss in a pipe fitting

Where;
K = The “loss factor” of the fitting.

6
Velocity changes due to contractions and enlargements and it is then
required to change the measured loss to accommodate the change in
velocity.

Experimental Set-up
The below diagram is a picture of the Fluid friction
apparatus in the university laboratory. It is built for the
study of fluid friction head losses which take place when
an incompressible fluid flows through a pipe, bend, valves
and pipe flow metering devices. Another apparatus, The
Haudraulics Bench (F1-10) is conjoined with the Armfield
C6-MKII-10. This two equipment are operated together as
a unit.

7
 Figure 4: Armfield C6-MKII-10

Below is a labelled diagram of the pipe schematic

Figure 5: Pipe Schematic of C6-MKII-10 Fluid Friction Apparatus

 Barbed connector through which water is fed (1)

 An in-line strainer (2)
 A sudden contraction (3)
 A 45° “Y” (4)
 A 45° elbow (5)
 A long radius 90° bend (6)
 An artificially roughened pipe (7)

8
  Smooth bore pipes of 4 different diameters (8), (9), (10) and (11)
 A ball valve (12)
 A 90° “T” (13)
 A 90° mitre (14)
 A short radius 90° bend (15)
 A sudden enlargement (16)
 A pipe section made of clear acrylic with a Pitot static tube (17)
 A Venturi made of clear acrylic (18)
 An orifice meter made of clear acrylic (19)
 A globe valve (20)
 A gate valve (21)
 A 90° elbow (22)
 Exit tube (23)

Schematic of the experiment setup:

9
 Figure 6: Schematic diagram of C6-MKII-10 Fluid Friction Apparatus

Test Pipe Diameters:

Pipe 1: 6.4mm x 4.5mm
Pipe 2: 9.5mm x 7.7mm
Pipe 3: 12.7mm x 10.9mm
Pipe 4: 19.1mm x 17.2mm (OD x ID)
Pipe 5: 19.1mm x 15.2mm (artificially roughened)

Other Parts of the experimental set-up are:

10
 1. The Hydraulic Bench: A centrifugal pump set beneath the
hydraulic bench pumps water through a pipe. There is a switch for
the pump and also a control valve to manipulate the flow rate.

Figure 5: Hydraulics Bench

2. Data logging accessory: This is the software used to record all the
readings of the pressure head, flowrates and head loss

3. Pressure sensor: This device is connected between two pairs of

tappings and it records the pressure loss in a pipe. This is
necessary for head loss calculation [ CITATION DrF18 \l 1035 ]

11
Procedure

Experiment A - Fluid Friction

1. Set up the equipment and open the software. Open and close the
needed valves for water to flow through the pipes
2. Record the readings of head loss and the flow rates. Slowly
Increase the flowrate from the control valve on hydraulics bench
for each reading.
3. Record the head loss between the tappings using a pressure
meter
4. Repeat this process on 5 pipes.
5. Record the internal diameter of each pipe using a Vernier caliper,
if the values aren’t provided

Experiment B: Head loss due to pipe fittings:

1. Let water wet the setup. Open and close the needed valves to
allow the flow of water through the fitting
2. Test for all the fittings provided (ball valve and gate valve)
3. Take the readings for three different flow rates.
4. Using the pressure meter, measure the head loss between
tappings on gate and ball valves

12
Data Collected
Table 1: Data collected for Experiment A:
ID is 0.0045m
Measured head loss
Volume(mL) Time (s) h
305 3.43 9.25
360 4.05 9.196
365 3.99 9.23
405 4.49 9.75
440 4.8 9.24
ID is 0.0077
Measured head loss
Volume(mL) Time (s) h
435 4.85 0.693
405 2.82 1.521
320 1.52 2.861
405 1.92 2.895
435 1.13 8.31
ID is 0.0109m
Measured head loss
Volume(mL) Time (s) h
290 3.59 0.079
370 2.23 0.295
435 1.69 0.67
450 0.92 1.646
380 0.7 2.225
ID is 0.0172m
Measured head loss
Volume(mL) Time (s) h
390 3.13 0.023
420 2.75 0.057
438 1.4 0.102
485 1.03 0.307
415 0.69 0.42
ID is 0.0152m
Measured head loss
Volume(mL) Time (s) h
295 3.09 0.091
405 2.56 0.204
335 1.33 0.477
390 1.16 0.999
13
 410 0.85 1.873
Continuation Table 1: Data collected for Experiment A:

