Introduction:

Understanding pressure changes along the pipeline is essential when designing pipe
systems for the flow of fluids. Any piping system will experience a pressure drop or head loss,
and the main source of head loss is friction generated by the internal pipe roughness or change in
diameter [1]. Another source of pressure drop is bends, contractions, valves, and enlargements
which are considered to cause a minor loss. Pipes may be bent to change the direction of flow,
and pipes of various diameters can be connected using enlargement and contraction fittings [2].
The friction losses in long pipes are significantly more than these minor losses due to fittings.
Nevertheless, in a short pipeline, the minor head loss is taken into consideration since it is
equally significant to the large head loss for the most accurate prediction. The aim of this
experiment is to determine the loss coefficient and compare the results to theoretical values to
study the head loss in a pipeline that has some fittings.

- The pressure drop and head loss due to fittings are calculated, using the following
equations:
2
ρv
∆ P=K f (1)
2

Where ∆ P; Pressure drop

v; Velocity

K f ; Loss coefficient

ρ; Fluid density

v2
H L=K f (2)
2g

Where HL; Head loss

 g; Gravitational acceleration

Dρv
N ℜ= (3)
μ
Where Nre; Reynolds’ Number
D; Diameter of the pipe
µ; Viscosity

2
∆ P v2 4
(4)
H L= − (1−β )
ρg 2g
Where β ; d/D

Experimental Setup:

The fluid friction measurement unit that has been used in this experiment is the INFINIT-(FM-
1849-36). As shown in Figure 1. the measurement unit consists of different types of pipes with
different diameters. Also, it includes different categories of fitting such as valves, contractions,
and enlargements. A water manometer device is connected to the pipes to measure the pressure
differences at the ends of the pipes.

Figure 1. Fluid Friction Apparatus

Procedure:
The first step to being done in this experiment is to make sure that the apparatus is correctly
assembled and that all the valves are closed. The hydraulic bench must be filled with water, then
a hose has to be connected to the device. Another hose needed to be connected to the volumetric
flow rate. The output flow control valve must be opened briefly to allow water to flow through
the necessary testing portion, then it must be shut again. Once the pump is turned on and the
input stream is opened to fill the pipes and eliminate air bubbles, the device has to be connected
to a power source. To start the experiment, the volumetric flow rate is determined through the
volumetric tank and pressure differences are recorded. Steps have to be repeated until sufficient
data is obtained. The last step is to shut down the power supply and the water pump.
References
[1]
Hsu, F.-l. (1981). Flow of Fine-Particle Suspensions in Bends, Fittings and Valves.
1-17.
[2] Silberman, E. (1960). Air-Water Mixtures Flow Through Orfices, Bends, and
other Fittings in a Horizontal Pipe. University of Minnesota: St. Anthony
Falls Hydraulic Laboratory.