Pipe System

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Thermofluids Laboratory

Dr. Juan Carlos Prince Avelino

Angel Iván Sotelo Banda A01731239, Fernando González Navarro A01730002, Santiago Rojo López A01733769
, Fabian Reyes Cruz A01730585

Abstract— The objective of the practice is to determine the loss ℎ𝐿

of energy in valves and accessories on flow hydrodynamics. To 𝐾𝐿 = 𝑣
2

obtain the value of the loss of energy, the diameter of the pipes was 2𝑔

measured, the mass flux and the pressure in different points
through the system . After considering other technical aspects like
the material of the pipes, loss of energy was calculated. The
Equipment HM 122 helps us to understand the loss of energy of the
phenomena.
Where ℎ𝐿 is the additional irreversible head loss in the
piping system caused by insertion of the component, and is
defined as [1]:

I. INTRODUCTION ∆𝑃𝐿
ℎ𝐿 = ρ𝑔

The fluid in a typical piping system passes through

various fittings, valves, bends, elbows, tees, inlets, exits,
expansions, and contractions in addition to the straight
sections of piping. These components interrupt the smooth
flow of the fluid and cause additional losses because of the
flow separation and mixing they induce. In a typical system
with long pipes, these losses are minor compared to the head
loss in the straight sections (the major losses) and are called
minor losses. Although this is generally true, in some cases
the minor losses may be greater than the major losses. This
is the case, for example, in systems with several turns and
valves in a short distance. The head loss introduced by a
completely open valve, for example, may be negligible. But
a partially closed valve may cause the largest head loss in
the system, as evidenced by the drop in the flow rate. Flow
through valves and fittings is very complex, and a Figure 1. The loss coefficient of the component is
theoretical analysis is generally not plausible. Therefore, determine by measuring the additional pressure loss it causes
and dividing in by the dynamic pressure in the pipe
minor losses are determined experimentally, usually by the
manufacturers of the components.
Minor losses are usually expressed in terms of the loss
II. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
coefficient:
Pressure losses in various pipe elements is a key factor in
designing pipe systems. The HM 122 trainer allows the
determination by experiment of these important coefficients

1
and the investigation of the pressure curve in typical pipe
sections.

1. volumetric measuring tank

2. supply tank
3. centrifugal pump
4. rotameter
5. interchangeable valves and fittings
6. different pipe sections
7. pressure measuring points

Technical data

● 2-stage centrifugal pump

● power consumption: 0,37kW
● max. flow rate: 4,5m3/h
● max. head: 14,7m
● 3 straight pipe sections, measuring length: 2,5m
● copper,diameter: 28x1mm, 22x1mm
● steel, diameter: 1/2”
● Pipe section with pipe bend
● copper, diameter: 22x1mm
● Pipe section with contraction/enlargement
● copper
● contraction, diameter: 18x1mm
● enlargement, diameter: 28x1mm
● Pipe section with valves and fittings
● copper, diameter: 18x1mm
● Volumetric measuring tank: 20L
● Tank for water: 110L
● Measuring ranges
● pressure: -1…1,5bar
● differential pressure: 1x 0…+/-350mbar,
● 8x 0…1000mmWC
● flow rate: 1x 400…4000L/h
● 230V, 50Hz, 1 phase
● 230V, 60Hz, 1 phase; 120V, 60Hz, 1 phase
● UL/CSA optional
● LxWxH: 3260x790x1930mm
● Weight: approx. 340kg

2
 When the inlet diameter equals the outlet diameter, the loss
coefficient of a component can also be determined by
measuring the pressure loss across the component and
dividing it by the dynamic pressure:
∆𝑃𝐿
𝑘𝐿 = 1 2
( ρ𝑉 )
2

Experimental measures taken in laboratory:

Diameter 2
Material Length (m) Area (𝑚 )
(m)

−4
Cu (26) 0.026 1.3 5. 31 × 10
III. RESULTS
−4
Cu (16) 0.016 1.3 2. 01 × 10
𝐾𝑔
Consider water at 25 °C , the density is 997 3 . We
𝑚 St −4
obtain from the equipment the next results: 0.016 1.3 2. 01 × 10
(galvanized)

Material Diameter ∆P Mass flux Table 1, Experimental measures and data

Cu (26) 26 mm 5.5 mBar 0.092

𝑘𝑔
𝑠

Material ℎ1 (m) ℎ2 (m) 𝑑ℎ(m) 3

Q 𝑚 /s ε
Cu (16) 16 mm 251 mBar 0.111
𝑘𝑔
𝑠
Cu 0.0010
0.14 0.03 0.11 0.0015
St 16 mm 323 mBar 𝑘𝑔 (26) 6
0.123 𝑠
(galvanized)
Cu 0.0002
0.585 0.185 0.4 0.0015
(16) 2
Consider water at 25 °C , the kinematic viscosity is
St
𝑚
2
0.0002
0.9055 . Using the data obtained in the equipment, we (galva 0.585 0.2 0.385 0.15
𝑠 2
can calculate the next variables: nized)

Table 2, Experimental measures and data

Material Velocity Re ℎ𝐿 We used the next formula to obtain the velocity of the three
pipes:
Cu (26) 1.56 m/s 0.0448 0.056 m 𝑄
𝑉= 𝐴
Cu (16) 3.45 m/s 0.0609 2.566 m
Substituting values for each pipe:
St 3.11 m/s 0.05495 3.302 m
(galvanized)
0.00106
𝑉1 = −4 = 1. 99 𝑚/𝑠
5.31×10
For calculate ℎ𝐿, we used the next formula:
2
𝑉 0.00022
ℎ𝐿 = 𝑘𝐿 2𝑔 𝑉2 = −4 = 1. 09 𝑚/𝑠
2.01×10

3
Because the third pipe has the same area and mass flow, the
velocity is the same as the second pipe.
Giving the next results:

The next step is to calculate the Reynolds for each pipe

∆𝑃1 = 6951. 1 𝑃𝑎
using the next formula:
ρ𝑣𝐷 ∆𝑃2 = 4307. 76 𝑃𝑎
𝑅𝑒 = µ ∆𝑃3 = 1341. 28𝑃𝑎

Substituting values for each pipe:

IV. CONCLUSION
998×1.99×0.026
𝑅𝑒1 = −3 = 51636. 52
1.00×10
It can be concluded that the energy losses that occur in a
pipe arrangement are significant in a system, this may vary
998×1.09×0.026
𝑅𝑒2 = −3 = 17564. 8 depending on the number of accessories and the materials
1.00×10
used for said system or arrangement. One of the indicators
of power loss can be output flow and power. It is important
The next step is to calculate the friction factor using the
to take losses into account in order to make an optimal pipe
formula of Halland for the first two:
layout to meet the objectives of the system.

In this case, it was determined that the copper material pipes

are smooth inside and the thickness of the wall of this is less
𝑓1 = 0. 78 compared to the galvanized steel pipe since it has greater
roughness and the thickness of its wall is much greater
𝑓2 = 0. 09
which decreases the inner diameter of this, in turn can cause
a turbulent flow.
For the last friction factor we use the Moody equation:

𝑓3 = 0. 028
Now that we have the friction factors we use the
Darct-Weisbach equation to determine the head loses
V. REFERENCES
[1] Y. A. Cengel, "Internal flow”, Fundamental of
thermal-fluid sciences, 3th edition, pp. 549-552 ,
2008

ℎ𝑝1 = 0. 71 𝑚
ℎ𝑝2 = 0. 44 𝑚
ℎ𝑝1 = 0. 137 𝑚

To calculate the pressure differential we use the next

equation: