Running Head: EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY

Abstract

EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

The objective of this lab was to calculate minor friction losses in pipe fittings. Globe
valve, gate valve, miter, constriction, expansion and bend were used for minor losses. The
head loss calculation was done for may pipe fitting, it can be seen that nature of flow in
all fitting is turbulent as Reynolds numbers were higher than 2000. The head loss
calculations were done and it was noted that values of measured head loss are comparable
with calculated values of head loss.

Data, Theory and Results

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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

Table 1: Dark Blue

Dark Blue
Trial

time
55.3
55.24
54.64
T avg=55.06
57.14
56.69
55.71
T avg=56.52
58.76
61.75
60.26
T avg=60.25
66.16
64.51
67.07
Tavg=65.92
74.93
73.55
75.33
T avg=74.60

Mass Flow
rate (kg/s)

U Tube mm Hg
Gate Valve
Globe Valve

0.327

0.318

0.299

0.273

Piezom.
Readings

10

370

815

10

340

750

10

305

670

10

265

565

210

450

10
0.241

Table 2. Light Blue

Trial

time

Mass
Flow rate
(kg/s)

Light Blue
U Tube mm Hg
Gate Valve

Globe Valve

Piezom. Readings
7-9--10 11--12
8
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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

71.57
73.32
74.02
T avg=72.97
70.38
68.51
68.05
T avg=68.98
62.96
62.83
61.76
T avg=62.52
57.41
57.54
55.69
T avg=56.88
53.42
53.22
52.14
T avg=52.93

0.247

220

50

165

215

0.261

250

50

185

240

0.288

275

50

215

275

0.316

355

50

265

330

0.340

405

50

310

380

Type
5-6
8-9
11-12

Length (mm)
870
914.4
850

trail 1: Gate valve open and globe valve is closed

trail 2: Gate valve closed and globe valve is open
trail 3: Gate valve half open and globe valve fully open
Table 3: Conversion from mm-Hg to Pa
Dark Blue
U Tube mm Hg

Piezom. Readings

Gate Valve

Globe Valve

5--6

1334.16

49363.92

108734.04

1334.16

45361.44

100062

1334.16

40691.88

89388.72
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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

1334.16

35355.24

75380.04

1334.16

28017.36

60037.2

Light Blue
Gate Valve

Globe Valve

7--8

9--10

11--12

29351.52

6670.80

0.00

22013.64

28684.44

33354.00

6670.80

0.00

24681.96

32019.84

36689.40

6670.80

0.00

28684.44

36689.40

47362.68

6670.80

0.00

35355.24

44027.28

54033.48

6670.80

0.00

41358.96

50698.08

Results:
With D = 17 mm and m1 = 0.327 kg/s,
V1 =

m1
A
m1

V1 =

D
)
4

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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

V1 =

0.327
( 0.017 )2
1000 (
)
4

V1 = 1.44 m/s
Reynolds Number

VD

Re =
Re=

10001.440.017
1 x 103
Re = 24480

With D = 17 mm and m2 = 0.318 kg/s,

V2 =

m2
A
m2
2

V2 =

D
(
)
4

V2 =

0.318
( 0.017 )2
1000 (
)
4

V2 = 1.4 m/s
Reynolds Number
Re =

VD

Re=

10001.40.017
3
1 x 10
Re = 23800

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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

Dark Blue Circuit

At Gate Valve with KL = 0.2
Pressure Drop @ Gate Valve
PD =
1333.16 =

KLV2
2
0.2V 21000
2

V = 0.73m/s
Reynolds Number
Re =
Re =

VD

10000.730.00919
3
1 x 10
Re = 6714

Head Loss
HL =

K LV 2
2g
2

HL =

0.2(0.73)
(29.81)

1000 mm
1m

HL = 54.4 mm
At Miter Bend with KL = 1.1
Pressure Drop @ Gate Valve
PD =
49363.92=

KLV2
2
1.1 V 21000
2

V = 9.48 m/s
Reynolds Number
Re =
Re =

VD

100014.26950.00445
1 x 103
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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

