MFMV201

Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction

Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

Student Name Student Number Module Code Date Submitted

Dylan Cloete 224225073 MFMV201 02/06/2022

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Laboratory Practical Title

Pipe friction losses

Laboratory / Practical Report

Instructional Offering: Fluid Mechanics 2A

Module Code: MFMV201

Mark Allocation
Title Weighting (%) Mark Allocated

General Quality of Report 5

1.0 / 2.0 Aim/Objective and Apparatus 10

3.0 Method 5

4.0 Theory 20

5.0 Results, Tables, Graphs, Sketches 40

6.0 Discussion/ Conclusion 15

7.0 Bibliography 5

Total 100

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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

1. AIM:
To investigate friction loss caused by pipes of differing materials and will affect how water
is conveyed through them.

2. APPARATUS:
The Pipe Friction Test Bench apparatus is used for this experiment which consists of:

2.1. A water pump

2.2. A supply tank
2.3. A system of pipes, valves and fittings complete with the control panel to facilitate
selection and measurement of the pressure difference between various points in
the system.
2.4. The available pipes in the rack are as follows:

Material Specification OD (mm) ID (mm)

1 U PVC SANS 966 Part 1 63 31.6
2 U PVC SANS 966 Part 1 40 25.3
3 U PVC SANS 966 Part 1 25 22
4 Galvanised Steel ANSI B 36 1½” 38.1

2.5. A Differential manometer

2.6. A Rotometer is used for flow rate measurement

The list of apparatuses was given to the author as a part of their MFMV201 module with minor
alterations being performed on the list whilst most of the list was unaltered.

3.0 THEORY:
Research and describe/discuss the following:

3.1. State the Darcy friction factor equation for both laminar and turbulent flows.

The Darcy friction factor for laminar flow is :

32𝜇𝐿𝑉 𝐿 2𝑔 64𝜇 64
𝑓= × × = =
𝛾𝐷2 𝐷 𝑉 2 𝜌𝐷𝑉 𝑅𝑒𝐷

Where:
𝑓 = the friction factor V = Velocity
γ = Specific Gravity D = inner diameter of the pipe
μ = dynamic viscosity ρ = Density of the liquid
L = length of the pipe g = acceleration due to gravity
RED = Reynolds number

So after simplification and substituting substitution, the formula for determining the
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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

friction factor for laminar flow is equal to 64 divided by the Reynolds Number, which
must be equal to or less than 2000 for this formula to be valid.

The Darcy friction Factor Equation for turbulent flow:

0.25
𝑓=
𝑘𝑠 5.74 2
[log10 (3.7 × 𝐷 + 0.9 )]
𝑅𝑒𝐷

Where:
𝑓 = the friction factor ReD = Reynolds number
𝑘𝑠 = equivalent sand roughness D = inner diameter of the pipe

The above formula was developed by Swamee and Jain by using the Colebrook-
white formula which was derived for the Darcy equation the Darcy friction factor
can be determined by making it a function of the Reynolds number and the
equivalent sand roughness values.

3.2. Express friction loss in terms of loss in head.

When a liquid flows through a pipe it experiences head loss, this loss in head is caused
by the friction of the fluid as it moves through the pipes as well as when it passes
through components, these can include elbows and threaded joints.

The formula for head loss is shown below as well as the formula for frictional head
loss( friction loss):

ℎ𝐿 = ℎ𝑓 + ℎ𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠

This formula shows the total loss of head in the system where hf is the head loss due
to friction.
𝐿 𝑉2
ℎ𝑓 = 𝑓( )( )
𝐷 2𝑔
The formula above shows frictional head loss.

ℎ𝑓 = ℎ𝐿 − ℎ𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
So from the above formula, it can be derived that if there is no head loss caused by
the components then the loss in head is caused by the friction loss meaning that they
are equal.

3.3. Sketch and describe the Moody diagram in detail with reference to flow regimes,
roughness and Reynolds numbers.

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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

Figure 1: Moody Diagram (Elgar, 2016)

The moody diagram uses 4 scales/axes with the bottom scale being the Reynolds
number, the right scale being the relative roughness, the left being the friction factor
and the top scale being used when the velocity of the liquid is unknown. The lines
represent the different flow regimes being laminar flow and turbulent flow. By using the
moody diagram a person can determine the frictional factor, this can be done by using
the bottom scale and the right scale and looking for where the two values intersect and
then looking on the left scale as to what value lines up with the other two scales
intersection point. The heavy black lines which slant left to right represent constant
values which are equal to the Reynolds values times the square root of the friction
factor.

4.0 METHOD / PROCEDURE:

4.1. Ensure that all the sampling cocks are closed.
4.2. Start the circulating pump.
4.3. Open the outlet valve in the system to expel air from the system.
4.4. Record flow rate and manometer height readings at 1000 l/hr intervals over a
range of 0 – 9000 l/hour for the following pipes. 25 mm, 40 mm, and 1½” Galv
4.5. Fill reservoir tank to 60-litre capacity and maintain the inflow and outflow of water
steady.
4.6. Record the flow rate, supply head and manometer height readings at
10-litre capacity intervals over a range of 0-60 litre of the reservoir tank capacity.
4.7. Close all the valves and stop the pump.
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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

The method and procedure following were provided and were altered in minor ways with the
changes being the alteration of pipes used.
5. RESULTS

The following results were obtained using the Excel spreadsheet provided, any results that
were not present in the excel worksheet provided were calculated using the following formulas
(Elgar, 2016):

Discharge (flow rate):

𝑄 ( 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑃𝑒𝑟 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟)

𝑄 (𝑚3 𝑝𝑒𝑟 Second) = × 10−3
60 × 60

Where Q represents flow rate.

Velocity:

𝑄
𝑉=𝜋
2
4×𝐷

Where D = internal diameter and V= velocity.

Reynolds Number:
𝑉×𝐷
𝑅𝑒𝐷 =
𝑣

Where ReD = Reynolds Number and 𝑣 = The Kinetic viscosity of water at 20°C

Friction Factor:
0.25
𝑓=
𝐾𝑠 5.74
(log10 (3.7 × 𝐷 𝑅𝑒𝐷0.9 ))^2
+
0.25
𝑓𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 =
𝐾𝑠 5.74
(log10 (3.7 × 𝐷 𝑅𝑒𝐷0.9 ))^2
+

0.25
𝑓𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 =
0 5.74
(log10 (3.7 × 𝐷 + 0.9 ))^2
𝑅𝑒𝐷

Where 𝑓 is the friction factor and where Ks is the Relative sand roughness.
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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

Head Loss:

𝐿 𝑉2
𝐻𝐿 = 𝑓 × ×
𝐷 2𝑔

Where HL is the Head Loss

Important Values For U-PVC pipe OD 25mm:

Ks= 0,00019318 (Engineering ToolBox, 2003)
D = 22mm (ISBIEM, 2017)

Important values for the U-PVC pipe OD 40 mm:

Ks= 0,000167984 (Engineering ToolBox, 2003)
D = 25.3 mm (ISBIEM, 2017)

Important values for the Galvanised Steel Pipe:

Ks= 0,003937008 (Engineering ToolBox, 2003)
D = 38.1 mm

Volume Time Flow Rate Velocity Reynolds Head loss Friction

(litres) Taken (litres per (metres per Number (metres) Factors
(Seconds) second) second)
60 21,6 0,0028 7,31 1,60E+05 2195,611641 0,0369
60 27 0,0022 5,85 1,28E+05 1410,150167 0,0370
60 36 0,0017 4,38 9,61E+04 797,7089379 0,0372
60 54 0,0011 2,92 6,40E+04 358,3515561 0,0376
60 108 0,0006 1,46 3,20E+04 92,21174544 0,0387
60 216 0,0003 0,73 1,60E+04 24,21101968 0,0407
Table 1: Results for the U PVC OD 25mm

Volume Time Flow Rate Velocity Reynolds Head loss Friction

(litres) Taken (litres per (metres per Number (metres) Factors
(Seconds) second) second)
60 24 0,0025 4,97 1,09E+05 817,7316892 0,0341
60 27 0,0022 4,42 9,69E+04 648,0887097 0,0342
60 36 0,0017 3,32 7,26E+04 367,7905954 0,0345
60 54 0,0011 2,21 4,84E+04 166,1873663 0,0351
60 108 0,0006 1,11 2,42E+04 43,38779714 0,0367
60 216 0,0003 0,55 1,21E+04 11,63549083 0,0393
Table 2: results obtained for the U-PVC OD 40mm pipe

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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

Volume Time Flow Rate Velocity Reynolds Head loss Friction

(litres) Taken (litres per (metres per Number (metres) Factors
(Seconds) second) second)
60 24 0,0025 2,19 4,80E+04 322,6875907 0,1043
60 27 0,0022 1,95 4,27E+04 255,1615512 0,1043
60 36 0,0017 1,46 3,20E+04 143,856326 0,1046
60 54 0,0011 0,97 2,14E+04 64,21728547 0,1050
60 108 0,0006 0,49 1,07E+04 16,25295783 0,1063
60 216 0,0003 0,24 5,34E+03 4,155484525 0,1087
Table 3: Results obtained for the Galvanised Steel Pipe

HEAD LOSS VS FLOW RATE

2500
U PVC OD 25mm 40mm U-PVC pipe
Galvanised steel pipe Theoretical Values for PVC OD 25mm
Theroretical values for The 40mm PVC pipe
2000
HEAD LOSS(METRES)

1500

1000

500

0
0 0,0005 0,001 0,0015 0,002 0,0025 0,003
FLOW RATE ( CUBIC METRES PER SECOND)

Figure 2: Graph of all the pipes Head loss vs flow rates

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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

Friction Factor VS Flow Rate U-PVC 25mm OD

0,12 pipe

40 mm U-PVC
pipe
0,1

Galvanised steel
pipe
0,08
Theoretical
Friction Factor

Values 25mm U-
PVC pipe
0,06 Theoretical
values 40 mm
PVC pipe

0,04

0,02

0
0 0,0005 0,001 0,0015 0,002 0,0025 0,003
Flow Rate ( cubic metres per second)

Figure 4: Graph Showing All 3 pipes values

Friction Factor Vs Reynold Number

0,1200
25mm PVC pipe

0,1000 40mm PVC pipe

Galvanised steel pipe

0,0800
Friction Factor

Theoretical 25mm PVC pipe values

0,0600
Theoretical 40mm PVC pipe values

0,0400

0,0200

0,0000
0,00E+00 2,00E+04 4,00E+04 6,00E+04 8,00E+04 1,00E+05 1,20E+05 1,40E+05 1,60E+05 1,80E+05
Reynolds Number
Figure 3: Graph showing the values of each pipe
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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

6. CONCLUSION

6.1. Compare the friction factor values to typical values provided in your reference
material. Also, compare your findings with the Moody diagram.

The values obtained in this report range from 0.0369 to 0.0406 for the 25 mm PVC
pipe, 0.0341 to 0.0393 in the 40mm PVC pipe and 0.104 to 0.109 for the galvanised
steel pipe these values are a lot higher than the values typically found in the
reference material provided to the author and the results obtain for the friction factor
of the galvanised steel exceed the limits of the supplied moody diagram. The
curvature seen in the moody diagram is a lot more pronounced than the curvature
seen in the graphs produced by the author.

6.2. Discuss the relationship between the flow rate vs. head loss and flow rate vs. friction
factor stating value ranges.

The relationship between the results is shown in the graphs provided, the results
show varying relationships for each of the results. In the flow rate vs head loss
graph, there is a clear relationship between the two values with the flow rate and
the amount of head loss being proportional to one another meaning that as the flow
rate increases so will the head loss. with their values ranging from 4 to 2195 m and
0.0003 to 0.0028 m3/s respectively. The relationship between the flow rate vs friction
factor graph is also visible in the graph provided by the author, where there is an
inversely proportional relationship between the two values where an increase in flow
rate means that there will be a decrease in friction factor with there respective
ranges being 0.0003 to 0.0028 m3/s and 0.0369 to 0.109. The relationship between
the two graphs which can be drawn is that both Friction factor and head loss are
affected by flow rate, but they are affected in opposing manners with head loss
increasing when flow rate increases and friction factor decreasing when flow rate
increases.

6.2. Discuss deviations and any other issues relevant to this practical investigation.

The values obtained for the friction factor of the galvanised steel pipe are higher
than those shown in the moody diagram. Some other issues were the fact that the
temperature was not provided.

References
Elgar, D. F. (2016). Engineering fluid mechanics (11 ed.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Engineering ToolBox. (2003, March 26). Roughness & Surface Coefficients. Retrieved May 29, 2022,
from Engineering ToolBox: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/surface-roughness-
ventilation-ducts-d_209.html
Flotek. (2018, 05 20). PVC pressure pipes and fittings. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from flo-tek africa:
http://www.flotekafrica.com/

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 MFMV201
Faculty of Engineering, the Built Doc Friction
Environment and IT. ID.: Losses in
Pipelines
Department of Mechanical Engineering Rev.: 02

Friction loss in pipelines By : TS

ISBIEM. (2017, April 21). UPVC. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from IBIS Engineer merchant:
http://www.ibisem.co.za/userfiles/file/UPVC%20SANS%20966-1.pdf

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