CEE5119 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB III

EXPERIMENT: FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPES AND FITTINGS

1.0 Introduction
When a layer of fluid is moved laterally to an adjacent layer, a force is set up within the fluid in
opposition to the shearing action. This internal resistance, known as viscosity of the fluid, is
caused by molecular adhesion and acts along the common boundary of the fluid layers. When a
fluid is flowing through a pipe, it experiences some resistance due to which some of energy
(head) of fluid is lost. Energy loss through friction in the length of pipeline is commonly termed
the major loss (hf) which is the loss of head due to pipe friction and to viscous dissipation in
flowing water. In fluid flow, major head loss or friction loss is the loss of pressure or “head” in
pipe flow due to the effect of the fluid’s viscosity near the surface of the pipe or duct. Major head
losses are a function of: flow regime (i.e., Reynolds number), flow velocity, pipe diameter and its
length, friction factor (flow regime (i.e., Reynolds number), relative roughness) Friction head
losses in straight pipes of different sizes can be investigated over a range of Reynolds' numbers
from 103 to nearly 105, thereby covering the laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow regimes in
smooth pipes. A further test pipe is artificially roughened and, at the higher Reynolds' numbers,
shows a clear departure from typical smooth bore pipe characteristics.
1.2 Aim
To determine, using the Cussons P5160 Friction losses in pipes and fittings apparatus, friction
losses in a range of pipe lengths, and fittings, experimentally.
1.3 Objectives
To study the friction loss due to friction, and different fittings in a pipe.
2.0 Theory
Pipe flow indicates the flowing of liquid within a closed conduit and the fluid flow is typically
flowing in a circular pipe. With the fluid flow in a closed conduit, hydraulic pressure is indeed
exerted on the conduit while it does not exert direct atmospheric pressure due to the atmospheric
pressure outside and inside the cylindrical pipe cancelled each other. Pipe flow can be separated
into laminar flow and turbulent flow.
The head loss due to friction can be calculated using the Darcy-Weisbach equation as shown as
below:
2
l v
h L, major =f 1
d 2g
whereby, f - Darcy friction factor
l - length of the pipe
d - diameter of the pipe
v - mean velocity of the fluid
g - gravitational acceleration

1
The head loss due to the pipe fittings, which is also known as minor losss can be calculated using
equation as shown as below:
2
v
h L, minor =K L 2
2g
whereby, KL = head loss coefficient
**Write Extensively on the theory
3.0 Experimental Procedure
3.1 Head loss due to friction
i. Connect Manometer probes with the tappings of pipes concerned
ii. Transmit water throughout the pipe system to eliminate bubbles trapped in the system
iii. Pump water, at a particular flowrate, into Pipe 4 and open valves connecting the pipe to keep
water flowing
iv. Record time taken to fill-up 10 litre amount of water in a side tube with a specific flowrate
v. Re do step 4 and get average time
vi. Observe head loss by taking the upper and lower meniscus of the manometer
vii. Repeat steps iv-vi at different flowrate

3.2 Head loss due to pipe fittings

With Reference to Figure 1, there are 4 pipe fittings to be used. They are 45° elbow (8), 45° Y-
junction (9), 90° bend (14) and 90° T-junction (15).
i. Connect Pressurized Manometer probes to tapping of 45° elbow fitting
ii. Record time to fill up 10 litre amount of water in a side tube, with a specific
flowrate
iii. Repeat step 2 and obtain average time
iv. Read upper and lower meniscus to detrmince head loss
v. Repeat steps i-iv for 45° Y-junction (9), 90° bend (14) and 90° T-junction (15).

4.0 Results
4.1 Head loss due to friction
Table 1. Water Manometer Readings
Test Qty Δt (s) Flow u h1 h1 Measured head
No. (1) rate Q (m/s) (mm) (mm) loss, hL (m
Δt1 Δt2 Δtavg
(m3/s) H2O)

2
 Table 2 Result Sheet
Test Measured head u (m/s) Reynolds Friction Calculated head
No. loss, hL (m number, Re coefficient, f loss, hL (m)
H2O) (from Moody
chart)

i. Plot a graph of Measured Head Loss against Mean Velocity

ii. Plot a graph of Measured Head Loss against Reynold’s Number
iii. Comment on your plots
4.2 Head loss due to pipe fittings
Table 3: Water manometer readings
Test Qty Δt (s) Flow u 45° 45° Y 90° Bend 90° T
No (l) rate (m/s) Elbow Junction Junction
Q
Δt1 Δt2 Δtavg (m3/s)
h1 h2 h1 h2 h1 h2 h1 h2
(m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m)

Table 4: Fitting factor

Fitting factor, KL (Calculated) Fitting factor, KL (Theoretical)
Test 45° 45° Y 90° 90° T 45° 45° Y 90° Bend 90° T
Elbow Junction Bend Junction Elbow Junction Junction
No.

Table 5: Deviation of fitting factor

Deviation (%)
Test No 45° Elbow 45° Y Junction 90° Bend 90° T Junction

3
 Table 6. Head loss in each pipe fittings
Measured head loss, hl (m) Theoretical head loss, hl (m)
Tes 45° 45° Y 90° 90° T 45° 45° Y 90° 90° T
t Elbow Junction Bend Junctio Elbow Junction Bend
n Junction
No.

Exercises
Plot a graph of Head Loss against mean velocity and make comment.

Figure 1 Cussons P5160 Friction losses in pipes and fittings apparatus

4
Figure 2. Moody Chart