Re = 42159
Head Loss
K LV 2
2g

HL =

HL =

1.1(9.48)
(29.81)

1000 mm
1m

= 5032 mm

Light Blue Circuit

At Globe Valve with KL = 10
Pressure Drop @ Globe Valve
PD =

KLV2
2
10 V 21000
2

29351.52 =

V = 2.43 m/s
Reynolds Number

VD

Re =
=

10002.430.01836
1 x 103
Re = 44484

Head Loss
K LV
2g

HL =
2

HL =

10 (2.43)
(29.81)

1000 mm
1m

HL = 2992 mm
At Expansion with m = 0.327 kg/s and 13.7 mm radius to 26.4 mm radius
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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

V1 =

m
A

V2 =

m
A

m
D2
(
)
4

m
D2
(
)
4

0.327
(0.0137)2 , V1 = 2.25 m/s
1000 (
)
4

0.327
(0.0264)2 , V2 = 0.6 m/s
1000 (
)
4

Reynolds Number

V 2 D2

Re =
Re =

10000.600.0264
, Re = 15970
1 x 103

Head Loss for Expansion

V 1V 2

He =
2

2.250.60

He =
x
2

1000 mm
1m

He = 170.6 mm
At Contraction with m = 0.327kg/s and 26. 4 mm radius to 13.7 mm radius
0.327
m
m
2
2
V1 = A = ( D ) = 1000 ( (0.0264) ) , V2 = 0.6 m/s
4
4
V2 =

m
A

m
D2
(
)
4

0.327
(0.0137)2 , V1 = 2.25 m/s
1000 (
)
4

Head Loss for Contraction HL with KL = 0.23,

HL =

V2

2
KL

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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

2.25

HL =
x
2
0.23

1000 mm
1m

HL = 59.34 mm
o

At Smooth 90 Bend with KL = 0.75

KLV2
Pressure Drop @ Smooth Bend =
2
0.75V 21000
2

51995.74 =

V = 11.78 m/s
Reynolds Number
Re =
=

VD

100011.780.017
1 x 103

Re = 200,181
Head Loss
HL =

K LV
2g

0.75(11.782)
(29.81)

HL =

1000 mm
1m

HL = 5321 mm

Table 4: Head loss summary

Fitting
Gate Valve
Globe Valve
Miter Bend
Sudden Expansion
Sudden Contraction
90o Smooth 152.4 mm
radius Bend

Measured Head Rise or

Loss (mm)
54.4
2992
5032
170.6
59.34

Calculated( Theoretical)
Head Rise or Loss (mm)
53.28
2968
5031.6
173.2
60.28

5321

5358.6
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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

Table 5: Error
Fitting

Error

Gate Valve

.048%

Globe Valve

.028%

Miter Bend

0.052%

Sudden Expansion

0.01%

90 smooth

0.083%

Figure 1: Measured Head Loss vs Calculated Head Loss (mm)

f(x) = - 0x^5 + 0x^4 - 0x^3 + 0x^2 + 1.11x - 19.57

Analysis and Discussion

It can be seen that the values of measured head loss are comparable with calculated
values of head loss.
Analysis and Discussion
Conclusion
The head loss calculation was done for may pipe fitting, it can be seen that nature of flow
in all fitting is turbulent as Reynolds numbers were higher than 2000. The head loss
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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

calculations were done and it was noted that values of measured head loss are comparable
with calculated values of head loss. The objective of lab was met successfully
Practical Application
Most of practical application of minor loss in fitting comes into civil engineering
and mechanical engineering. As an engineer, we must account of these losses while
designing any system where flow of fluid takes place. The miner loss calculation helps in
deciding flow capacity and pressure rating of pump used in fluid system
References
1 - lab manual
Appendix
Equations

h L=

K LV2
2g

(1)
Where, KL is the loss coefficient and is dimensionless.

For sudden contraction, the value of KL is calculated by,

K L=

(V 1 V 2)2
2g

(2)

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EXPERMINT #5 MINOR FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS

Reynolds Number

Re =

VD

(3)

V1 =

m1
A

(4)

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