CENTRAL PHILIPPINE ChE 4203 Chemical

UNIVERSITY Engineering Laboratory 1

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines
Friction Losses in
Group No. 2 Name: Donna Mae R. Galaez Expt. No. 2
Pipes and Fittings
I. Objective:

To measure frictional losses in a pipe network with different pipe sizes and fittings

II. Theory:

Fluid flow is an important part of many processes, including transporting materials

from one point to another, mixing of materials, and chemical reactions.

When a fluid flows through a pipe line consisting of straight pipe and fittings, there is a
definite loss of pressure due to friction. This loss of head is often considerable and has been
investigated many times. The frictional resistance a fluid is subjected to as it flows in a pipe
results in a continuous loss of energy, or total head of the fluid.

Energy losses in pipe flows are the result of friction between the fluid and the pipe
walls and internal friction between fluid particles. Minor (secondary) head losses occur at any
location in a pipe system where streamlines are not straight, such as at pipe junctions, bends,
valves, contractions, expansions, and reservoir inlets and outlets.

For long pipes with few fittings, the overall loss is dominated by wall friction. If,
however, the pipe is short and there are numerous fittings, then the principal losses are those
which are produced by disturbances caused by the fittings.

In hydraulic engineering practice, it is frequently necessary to estimate the head loss

incurred by a fluid as it flows along a pipeline. For example, it may be desired to predict the
rate of flow along a proposed pipe connecting two reservoirs at different levels. Or it may be
necessary to calculate what additional head would be required to double the rate of flow along
an existing pipeline. Loss of head is incurred by fluid mixing which occurs at fittings such as
bends or valves, and by frictional resistance at the pipe wall.

As water flows through a pipeline, energy is lost due to friction along pipe walls and
flow separation at fittings. This energy loss is termed head loss. The head loss due to pipe
friction is commonly estimated using the equations that follows. The frictional losses depend
on the type of the flow (laminar or turbulent) and pipe elements (valves, elbows, tees, etc.).

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Frictional Losses in a Circular Tube of Constant Diameter

4 f L v2
h f s=
D 2

Here, L is the pipe length, D is the inside pipe diameter, v is the fluid velocity
averaged over the pipe cross-section, and f is the Fanning friction factor.

For a laminar flow, one can solve the Navier-Stokes equations analytically and obtain
the following expression for the friction factor.

16
f=

Here, Re = Dv/ is the Reynolds number ( and are the fluid density and viscosity,
respectively).

For a turbulent flow, the friction losses are given by empirical relationships. These
relationships involve new parameter k corresponding to the roughness of the pipe. The
roughness depends on multiple factors, including the material from which the pipe is made and
degree of corrosion. A common approach to characterization of frictional losses is to use the
Fanning friction factor f is obtained from the Friction factor chart as a function of Reynolds
number and the roughness of parameter of the pipe material, k.

Frictional Losses in Fittings

In addition to the pipes, the fluid flow network contains various fittings, including
valves, tees, and elbows. The friction losses due to the fittings are described using the loss
factor Kf.
v2
h f f =K f
2

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 Values of the minor loss coefficient (Kf) are tabulated for a number of fittings and
transitions in literature. Loss coefficients of some fittings are presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Loss coefficients for standard

threaded pipe fittings
Frictional Losses Due to Sudden Contraction or Expansion
(a) (b)

Figure 2. Pipe with (a) sudden contraction, (b) sudden expansion or enlargement
(a)

Friction losses due to sudden contraction or expansion may be calculated from the
Sb
v2
following formula: h f =K 2 , where K is ( )
K c =0.4 1
Sa for contraction and

2
Sb
( )
K e = 1
Sa for expansion.

III. Materials and Apparatus:

A. Materials:

Water, pail

B. Apparatus:

Pipe network, pump, graduated cylinder, stopwatch, measuring device

IV. Procedure:

Firstly, open the pump and fill the reservoir with water to an enough height but
ensuring that all manual valves to all the pipes are closed. Next, open the valves involved in the
pipe under study and close the other valves leading to other pipes. Collect water from the

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discharge of the pipe under study using a pail by titling it a little and making sure that the least
amount of water spillage occurs. Simultaneously, using the stopwatch, record the time it took
for the collection of the said amount of water. Finally, transfer the collected water to the
graduated cylinder in order to measure its volume ensuring again that no spillage occurs.
Repeat steps above for the second trial.

Record the quantities and types of all the fittings and valves involved in pipe under
study from the reservoir to the discharge end. Take note if there is a sudden contraction or
expansion involved in the pipe network. Record also the diameter of pipes involved. Finally,
measure the lengths of the pipe per different pipe diameter which are to be used later in
calculations.

V. Diagram:

(see attached page)

VI. Data and Results:

Table 1. Results of two trials of measuring volume and time to obtain fluid velocity

Trial Volume Time

1 3.83 L 3.2 s
2 1.9 L 1.6 s

Lengt h of 1 pipe :3.595 m

Lengt h of 1.5 pipe: 8.505 m

Table 2. Types of fittings present and their corresponding quantity

Fittings No. of Pieces

Elbow 6
2, straight through
Tees
2, used as elbow
Valves 4

Table 3. Calculated friction losses due to sudden contraction, fittings, and skin friction

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 Percent
Friction Loss Trial 1 Trial 2
Difference

Due to sudden J J
1.45299 kg 1.4303 kg 1.56 %
contraction

Due to fittings and J J

18.3959 kg 18.1095 kg 1.56 %
valves

J J
Skin Friction 18.961 kg 18.788 kg 0.91 %

J J
Total 38.81 kg 38.3278 kg 1.24 %

VII. Calculations:

From Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook (Table 2-2),

1 -in S40 nominal pipe size

D = 1.61 in
A = 0.01414 ft2

1=0.040894 m
0.0254 m
D=1.61

2 9.29 102 m2 3 2
A=0.01414 ft 2
=1.314 10 m
1 ft

1-in S40 nominal pipe size

D = 1.049 in
A = 0.006 ft2

1=0.02664 m
0.0254 m
D=1.049

9.29 102 m2
A=0.006 ft 2 2
=5.574 104 m2
1 ft

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From Perrys (Table 6-4), Loss coefficients of fittings,
For 90 elbow : K f =0.75

For gate valve(fully opened) : K f =0.17

For tees : K f =0.4 ( straig h t t h rough ) , K f =1(used as elbow )

From Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering by McCabe, Smith and Harriott (Appendix 6),

At T =27 C ,

viscosity ( )=0.862 cp

density ( )=0.9964 g /cm3

Trial 1
3
1m
V =3.83 L =3.83 103 m3
1000 L

3 3
V 3.83 10 m m
v= = 4 2
=2.1472
At 5.574 10 m 3.2 s s

Friction loss due to sudden contraction:

From reservoir to pipe:

Sb
( )
K c =0.4 1
Sa
=0.4

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 2 2
v 2.1472 J
h f c =K c =0.4 =0.92209
2 2 kg

From 1 -in pipe to 1-in pipe:

Sb
K c =0.4 1 ( ) (
Sa
=0.4 1
5.574 104
1.314 103
=0.2303 )
2 2
v 2.1472 J
h f c =K c =0.2303 =0.5309
2 2 kg

J
Total h f c =0.92209+ 0.5309=1.45299
kg

Effect of fittings and valves:

v2
h f f =K f
2

2.14722 J
elbows : hf f =0.75 6=10.3736
2 kg

2.14722 J
gate valves: hf f =0.17 4=1.5676
2 kg

2.14722 J
tees( straig h t t hroug h): hf f =0.4 2=1.8442
2 kg

2.14722 J
tees(used as elbow): hf f =1 2=4.6105
2 kg

J
Total h f f =10.3736+1.5676+1.8442+ 4.6105=18.3959
kg

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Skin friction loss for pipes:

For 1-in pipe:

