ADDIS ABABA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Department of Electromechanical Engineering
Thermo-Fluid Lab report
Minor and Major losses in pipes Lab Report
Group Members
1. Amanuel Takele ---------- ETS 0125/10
2. Ayano Alene --------------- ETS 0174/10
3. Bazin Leule ----------------- ETS 0195/10
4. Betelhem Girma ---------- ETS 0251/10
5. Bezawit Sitotaw ---------- ETS 0270/10
6. Biniyam Negash ----------- ETS 0281/10
7. Birhanu Yenew ------------ ETS 0286/10
8. Biruck Zewdie -------------- ETS 0289/10
9. Dawit Abebaw -------------- ETS 0351/10
10. Dawit Ayele ---------------- ETS 0356/10
11. Eiskias Wondwossen ----- ETS 0421/10
12. Kalab Gette ----------------- ETS 0545/09
13. Dawit Tamene ------------- ETS 0370/10
Submitted to: Mr. Million
Date of experiment performed: December 6, 2021
Date of Submission: December 13, 2021
Abstract
Pressure losses occur in pipe systems as a result of friction and turbulence. In practice, the use
of shut-off valves and fittings causes pressure losses that need to be taken into consideration
when designing pipe networks. The HL 113 unit can be used to investigate the pressure losses
of different shut-off valves and fittings.

Introduction

Two types of energy loss predominate in fluid flow through a pipe network; major losses, and
minor losses. Major losses are associated with frictional energy loss that is caused by the
viscous effects of the medium and roughness of the pipe wall. Minor losses, on the other hand,
are due to pipe fittings, changes in the flow direction, and changes in the flow area. Due to the
complexity of the piping system and the number of fittings that are used, the head loss
coefficient (K) is empirically derived as a quick means of calculating the minor head losses.
On the training panel for Losses on standard fixtures HL 113 for investigating pressure losses we
have conducted experimental investigation of flow losses on standard shut-off fixtures. On this
experiment the influence of different fixtures such as Ball valve of PVC, Ball valve of galvanized
brass, Slanted-seat in-line valve, Straight-seat valve, Socket shut-off gate valve are investigated.
Minor losses in pipes come from changes and components in a pipe system. This is different
from major losses because those come from friction in pipes over long spans. If the pipe is long
enough the minor losses can usually be neglected as they are much smaller than the major
losses. Even though they are termed “minor”, the losses can be greater than the major losses,
for example, when a valve is almost closed the loss can be almost infinite or when there is a
short pipe with many bends in it. There are three types of forces that contribute to the total
head in a pipe, which are elevation head, pressure head, and velocity head. Minor losses are
directly related to the velocity head of a pipe, meaning that the higher the velocity head there
is, the greater the losses will be.
A separate head loss coefficient, k, can be determined for every element leading to minor
losses. K is a dimensionless parameter to help determine head loss. The coefficient is then
multiplied by the velocity head to get the head loss as shown below in

where Pi is static pressure (in Pa) at point i, g is specific weight of the fluid (in N/m3), zi is the
elevation (in meters) of point i, Vi is the fluid velocity (in m/s) at point i, g is the gravitational
constant (in m/s2), and hL is head loss (in meters).
The Reynolds number Re is calculated from the pipe diameter d, flow speed v and kinematic
viscosity v.

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For hydraulically smooth pipes (Re < 65 d/k) and a Reynolds number in a range of 2320 < Re <
105, the pipe friction coefficient is calculated according to the Blasius formula

Special pipe components and fittings such as pipe bends or elbows, pipe branches, changes in
cross-section or also valves and flaps produce additional pressure losses apart from the wall
friction losses. For changes in cross-section and the associated changes in speed, the proportion
of the total pressure loss made up of Bernoulli’s pressure loss (dyn. pressure) needs to be taken
into account. Bernoulli’s equation with loss element is

Based on the assumption of equal heights z1 and z2, this results in the total pressure loss that
can be measured

The measured total head loss and the known pipe friction without changing the cross-section
can be used to determine the coefficient of resistance

