Instructor: Shameen Mohammed-Baksh

UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

DEPARTMENT OF PROCESS ENGINEERING

PEOP1009-FLUID FRICTION LAB – 5%

FLUID FRICTION LAB:

1. To find the resistance coefficient, K from head loss, hL

2. To determine the friction factor, f from head loss, hL for a length of pipe

DIAGRAM:

1. Set up equipment by first checking to see if there is a sufficient water supply

to pump.

2. Open/close valves on the system to ensure that flow is only through one line

3. Insert manometer leads across your “choice of resistance to flow” eg.

a. ½ inch pipe of length ...............m and internal diameter 0.01664 m

(Smooth or rough)

b. Valve (state type)

c. Two standard elbows

d. Two long sweep elbows

e. ....... Inch pipe of length ............m and internal diameter .............m

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 Instructor: Shameen Mohammed-Baksh

f. Other:

Circle which of the above you have chosen, if other specify

4. Start pump

5. Control valve for flow into drain so that a measurable difference in the
heights across the manometer can be taken. h1 = .............cm

6. Bleed all lines as needed

7. It may be necessary to open valve at top of joint manometer arrangement to

create an air cushion at the top portion of the manometer.

8. Place stopper across drain and time (use stop clock or cell phone for timing)
how long it takes to fill 25 or 30 litres of water. ..............litres ...........seconds

9. Record and calculate values on a table as that below if a Fitting was selected:

Volume Time in Flow Pipe Pipe Velocity Velocity Head Head Resistance
in second rate, Dia. area in m/s head in Loss Loss coefficient
Litres =T Q in in m in m2 v=Q/A mH2O in in K=
=Vol m3/s =D =A =v = v2/2g mHg mH2O hL/(v2/2g)
=Q hL= hL=
h1-h2 h1-h2

To convert from mHg to mH2O multiply by 13.6

10. Record and calculate values on a table as that below if a Length of pipe was
selected: NOTE; Pipe Length, L =

Volume Time in Flow Pipe Pipe Velocity Velocity Head Head Friction
in second rate, Dia. area in m/s head in Loss Loss factor, f
Litres =T Q in in m in m2 v=Q/A mH2O in in ℎ𝐿
=Vol m3/s =D =A = v2/2g mHg mH2O 𝑓=
=v 𝐿 𝑣2
=Q hL= hL= 𝐷 2𝑔
h1-h2 h1-h2

To convert from mHg to mH2O multiply by 13.6

Sample Calculations to be done for each flowrate are as follows:

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 Instructor: Shameen Mohammed-Baksh

11. Calculate the value of flow rate, Q in m3/s, Q = .....................m3/s

12. From diameter of pipe containing valve or fitting (measure diameter using
vernier calipers), find flow area, A =...........m2

13. Calculate velocity &velocity head. v =Q/A, v= ..........m/s. v2/2g=.........m

14. Stop pump.

15. Pressure head across manometer, hL = .....................m

16. Consider whether the fitting is one or two, then;

Calculate the resistance coefficient from K = hL/(v2/2g). K = ............

17. Repeat above for one or two more flow rates and calculate K values again.

18. K2 = ............ K3 = .............

19. Explain either the consistent results or the lack of consistent results.

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20. IF NOT a Fitting but a Length of pipe is considered then from point 16
ℎ𝐿
calculate the friction factor, f from 𝑓 = 𝐿 𝑣2
𝐷 2𝑔

21. Repeat above for one or two more flow rates and calculate f values again.

22. f2 = ............ f3 = .............

23. Explain either the consistent results or the lack of consistent results.

INSTRUCTION FOR LAB WRITE UP:

1. Cover Page with

i) Group Members’ Names

ii) Name of course

iii) Name of Lab

iv) Name of instructor

v) Date of Lab

2. OBJECTIVE/AIM

3. DIAGRAM / APPARATUS USED

4. PROCEDURE

5. PRECAUTIONS

6. RESULTS (preferably tabulated)

7. CALCULATIONS (SAMPLE IF NUMEROUS)

8. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

9. REFRENCES

10. Original lab script with original results recorded

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