[SEGi University]

[Chemical Engineering Laboratory 2]

SEGi University
EXPERIMENT 2: Friction Loss Along A
Pipe
Candidate’s Name: Ahmed Khalid GasmElseed
Student ID: scm 031773
Group Member’s Name:
Giethijwok Joshua Otor scm 030290

Harjendar singh scm 030698

Ronald Selvam scm 024241

Sivaraj A/L Kunajegar scm 024052

Oliver prasath A/L Richard scm 023448

Lecturer/ Supervisor: Dr.Chan

Date of Submission: 06/11/2015
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to verify the Darcy Weisbach equation by determining the

pressure loss along a horizontal pipe.

Also to differentiate between the types of fluid flows (laminar, transition and turbulent).

Introduction
The frictional resistance to fluid as it flows along a pipeline results in continuous loss of energy or
total head loss of the fluid. Friction loss is the loss of energy or “head” that occurs in pipe flow due to
viscous effects generated by the surface of the pipe. Friction Loss is considered as a "major loss" and
it is not to be confused with “minor loss” which includes energy lost due to obstructions. In
mechanical systems such as internal combustion engines, it refers to the power lost overcoming the
friction between two moving surfaces. This energy drop is dependent on the wall shear stress (τ)
between the fluid and pipe surface. The shear stress of a flow is also dependent on whether the flow is
turbulent or laminar. For turbulent flow, the pressure drop is dependent on the roughness of the
surface, while in laminar flow, the roughness effects of the wall are negligible. This is due to the fact
that in turbulent flow, a thin viscous layer is formed near the pipe surface which causes a loss in
energy, while in laminar flow, this viscous layer is non-existent. Figure 2.1 illustrates that the
frictional loss along a horizontal pipe with length, , is equals to the difference in levels between
piezometers A and B,h .

Figure 2.1: Diagram illustrating the frictional loss in terms of pressure head.
The frictional loss (hf) also can be determined by Darcy Weisbach equation:

- hf is the head loss due to friction (SI units: m);

- L is the length of the pipe (m);

- D is the hydraulic diameter of the pipe (for a pipe of circular section, this equals the internal
diameter of the pipe) (m);

- V is the average velocity of the fluid flow, equal to the volumetric flow rate per unit cross-sectional
wetted area (m/s);

- g is the local acceleration due to gravity (m/s2 );

- fD is a dimensionless coefficient called the Darcy friction factor. It can be found from a Moody
diagram or more precisely by solving the Modified Colebrook equation.

Friction factor is affected by the type of flows; laminar transition and turbulent, as well as the relative
roughness of the pipe. Figure 2.2 shows the motions of different type of flows by introducing a
filament of dye into the flow of the water along a glass pipe. At low velocities, the filament appeared
as a straight line, which passed down the whole length of the tube indicating laminar flow. At
intermediate velocities, transitional flow is observed where the filament is found to be fluctuated in
the water. At higher velocities, the filament mixed with the surrounding water randomly after passing
a little way along the pipe. The motion has now becomes turbulent. This flow is laminar, transitional
or turbulent is depends on the value of the Reynolds number, Re.

Figure 2.2: Experiment to illustrate laminar, transitional and turbulent flows

Experimental procedure
1- The inlet valve was adjusted to obtain a flow of water through the required test pipe.

2- Flow rates were measured using the volumetric tank in conjunction with flow control
valve.

3- For small flow rates the measuring cylinder was used in conjunction with flow control.

4- Head loss was measured between the tapping using the mercury manometer or pressurized
water manometer as appropriate.

5- The pressure head readings were obtained (at the inlet, and outlet, ) on test section.

6- Steps 1 -5 were repeated to obtain at least three sets of data for laminar, transitional and
turbulent flows.
Results

Volume Time h1 h2 h1 - h2 Q V Re Type

(mL) (s) (m3/s) (m/s) of
flow
115 19.97 370 165 205 5.759x10-6 0.815 386.352 laminar
mmH2O mmH2O mmH2O

95 19.7 335 205 130 4.822 x10-6 0.682 323.303 laminar

mmH2O mmH2O mmH2O

150 39 320 222 98 3.846 x10-6 0.544 257.884 laminar

mmH2O mmH2O mmH2O

150 19.73 495 140 355 7.603 x10-6 1.075 509.605 laminar
mmH2O mmH2O mmH2O

200 28.77 430 115 315 6.952 x10-6 0.983 465.993 laminar
mmH2O mmH2O mmH2O

100 31.29 305 230 75 3.196 x10-6 0.452 214.271 laminar

mmH2O mmH2O mmH2O

145 12.52 98 164 -66 1.158 x10-5 1.638 7051.21 turbulent

mmHg mmHg mmHg

250 11 49 210 -161 2.273 x10-5 3.215 13839.82 turbulent

mmHg mmHg mmHg

200 9.51 55 195 -140 2.103 x10-5 2.975 12806.68 turbulent

mmHg mmHg mmHg

Table 1: Flow Rate and Pressure Head

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Graph 1: h1-h2 versus V

205 0.815
130 0.682
98 0.544
75 0.452
315 0.983
355 1.075
66 1.638
140 2.975
161 3.215
 3

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6

Graph 2: logh1-h2 versus logV

Calculation
1] f = 0.166

= 0.891m

2] f = 0.199

=0.748m

3] f = 0.248

= 0.593m

4] f = 0.126

= 1.176m

5] f = 0.137

= 1.069m

6] f = 0.299

= 0.493m
7] f = 0.034

= 0.737m

8] f = 0.028

= 2.338m

9] f = 0.029

= 2.073m
Discussion
We noticed that the valueof h1-h2 become negative, that’s because of the
equipment set up that was used, so we changed it into h2-h1.
differences were noticed in the values of head loss in the experiment and in the
calculation which is caused by errors and mistakes.

Conclusion
In conclusion the Darcy Weisbach equation was approved to be an efficient way
to calculate hf from what was calculated an measured.

Also the errors in the experiment can be avoided by many ways such as
registering the values of h1 and h2 the moment the machine starts because of the
fluctuations of water and mercury in the pipes.
References
[1]Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, 3rd Edition,William S. Janna (1993)

[2]Cemical Engineering II laboratory handbook

[3] http://staff.fit.ac.cy/eng.fm/classes/amee202/Fluids%20Lab%20Friction%20losses.pdf
(accesed on 3/11/2015)