EXPERIMENT 2.

ESTIMATING THE FRICTIONAL LOSS IN A PIPE

FLOW

Objective: To estimate the head loss due to pipe friction and evaluate the friction factor.

Theory:
The head loss due to pipe friction is a major loss in case of flow through pipes that is caused
by the viscous effects of the medium and roughness of the pipe wall. Major losses create a
pressure drop along the pipe since the pressure must work to overcome the frictional resistance.
The Darcy-Weisbach equation is most widely used to calculate the head loss due to friction. In
this equation, the friction factor (f), a dimensionless quantity, is used to describe the friction
loss in a pipe. In laminar flows, f is only a function of the Reynolds number and is independent
of the surface roughness of the pipe. In fully turbulent flows, f depends on both the Reynolds
number and relative roughness of the pipe wall.

Test section 2 Test section 1

(16 mm dia.) Manometer (22 mm dia.)

Measuring tank

Control valve

Main tank
Motor

Fig. 1 Test setup for losses due to friction

Procedure:
1. Switch ON the main power supply to the motor and allow the water to flow through any of
the test section (1 or 2) and regulate the flow in the bypass pass section.
2. Connect the test section’s pressure taps to the manometer.
3. Ensure that no air is trapped in the manometer before closing the valves.
4. Adjust water flow rate in desired section with the help of control valve and measure the
water flow rate using stop watch.
5. Repeat same procedure for different flow rates of water by operating control valve and by-
pass valve.
6. Repeat same procedure for another test section.

1
Formulae used:
hf 2gd
f=
4LV2
 
hf = h m −1 (m)
 w 
h = h1 −h2 (m)
100
V = Q (m/sec)
a
Q= AR (m3 /sec)
t
R = R1 −R2 (m)
100
a = d2 (m2)
4

Specific Data:

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81 m/sec 2 Inside diameter of pipe, d

Area of measuring tank, A = 0.077 m2
Density manometer fluid (Hg), ρm = 13600 kg/ m3
Density of water, ρw = 1000 kg/ m3
For test section 1 = 0.022 m
For test section 2 = 0.016 m
Distance between pressure tapings, L:
For test section 1 = 1.25 m
For test section 2 = 1 m

Nomenclature:

Symbol Parameter Units Type

A Area of measuring tank m2 Given
a1 Cross sectional area of small diameter pipe m2 Calculated
a2 Cross sectional area of large diameter pipe m2 Given
d1 Small diameter of pipe m Given
d2 Large diameter of pipe m Given
f Friction factor - Calculated
g Acceleration due to gravity m/s2 Given
h Manometer difference m Calculated
h1, h2 Manometric reading a both points cm Measured
hf Head loss due to pipe friction m of water Calculated
Q Discharge m3/s Calculated
R Rise of water level in measuring tank cm Measured

2
 R1 Final level of water in measuring tank cm Measured
R2 Initial level of water in measuring tank cm Measured
t Time taken for R sec Measured
V1 Velocity of fluid in pipe of small diameter m/s Calculated
V2 Velocity of fluid in pipe of large diameter m/s Calculated
ρw Density of water kg/m3 Given
ρm Density of Manometer fluid (Hg) kg/m3 Given

Observations:

Test section 1 Test section 2

S. h1 h2 R1 R2 t S. h1 h2 R1 R2 t
No. (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (sec) No. (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (sec)

Results:

Test section 1 Test section 2

R Q V hf S. R Q V hf
S. No. f f
(m) (m3/sec) (m/sec) (m) No. (m) (m3/sec) (m/sec) (m)

Graph:

1. Draw a graph between friction factor vs. Reynolds number.

Inference: