Experiment 7

Objective:
To determine the loss factors for flow through a range of pipe fittings including bends,
contractions, an enlargement, and a gate valve (Losses in Bends Apparatus)
Apparatus:
• Hydraulics Bench
• Energy losses in Bends and Fittings Apparatus
• Stopwatch

Equipment Description:
A set of fixtures, flow control valves, 12 manometers, differential pressure gauges, and an air-safe
valve form the power loss in fitting equipment.
The following fittings are then tested for their coefficient of head loss (K) in a series configuration:
The following:
 Long Bend: A long bend in a piping system refers to a curved section of a pipe used
to change the direction of the flow gradually. It helps in reducing pressure drop
compared to a sharp bend.
 Area Enlargement: Area enlargement in a pipe involves an increase in the cross-
sectional area of the pipe. This can be done for various reasons, such as reducing fluid
velocity to minimize energy losses or facilitating the transition between different pipe
sizes.
 Area Contraction: This is the opposite of area enlargement. It involves a reduction in
the cross-sectional area of the pipe. Area contractions can lead to increased fluid
velocity and, consequently, higher energy losses.
 Elbow: An elbow is a pipe fitting that is used to change the direction of the flow. It
typically refers to a sharp bend, which can result in higher energy losses compared to
a long bend.
 Short Bend: Similar to a long bend, a short bend is a curved section in a pipe. However,
it is typically more abrupt, leading to higher fluid friction and energy losses.
 Gate Valve: A gate valve is a type of valve used to control the flow of fluid through a
pipe. It operates by lifting a gate out of the path of the fluid. The presence of valves in
a piping system can contribute to energy losses.
 Miter: A miter bend is a type of pipe bend where the pipe is bent at an angle. It is often
used when a change in direction is required.
Procedure:
This section measures head losses resulting from fitting, with the exception of the gate valve; the
valve should thus be maintained fully open. In this respect, the following actions should be taken:
 Place the device on a hydraulic bench and ensure a horizontal foundation.
 Connect the input of the appliance to the supplier of the bank flow, and operate and
secure the output extension tube in position.
 Open the bench valve, the gate valve, and the flow valve, and start the pump with water
to fill the tube system with manometers. Check that the valve is closed by air-bleed.
 Connect the boring tubes from the air valve to the volumetric tank to purge air from the
pipe systems and manometers, remove the cap from the air vapor and release a flue
screw to allow the manometers to flow through. Tighten the screw if no bubbles of air
in the manometers are seen.
 Set the rate of flow. Several timed volumetric flow measurements can do this. Close
the ball valve for flow measurement and use a stop clock to measure the time it takes
to collect a known volume of fluid in the tank read from a glass sight hydraulic bench.
Collect water for at least one minute to reduce flow errors m
 Slightly open the air-bleed screw to enable air to enter the top of the gauge; tighten the
screw once it reaches a comfortable height. At the maximum flow rate, all manometer
levels must be in the scale. The air-bleed screw and hand pump can be used to further
modify these levels. The blowing air vacuum regulates the airflow via the air vacuum,
and the bleed vacuum must be opened while using the manual pump. The screw must
be closed after the pumping in order to preserve the hand pump pressure in the system.
 Take measurements at all manometers after the levels are constant.
 Repeat this technique for at least five measurement sets across a flow range of eight to
one
Energy Losses in Pipe Fittings Apparatus:
In order to quantify the pressure head difference induced by each fit, the gauge is taped into the
piping system (one before and one after every fit save the gate valve). A differential pressure gauge
measures the pressure difference for the valve directly. The air-smoke valve enables the system to
be purged and the water level in the gauges to be adjusted to a convenient level with the air being
allowed in. During trials on the gate valve, two clamps are inserted which close the tapping to the
meter. The flow rate of the flow control valve is regulated.
Observations & Graphs:

Table 1:

Fitting Manometer Manometer Head Vol V Time (s) Flow Velocity K=

h1 (m) h2 (m) Loss (m^3) Rate Q v (m/s^2) 2(h1h2)
h1h2 (m) (m^3/s) g/v^2

Long Bend 0.38 0.376 0.004 0.001 11.45 8.73E-05 0.29 0.9
Short Bend 0.36 0.351 0.009 0.001 11.45 8.73E-05 0.29 2.1
Elbow 0.344 0.322 0.022 0.001 11.45 8.73E-05 0.29 5.2
Mitre 0.301 0.272 0.029 0.001 11.45 8.73E-05 0.29 6.8
Contraction 0.3772 0.359 0.0182 0.001 11.45 8.73E-05 0.29 0.3
Enlargement 0.3772 0.379 -0.0018 0.001 11.45 8.73E-05 0.29 0.2

Table 2:
Fitting Manometer Manometer Head Vol V Time (s) Flow Velocity K=
h1 (m) h2 (m) Loss (m^3) Rate Q v (m/s^2) 2(h1h2)
h1h2 (m) (m^3/s) g/v^2

Long Bend 0.386 0.38 0.006 0.001 7.23 1.38E-04 0.45823 0.6
Short Bend 0.365 0.36 0.005 0.001 7.23 1.38E-04 0.45823 0.5
Elbow 0.35 0.325 0.025 0.001 7.23 1.38E-04 0.45823 2.3
Mitre 0.309 0.28 0.029 0.001 7.23 1.38E-04 0.45823 2.7
Contraction 0.387 0.297 0.09 0.001 7.23 1.38E-04 0.45823 0.3
Enlargement 0.367 0.389 -0.022 0.001 7.23 1.38E-04 0.45823 1.8
Table 3:
Fitting Manometer Manometer Head Vol V Time Flow Velocity v K=
h1 (m) h2 (m) Loss (m^3) (s) Rate Q (m/s^2) 2(h1h2)
h1h2 (m^3/s) g/v^2
(m)
Long Bend 0.386 0.379 0.007 0.001 5 0.0002 0.662603 0.3
Short Bend 0.365 0.357 0.008 0.001 5 0.0002 0.662603 0.4
Elbow 0.349 0.32 0.029 0.001 5 0.0002 0.662603 1.3
Mitre 0.305 0.277 0.028 0.001 5 0.0002 0.662603 1.2
Contraction 0.389 0.3368 0.0522 0.001 5 0.0002 0.662603 0.76
Enlargement 0.387 0.399 -0.012 0.001 5 0.0002 0.662603 0.65

Table 4:
Fitting Manometer h1 Manometer h2 Head Vol V Time (s) Flow Velocity v K=
(m) (m) Loss (m^3) Rate Q (m/s^2) 2(h1h2)
h1h2 (m) (m^3/s) g/v^2

Long Bend 0.358 0.355 0.003 0.001 12.34 8.10E-05 0.268478 0.8
Short Bend 0.343 0.336 0.007 0.001 12.34 8.10E-05 0.268478 1.9
Elbow 0.33 0.31 0.02 0.001 12.34 8.10E-05 0.268478 5.4
Mitre 0.294 0.273 0.021 0.001 12.34 8.10E-05 0.268478 5.7
Contraction 0.299 0.389 0.02 0.001 12.34 8.10E-05 0.268478 0.12
Enlargement 0.376 0.356 -0.003 0.001 12.34 8.10E-05 0.268478 0.34

Graph 01:
Graph 02:

Comments:
 After performing the experiment, we observed that when the given fluid flows through
the pipe fittings such as any bend, expansion, or contraction through any cross-section
energy losses occur.
 As the direction of the fluid changes, we encounter minor head losses across that cross-
section, typically across valves and fittings.
 Head loss is proportional to the velocity head of the fluid.