Sultanate of Oman

University of Technology and Applied Sciences

Higher College of Technology

Department of Engineering
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Section

MIAC 2110/ Airflow Dynamics

Semester I AY 2020-2021

Hafiz Zafar Sharif

ENGG_CC_PPT Notes_01Sep2020_V01 MIAC 2110 Air Flow Dynamics 1

Fanning Equation: Outcome No.2

•Learning objective

• Determine the energy loss of airflow through a

circular duct by using fanning equation

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MIAC 2110 Air Flow Dynamics 2
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Fanning Equation
• When a fluid flows through a conduit, the amount of energy
lost due to friction depends on the properties of the flowing
fluid and the extent of the conduit system. For the case of
steady flow through long straight pipes of uniform diameter,
the variables affect the amount of frictional losses are the
velocity at which the fluid is flowing, the density of the fluid,
the viscosity of the fluid, the diameter of the pipe, the
length of the pipe, and the roughness of the pipe.
• By applying the method of dimensional analysis to these
variables, the following expression can be obtained for the
frictional loss in the system, where the mechanical energy
lost as friction (F) is equivalent to the pressure drop over the
system due to friction divided by the density of the flowing
fluid:
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• F = 2 𝑓 (V2L/D)

• This expression is known as the Fanning Equation and is

strictly applicable only to point conditions or to a system in
which the fluid density, viscosity, and linear velocity are
constant.
• The friction factor 𝒇 is based on experimental data and has
been found to be a function of the Reynolds number and the
relative roughness of the pipe. The equivalent pipe
roughness is designated by the symbol ∈ and represents the
average roughness or depth of the surface irregularities. The
relative roughness is defined as the dimensionless ratio of
the equivalent pipe roughness to the pipe diameter or ∈/𝐷 ,
where ∈and D are expressed in the same units.
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MIAC 2110 Air Flow Dynamics 5
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Example 2.4

•A liquid flows through a straight steel pipe at

a velocity of 4.6 m/sec. The inside diameter
of the pipe is 0.0525 m. The density of the
liquid is 640 kg/m3, and its viscosity is
0.004464kg/m.s. , If the pipe is 18.288m
long, calculate the mechanical-energy loss
due to friction.

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MIAC 2110 Air Flow Dynamics 6
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Given:
• Inside diameter of the pipe = 0.0525 m
• Velocity of liquid = 4.6 m/s
• Density of the liquid = 640 kg/m3
• Viscosity of liquid = 0.004464 kg/ m. s
• Length of the pipe = 18.288 m
• Required: Mechanical Energy loss due to friction
• Solution:
• Mechanical energy loss due to friction:
• F = 2 𝑓 (V2L/D)

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MIAC 2110 Air Flow Dynamics 7
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•𝑓 Is unknown, we can calculate this value
from fanning friction chart. To calculate𝑓, we
need value of Reynolds no and relative
roughness ( ∈/𝐷).
•Re = 𝐷 𝑉𝜌 / 𝜇
•Re = .0525 ∗ 4.6 ∗ 640/0.004464
•Re = 34623.6
•Re = 3.46236 *104
•∈ = 0.000046 m, and D = .0525m
•∈/𝐷 = .000046/.0525 = .000876
•From fig.2.3𝑓 is equal to .0065
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•By putting all values in equation 2.6b,
we will get the result of mechanical loss
due to friction
•F = 2 𝑓 (V2L/D)
•F = 2 ∗0.0065 (4.62* 18.29/.0525)
•F = 95.83 N-m /kg Answer.

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MIAC 2110 Air Flow Dynamics 9
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