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Minor Losses in Pipes
Minor Losses in Pipes
Losses due to the local disturbances of the flow in the conduits such as changes in
cross section, projecting gaskets, elbows, valves and similar items are called minor
losses. In case of a very long pipe, these losses are usually insignificant in
comparison to the fluid friction in the length considered. But In case of short pipes,
these minor losses may actually be major losses such as in suction pipe of a pump
with strainer and foot valves.
Minor loss in diverging flow is much larger than that in converging flow. Minor losses
generally increase with an increase in the geometric distortion of the flow. Though
minor losses are usually confined to a very short length of path, the effects may not
disappear for a considerable distance downstream. It is insignificant in case of
laminar flow.
Referring to the fig. as fluid from reservoir enters the pipe, the streamline tends to
converge, so at B there is maximum velocity and minimum pressure which is in the
state of turbulence but has very little forward motion. Between B and C fluid is in a
Loss of energy at entrance is distributed along the length AC. Increases turbulence
and vortex motion in this section of the pipe causes much greater friction loss
compared to the corresponding length of pipe where flow is normal as shown in
diagram.
Of the total loss, a portion of h’ would be due to the normal pipe friction. Hence the
difference between this and the total loss is the value of extra loss at occurs at the
entrance. The loss of head at the entrance is given by
he = ke V2/2g
where ,
The entrance loss is caused primarily by the turbulence created by the enlargement
of the stream after it passes through the section of vena contraction, which is
formed immediately after the edge of the entering mouth.
For a square edged entrance, as shown in fig. ke has a value of around 0.5
hd’ = V2/2g
The discharge loss coefficient is 1.0 under all conditions. Only way to reduce this
loss is to reduce the value of V by means of diverging tube as in the case of draft
tube in reaction turbine.
As contrasted with entrance loss, it must be noted that discharge loss occurs after
the fluid leaves the pipe, while entrance loss occurs after fluid enters the pipe.
he = ke V22/2g
The loss due to sudden expansion is greater than the loss due to a corresponding
contraction. This is because diverging paths of the flow tend to encourage the
formation of eddies with the flow. Moreover, separation of the flow from the wall of
the pipe induces pockets of eddying turbulence outside the flow region.In
converging glow there is a dampening effect on eddy formation and the conversion
from pressure energy to kinetic energy is quite efficient.
h’ =k’(V1 – V2)2/2g
h = kV2/2g
The head loss produced by bend(hb =kb(V1 – V2)2/2g) is dependent upon the ratio of
the radius of the curvature r to the diameter of the pipe D. For rough pipes kb
depends on both r/D and e/D. Bend loss is not proportional to the angle of bend; for
Hence power delivered to the liquid by the pump is yQ(dz +dh). The power
required to run the pump is greater than this, depending upon the efficiency of the
pump.
The machine that is used for converting energy of flow into mechanical work is
called turbine. In flowing from the upper tank to lower as shown in fig below, the
fluid losses potential energy head equivalent to Δz. This energy is expended in two
ways, part of it in hydraulic friction in the pipe and remainder in the turbine.
ht= Δz - ΣhL
where is the loss of head in the supply pipe and doesn’t include the head loss in
draft tube.