Department of Chemical Engineering

School of Engineering and Architecture

Saint Louis University

LABORATORY REPORT EVALUATION SHEET

Laboratory Course: CH E 425 Schedule: 7:30 – 10:30 MW

Experiment Number:
Experiment Title: Fluid Flow through a Straight Pipe
Group Number: 4 Date Performed:
Group Members: Hafalla, Carlo B. Date Submitted:
Jacildo, Benjamin Luke III V.
Imperial, Kenneioh Elisar N.
Goldberg, Kate H.
Jucar, Johara Majanil P.
Licudine, Graciela Jane H.

Total
Contents Remarks Score
Points
I. Abstract 10
II. Chapter 1: Introduction 15
III. Chapter 2: Design and Methodology 10
IV. Chapter 3: Results and Discussion 20
Chapter 4: Conclusions and
V. 10
Recommendations
VI. References 5
VII. Appendices
a. List and Uses of Apparatus
b. Definition of Terms 15
c. Computations
d. Graph
e. Documentation
Table of Contents/ List of Tables/ List of
VIII. 5
Figures
IX. Format and Neatness 10
TOTAL POINTS 100 TOTAL SCORE:

Evaluated by: Engr. John Kristoffer Robleza Date:

 Fluid Flow through a Straight Pipe

A Research Study Presented to the

Faculty of the Department of Chemical Engineering

School of Engineering and Architecture

Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

by

Hafalla, Carlo B.

Jacildo, Benjamin Luke III V.

Imperial, Kenneioh Elisar N.

Goldberg, Kate H.

Jucar, Johara Majanil P.

Licudine, Graciela Jane H.

March 2019
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to thank each member of the group for their participation in the

performance of the experiment. We would also like to extend our gratitude to our instructor

Engr. John Kristoffer Robleza for his utmost guidance towards us and for ensuring our safety

throughout the experiment. We would also like to thank the School of Saint Louis University

for providing the materials and the venue for our experiment. Most of all, we would like to

thank God for inspiring, guiding and protecting us.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS iii

LIST OF TABLES iv

LIST OF FIGURES v

ABSTRACT vi

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1

Chapter 2: DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 3

Chapter 3: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 5

Chapter 4: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 8

REFERENCES 10

APPENDICES 11

Appendix A 12

Appendix B 13

Appendix C 14

Appendix D 16

Appendix E 18

iii
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Data sheet for the calculation of fanning friction factor 5

iv
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Fluid Flow Apparatus 4

Figure 2. Relationship between experimental f and Re 16

Figure 3. Relationship between experimental f and flowrate 16

Figure 4. Relationship between theoretical f and Re 17

Figure 5. Relationship between theortical f and flowrate 17

Figure 6 The Fluid Flow Apparatus used in the experiment 18

Figure 7 Controlling the valve to set the volumetric flowrate to

450 and 500 gph 18

Figure 8 Volumetric flowrate reading: 450 gph. 18

Figure 9 Controlling the valve to release bubbles (gas) from the pipes 19

Figure 10 Isolation valve in the fluid flow apparatus that should be

opened for analysis (straight pipe). 19

Figure 11 The manometer connected to the fluid flow apparatus 19

v
 ABSTRACT

As fluid flows through a pipe, a certain amount of energy is lost due to friction between

the walls of the pipe and the fluid in contact. This is known as head loss. In this experiment,

the fanning friction factor was determined experimentally and theoretically. Experimental

computation utilized the head loss as determined by applying the principles of hydrostatic

equilibrium and Reynolds number. On the other hand, the theoretical value of the fanning

friction factor was obtained using the relevant Blasius formula. The variation of the

computed value for both methods were related to the observed Reynolds number and

flowrate individually. The following conclusions were drawn from the results: 1) The

fanning friction factor increases as the Reynolds number decreases, 2) the fanning factor also

increased when the flowrate was decreased. The graphed data further supported these

conclusions. Both experimental and theoretical graphs for the relationship of the fanning

friction factor with Reynolds number and volumetric flowrate resulted to negatively sloping

trendlines which implies an inverse proportionality between the abscissa and ordinate.

Keywords: Fanning friction factor, head loss, Reynolds number, flowrate

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 1

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

Fluid dynamics is a science concerned with the movement of liquids and gases. This

is the study of how fluids behave when they are in motion. Fluids can flow steadily, or can

have vortices and eddies. A laminar flow is an uninterrupted flow in a fluid near a solid

boundary in which the direction of flow at every point remains constant. A transitional flow

is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow, with turbulence in the center of the pipe, and

laminar flow near the edges. On the other hand, a turbulent flow has chaotic changes in

pressure and flow velocity.

In steady flow, the motion can be represented with streamlines showing the direction

the water flows in different areas. The density of the streamlines increases as the velocity

increases.

A fluid flowing through a pipe contacts the pipe wall. The pipe wall has surface

roughness. The amount of roughness affects the drag on the fluid. Roughness is measured by

the height of the projections sticking up from the pipe wall. Because of friction caused by

the pipe wall the fluid moves slower near the wall. This slow moving fluid is the laminar sub

layer. The fluid slides over itself in this layer. The thickness of the sub layer varies depending

on the speed of flow.

The density of a fluid affects its viscosity. Fluids that have greater mass per unit

volume are heavier and require more energy to move them. A temperature rise decreases the

viscosity and density of liquids. Experiments have proven the pressure loss along a pipe with

a laminar flow is proportional to its velocity. Whereas, turbulent flow’s pressure loss is

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proportional to the square of the velocity. A slower flow permits a thicker sub layer and

smooth pipe wall. There is greater loss of pressure in turbulent flow.

The dimensionless Reynolds number plays a prominent role in foreseeing the patterns

in a fluid’s behavior. The Reynolds number, referred to as Re, is used to determine whether

the fluid flow is laminar or turbulent. It is one of the main controlling parameters in all

viscous flows where a numerical model is selected according to pre-calculated Reynolds

number.

ρV L
ℜ=
μ

ρ = density of the fluid,

V = velocity of the fluid,

μ = viscosity of fluid,

L = length or diameter of the fluid.

The Fanning friction factor, named after John Thomas Fanning, is a dimensionless

number that is one-fourth of the Darcy friction factor. Fanning friction factor is the more

commonly used by chemical engineers and those following the British convention.

∆ PD g c
f=
2 ρLV 2

The friction factor has been determined to depend on Reynold’s Number for the flow

and degree of roughness of the inner surface of the pipe. The cross-section of the pipe is also

important for this will cause secondary flows that increase headloss.

Fluid friction apparatus is what is used for this experiment. This is a floor standing

apparatus to allow students to investigate the phenomena of laminar, transitional and

turbulent flows in pipe systems.

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Chapter 2

DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

A straight length of pipe was selected by closing the isolation valves for all other

horizontal pipe runs. A mercury manometer was connected to the pressure tappings at either

end of the pipe length and was calibrated to zero. It was assured that the isolating valve on

the selected pipe was fully open. The flow control valve above the pump was then closed

before starting the pump and carefully opening the control valve until all the air was

displaced from the pipeline, then, the control valve was closed and the manometer was again

brought to zero. Higher flow rates were achieved by operating the control valve with the

values of gph. Head losses were determined for each flow rate using the mercury manometer.

Expected friction loss for each flow was calculated using the formula for head loss due to

friction and was compared with the recorded readings. A graph of the flow rate against

friction was plotted, as well as a graph for the fanning friction against Reynold’s Number.