Dv 1.049 0.0254 2.1472 996.4

= = =6.61 104
0.862 0.001

k 0.00015 ft
= =1.72 103
D 1.049
ft
12

Using friction factor chart (Fig. 6-9) from Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook,

f =0.0063

4 fL v 2 4 0.0063 3.595 2.14722 J

h f s= = =7.838
D 2 1.049 2 kg
0.3048
12

For 1 -in pipe:

Dv 1.61 0.0254 2.1472 996.4

= = =1.015 10 5
0.862 0.001

k 0.00015 ft
= =1.12 103
D 1.61
ft
12

Using friction factor chart (Fig. 6-9) from Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook,

f =0.0058

4 fL v 2 4 0.0058 8.505 2.14722 J

h f s= = =11.123
D 2 1.61 2 kg
0.3048
12

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 J
Total h f s =7.838+11.123=18.961
kg

J
Total for trial1 : h f =1.45299+18.3959+18.961=38.81
kg

Trial 2

1 m3
V =1.9 L =1.9 103 m 3
1000 L

V 1.9 103 m3 m
v= = 4 2
=2.1304
At 5.574 10 m 1.6 s s

Friction loss due to sudden contraction:

From reservoir to pipe:

Sb
K c =0.4 1
( ) Sa
=0.4

v2 2.13042 J
h f c =K c =0.4 =0.9077
2 2 kg

From 1 -in pipe to 1-in pipe:

Sb
K c =0.4 1
( ) (
Sa
=0.4 1
5.574 104
1.314 103 )
=0.2303

v2 2.1304 2 J
h f c =K c =0.2303 =0.5226
2 2 kg

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 J
Total h f c =0.9077+ 0.5226=1.4303
kg

Effect of fittings and valves:

2.1304 2 J
elbows : hf f =0.75 6=10.212
2 kg

2.1304 2 J
gate valves: hf f =0.17 4=1.5431
2 kg

2.13042 J
tees( straig h t t hroug h): hf f =0.4 2=1.8154
2 kg

2.13042 J
tees(used as elbow): hf f =1 2=4.539
2 kg

J
Total h f f =10.212+1.5431+ 1.8154+ 4.539=18.1095
kg

Skin friction loss for pipes:

For 1-in pipe:

Dv 1.049 0.0254 2.1304 996.4

= = =6.56 10 4
0.862 0.001

k 0.00015 ft
= =1.72 103
D 1.049
ft
12

Using friction factor chart (Fig. 6-9) from Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook,

f =0.0064

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 4 fL v 2 4 0.0064 3.595 2.13042 J
h f s= = =7.838
D 2 1.049 2 kg
0.3048
12

For 1 -in pipe:

Dv 1.61 0.0254 2.1304 996.4

= = =1.01 105
0.862 0.001

k 0.00015 ft 3
= =1.12 10
D 1.61
ft
12

Using friction factor chart (Fig. 6-9) from Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook,

f =0.0058

4 fL v 2 4 0.0058 8.505 2.13042 J

h f s= = =10.95
D 2 1.61 2 kg
0.3048
12

J
Total h f s =7.838+10.95=18.788
kg

J
Total for trial2 : h f =1.4303+18.1095+18.788=38.3278
kg

Percent Difference of Total Friction Loss Between Trial 1 and 2:

38.8138.3278
Difference= 100 =1.2425
38.81

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VIII. Observation and Discussion of Results:

Based on the tabular form of calculated friction losses in Table 3, it is apparent that the
friction losses on two trials differed only slightly by 1.2425 %. Thus for the two trials, their
results represent the friction losses due to sudden contraction, due to fittings and valves in the
pipe network and the skin friction of pipe.

As observed in Table 3, the friction losses is due largely to skin friction followed
fittings and valves with only a small difference. The pipe has 6 elbows, 4 gate valves, and 4
tees in which their great amount contribute largely to friction losses. As for the skin friction, a
total of 12.1 meters was measured of the pipe length in which its great length also contributed
to a large friction loss. Sudden contraction present in the pipe network caused by contraction
from reservoir to the pipe and from 1-in to 1-in pipe has little contribution to the friction loss.
Its effect may be considered negligible.

The results of this experiment show that the frictional losses between trials 1 and 2 are
closely linked and the difference could mainly be contributed towards experimental errors that
were reproduced in the conduct of the experiment. Errors committed that may have
contribution to the slight difference may be due to some water spillage that led to small
deviation in the calculations since the volumetric flow rate was used to compute for the fluids
velocity which was greatly used in calculating the frictional losses.

IX. Conclusion and Recommendation:

Head loss along a pipeline is due both by frictional resistance at the wall via wall shear
along the run of the pipe, and at fittings such as bends or valves. Changes in velocity and
direction also lead to friction losses. These changes result from bends in pipe and valves
included in the piping. Fittings and valves contribute to friction loss because they also disturb
the normal flow of fluid.

If there are numerous fittings and the pipe is short, the major part of the head loss will
be due to the loss by the fittings. On the other hand, for a long pipeline, skin friction at the pipe
wall will predominate.

One largest contributor for friction losses is due to the presence of many different types
of fittings. To be able to minimize friction losses due to fittings, it is a must to lessen the
number of fittings and valves included in the pipe network. Only necessary and appropriate
fittings, elbows, tees, or valves, etc. is to be included.

In industrial application, larger friction losses may mean higher work or power rating
for the pump to operate in order to supply the needed volume of fluid. Thus in order to save

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energy or power costs, minimizing friction losses should be employed. This can be done by
utilizing fittings properly, adequate numbers of it must be present and unnecessary fittings and
valves are to be avoided.

Since there is always the presence of skin friction in pipes and somehow we cannot
avoid it, minimizing the effects of form friction would be a great help in reducing frictional
losses. It is also recommended that as much as possible, bends in pipe is to be avoided. Also,
fittings should be placed as far as possible with each other.

If using a fitting for a 90 bend, an elbow fitting is recommended than using tee as an
elbow since the loss factor for fitting, Kf, of an elbow (Kf = 0.75) is less than that of the tee (Kf
= 1) so that friction losses will be minimized.

The principle in this experiment is a very important aspect for almost every engineer
because of the inevitable need in determining in advance the frictional pressure drop that is to
be expected when working with fluid through a pipe line containing various fittings and valves.
Chemical engineers often deals with the transport of fluids in pipelines like in oil and gas
industry and water treatment facility. This principle is for all engineers to study in order to have
an economical practice in transporting fluids from one point to another since this also entails
costs for the company he/she is working with.

X. References:

9. FRICTION LOSS ALONG A PIPE. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2016, from
http://staff.fit.ac.cy/eng.fm/classes/amee202/Fluids%20Lab%20Friction%20losses.pdf

Experiment 8: Minor Losses. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2016, from

http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/wkuwaik/files/Losses-in-Bends-Fittings.ppt

Fluid Flow. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2016, from http://www.che.ufl.edu/unit-ops-

lab/experiments/FF/FF-theory.pdf

Lab 4: Headloss along a Pipe and at Fittings. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2016, from
http://www.cee.mtu.edu/~vlweb/CE%203620%20materials/CE3620-Labs/Lab%204-Friction
%20Losses%20and%20Minor%20Losses.pdf

Maatooq, J. (n.d.). Flow Dynamics in Closed Conduit (Pipe Flow). Retrieved December 12,
2016, from http://uotechnology.edu.iq/dep-building/LECTURE/dams%20and
%20water/first_class/Lect.No.8-pdf.pdf

Smith, A. N. (1943). FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPE FITTINGS AND VALVES. Retrieved

December 19, 2016, from

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https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/11732/smith_allen_n_194305_ms_128863.
pdf

Subramanian, S. (n.d.). Reynolds Number. Retrieved December 11, 2016, from

http://web2.clarkson.edu/projects/subramanian/ch330/notes/Reynolds%20Number.pdf

XI. Pictures:

Figure 3. Determination of fluid velocity

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 Figure 4. Pipe Network

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