1

Experiment no. 9
FRICTION LOSS

TEAMBER
AZUCENA, HANNAH ROSE R.
MANAJERO, RAFF GABRIEL A.
I. Objectives
A. General Objective
The experiment aims to determine the friction losses on pipes, valves, and fittings.
B. Specific Objectives
Specifically, the experiment aims:
1. to measure and compare the pressure drop due to friction in straight pipes, pressure drop of the
fluid when it flows through different valves, and the pressure drop in different fittings,
2. to determine the friction coefficient of pipes and empirical coefficient of different valves and
fittings, and
3. to determine and compare the friction losses.
II. Materials and Methods
a. Materials and Apparatus
1. AFT Unit
2. Water
3. Hydraulic bench
 2

Figure 1. AFTC/AFT/AFT-B/AFT-P. Adapted from “AFTC/AFT/AFT-B/AFT-P Unit” by Edibon

International, 2018, Retrieved April 5, 2019 from www.edibon.com

b. Methods
1. Start-up
i. Connect the hydraulic bench to the unit and switch on the pump.
ii. Check if there are air bubbles present. If there are, open the valve and wait until all the air
from the pipe is removed.
2. For Pipes, Valves, and Fittings
i. Fully open regulation valve number 23.
ii. Connect the pressure taps of the corresponding manometer to the inlet and outlet of pipe
number 2.
iii. Regulate the flow using the valve on the hydraulic bench.
iv. Record the necessary data.
v. Repeat steps ii-iv using other pipes, valves, and fittings.
III. Raw Data Sheet

Table 1. Height (mm H2O) at different flow rates (L/min) in different pipes
P2 P3 P4 P5 P6
Flow no. Flow Rate
H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2
1
2
3
4
5

Table 2. Height (mm H2O) at different flow rates (L/min) in different valves
Angle Seat Gate Diaphragm Ball
Flow no. Flow Rate
H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2
1
2
3
4
5

Table 3. Height (mm H2O) at different flow rates (L/min) in different fittings
T Junction 45◦ Elbow 90◦ Elbow
Flow no. Flow Rate
H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2
1
 3

2
3
4
5

IV. Data Treatment

𝜋𝐷2
(equation 1) 𝑄 = 𝐴(𝑣) = (𝑣) where D = pipe diameter [m], v = fluid velocity [m/s], Q = flow rate [m 3/s]
4
𝐷𝑣𝜌
(equation 2) 𝑁𝑅𝑒 = where D = pipe diameter [m], v = velocity [m/s], 𝜌 = density [kg/m3], 𝜇 = viscosity
𝜇

[kg/ms]
𝐷 2𝑔
(equation 3) 𝑓 = ℎ𝑓 ( ) ( 2 ) where D = inner diameter of pipe [m], hf = pressure drop [m], L = length of
𝐿 𝑣
pipe [m], v = fluid velocity [m/s], gravity acceleration [m/s 2], f = friction coefficient
𝑣2
(equation 4) ℎ𝑓 = 𝐾𝑓 where Kf is the empirical coefficient for the fitting or valve, v is the velocity, and hf
2
is the friction loss
1. Calculate the fluid’s velocity using equation 1.
2. Calculate the Reynolds’ number using equation 2.
3. Calculate the friction coefficient using equation 3.
4. Using Moody chart, determine friction factor.
5. Calculate friction loss in valves and fittings using equation 4.