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Chapter 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Temperature : 200C ( 293.15 K) Do : 33.4225 mm

μH2O : 1.0214X10-3 Pa-s Di : 27.4225 mm

ρH2O : 1011.9002 kg/m3 L : 79.30 in

x : 3 mm

Table 1. Data sheet for the calculation of fanning friction factor

Rm Fanning Friction Factor, Percent
Flowrate Reynold’s Head Loss
(mm f Error
(gph) Number (Pa)
Hg) Experimental Theoretical (%)
150 2.0 6087.3469 246.7050 0.01206 8.9438x10-3 34.8420
200 3.0 8116.4625 370.0575 0.0135 8.3231x10-3 62.1992
250 1.5 12312.3850 184.8919 6.2284x10-3 7.4997x10-3 16.9513
300 2.0 14774.8620 246.5226 5.7671x10-3 7.1655x10-3 19.5157
350 5.0 16854.5132 618.1668 0.0119 6.9334x10-3 71.6330
400 6.0 19265.4916 741.8002 0.01095 6.7058x10-3 63.2915
450 5.0 26265.4916 615.1610 7.1422x10-3 6.2056x10-3 15.0928
500 6.0 29183.8796 738.1932 6.9422x10-3 6.0442x10-3 14.8572
550 8.5 27760.8950 1046.6525 6.4441x10-3 6.1201x10-3 5.2923
600 10.5 30284.6127 1292.9237 6.6889x10-3 5.9885x10-3 11.6958
650 8.0 32027.0477 986.0904 4.9017x10-3 5.9054x10-3 16.9963
700 14.0 34488.2292 1725.6582 7.3973x10-3 5.7971x10-3 27.6035

The determination of the head loss through a straight pipe was accomplished using

principles of Reynolds number and hydrostatic equilibrium pressure on the pressure data

obtained from the fluid flow apparatus which led to the determination of fanning factor at

turbulent flow along smooth straight pipe.

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Table 1 summarizes the data on the measured pressure drop, calculated Reynolds

number, headloss and fanning factor at flowrates ranging from 150 gph to 700 gph,

increasing at an increment of 50 gph.

The measured manometer readings at increasing flowrates were 2.0, 3.0, 1.5, 2.0, 5.0,

6.0, 8.5, 10.5, 8.0 and 14.0 mm Hg, respectively, which is observed to be increasing as the

flow rate is increased.

ρD i v Q
Re= v=
Reynolds number was calculated using μ A where Di is 27.4225 mm,

and at 200C (293.15 K), ρH2O is 1011.9002 kg/m3 and μH2O is 1.0214X10-3 Pa-s, giving

6087.3469, 8116.4625, 12312.3850, 14774.8620, 26265.4916, 29183.8796, 27760.8950,

30284.6121, 32027.0477 and 34488.2292, respectively. It can be observed that the obtained

Re are all greather than 4000 which indicates turbulence, and as the flow rate is increases, the

Re obtained also increases.

Headloss was calculated using the hydrostatic pressure formula

ΔP=Rm
( gg )( ρ
c
Hg−ρ H 2 O )
, giving 246.7050, 370.0575, 184.8919, 246.5226, 615.1610,

738.1932, 1046.6525, 1292.9237, 986.0904 and 1725.6582 Pa, respectively, which is

observed to be increasing as the manometer reading is increased.

Fanning friction factor was calculated experimentally and theoretically. Experimentally,

Δ PD i g c
f exptl =
using the formula 2 ρ LV 2 , giving 0.01206, 0.0135, 6.2284x10-3, 5.7671x10-3,

7.1422x10-3, 6.9422x10-3, 6.4441x10-3, 6.6889x10-3, 4.9017x10-3 and 7.3973x10-3,

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0 . 079
f theo=
respectively. Theoretically, using Blasius formula Re0. 25 , giving 8.9438x10-3,

8.3231x10-3, 7.4997x10-3, 7.1655x10-3, 6.2056x10-3, 6.0442x10-3, 6.1201x10-3,

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5.9885x10-3, 5.9054x10-3 and 5.7971x10-3, respectively. The obtained factors were quite

accurate which only yielded to 34.8420, 62.1992, 16.9513, 19.5157, 15.0928, 14.8572,

5.2923, 11.6958, 16.9963, and 27.6035 % error, respectively. The fanning friction factors,

both experimental and theoretical, can be observed to be decreasing as the flow rate is

increasing.