Table 2: Data collected for Experiment B:

90 Degree Bend
Pipe Diameter Volume(mL) Time (s) Measured head loss
(m) h
0.0077 365 4.1 1.135
0.0077 500 3.49 1.147
0.0077 375 2.7 1.124
0.0077 475 3.2 1.147
0.0077 350 2.5 1.135
90 Degree Elbow
Pipe Diameter Volume(mL Time (s) Measured head loss
(m) ) h
0.0045 235 2.65 0.079
0.0045 275 3.28 0.068
0.0045 265 2.61 0.091
0.0045 225 2.48 0.045
0.0045 240 2.85 0.057
Pipe Diameter Volume(mL Time (s) Measured head loss
(m) ) h
0.0152 260 2.81 0.091
0.0152 330 2.46 0.227
0.0152 445 2.68 0.216
0.0152 200 0.87 0.295
0.0152 425 1.25 0.284
Gate Valve
Pipe Diameter Volume(mL Time (s) Measured head loss
(m) ) h
0.0172 405 0.64 0.318
0.0172 485 0.94 0.863
0.0172 450 1.28 16.189
Ball Valve
Pipe Diameter Volume(mL Time (s) Measured head loss
(m) ) h
0.0172 330 2.11 0.0079
0.0172 410 2.77 0.079
0.0172 150 3.1 0.023

14
Results and Calculations
In this part, Microsoft Excel program has been used; therefore, many variables are calculated
automatically by the program. These variables are:

 Volumetric flow rate Q = (m^3/s) Equation 1

 Velocity u (m/s) = (4*Q)/(Pi*d^2) Equation 2

 Reynolds Number Re = (Density*u*d)/Viscosity Equation 3

 λ = 4*f Equation 4

 Calculated head loss hc (m) = (λ*L*u^2)/(2*g*d) Equation 5

 Velocity head hv (Experiment B) = ((u^2)/(2*g)) Equation 6

 Friction Factor f (Roughened pipe) = (g*d*h)/(2*L*u^2) Equation 7

 Fitting Factor K = h/hv Equation 8

Important constants and properties for the experiments:

 Density of water = 1000 (Kg/m^3)

 Viscosity of water = 0.000891 (Kg/m*s)
 The distance between the tapping point L = 1 (m)
 The relative roughness of the fifth pipe (roughened pipe) which is commercial steel is
ε/D=0.045/15.2=0.0029605

Experiment A: fluid friction results

Table 3: pipe with ID 4.5mm

Pipe Volume(mL Time Flow rate Velocity Renold
Diameter (m) ) (s) (m^3/s) (m/s) Number Re
8.89213E- 5.59101696 28237.4594
0.0045 305 3.43 05 9 4
8.88889E- 5.58898016 28227.1725
0.0045 360 4.05 05 9 7
9.14787E- 5.75181699 29049.5807
0.0045 365 3.99 05 7 9
9.02004E- 5.67144563 28643.6648
0.0045 405 4.49 05 4 2
9.16667E- 5.76363579 29109.2717
0.0045 440 4.8 05 9 1

15
Table 4: pipe with ID 4.5mm
Measure
FrictionFacto Calculated d head log
r λ head loss hc loss h log (h) (velocity)
0.9661417
0.02382 0.09528 33.73431162 9.25 3 0.74749081
0.09528 0.9635989
0.023822 8 33.71256774 9.196 6 0.747332569
0.09464
0.023661 4 35.46432431 9.23 0.9652017 0.75980506
0.9890046
0.02374 0.09496 34.5952709 9.75 2 0.753693773
0.9656719
0.02365 0.0946 35.59366265 9.24 7 0.76069653

Figure 6: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 4.5mm

log(h) vs log(u) first pipe

1
0.99
0.99
0.98
log(h) vs log(u) first
0.98 pipe
0.97
0.97
0.96
0.96
0.95
0.750.750.750.750.750.760.760.760.76

16
Figure 7: h vs u for pipe with ID 4.5mm

h vs u first pipe
9.8
9.7
9.6
9.5
9.4 h vs u first pipe

9.3
9.2
9.1
9
8.9
5.58 5.6 5.62 5.64 5.66 5.68 5.7 5.72 5.74 5.76 5.78

Table 5: pipe with ID 7.7mm

Pipe Renold
Diameter Volume(m Time Flow rate Velocity Number
(m) L) (s) (m^3/s) (m/s) Re
8.96907E- 1.92608827 16645.2072
0.0077 435 4.85 05 1 8
0.00014361 3.08414354 26653.0923
0.0077 405 2.82 7 5 6
0.00021052 4.52100574
0.0077 320 1.52 6 2 39070.42
0.00021093 4.52983583 39146.7294
0.0077 405 1.92 8 2 1
0.00038495 71441.8188
0.0077 435 1.13 6 8.26683904 7

Table 6: pipe with ID 4.5mm

FrictionFact λ Calculated Measure log (h) log
or head loss hc d head (velocity)
17
 loss h
-
0.10834 0.159266 0.28467618
0.027087 8 2.660624244 0.693 8 7
0.09659 0.182129 0.48913458
0.024148 2 6.081638431 1.521 21 3
0.08835 0.456517 0.65523505
0.022088 2 11.95354647 2.861 86 9
0.08831 0.461648 0.65608246
0.022078 2 11.99485266 2.895 57 3
0.07727 0.919601 0.91733948
0.019319 6 34.95697703 8.31 02 2

Figure 8: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 7.7mm

log(h) vs log(u) second pipe

1

0.8

0.6
log(h) vs log(u) second
0.4 pipe

0.2

0
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
-0.2

-0.4

18
Figure 9: h vs u for pipe with ID  7.7mm

h vs u second pipe
9
8
7
6
5 h vs u second pipe

4
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Table 7: pipe with ID 10.9mm

Pipe Renold
Diameter Volume(m Time Flow rate Velocity Number
(m) L) (s) (m^3/s) (m/s) Re
8.07799E- 0.86568655 10590.3293
0.0109 290 3.59 05 4 4
0.00016591 21752.1794
0.0109 370 2.23 9 1.778091 6
0.00025739 33744.9251
0.0109 435 1.69 6 2.75841544 4
5.24181644 64125.4761
0.0109 450 0.92 0.00048913 7 8
0.00054285 5.81758422 71169.0999
0.0109 380 0.7 7 2 1

19
Table 8: pipe with ID 10.9mm
Measure
FrictionFact Calculated d head log
or λ head loss hc loss h log (h) (velocity)
- -
0.12167 1.102372 0.06263932
0.030418 2 0.426369853 0.079 9 8
0.10142 0.24995398
0.025357 8 1.499478795 0.295 -0.530178 4
-
0.09138 0.173925 0.44065967
0.022846 4 3.251352173 0.67 2 5
0.07910 0.216429 0.71948180
0.019776 4 10.16334252 1.646 83 9
0.347330 0.76474267
0.019335 0.07734 12.23950983 2.225 02 9

Figure 10: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 10.9mm

log(h) vs log(u) third pipe

0.6
0.4
0.2
0 log(h) vs log(u) third
-0.2-0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 pipe

-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
-1.2

20
Figure 11: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 10.9mm

h vs u third pipe
2.5

1.5 h vs u third pipe

0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Table 9: pipe with ID 17.2mm

Pipe Renold
Diameter Volume(m Time Flow rate Velocity Number
(m) L) (s) (m^3/s) (m/s) Re
0.00012460 0.53625764 10351.9993
0.0172 390 3.13 1 2 8
0.00015272 0.65730936 12688.8003
0.0172 420 2.75 7 7 5
0.00031285 1.34647811 25992.6190
0.0172 438 1.4 7 7 9
0.00047087 2.02655193 39120.8679
0.0172 485 1.03 4 8 5
0.00060144 2.58852420 49969.2664
0.0172 415 0.69 9 7 1

Table 10: pipe with ID 17.2mm

Measure
FrictionFact Calculated d head log
or λ head loss hc loss h log (h) (velocity)
- -
0.12240 1.638272 0.27062650
0.030601 4 0.104307407 0.023 2 6
0.029019 0.11607 0.148612256 0.057 - -
6 1.244125 0.18223017
21
 1 9
-
0.09717 0.991399
0.024293 2 0.522050229 0.102 8 0.1291993
-
0.08832 0.512861 0.30675773
0.022081 4 1.074896767 0.307 6 9
-
0.08357 0.376750 0.41305223
0.020894 6 1.659428686 0.42 7 1
Figure 12: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 17.2mm

log(h) vs log(u) fourth pipe

0
-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1
-0.2 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
-0.4
-0.6 log(h) vs log(u) fourth
pipe
-0.8
-1
-1.2
-1.4
-1.6
-1.8

Figure 13: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 17.2mm

h vs u fourth pipe
0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25 h vs u fourth pipe

0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

22
Table 11: pipe with ID 15.2mm
Pipe Renold
Diameter Volume(m Time Flow rate Velocity Number
(m) L) (s) (m^3/s) (m/s) Re
9.54693E- 0.52612202 8975.37004
0.0152 295 3.09 05 1 7
0.00015820 0.87184242 14873.1817
0.0152 405 2.56 3 9 3
1.38808515 23680.0160
0.0152 335 1.33 0.00025188 2 7
0.00033620 1.85280434 31607.8855
0.0152 390 1.16 7 5 7
0.00048235 2.65820134 45347.5426
0.0152 410 0.85 3 7 2

Table 12: pipe with ID 15.2mm

FrictionFac Measured head log
tor loss h log (h) (velocity)
- -
1.040958 0.2789135
0.02451044 0.091 6 21
- -
0.690369 0.0595619
0.02000952 0.204 8 99
-
0.321481 0.1424161
0.01845733 0.477 6 09
-
0.000434 0.2678295
0.02169646 0.999 5 61
0.272537 0.4245878
0.01976262 1.873 78 74
23
Figure 14: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 15.2mm

log(h) vs log(u) fifth pipe

0.4
0.2
0
-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 log(h) vs log(u) fifth
-0.2 pipe
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
-1.2

Figure 15: log(h) vs log(u) for pipe with ID 15.2mm

h vs u fifth pipe
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2 h vs u fifth pipe
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

24
The transition phase takes place when 2000<Re<4000, in this phase the friction factor f can’t be
calculated or estimated by moody chart. It has been noticed that the calculated head loss is greater than
the measured head loss for all pipes despite the flow rate.

Experiment B - Head Loss Due to Pipe Fittings Results

Table 13: 900 Bend

Pipe Diameter (m) Volume(mL) Time (s) Flow rate (m^3/s) Velocity (m/s)
0.0077 365 4.1 8.90244E-05 1.911778953
0.0077 500 3.49 0.000143266 3.076615656
0.0077 375 2.7 0.000138889 2.982607955
0.0077 475 3.2 0.000148438 3.187662252
0.0077 350 2.5 0.00014 3.006468819

Table 14: 900 Bend

Velocity head hv Measured head loss h Fitting factor K
0.186284341 1.135 6.092836338
0.482444643 1.147 2.37747484
0.453412345 1.124 2.478979701
0.517899625 1.147 2.214714871
0.460695961 1.135 2.463663882

Figure 15: Constant K plot

7

0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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Table 15: 90 Degree Elbow
Volume(m Time
Pipe Diameter (m) L) (s) Flow rate (m^3/s) Velocity (m/s)
0.0045 235 2.65 8.86792E-05 5.575798612
0.0045 275 3.28 8.38415E-05 5.271618109
0.0045 265 2.61 0.000101533 6.383964417
0.0045 225 2.48 9.07258E-05 5.704478247
0.0045 240 2.85 8.42105E-05 5.294823318

Table 16: 90 Degree Elbow

Velocity head hv Measured head loss h Fitting factor K
1.584583596 0.079 0.049855369
1.416409658 0.068 0.04800871
2.077217211 0.091 0.043808611
1.658566364 0.045 0.027131866
1.42890693 0.057 0.039890632

Figure 16: Constant K plot

0.06

0.05

0.04

0.03

0.02

0.01

0
0 0 0 0 0 0

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Table 17: 180 degrees straight reducer
Volume(mL Time
Pipe Diameter (m) ) (s) Flow rate (m^3/s) Velocity (m/s)
0.0152 260 2.81 9.25267E-05 0.509905822
0.0152 330 2.46 0.000134146 0.739267775
0.0152 445 2.68 0.000166045 0.915057025
0.0152 200 0.87 0.000229885 1.266874766
0.0152 425 1.25 0.00034 1.873707779

Table 18: 180 degrees straight reducer

Velocity head hv Measured head loss h Fitting factor K
0.013251985 0.091 6.866895743
0.027855089 0.227 8.149318829
0.042677337 0.216 5.061234209
0.081802838 0.295 3.606231873
0.178938881 0.284 1.587134103

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Figure 17: Constant K plot
9

0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 19: Gate Valve

Volume(mL
Pipe Diameter (m) ) Time (s) Flow rate (m^3/s) Velocity (m/s)
0.0172 405 0.64 0.000632813 2.723505609
0.0172 485 0.94 0.000515957 2.220583507
0.0172 450 1.28 0.000351563 1.513058672

Table 20: Gate Valve

Velocity head hv Measured head loss h Fitting factor K Valve Position
0.378057227 0.318 0.841142496 100%
0.251324725 0.863 3.433804608 50%
0.116684329 16.189 138.7418523 25%

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Figure 18: k vs Gate valve

K vs valve position Gate valve

160
140
120
100
K vs valve position Gate
80 valve
60
40
20
0
% % % % % % % % 0% 10%
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 10 1

Table 21: Ball Valve

Volume(mL
Pipe Diameter (m) ) Time (s) Flow rate (m^3/s) Velocity (m/s)
0.0172 330 2.11 0.000156398 0.673107934
0.0172 410 2.77 0.000148014 0.637026226
0.0172 150 3.1 4.83871E-05 0.208248935

Table 22: Ball Valve

Velocity head hv Measured head loss h Fitting factor K Valve Position
0.023092471 0.0079 0.342102837 100%
0.0206831 0.079 3.819543578 50%
0.002210378 0.023 10.4054594 25%

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Figure 19: k vs Ball valve

K vs valve position ball valve

12

10

8
K vs valve position ball
valve
6

Discussion
Experiment A: Fluid Friction in pipes
This part of experiment includes finding the relationship between head
loss due to friction in laminar and Turbulent flows. As we know,
Laminar flow is when the Reynolds’ number is less than 2000, and
Turbulent flow is when the Reynolds’ number is greater than 4000.
Looking at our results for all the different pipes, we got turbulent flows
for every flow rate. This is because it is far easier to achieve a turbulent
flow than a laminar flow with the experiment we used. The higher the
flow rate, the higher the Reynolds’ number gets and the more turbulent
the flow gets. It seems that Reynolds’ number is directly proportional to
the flow rate. This is one source of error in our experiment. We could
have avoided it by massively decreasing the flow rate from the control
valve and then taking the readings.
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Similarly, for the head loss, the higher the flow rate, the higher the
head loss gets. So, to decrease head loss, laminar flow should be the
aim. In our h vs u graphs, we can see that they are not perfect straight
lines, they curve a little bit at some points. This is also due to the fact
that the flow is turbulent. In theory, a laminar flow will produce a
straight line on the graph.
Other errors might be experimental. For instance, appearance of air in
the pipes that we couldn’t have noticed. It could also be personal
errors, like not taking the correct readings of the volumes of the water
or making mistakes in the calculations.

Experiment B: Head loss due to pipe fittings

In this part of the experiment, we dealt with calculating the fitting

factor, K. It is the slope from the lineal regression of ∆h vs. v2/2g graph,
where is the head loss, v is the velocity of the water, and g, as always, is
acceleration due to gravity. The fittings we used were 90 degrees
elbow, 90 degrees bend, 180 degrees straight reducer, gate valve and
ball valve.
We used the equation k = (2g∆h)/v2 to calculate the theoretical value of
the fitting factors.

Conclusion
In this experiment, we learnt that head loss, friction loss, and minor
losses are all involved in calculating the head loss in a pipe network.
Energy losses may occur in pipeline restrictions such as fittings, valves,
bends, elbows etc. keeping the energy losses at the minimum
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acceptable value is very important as it makes choosing the appropriate
pipe sizes and fittings easier. We used high flow rates in experiment A
and because of that, we got very high Reynolds’ numbers. This was a
personal error and could have been avoided by decreasing the flow rate
from the control valve on the hydraulics bench. Other source of errors
might be because of the presence of air in the pipes we couldn’t have
noticed. The main purposes of this experiment were to determine the
relationship between head loss and velocity and to determine the head
loss through fittings. We achieved all of the objectives, as shown in our
results. However, our experiment would have been better, more
accurate had we taken the readings for very low flow rates.

Bibliography
Faiza, D. (2018). Experiment 4 – Fluid Friction. Retrieved from
https://blackboard.adu.ac.ae/bbcswebdav/pid-641830-dt-content-rid-
6388123_1/courses/18011773/Fluid%20Friction%281%29.pdf

Gomez, R. J. (n.d.). Friction Factor. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/rickyjaycoletagomez/experiment-4-friction-factor

LOZADA, P. Z. (2011). FLUID FRICTION APPARATUS. Retrieved from

https://www.scribd.com/doc/171307078/Fluid-Friction-Apparatus-FINAL

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