Determination of Friction Factor for Pipes of Different Diameter and Loss

Coefficient for Various Pipe Fittings

Learning Objectives:
i.
ii.
iii.

To investigate the behavior of incompressible fluid in piping network, especially

fluid friction loss
To investigate the behavior of incompressible fluid in piping network, especially
fluid head loss across pipe fittings
To become familiar with use of mercury/water manometer for measurement of
head loss across pipes and pipe fittings

List of Required Equipment & Accessories: It includes the following

i.

Fluid Circuit Friction Experimental Apparatus (Figure 1)

Equipment

Figure 1: Equipment for used for the Experiment

Theory
When a fluid flows through a pipe, there is a loss of energy (or pressure) in the
fluid. This is because energy is dissipated to overcome the viscous (frictional) forces
exerted by the walls of the pipe as well as the moving fluid layers itself. In addition to the
energy lost due to frictional forces, the flow also loses pressure as it goes through
fittings, such as valves, elbows, contractions and expansions. The pressure loss in pipe
flows is commonly referred to as head loss. The frictional losses are referred to as
major losses while losses through fittings etc, are called minor losses. Together they
make up the total head losses.
The Reynolds number Re is a dimensionless number that gives a measure of the
ratio of inertial forces (V) to viscous forces (/L). It is a very useful quantity and aids in
classifying fluid flows.

= density of the fluid, (kg/m3) .

V = average velocity of flow inside the pipe, (m/s).
Lc= characteristic dimension = D for pipe flows, (m).
= dynamic viscosity of the fluid, (Pa .s).
For flow through a pipe experimental observations show that laminar flow occurs when
Re < 2300 and turbulent flow occurs when Re > 4000. In the between 2300 and 4000,
the flow is termed as transition flow where both laminar and turbulent flows are possible.
The average velocity of flow can be found out by measuring the actual discharge and
dividing it by cross-sectional area of the pipe.
The head loss due to friction in pipe flows can be calculated using the DarcyWeisbach equation. It is a phenomenological equation, which relates the head loss due
to friction along a given length of pipe to the average velocity of the fluid flow.
where,

hf = head loss due to friction, (m of fluid).

V = average velocity of flow inside the pipe, (m/s).
L/D= length to diameter ratio of the pipe, (m).
f = a dimensionless coefficient called the Darcy friction factor.
The Darcy friction factor f is not a constant and depends on the parameters of the
pipe and the velocity of the fluid flow. It may be evaluated for given conditions by the
use of various empirical or theoretical relations, or it may be obtained from Moody
diagrams. The Darcy friction factor for laminar flow (Re < 2300) is given by the following
formula:

where,

The value of the Darcy friction factor may be subject to large uncertainties in the
transition flow regime and so here the equation for turbulent flow is assumed to be valid.
For turbulent flow Colebrook equation has to be used to find f.

where,

/D is the relative roughness of the pipe.

The head loss due to friction in pipe fittings (minor losses) can be calculated
using following expression

K is the loss coefficient in the fittings.

where,
Procedure
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

v.

Close all air vent valves and drain valves. Open all flow control valves, glove
valve and cock for water to flow.
Start the circulate water pump.
Adjust flow rate to the desired value.
Measure the differential pressure in all pipes and fittings related to fluid friction
loss for water flow rate by means of water inverse U tube manometer and
mercury U tube manometer. Measure actual flow rate using rotameter.
Change the flow rate and collect the same data as in step iv. Collect this data for
at least five different values of flow rate for all the pipes and fittings.

Precautions
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Remove air from mercury manometer before taking readings.

Fill the water in water tank to proper level before starting the experiment.
Read the reading from manometers and rotameter by keeping the eyes at the
level of mercury, water or weight.
After changing the flow rate, allow sufficient time to system to reach steady state.
From manifold, carefully open the valves corresponding to pipes or fitting under
observation and close the valves before opening the valves for next pipe/fitting.

Observations and Calculations

Pipe Diameters: 1, ,
Pipe Length: 2 m
Table 1 : Experimental Data for Friction Factor in Pipes
Sr.
No.

2
fmoody
hf
Velocityinpips
Re
ln(Re)
f=hfxD/Lx2g/V
Discharge
Q
1"
3/4" 1/2" 1" 3/4" 1/2" 1" 3/4" 1/2" 1" 3/4" 1/2" 1" 3/4" 1/2" 1" 3/4" 1/2"
3
Lit/min m /s mH2O mH2O mH2O m/s m/s m/s

1
2
3
4
5

mm H2O = mm Hg x 12.55
Diameter of pipe containing fittings= 1
Fittings: 90o elbow, Gradual expansion, Gradual contraction,
Gate Valve, Globe valve, Ball valve,
90o bend, Sudden expansion, Sudden contraction

Table 2 : Experimental Data for Loss Coefficient of Fittings

Discharge
Sr.
Q
No.
3
Lit/min m /s

hm
Fitting
mH2O

Velocity Re ln(Re) K=hmx2g/V

V

m/s

1
2
3
4
5

Results and Inference

i.

ii.

The Darcy friction factor for the three different pipes for different values of
Reynolds number have been found out experimentally and compared with the
theoretical results.
The loss coefficients for various fittings for different values of Reynolds number
have been found out experimentally and compared with the results in literature.

Report:
i.
ii.
iii.

Plot the friction factor f vs ln (Re) for all the pipes from data obtained and moody
chart.
Plot loss coefficient K vs ln (Re) for all the fittings.
Discuss the above trends and justify them from theory.