EXPERIMENT ; - 7

EXPERIMENT Study of friction factor for variation in pipe flow

THEORY

In general for pipe flow friction factor may be considered to be a function of Reynolds’ number R
and relative roughness

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the head loss due to friction in a pipe flow to determine the friction factor. Both these
variables are to be determined over a range of flow rates and their characteristics identified for
both laminar and turbulent flows.

Method

By measurement of the pressure difference between two fixed points in a long straight tube of
circular cross section for steady flows. The range of flow rates will cover both laminar and
turbulent flow regimes.

Equipment

In order to complete the demonstration we need the following equipment:

-Hydraulics Bench which allows us to measure flow by timed volume collection;

-pipe friction apparatus;

-a stopwatch;

-a thermometer;

-a spirit level for setting up the equipment and

a measuring cylinder for measuring very low flow rates

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Technical Data

The following dimensions from the equipment are used in the calculations. If required these values
may be changed as per the experimental requirement and replaced with your own measurements.

Length of the test pipe (L) =0.500 m

Diameter of the test pipe (d) =0.003 m

Theory

A basic momentum analysis of the fully developed flow in a straight tube of uniform cross section
shows that the pressure difference (p1-p2) between two points in the tube is due to the effects of
viscosity. The head loss (∆h) = (p1-p2)/γ

Here p1, p2 are the pressures at the upstream point and downstream point along the flow through
a pipe having length l diameter d and γ is the specific weight of the flowing fluid.

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And the friction factor, f, is related to the head loss by the equation

∆h=flv2/2gd

Where d is the pipe diameter and the head loss (∆h) is measured directly by a manometer which
connects to two pressure tappings at a distance l apart; v is the mean velocity given in terms of the
volume flow rate Qt by

v=4 Qt/πd2

The expression for the friction factor (f) in laminar flow is

f=64/Re

where Re=Reynolds number and is given by

Re =vd/ν

and ν is the kinematic viscosity.

For turbulent flow in a smooth pipe, the expression for friction factor (f) is given by

f=0.316Re-0.25

Procedure- Equipment set up:

Mount the testing rig on the hydraulic bench and with a sprit level adjust the feet to ensure that the
base plate is horizontal and hence the manometers are vertical.

Check with a demonstrator that the mercury (Hg) manometer is completely filled; this should not
be attempted by students because Hg is a hazardous substance. Attach a Hoffman clamp to each
of the two manometer connecting tubes and close them off.

Setting-up for high flow rates

The test rig outlet must be held by a clamp to ensure that the outflow point is firmly fixed. This
should be above the bench collection tank and should allow enough space for insertion of the
measuring cylinder.

Join the test rig inlet pipe to the hydraulic bench flow connector with the pump turned off.

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Close the bench gate-valve, open the test rig flow control valve fully and start the pump. Now open
the gate valve progressively and run the system until all air is purged.

Open the Hoffman clamps and purge any air from the two bleed points at the top of the Hg
manometer.

Setting up for low flow rates (using the header tank)

Attach a Hoffman clamp to each of the two manometer connecting tubes and close them off.

With the system fully purged of air, close the bench valve, stop the pump, close the outflow valve
and remove Hoffman clamps from the water manometer connections.

Disconnect test section supply tube and hold high to keep it liquid filled.

Connect bench supply tube to header tank inflow, run pump and open bench valve to allow flow.
When outflow occurs from header tank snap connector, attach test section supply tube to it,
ensuring no air entrapped.

When outflow occurs from header tank overflow, fully open the outflow control valve.

Slowly open air vents at top of water manometer and allow air to enter until manometer levels
reach convenient height, then close air vent. If required, further control of levels can be achieved
by running of the hand pump to raise manometer air pressure.

Procedure-Taking a set of Results

Running high flow rate tests

Apply a Hoffman clamp to each of the water manometer connection tubes (essential to prevent a
flow path parallel to the test section).

Close the test rig flow control valve and take a zero flow reading from the Hg manometer,(may not
be zero because of Hg and/or tube wall).

With the flow control valve fully open, measure the head loss h shown by manometer.

Determine the flow rate by timed collection and measure the temperature of the collected liquid.
The Kinematic Viscosity of Water at Atmospheric Pressure can then be determined from the table
provided in this manual.

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Repeat this procedure to give at least nine flow rates; the lowest to give h=30mm Hg,
approximately.

Running low flow rate tests

Repeat procedure given above but sing water manometer throughout.

With flow control valve fully open, measure the head loss ∆h shown by the manometer.

Determined the flow rate by timed collection and measure the temperature of the collected liquid.
The Kinematic Viscosity of Water at Atmospheric Pressure can then be determined from the table
provided in this manual.

Obtain data for at least six flow rates, the lowest to give h=30mm, approximately.

Plot graphs of:

log f vs. log Re and

log ∆h vs. log v

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Recording of observations
Tabulate your results (for water manometer)

Exp Manometer hi hf t Q V R f Flow Type

No. deflection

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Tabulate your results (for mercury manometer)

Exp Manometer hi hf t Q V R f Flow Type

No. deflection

Plot graphs of: log f vs. log Re

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Plot graphs of: log ∆h vs. log v

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ASSIGNMENT:
1. Identify the laminar and the turbulent flow regimes. What is the critical Reynolds Number?
2. Assuming a relationship of the form f=K Ren calculate these values from graphs you have
plotted and compare these with the accepted vales shown in the theory section.
3. What is the cumulative effect of the experimental errors on the values of K and n?
4. What is the dependence of head loss upon flow rate in the laminar and turbulent regions of
flow?
5. What is the significance of changes in temperature to the head loss?

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