American University of Madaba

Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Lab

Minor Head Losses
Objective:
To estimate minor head losses due to pipes fittings like valves and bends.

Introduction:
Losses in pipe networks are divided into major and minor losses. Major losses are
due to friction or viscous action while minor losses are due to valves bends,
elbows, expansion and contraction, etc.
The head losses due to a valve are given by:
K∗v 2
ΔP=
2∗g

Where:
V = average velocity inside the pipe (m/s).
g = acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s2).
K = friction factor (dimensionless).

Typical values of losses friction coefficient:

Global valve, fully open 10
Gate valve, fully open 0.2
Gate valve, half open 5.6
Apparatus:
Fluid flow friction in pipes.

Procedure:
1. Open valve V7 to carry out the test on 90° bend, 90° elbow, gate valve and
globe valve.
2. Open valve V6 to carry out the test on 45° elbow.
3. Measure the head losses at different values of flow rate.
4. Measure the flow rate.
5. Open fully the water control valve.
6. Record the readings on the piezometer tubes and the U-tube.
7. Repeat the above procedure for a total of different flow rate, and different
valves/bends.
Results:
Diameter for pipe = 0.01425 m.
Valve of Q Q A V ΔP K Avg. K Error %
bend (m3/h) (m3/s) (m2) (m/s) (m)
type
Global 1.15 0.000319 0.000159 2.006 0.37 1.804
Valve 1 0.000278 0.000159 1.748 0.295 1.894 1.848 81.52%
Fully 0.7 0.000194 0.000159 1.220 0.14 1.845
Open
Gate 1 0.000278 0.000159 1.748 0.244 1.567
Valve 0.8 0.000222 0.000159 1.396 0.2 2.014 2.202 1001%
Fully 0.6 0.000167 0.000159 1.050 0.17 3.025
Open
Gate 1 0.000278 0.000159 1.748 0.085 0.546
Valve 0.8 0.000222 0.000159 1.396 0.057 0.574 0.539 90.38%
Half 0.6 0.000167 0.000159 1.050 0.028 0.498
Open
Sharp 90° 1 0.000278 0.000159 1.748 0.58 3.724
0.8 0.000222 0.000159 1.396 0.505 5.084 3.974
0.6 0.000167 0.000159 1.050 0.175 3.114
Sharp 45° 1.1 0.000306 0.000159 1.925 0.16 0.847
1.05 0.000292 0.000159 1.836 0.154 0.896 0.967
0.8 0.000222 0.000159 1.396 0.115 1.158
Smooth 1.25 0.000347 0.000159 2.182 0.087 0.359
90 (Large 1.1 0.000306 0.000159 1.925 0.022 0.116 0.178
bend) 1.05 0.000292 0.000159 1.836 0.01 0.058
Smooth 1.15 0.000319 0.000159 2.006 0.122 0.595
90 (Small 1 0.000278 0.000159 1.748 0.1 0.642 0.714
bend) 0.8 0.000222 0.000159 1.396 0.09 0.906

Sample of calculation:
D2 0.014252 2
A=π =π =0.000159 m
4 4
Q 0.000319
v= = =2.006 m/ s
A 0.000159
Δ P∗2∗g 0.37∗2∗9.81
K= = =1..804
v2 2.0062
1.804 +1.894+1.845
Avg . K = =1.848
3
exp . value−Theo . value 1.848−10
Error %= = ∗100=81.52 %
Theo . value 10

Discussion:
When we compared the K values that we got from the experiment with the
typical values we got a large error value which mean there is an error either with
taking the reading or with the apparatus we have.

Conclusions:
This experiment gives the values of losses coefficient. The losses coefficient can
help us choose the wright and bends that are best for a pipe network which will
indicate the minor head losses is the network.