College of Technological Studies

Mechanical Power & Refrigeration Dept.

Fluid Lab
MEE 222/Grp. # 1

Lab. No. 4
Pipe Friction Apparatus

Dr. Mohamed Zedan

 Experimental # 4
Pipe Friction Apparatus

Definition:
The friction loss (head loss) in a uniform, straight sections of pipe, known as "major loss", is
caused by the effects of fluid viscosity and the movement of fluid molecules against each other
or against the (possibly rough) wall of the pipe.
Analysis:
The friction loss of the fluid flow in a straight pipe is greatly affected by whether the flow
is laminar (Re < 2000) or turbulent (Re > 3000), where Re is the Reynolds number and is
define by:
rVD
Re = (1)
µ
Where, V is the mean fluid velocity, D the inside diameter of the (cylindrical) pipe and µ is
the fluid viscosity.

In the laminar flow, losses are proportional to fluid velocity. The roughness of the pipe
surface influences neither the fluid flow nor the friction loss. While in the turbulent flow,
losses are proportional to the fluid velocity; here, the effects of the roughness of the pipe
surface must be considered. It is useful to characterize that roughness as the ratio of the
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roughness height ε to the pipe diameter D, the "relative roughness". Three sub-domains
pertain to turbulent flow:

1. In the smooth pipe domain, friction loss is relatively insensitive to roughness.

2. In the fully rough pipe domain, friction loss is dominated by the relative roughness and is
insensitive to Reynolds number.
3. In the transition domain, friction loss is sensitive to both roughness and Reynolds number.
For Reynolds numbers 2000 < Re < 3000, critical zone, the flow is unstable, varying with
time as vortices within the flow form and vanish randomly. This domain of flow is not well
modeled, nor are the details well understood.

A large amount of research has been carried out over many years to establish various
formulae that can calculate head loss in a pipe. Most of this work has been developed based
on experimental data. The Darcy-Weisbach equation is now accepted as the most accurate
pipe friction loss formula and it has now become the standard equation for hydraulic
engineers. This equation, for the pipe shown in Figure 1, is given by

L V2
hf = f (2)
D 2g
Where:
hf = head loss (m)
f = friction factor (dimensionless)
L = pipe length (m)
D = pipe inner diameter (m)
V = fluid velocity (m/s)
g = acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)

For laminar flow the friction factor f can be determined from formula (3) which derived
from Hagen–Poiseuille equation.

64
f = (3)
Re

For turbulent flow, the friction factors f can be calculated using the Colebrook-White
equation (4). The data for this equation was plotted by L.F. Moody in 1944, and the resulting
chart became known as the Moody Chart which is shown in Figure 2

ée 9.35 ù
1/ f =1.14 - 2 log10 ê + ú Re > 4000 (4)
ë D Re f û
For turbulent flow in a smooth pipe, the friction factors f can be determined using the
following Blasius formula which is a curve fit to an experimental data.

0.316
f = (5)
Re 0.25

3
 V

Figure 1: Pipe friction loss

Figure 2: Moody Diagram

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Objective:

To investigate the head loss (hf ) due to friction in the flow of water through a pipe and to
determine the associated friction factor (f). Both variables are to be determined over a range
of flow rates and their characteristics identified for both laminar and turbulent flows. The
results will be compared with empirical data.

Apparatus:
The apparatus of this experiment, shown in Figures 3 & 4, consists of a Hydraulics Bench
which allows us to have a fluid flow circuit and to measure flow rate by timed volume
collection, Pipe Friction Apparatus, and a stopwatch to allow us to determine the flow rate
of water. A measuring cylinder for measuring very low flow rates. A spirit level for setting
up the equipment. Two U-tube manometers to measure the pressure difference between two
fixed points in a long straight pipe. One of the U-tube manometers is a water mercury
manometer to measure high pressure difference and the other is a water manometer to
measure small pressure difference.

Water from Bench

Tested
to Tested Tube Inlet
Tube

Water
Mercury
Manometer
Manometer

Apparatus
Water from Valve
Tube
Bench Exit
Tested
Tube Exit

Figure 3: Pipe friction apparatus (setting up for high flow rates)

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 Water from Tested
Header Tank Tube

Water from
Header Tank
to Tube Inlet

Water
Manometer
Mercury
Manometer

Apparatus
Valve
Water from
Bench
Tested
Tube Exit

Figure 4: Pipe friction apparatus (setting up for low flow rates)

Procedure - Equipment Set Up:

1) Mount the Pipe Friction Apparatus on the hydraulic bench and, with a spirit level,
adjust the feet to ensure that base plate is horizontal and, hence, the manometers are
vertical.
2) Check with the demonstrator that the mercury (Hg) manometer is correctly filled; this
should not be attempted by students because Hg is a hazardous substance. Attach a
Hoffman clamp to each of the two manometer connecting tubes and close them off.

