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Student I.D. No.

Family name:

Given names:

University of Hafr Al Batin

Chemical Engineering Department

CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment # 6

Coefficient of Resistance across the Pipe (varying cross section)

Instructor:

Date of Experiment Perform:

Date of Report Submission:

CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 1 19-Oct-21

 EXPERIMENT # 6
COEFFICIENTS OF RESISTANCE ACROSS THE PIPE (VARYING
CROSS SECTION)
1. Aims:

The objective of this experiment is to investigate the influence of special pipe (varying cross section)
on the pressure loss.

Apparatus:

The following equipment is required to perform the energy loss in pipe fittings

1) HM 150.11 Pipe System apparatus,

2) HM 150 Base Module
3) A stopwatch for timing the flow measurement

Figure 1: GUNT – Losses in Pipe System equipment

1 Annular chambers with pressure 2 Ball valves for shutting off part
tapping nipples sections

CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 2 19-Oct-21

3 Back wall pads

4 Double pressure gauge 7 Measurement objects –

flow measurement
5 Inlet (concealed) 8 Adjustable measuring section
9 Measurement objects –
shut-off devices
6 Tubular steel frame with suction 10 Drain
11 I to VI Measuring sections
2. THEORY:
3.1 Introduction

As a fluid flows from a smaller pipe into a larger pipe through a sudden enlargement, its velocity abruptly
decreases, causing turbulence, which generates an energy loss. These energy losses under the expansion
or constriction predominate in fluid flow through a pipe network as minor losses. Minor losses are due to
pipe fittings, changes in the flow direction, and changes in the flow area. Due to the complexity of the
piping system with varying cross section areas, it is important to investigate the coefficient of resistance
(K) as a quick means of calculating the minor losses (K)

3.2 Practical Application

Major losses are associated with frictional energy loss that is caused by the viscous effects of the medium
and roughness of the pipe wall. In fact, in a pipe system with expansions and constrictions, the minor
losses can be greater than the major (friction) losses. Thus, an accurate K value for pipe system is
necessary to predict the actual resistance coefficients across the pipe system.

3.3 Method

The changes in cross-section available on the experimental unit (Section 1) take the form of discontinuous
expansion or constriction.

For expansion

2 2
A2 d 22
K= (
A1 ) (
−1 = 2 −1 (1)
d1 )
For constriction

CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 3 19-Oct-21

 2 2
A1 d12
K= (
Ao )(
−1 = 2 −1 (2)
do )
Here, A0 and d0 respectively represent the constricted cross-section. As this is normally unknown, the
coefficient of resistance for constriction is taken from the following curve.

Determining the volumetric flow:

The volumetric flow can be determined using a measuring tank and a stopwatch.

V
V̇ = (3 )
t
Where V is Volume of medium [l], and t is Time [s]

V̇
The flow velocity is given by: w= ( 4)
A

CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 4 19-Oct-21

 ˙2
V̇ is Volumetric flow [l/s], A is Cross-sectional area of pipe π d [ mm 2 ]d is internal diameter of pipe
4
section = 17 mm

Changes from laminar to turbulent flow:

The change from laminar flow to turbulent flow occurs at: Re ≤ 2300 means laminar flow, whereas Re ≥
2300 means turbulent flow

w.d
The Reynolds number is calculated from ℜ= (5)
v

d is Internal diameter of pipe section [mm], w is Flow velocity [m/s] and v Viscosity of medium [m2/s

Determining the pipe friction factor

The pipe friction factor is calculated as follows

2. h v. . d
Coefficient of pipe friction ( λ ¿= (5)
ρh o . l. w
2

3. Procedure

In the following experiment, all the measurement has to be carried out under the pipe (section I). All
measurements are over different cross section area. The manometer is connected to respective pipe
sections and maximum volumetric flow has been set for the following experiment.

With change in cross-section (Measurement section I)

1. Position the experimental unit on the HM 150 in such a way that the outlet conveys the water into its
measuring tank
2. Prepare the manometer for differential pressure measurement.
3. Close all the valves (inlet and outlet) of the unit.
4. Open the drain valve of pipe (section I).
5. Open the both inlet Ball valves of pipe (section I) and HM.150
6. Turn on the HM150 pump (or the laboratory mains water supply) and adjust the valve controlling the
flow such that a constant water level is established across the measurement unit.
7. Regulate the flow using the inlet valve until the water manometer shows a constant pressure
difference. This corresponds to the head loss hv.
8. Then measure the volumetric flow using a measuring tank and a stopwatch.
9. Continue the experiment by decreasing the flow rates (hv declines) and repeating the head difference
and volumetric flow measurements
CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 5 19-Oct-21
4. Data Sheet Table 1: Measurement results Measuring Section I

Cross-section expansion 20-32mm Cross-section constriction 32-20mm

continuous, d1 = 17mm, d2 = 28.4mm, continuous, d1 = 28.4mm, d2 = 17mm,
l = 125mm l = 125mm

Volumetric Head loss hv total Volumetric flow Head loss hv total

flow V̇ in mm V̇ in mm
in l/min in l/min

7 -8.57 7 38.45

10.53 -17.37 10.53 87.25

15 -41.37 15 122.20

19.35 -70.15 19.35 175

30 -117 30 310

Table 2: Calculation of coefficients of resistance for pipe (varying cross section area) (Section I)

Volumetric flow Pipe

friction
V̇ [l/min Flow Reynolds coefficient
] V̇ [m3/s] speed w number
in m/s Re ( λ)
Measuring        
section
7        
10.53
expansion 15
7        
10.53
 constriction 15

CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 6 19-Oct-21

5.1 Treatment of data

For this exercise you should do the following:

On the graph, plot the Pressure drop values for contraction (y-axis) against the flow rate V̇ (x-axis).

5. Results and Discussions

 Comment on any relationships noticed in the graph
CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 7 19-Oct-21
 * * * End of Practical * * *

CHE 204: Fluid Mechanics Lab 8 19-Oct-21