CHE F312 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB

Experiment-5

Group-2
● Prateek Mantri 2018B2A10987P
● Mohnish Goyal 2018B5A10717P
● Vaibhav Shukla 2018B4A10851P
● Devansh Pradeep Vaghasiya 2018B3A10788P
● Khush Khandelwal 2018B3A10921P
● Karandeep Singh Jaggi 2018B1A10436P

FLOW THROUGH HELICAL COIL

Calculations
Sample Calculation
Area=3.14 * d2/4
Area=3.14 * (0.932 × 10−2)2/4
Area of helical pipe = 6.8187×10-5 m2

Step 1: Calculation of Volume of Water collected in Tank (V)

The volume of water collected is calculated by measuring tank using the formula:

Where l = Length of Tank = 0.3 m

b = Breadth of Tank = 0.3 m
R = Height of Water in Tank = 0.02 m for all readings as observed
Substituting the given values, we get:
V = 0.3 * 0.3 * 0.02
= 0.018 m3

Step 2: Calculation of Volumetric Flow Rate (Q)

The volumetric flow rate is calculated using the formula:
Q = V/t
Where V = Volume of water in tank
t = Time
For the first reading, V = 0.018 m3 and t = 48.85 seconds.
Substituting the given values, we get:
Q = 0.018/ 48.85
= 3.68 ×10-5 m3 s-1

Step 3: Calculation of Velocity of Water (v)

The velocity of water is calculated using the formula:
v =Q/A
Where Q = Volumetric Flow Rate
A = Cross sectional Area
For the first reading, Q = 3.68 ×10-5 m3 s-1 and A = 6.81×10-5 m2
Substituting the given values, we get:
v = 0.0000368/ 0.0000681
= 0.540381791 m s-1

Step 4: Calculation of Reynolds Number (Re)

The Reynolds Number for different readings is calculated using the formula:
Re = pvd / μ
Where p = Density of Water = 1000 kg m-3
µ = Dynamic Viscosity of Water at 25° C = 0.890×10-3 N s m-2
d = Inner Diameter of Helical Pipe = 0.932×10-2 m
v = Velocity of Water
For the first reading, v = 0.54038 m s-1
Substituting the given values, we get:

Re = (1000 * 0.54038 * 0.00932) / 0.00089

= 5658.81079
Step 5: Calculation of Pressure Difference in Manometer Reading (Δp)
The pressure difference for different readings is calculated using the formula:

△p = pg △ h

Where p = Density of Mercury = 13530 kg m-3

g =Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m s-2
△ h = Height difference in manometer reading
For the first reading, = 0.03 m
Substituting the given values, we get:
△p = 13530 * 9.81 * 0.03
= 3981.879 Pa

Step 6: Calculation of Fanning Friction Factor(F)

The fanning friction factor for different readings is calculated using the formula:

F = ( Δp /pwater )*( d/ l )*( 2 /v2 )

Where p = Density of Water = 1000 kg m-3

d = Inner Diameter of Helical Pipe = 0.932×10-2 m
Δp = Pressure Difference in Manometer Reading
v = Velocity of Water

l = N2 R2 / (9R + 10H)

where N = Number of turns in Coil = 14

R = Outer Radius of the Pipe = 0.1175 m
H = Overall Height of Coil = 0.35

l = 142 * 0.11752 / (9*0.1175 + 10*3.5) = 0.59375 m

For the first reading, v = 0.540381791 m s-1 and Δp = 3981.879 Pa Substituting the
given values, we get:

F = (3981.879 * 0.00932 * 2)/ (1000 * l * v2)

= (3981.879 * 0.00932) / (1000 * 0.59375 * (0.540381791)^2)
= 0.4285054772

Step 7: Calculation of Critical Reynolds number (Theoretical)

Re critical is calculated using the formula
Re = 2100 × ( 1 + 12 × ( d / D ) 0.28)

= 2100 × ( 1 + 12 × ( 0.932 x 10−2 / 0.235 ) 0.28)

= 12307.93732

4. Sample Calculations for Straight Pipe

Calculated velocity of the fluid remains constant as pressure drops across the helical
pipe and its equivalent straight pipe (with same length and diameter as the helical pipe)
as corresponding flow rate through straight pipe is the same as that through the helical
pipe.
The following sample calculations are performed for the first observation for Straight
Pipe using data obtained for Helical Pipe:

Step 1: Calculation of the Length of the Straight Pipe

Length of the straight pipe, while accounting for all the coils in the helical pipe is given
by the formula:

L = 3.14*D*N

Where D = Outer Diameter of the Helical Pipe = 0.235 m

N = Number of turns in Coil = 14
Substituting the given values, we get:
L = 3.14 * 0.235 * 14
= 10.3306 m

Step 2: Calculation of the Pressure Drop across the Straight Pipe

The pressure drop across the straight pipe which is equivalent to the given helical pipe
in length, diameter and flow rate for different readings is given by the formula:

ΔP = 32*μ*v*L / d 2
 Where, μ = Dynamic Viscosity of Water at 25℃ = 0.89 × 10−3 Ns/m2
v = Velocity of Water = 0.54038 m s-1
L = Length of the Straight Pipe = 10.3306
d = Inner Diameter of Helical Pipe
= Inner Diameter of Straight Pipe = 0.932×10-2 m
ΔP = (32 * 0.89 × 10−3 * 0.54038 * 10.3306) / (0.932×10-2 )2
= 1830.345 Pa
Result and Discussion:
5.1: Reynolds number vs Fanning friction factor-

Q V Delta P Fanning Friction Re

0.00003684749232 0.5401149905 3981.879 0.4285054772 5656.035631
0.00005249343832 0.7694551556 7963.758 0.4222719243 8057.665225
0.00007128712871 1.044935338 16192.9746 0.4655738533 10942.46893
0.00009579563598 1.404183996 18582.102 0.2958609058 14704.48859
 1) As calculated the theoretical Reynolds number is 12307 whereas the
experimental value of the critical Reynolds number is around 10750 as shown in
the graph. This deviation between the two values takes place due to the
difference in roughness of pipe between that in the derived formula and in the
experimental conditions. The reason for this change in roughness may be
because of the corrosion in the pipe with time.

2) We can observe that there is a decreasing trend in the Fanning Friction Factor for
helical pipes as Reynold’s number increases, this shows that the streamline flow
can take place even at higher values of the Reynolds number in helical/curved
pipes flow as compared to straight pipes.

5.2: Comparing Pressure Drops for Helical Pipe and Straight Pipe with Flow Rate

S.No Q Pressure drop in helical coil(Pa) Pressure drop in straight pipe(Pa)

0.0000368
1 4749232 3981.879 1830.375365
0.0000524
2 9343832 7963.758 2607.577619
0.0000712
3 8712871 16192.9746 3541.142042
0.0000957
4 9563598 18582.102 4758.586299
In this case we can observe from the graph that the pressure drop increases with
increase in flow rate. This takes place due to the increase in the velocity. The pressure
drop of a helical coil is greater than the pressure drop of a helical coil because the
turbulence is more in the case of helical coil due to the increased centrifugal force which
increases the frictional loss (eddy formation).

Conclusion

It can be seen that a helical pipe has a higher critical Reynold’s number as compared to
a straight pipe. The roughness parameter of the pipe changes. It results in a deviation
in the experimental and theoretical critical Reynold’s number.

Eddies are generated in the velocity profile of the flow due to an inward centrifugal force
due to the circular flow in the helical pipe causing turbulence in the pipe relative to the
straight pipe. This force changes the velocity profile along with the greater surface area,
causing greater amount of friction losses in the helical pipe.
It can be concluded that the Fanning Friction Factor is inversely proportional to
Reynold's number in the laminar region from the graph 5.1.

As can be seen from the graph, at lower Reynolds number, the centrifugal forces are
diminished and the effect cannot be highlighted to a bigger extent, hence an increase in
Fanning Friction Factor. The decrease in apparent Fanning Friction Factor can be
directed to the change in velocity profile due to turbulence and velocity as a result of
helical pipe structure.

Reference
● Fox, R.W., McDonald, A. T., & Pritchard, P.J. (2008). Introduction to fluid mechanics.
Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
● McCabe, W.L., Smith, J.C., Harriott, P., “Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering”, 7th
ed., McGraw Hill, NY, 2005.
● W.L Badger & J.T. Banchero., “Introduction to Chemical Engineering”, 26th reprint,
McGraw Hill, NY, 2011.
● C.J. Geankoplis., “Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles”, 4th ed.,
PHI,2009.