Setting-up for high flow rate

Ø The test rig outlet tube must be held by a clamp to ensure that the outflow point is
firmly fixed. This should be above the bench collection tank and should allow
enough space for insertion of the measuring cylinder.
Ø Join the test rig inlet pipe to the hydraulic bench flow connector with the pump
turned off as shown in Figure 3.
Ø Close the bench gate-valve, open the test rig flow control valve fully and start the
pump. Now open the gate valve progressively and run the system until all air is
purged.
Ø Open the Hoffman clamps and purge any air from the two bleed points at the top of
the Hg manometer.
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Setting-up for low flow rates (using the header tank)

Ø Attach a Hoffman clamp to each of the two manometer connecting tubes and close
them off.
Ø With the system fully purged of air, close the bench valve, stop the pump, close the
outflow valve and remove Hoffman clamps from the water manometer connections.
Ø Disconnect test section supply tube and hold high to keep it liquid filled.
Ø Connect bench supply tube to header tank inflow, run pump and open bench valve
to allow flow. When outflow occurs from header tank snap connector, attach test
section supply tube to header tank as shown in Figure 4, ensuring no air entrapped.
Ø When outflow occurs from header tank overflow, fully open the outflow control
valve.
Ø Slowly open air vents at top of water manometer and allow air to enter until
manometer levels reach convenient height, then close air vent. If required, further
control of levels can be achieved by use of hand-pump to raise manometer air
pressure.

Procedure - Taking a Set of Results:

Running high flow rate tests

Ø Apply a Hoffman clamp to each of the water manometer connection tubes (essential
to prevent a flow path parallel to the test section).
Ø Close the test rig flow control valve and take a zero flow reading from the Hg
manometer, (may not be zero because of contamination of Hg and/or tube wall).
Ø With the flow control valve fully open, measure the head loss hf (HHg) shown by the
Hg manometer (measured directly by the manometer which connects to two
pressure tapping’s a distance L apart).
Ø Determine the flow rate by timed collection and measure the temperature of the
collected fluid. The dynamic viscosity of water, at atmospheric pressure, can then
be determined from the table provided in this manual.
Ø Repeat this procedure to give at least nine flow rates; the lowest to give hf (HHg =
30mm Hg, approximately).

Running low flow rate tests

Ø Repeat procedure given above but using water manometer throughout.

Ø With the flow control valve fully open, measure the head loss hf (measured directly
by the manometer which connects to two pressure tapping’s a distance L apart) as
shown by the water manometer (Hw).
Ø Determine the flow rate by timed collection and measure the temperature of the
collected fluid. The dynamic viscosity of water, at atmospheric pressure, can then be
determined from the table in provided in this manual.
Ø Obtain data for at least eight flow rates, the lowest to give hf (Hw= 30mm water,
approximately).

Collected Data:
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Test section Diameter (D) = cm
Test section length (L) = cm
o
Water Temperature = C
For each valve setting take the flowing reading:-
Volume of collected water = Liter
Time = second
Manometer reading hf = (mm)

Table 1: Collected Data

Test Volume Time hf

No. (Liter) (s) (mm)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Calculation:

1. For each valve settings determine the fluid flow rate (Q).
Flow Rate Q = Volume / Time (m3/s)
2. Determine the cross section area A (A = π D2/4 (m2)) of pipe tested section.
3. Determine the fluid velocity V (V = Q/A (m/s)) for each flow rate.
4. Read from water properties table water density and viscosity at water temperature.
5. Determine the flow Reynolds number (Re) using equation (1) for each flow rate.
6. Determine the friction factor f using equation (2)
7. Do the friction factor f form this experiment (step no. 6) agree with friction factor f
calculated using equations (3&5) or values obtained using Moody diagram (Figure
2)? If not, why?
8. Draw a relation between the friction factor f and the flow Reynolds number (Re).
9. Comment on the results obtained from this experiment.

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Results:

Write the results of your calculation in the following table:

Table 2: Friction factor

Manometer Type
Q
Test Volume Time V= Re =
rVD
No. (liter) ( ) ( ) A µ ( )
( )
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Rearrange equation (2) to calculate f

D 2g D 2 g A2
f = hf = h f
(6)
L V2 L Q2
Substitute for values of D, L, g and A in the above equation which leads to:

For water manometer:

h f (mm water )
f = 0.588 ´ 10 -8 (7)
Q 2 ( L / s)

For mercury manometer:

Multiply the right hand side of equation (7) by ((s.g.)hg- (s.g.)w) which is ((13.6
- 1)=12.6) gives
h (mm Hg )
f = 7.4 ´ 10 -8 f 2 (8)
Q ( L / s)

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 100 1000 10000
1

64
𝑓=
𝑅𝑒
Friction Factor f

0.316
0.1 𝑓=
𝑅𝑒 !.#$

0.01
Reynolds Number R

Comments and Discussion:

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