Friction Losses for Laminar Flow in Pipes

Objective:
To understand the principles involved in calculating head loss and flow rates for laminar flow in
circular pipes.

Summary of Experiment:
Three horizontal tubes of different lengths and diameters are attached to the bottom of a cylindri-
cal tank (Figure 1). A constant head or fluid level is maintained by an adjustable stand pipe inside
the tank. Water exits the tank through the tubes attached to the bottom. The flow rate from each
tube is measured over a range of constant heads.

1
H
L
2
Q
D
Figure 1: Schematic of experiment

Specific Objectives:
1. Compute the experimental friction factor for tubes of different lengths and diameters and
compare them with laminar flow theory.
2. Calculate the predicted volumetric discharge based on laminar pipe flow and compare with
measured values.

Summary of Theory
The experimental friction factor for flow in a pipe can be determined by rearranging the Darcy-
Weisbach equation to solve for f:
2
h L = f ---
L V
- ----------
D 2g
where:
hL = head loss due to friction [m] f = friction factor [-]
L = length of the pipe [m] V = average velocity [m]
g = acceleration due to gravity [m s-2] D = diameter of the pipe [m]
The head loss can be determined by using the energy equation with appropriate assumptions:
2 2
p1 + z + V 1 = p2 + z + V 2 + h V = Q
----- 1 ---------- ----- 2 ---------- L ----
2g 2g A
where:
pi = pressure at point i [Pa] Vi = average velocity at point i [m s-1]
zi = elevation at point i [m] = specific weight [N m-3]
= cross section area of the pipe [m2] Q = flow rate [m3 s-1]

For laminar flow, the theoretical friction factor, can be determined by:
64
f = ----- Re = V D
- --------------------
Re
where:
Re = Reynolds number (approximately Re 2000 for laminar flow) [-]
= density of the fluid [kg m-3] = viscosity of the fluid [N s m-2]
D = characteristic length (diameter of the pipe) [m]V = average velocity [m]

The theoretical flow rate for fully-developed, laminar, incompressible flow can be determined by
Q = V A , where V is the average velocity determined by substituting the theoretical friction
factor into the Darcy-Weisbach equation and solving for V:
4
Q = D gh L
-----------------------
128L

Data
Pipe 1-Short, Narrow: Length: 12 in Inside Diameter: 3/32 in
Pipe 2-Long, Narrow: Length: 24 in Inside Diameter: 3/32 in
Pipe 3-Long, Wide: Length: 24 in Inside Diameter: 5/32 in

Table 1: Data

Pipe 1 Pipe 2 Pipe 3

H v t v t v t

in ml s ml s ml s
Results:
1. Fill in Table 2 for each pipe. USE THE UNITS SHOWN. (20 points)
2. For each pipe, determine the theoretical flow rate below which the flow is laminar and above
which the flow is turbulent or in the transition zone. (5 points)
3. Plot the theoretical and measured flow rates as a function of head (H) and discuss the results.
Indicate on the graph where the flow is laminar, fully turbulent, and where the transition zone
occurs. Are there any points where your theoretical flow rate is not valid? Why? (15 points)
4. Plot the experimental friction factor vs. Reynolds number on a log-log plot and discuss the
results (does it agree with theory). (10 points)

Table 2: Results

H v t Qmeas V Re hL fexp fthoery Qtheory

m m3 s m3 s-1 m s-1 - m - - m3 s-1