Airflow in pipe

Introduction

Airflow in pipes gives an understanding of physical behaviour of fluid flow. using air flow in pipes
experimental equipment, pressure losses can be evaluated due to friction and fittings in pipeline
system and we can also determine how flow and pressure is been distributed in nozzles.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 To determine the velocity distribution equation and mean velocity of flow for
turbulent flow of air in a pipe

 To compare the mass flow rate of air obtained from the velocity distribution using
analytic from a parabolic nozzle

 To determine the Darcy friction factor for the pipe and compare it with that
obtained from the smooth pipe laws of Blasius and Stanton and Pannell.

Fig.1 Diagram of micro manometer. (www.ohio.edu)

RESULTS

Pipe diameter at transverse plane = 78.78mm

Nozzle diameter = 50.81mm

Corrected nozzle exit static pressure head (point 2) = -0.4cm of water

Corrected static pressure head at transverse plane (point 14) = -0.4 cm of water

Barometric pressure = 776.25 mm of mercury

Ambient temperature = 19 0C

Dynamic viscosity of air (from table, at ambient temperature) = 1.983×10−5 pa-s

Manometer offset (zero error) = -0.4 cm of water

Tapping point Distance from flange Static pressure head Corrected static
(m) (cm H2O) (direct pressure head (cm
manometer reading) H2O) i.e. direct reading
minus zero error
1 (blanked off) 0.025 xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
2 0.054 -18.80 -19.20
3 0.084 -18.60 -19.00
4 0.140 -15.40 -15.80
5 0.279 -8.50 -9.00
6 0.508 -8.20 -8.60
7 0.737 -8.20 -8.60
8 0.965 -8.80 -9.20
9 1.880 -9.80 -10.20
10 2.794 -10.80 -11.20
11 3.708 -11.60 -12.00
12 4.623 -12.40 -12.80
13 5.537 -13.00 -13.40
14 6.106 -13.80 -14.20
Note: All pressure are below the atmospheric pressure, therefore they are shown as negative
DISCUSION

From the experiment, at test condition (7-8),the values of n for the

velocity distribution equation was closely in agreement because graph
of log v equation (3) vs log Y gave value of n=9.425 and graph of log v
R
micro manometer vs log Y gave n value of 8.598.
R

Shape of graph; from the graph of static pressure head against distance
along the pipe. It can be seen that static pressure head rises from a
point at -0.14 up to -0.08 and then as it goes up along the distance from
flange it gradually reduces.

Although, this is not shown on the graph as we are considering half the
pipe and a false origin necessary for accuracy on the pressure axis. In
addition, the initial tapping points are in a region distributed by the
sudden expansion from the nozzle exit to the full diameter of the pipe.

Based on the centre of the linear portion of graph, the mean value is
calculated.

MASS FLOW RATE; the mass flow rate obtained by the two different
methods do not really agree though they are in close range. However
for both graphs mass flow rate are the same for equation 4.

˙
2 ( P A −Pn )
Put equation here
M=c d ρn A
√ ρn
This is because they both have same coefficient of discharge, same pipe
area, same nozzle exit pressure at same point (tapping number 2) and
same atmospheric pressure.

However, mass flow rate from volumetric flow and density of air at the
transverse plane differ because of the volumetric flow. This method has
same density at same ambient temperature for both graphs but differ in
volumetric flow, hence giving graphs of log v equation (3) vs log Y a
R
volumetric flow of 0.130kg/m3 and graph of log Y vs log v micro
R
manometer a volumetric flow of 0.120kg/m3. Resulting to a difference
of 0.002kg/m3 in volumetric flow

Possible error that may occur in taking the experiment could be human
error. Measurements taking may not be accurate resulting to error in
calculations and analysis of taking or taking readings on instruments.

Also, change in atmospheric pressure and even ambient temperature of

the surrounding, since weather is not predictable and can change
anytime having an effect on the barometer, hence affecting the
atmospheric pressure.

Darcy friction factor; the Darcy frictions factor from both experimental
calculations and when compared to those given by the smooth pipe
laws are closely the same. In addition, from the moody chart, the pipe is
a smooth.

CONCLUSION

The aim of the experiment was achieved. We were able to determine

the airflow in pipes and using Darcy friction, we concluded it was a
smooth pipe.

REFERENCES
http://www.ohio.edu/mechanical/thermo/Intro/Chapt.1_6/Chapter1.html