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PIPEWORK ENERGY LOSSES

Objectives:

1. Calculate the losses in pipe systems due to contraction and expansion at different flow
rates.
2. Graphically estimate the expansion and contraction loss coefficient in the pipe system.

Apparatus:

This apparatus has a single circuit with bends, pressure tappings and an expansion- contraction.
A ball valve at the pipe exit controls water flow.

Fig.1 General Arrangement of Apparatus

The pipework includes: Mitre bend, Elbow bend, Sudden enlargement in pipe diameter, Sudden
contraction in pipe diameter and Large radius bend. Each fitting has pressure tappings upstream

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and downstream of the fitting. The tappings connect to a multi tube manometer with ten tubes. A
scale behind the manometer allows you to read the relative water levels in the manometer.

In a pipe system the loss coefficients (K) in enlargements and contractions are calculated as:

The total head loss ΔH is the sum of the measured head loss (Δh or loss in pressure head), and
the loss due to the change in velocity head, but in reverse to the expansion.

and from theory, the downstream velocity is the greatest influence for the contraction, giving:

Therefore

Velocities within a cross-section,

For the enlargement and contraction

Observation Table:

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Diameter of small bore pipe,D1: Diameter of large bore pipe,D2:

Flow Rate (Q) Tube height


Sl.No.
(L.s-1) (mm H2O)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Total Head Loss ∆H
Measured Head Loss ∆h (mm H2O)
(mm H2O)

Flow V12 /
Sl. V1 V2 V22 /
Rate 2g Enlarge
No 2g Mitre Contra
Elbow ment Bend
ction
Enlargeme Contra
nt ction

L.s-1 m.s-1 mm m.s-1 mm 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 - 10

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