FRICTION LOSSES IN THE PIPE

Experiment No: 4

AIM : To determine the loss of head in a pipe due to (Minor

Losses)
1. Sudden Enlargement
2. Sudden Contraction

APPARATUS : 1. Pipe line fitting apparatus set

2. Stop Watch

THEORY : When the velocity of flowing liquid changes either

magnitude or direction, there is a large scale of turbulence
ad graduate due to formation of eddies in which a large
portion of the energy processed by flowing liquid is
established which ultimately dissipates as heat. Hence it is
an energy loss. The change in velocity of flow is due to
change in the cross sectional area of flow passage and
change in direction of velocity of flow passage. The loss of
energy due to sudden change is more than that of
graduated changes. The magnitude of these energy losses
was obtained by applying the energy momentum Equation

 Loss of head due to sudden Expansion

h1 = (v1-v2)2 / 2g.
Where v1, v2 are mean velocities of flow in small and
large pipes.

 Loss of head due to sudden contraction

h1 = 0.33 v12 / 2g.
Where v is the mean velocity of flow in small pipes.

PROCEDURE : 1. Open the inlet valve fully by keeping the outlet closed.
2. Connect the manometeric rubber tubing’s to one of the
pipes and check there is no air bubble entrapping.
3. Open partially the outlet valve of pipe for which loss of
head is to be measured and the outlet valves of other pipes
are closed.
4. Allow the flow to get stabilized, then take manometer
readings.
5. Find out actual discharge by noting time, t taken for
collecting tank the discharge in a measuring tank for
known depth, say 20 cm, using stop watch.
6. Vary the flow rate by adjusting the outlet valve and at least
four readings.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for different pipe fittings.

FORMULA : H = Differential pressure head between inlet and outlet at

(Expansion valve / Contraction valve).
H = h ((Sm / S) -1) = h ((13.6/1) -1) =12.6 h
h = Difference in Hg level
Q act = AR / T
A = Area of the collecting tank
 R = Rise of water level.
T = Time taken for rise of water.

TABULAR FORM:

Type Contraction Expansion

h1 in cm
Manometer
h2 in cm
readings
H= (h1-h2)*12.6
Time taken for 20
cm rise of tank.
Actual Discharge
of the pipe. (Qact)
Velocity of the
flow V2=Q/A2
(m/sec)
Velocity of the
flow V1=Q/A1
(m/sec)
Loss of energy
hv=v2/2g
Loss of energy
H=(v1-v2)2 / 2g.
Loss of coefficient
K=H/ hv

PRECAUTIONS:

 Take care that there are no air bubbles entrapped in the apparatus when noting
the manometer readings.
 There should be no leakages from any of the pipe fittings.

RESULT: The head loss due to minor (Friction) loss is measured =

OBSERVATIONS:

Diameter of the pipe (D1) =12.7mm =0.0127m.

C/S Area of the pipe (A1) = (∏ / 4)*D 12
= 1.26*10-4 m2.
Enlarged diameter of the pipe (D2) = 25.4mm = 0.0254m.
C/S Area of the pipe (A2) = (∏ / 4)*D 22
=5.06*10-4 m2.
Dimensions of the collecting tank = length =0.3m
Width =0.3m
Area of the collecting tank =l*b =0.3*0.3
=0.09m2.
 OBSERVATIONS:

Diameter of the pipe (D1) =12.7mm =0.0127m.

C/S Area of the pipe (A1) = (∏ / 4)*D 12
= 1.26*10-4 m2.
Enlarged diameter of the pipe (D2) = 25.4mm = 0.0254m.
C/S Area of the pipe (A2) = (∏ / 4)*D 22
=5.06*10-4 m2.
Dimensions of the collecting tank = length =0.3m
Width =0.3m
Area of the collecting tank =l*b =0.3*0.3
=0.09m2.
Tabular form:
Type Manometer readings Time Actual Velocity Velocity Loss of Loss
H1. H2. H=(H1- taken Discharg of the of the energy of
cm cm H2)*12.6 for 20 e of the flow. flow. hv= (v1- energy
in cm. cm rise pipe. V2=Q/ V1=Q/ v2)2/2g. hv=v2/
of tank. (Qact) A2 A1 Exp. 2g.
(m/sec) (m/sec) Contra
Contraction 14.5 22.8 104.58 28 7.39*10 -4
1.46 5.87 0.108
16 21.5 69.3 33 6.2*10 -4
1.22 4.92 0.075
Expansion 16.5 21 56.7 30 6.9*10-4 1.36 5.47 0.86
17.5 20 31.5 34 6.08*10 -4
1.20 4.83 0.67

CALCULATIONS:

Contraction:

Actual Discharge (Qact) = (Area of the tank*height of rise of the tank) / time taken.
= (0.1035*0.2)/28
= 7.39*10-4m3/sec.

Velocity of flow (V) = Q/A = 7.39*10-4/5.06*10-4

= 1.46m/sec.

Loss of energy hv=v2/2g

= 1.462/2*9.81
= 0.108.