Apparatus
Specification
1. investigation of the pressure losses at various shut-off valves and fittings
2. pipe elements are commercially standard components in heating and sanitary
engineering
3. clear panel mounted on a sturdy, movable frame
4. pipe sections can be individually selected via ball valves
5. water connections with quick-release couplings
6. flow can be adjusted via valves
7. flow measurement using rotameter
8. differential pressure measurement via differential pressure meter with display
Technical data
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Ball valve, plastic, transparent, Ø: DN32
Ball valve, steel, Ø: DN15
Angle seat valve, Ø: DN15
Screw-down valve, Ø: DN15
Gate valve, Ø: DN15
Differential pressure meter
Measuring ranges
flow rate: 200…1700L/h
pressure: ±200mbar

Fig. 1: Training panel construction HL 113

1 Float flow meter
2 Stop valve measurement section
3 Annular chamber with rapid-action coupling
4 Measuring object ball valve PVC, DN32
5 Digital differential pressure gauge
6 Training panel with handles
7 Measuring object Ball valve Steel, DN15
8 Measuring object Slanted-seat In-line valve, DN15
9 Measuring object Straight-seat In-line valve, DN15
10 Measuring object Socket shut-off valve, DN15
11 Regulator valve Water inlet
12 Regulator valve Water outlet
13 Water outlet with rapid-action coupling

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Objectives
The main objective is to practically experiment on
 pressure losses in valves and fittings
 measuring the pressure difference
 effect of the valve orifice shape on the pressure loss
 effect of the flow velocity
 determination of resistance coefficients
 comparison between experiment and calculation

Method
Commissioning
Hang the training panel in the universal frame for training panels HL 100 or the supply table for
HL090 training panels and secure it from rolling by applying the brakes.
- Select a level, waterproof support surface then Connect the water supply on the socket
shut-off gate V1 with the rapid action coupling then Attach water drain on socket shut-
off gate V2 with rapid action coupling
Check the test stand for leaks:
- Open the outlet valve then Activate the water flow then Slowly open all ball valves one
after the other and flush the pipe lines. then Close the outlet valve. This ensures that the
piping system is completely under pressure then Rinsing the experimental unit must be
carried out until no more air bubbles rise up through the float flow meter after briefly
closing and opening all valves
Check all lines and connections for leaks.

Connecting the differential pressure measuring instrument

- The training panel must be free of pressure:
Closed regulating valve, socket shut-off gate valve opens in drain then Connect the
ventilation hose to the pressure measuring instrument. then Connect the +P connection
with the annular chamber at the inlet of the measuring section. then Connect the -P
connection with the annular chamber at the outlet of the measuring section.

Flushing the measuring lines and the measuring instrument

- Open the bleed valves (16, 17) on the pressure measuring instrument. then Slowly
open the regulating valve (11) flush the pipe section or measuring lines, until no air
bubbles appear in the measuring lines. then Close the bleed valve +P and then close the
bleed valve -P then Close the infeed again with the regulating valve. then Switch the
measuring instrument on. then if there is no more flow, set the display to zero with the
offset adjuster.The differential pressure gauge is now ready for operation. If air bubbles
can be seen in the
Measuring lines, the bleeding process should be repeated.

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Operating the differential pressure gauge
The differential pressure gauge is equipped with a sensitive piezo-resistive pressure sensor. This
pressure sensor is only suitable for positive pressure differences. For measuring pressure
differences, the connections are to be swapped. The following rules are to be followed so that
the sensitive sensors will not be damaged:
- The +P connection is always on the measuring point with the higher pressure
(Measuring section inlet).
- The -P connection is always on the measuring point with the lower pressure
(Measuring section outlet).

Flow measurement
To measure the flow, a float flow meter with the
following features is used.
- Precision measurement tube of Trogonid
- Exchangeable float of stainless steel
- Clear legible scale
- Max. flow 1600 l/h
- Precision class 2.5
The flow can be read in the upper edge of the
tapered lip.
Air bubbles or particles of contamination on the float can influence the measuring precision.
In order to rinse it away, operate the test stand with maximum flow. Open all taps completely
for this. The pressure gauge is connected and the measurements are carried out.

Results and conclusion

Measured results
1 Ball valve, PVC
DN32 l = 240 mm

Volumetric flow in l / h Pv in mbar

1200 1.8
1050 1.2
900 0.9
750 0.7
600 0.6
450 0.4

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 Table 1: Measured results of Ball valve, PVC

Measured results
2 Ball valve, MS offs
DN15 l = 220 mm

Volumetric flow in l / h Pv in mbar

1200 16.2
1050 11.5
900 7.2
750 6.3
600 3.4
450 1.6
Table 2: Measured results of Ball valve, MS offs

Measured results
3 Slanted-seat In-line valve
DN15 l = 250 mm

Volumetric flow in l / h Pv in mbar

1200 69.3
1050 51.3
900 34.3
750 24.2
600 15
450 8.1
Table 3: Measured results of Slanted-seat In-line valve

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 Measured results
4 Straight-seat In-line valve
DN15 l = 220 mm

Volumetric flow in l / h Pv in mbar

1200 135.7
1050 86.3
900 62.2
750 35
600 19.2
450 8.2
Table 4: Measured results of Straight-seat In-line valve

Measured results
5 Socket shut-off gate valve
DN15 l =180 mm

Volumetric flow in l / h Pv in mbar

1200 20.4
1050 16.1
900 13.2
750 10.1
600 6.7
450 4.6
Table 5: Measured results of Socket shut-off gate valve

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 160

140
135.7

120

100

86.3
80

69.3
60 62.2

51.3

40
35 34.3

24.2
20 19.2 20.4
15 16.1 16.2
13.2 11.5
8.2
8.1 10.1
6.7 6.3 7.2
4.6 3.4
0 1.6
0.4 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.8
450 600 750 900 1050 1200

1 Ball valve, PVC 2 Ball valve, MS offs 3 Slanted-seat In-line valve

4 Straight-seat In-line valve 5 Socket shut-off gate valve

Fig. 2: Graphic representation

Calculation of coefficient of resistances ζR for various ball valves, Valve and gate

Pipe section Internal Length in Volumetric Flow Reynolds d/k

diameter mm flow V in speed v in No. Re
d in mm m3 /s m/s
1 ball valve 32 240 33.3*10 -5 0.41 12159 32000
DN32
2 ball valve 15 220 33.3*10 -5 1.88 26135 15000
DN15
3 slanted-seat 18 250 33.3*10 -5 1.31 21853 18000
valve DN15
4 straight-seat 17 220 33.3*10 -5 1.47 23160 17000
valve DN15
5 socket gate 15 180 33.3*10 -5 1.88 30241 15000
valve DN15

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 Pipe section λ Calculation in Pipe friction Measured Coefficient of
accordance with coefficient λ pressure loss resistance ζR 1
Pvges in mbar ball valve DN32
2 ball valve DN15 Blasius 0.0249 16.2 0.093

3 slanted-seat valve Blasius 0.0260 69.3 3.677

DN15
4 straight-seat valve Blasius 0.0256 135.7 5.948
DN15
5 socket gate valve Blasius 0.0286 20.4 0.233
DN15

Conclusion

The experimental values for major and minor head losses are measured and they are compared
to the theoretical values respectively. There are 2 losses namely major and minor losses. Major
Head loss is caused by the frictional force in the straight pipe and minor head loss is caused by
the loss coefficient of the various pipe fittings.
In this experiment we can be conclude that there is direct relationship between head loss and
mean velocity of fluid. When open the ball valve has a relatively smooth and free cross-section.
Therefore, here the lowest pressure losses are found. Due to its jagged passage cross-section,
the slanted seat in-line valve has a significantly higher coefficient of resistance. The socket shut-
off gate valve, has the same completely free passage cross-section as the ball valve. However,
there are side recesses for holding sealing surfaces, resulting in swirling. This means that the
coefficient of resistance is not as good as with the ball valve. Overall, the coefficients for
resistance values are seen to be in a similar characteristic to those in the documentation.

Reference
Fluid Mechanics: Yunus A. Cengel & John M. Cimbala (2014). Fundamentals and Applications 3rd Edition

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