In addition, the plots of fanning friction factors, both experimental and theoretical,

versus flowrate, Figures 2 and 4 on pages 15 and 16 respectively, represents a negatively

sloping curve which indicates that as the flow rate increases, the fanning friction factor

decreases. Also, the plots of fanning friction factors, both experimental and theoretical,

versus Reynolds number, Figures 1 and 3 on pages 15 and 16 respectively, represents a

negatively sloping curve which indicates that as the Reynolds number increases, the fanning

friction factor decreases. It can also be observed that the plots for theoretical are more

uniform as compared to the experimental.

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Chapter 4
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The results summarized in Chapter IV shows the relationships between the flowrate,

manometer reading, Reynolds number, head loss, and fanning friction.

For an increasing flowrate, the manometer reading increases. Therefore, an increases

flowrate indicates an increased pressure exerted by the water flowing in the pipes to the

mercury in the manometer. the increase in flowrate also increases the values of Reynolds

number. So, the Reynolds number varies directly with the Reynolds number. In addition, the

head loss calculated increases with increased manometer reading; so, the head loss varies

directly with the manometer reading indicated by the difference of the manometer fluid

height at a fixed point.

For the theoretical values of fanning friction factor, and increased flowrate indicates a

decreasing trend, as calculated as a function of Reynolds number. For the experimental

results, fluctuating values can be observed which may be caused by the imprecision in

reading the fluid height and the flowrate.

The graph on page 15 for the theoretical values of the fanning friction factor versus

Reynolds number shows a negative slope, which indicates that the fanning friction factor and

Reynolds number are in an inverse relationship. The graph for the theoretical values of the

fanning friction factor versus the volumetric flowrate also shows that these parameters are in

an inverse relationship.

In addition, the graph of the experimental values of the fanning friction factor versus,

both, the Reynolds number and the volumetric flowrate, although show some inconsistency

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and fluctuations, indicate a trendline sloping negatively. Therefore, this shows that inverse

relationship of the fanning friction factor with the Reynolds number and volumetric flowrate.

The source of errors are the inaccuracy and imprecision of the measurement in the

volumetric flowrate and manometer. Also, errors may be from an incorrect use of the fluid

flow apparatus.

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REFERENCES

Digital thermometers information. Engineering360. Retrieved on March 3, 2019 from

https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/sensors_transducers_detectors/temperature_se

nsing/digital_thermometers

Fanning friction factor. Revolvy. Retrieved on March 4, 2019 from

https://www.revolvy.com/page/Fanning-friction-factor

Head loss and pressure drop. Mecaflux. Retrieved March 4, 2019 from

https://www.mecaflux.com/en/definition%20pertes%20charge.htm

Measurement of pressure with the manometer. Dwyer Instruments, Inc. Retrieved on March

3, 2019 from http://www.dwyer-inst.com/ApplicationGuides/?ID=11

Pipe. Oxford dictionaries. Retrieved March 3, 2019 from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/

definition/pipe

Pump. Oxford dictionaries. Retrieved March 3, 2019 from

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/pump

Reynolds number. nuclear-power.net Retrieved on March 4, 2019 from https://www.nuclear-

power.net/nuclear-engineering/fluid-dynamics/reynolds-number/

Valve. Oxford dictionaries. Retrieved March 3, 2019 from

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/valve

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APPENDICES

11
 APPENDIX A

List of Apparatus

 Fluid flow apparatus – used to measure the flow of fluids by the orifice, the venturi, and

the pitot meters and to measure the loss of head in valves, and to study the effects of

viscosity and density on the loss of head caused by friction in a long straight pipe

 Mercury manometer - used to measure the pressure drop across an orifice that is mounted

in a vertical pipe. The manometer is so often used to measure pressure that the difference

in column heights is also a common unit.

 Thermometer - a device that measures temperature or a temperature gradient. Digital

thermometer is used in monitoring experiments and chemical reactions as well as

maintaining an optimal laboratory environment.

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 APPENDIX B

Definition of Terms

 Head Loss – the losses in the pipes and networks aeraulic or hydraulic (air water gas)

designates the irreversible loss of pressure energy, that undergoes a liquid or a gas as it

passes through a conduit, or another fitting of fluid network

 Fanning friction factor – is a dimensionless number used as a local parameter in

continuum mechanics calculations. It is defined as the ratio between the local shear stress

and the local flow kinetic energy density

 Reynolds number – a ratio that reflects the influence of inertial relative to viscous forces.

It is used in fluid mechanics to indicate whether fluid flow past a body or in a duct is

laminar or turbulent

 Valve – a device for controlling the passage of fluid or air through a pipe, duct, etc.,

especially an automatic device allowing movement in one direction only

 Pump – a machine or device that is used to force a liquid or gas to flow in a particular

direction. It is a device that raises, transfers, delivers, or compresses fluids or that

attenuates gases especially by suction or pressure or both.

 Pipe – a long tube or hollow body for conducting a liquid, gas, or finely divided solid or

for structural purposes

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APPENDIX C

Computations

 450 gal/hr:
ρDu kg
Re =
μ ( )
−3
= 1001.9006 3 ( 33.4225 x 10 m) ¿ ¿ = 26265.4916
m

g 9.81
Head Loss, ΔP = Rm (ρHg−ρH 2 O) = 5 x 10−3( 13543.41−1001.3006)
gc 1
ΔP = 615.1610 Pa
Fanning friction factor
gc ∆ PD (1)( 615.1610)(27.4225 x 10−3)
f= = = 7.1422x10-3
2 ρLV ² 2 ( 1001.9006 ) ( 72.3 x 2.54 x 10−2 ) ( 0.6419 )
0.079 -3
f= 0.25 = 6.2056x10
26265.4916
Percent Error
( 7.1422 x 10−3 )−(6.2056 x 10−3)
%e = x 100 % = 15.0928%
6.2056 x 10−3

 500 gal/hr:
ρDu kg
Re =
μ ( )
−3
= 1001.9006 3 ( 33.4225 x 10 m) ¿ ¿ = 29183.8796
m

g 9.81
Head Loss, ΔP = Rm (ρHg−ρH 2 O) = ( 6 x 10−3 ) (13543.41−1001.9006)
gc 1
ΔP = 738.1932 Pa
Fanning friction factor
gc ∆ PD (1)(738.1932)(27.4225 x 10−3 )
f= = = 6.9422x10-3
2 ρLV ² 2 ( 1001.9006 ) (72.3 x 2.54 x 10−2)(0.7924)²
0.079 -3
f= 0.25 = 7.7473x10
29183.8796
Percent Error
( 6.9422 x 10−3 ) −(6.0442 x 10−3 )
%e = −3
x 100 % = 14.8572%
6.0442 x 10

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APPENDIX D

Graph

Fanning Friction Factor (Experimental)

vs Reynold's Number
0.02
0.01
Fanning Friction Factor, f

0.01
0.01
0.01 Fanning Friction Factor (Experimental)
0.01 vs Flowrate
0 0.02
0 0.01

Fanning Friction Factor, f

0 0.01
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000
0.01
Reynold's Number, Re
0.01
0.01
0
0
0
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Flowrate, gph

Figure 2. Relationship between experimental f and Re

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Fanning Friction Factor (Theoretical)

vs Flowrate
Reynold's Number
0.01
0.01
Fanning Friction Factor, f

0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01
Fanning Friction Factor, f

0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01
0 0.01
0 0.01
0 0
0 0
0 0
100 0 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
0 Flowrate,
0 5000 10000 15000 20000gph25000 30000 35000 40000
Reynold's Number, Re

Figure 4. Relationship between theoretical f and Re

Figure 5. Relationship between theoretical f and flowrate

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APPENDIX E

Documentation

Figure 6 The Fluid Flow Apparatus used in the experiment.

Figure 7 Controlling the valve to set the volumetric flowrate to 450 and 500 gph.

Figure 8 Volumetric flowrate reading: 450 gph.

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Figure 9 Controlling the valve to release bubbles (gas) from the pipes.

Figure 10 Isolation valve in the fluid flow apparatus that should be opened for analysis
(straight pipe).

Figure 11 The manometer connected to the fluid flow apparatus

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