Study of flow through a Pipe bend

Gundapuneedi Siri, Harsh Prateek Gupta, Hudedagaddi Ankita, Jayakrishnan S

(Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology)
(Dated: August 26,2016)
(Experiment number : 4)
This report is primarily concerned with the experiment carried out in a subsonic suction type wind
tunnel in order to determine the effect of curvature of streamlines in a 90o pipe bend. The objective
of the experiment is to study the variation of static pressure and velocity along and perpendicular
to the pipe bend at different freestream velocities. From the experiment performed, the coefficient
of pressure is determined at different sections of the bend, and a comparison is made with theory
assuming free vortex flows.

NOMENCLATURE

P Pressure
Cp Coefficient of Pressure
P Freestream Pressure
Po Stagnation Pressure
r Radius of curvature of the tube
Density of the fluid
v Velocity of the flow
v Freestream Velocity
g Acceleration due to gravity
Q Volume flow rate
Circulation

I. INTRODUCTION

Flow through pipe bends are an important subject of study while setting up pumps. Since pipe bends are associated
with certain losses of pressure head, the nature of pipe bend, i.e., sharp or smooth, with or without vanes is considered
as a necessary design parameter. The losses are important even for measurement purposes, like in case of thin pitot
tubes, so that the losses dont lead to considerable drop in pressure measurement. The losses depends on surface
roughness and reynolds number of the flow even boundary layer becomes important in flow through pipes.
In this experiment, air is made to flow through a rectangular cross section smooth 90o pipe bend. As the flow velocities
is small, the flow can be approximated to be incompressible. The main force acting on a flow in the bend will be the
radial centripetal force which will depend on the radius of curvature of the bend. Hence the pressure rises as we move
normal to the streamlines, i.e, in the direction of increase in radius of curvature. Due to this increase in pressure
in the outer region of the bend, the velocity of pipe is lesser in the outer region and thus higher at lower radius of
curvature (due to mass conservation). This is a consequence of conservation of energy in the form of redistribution
pressure and velocity.

II. THEORY

The flow in a pipe bend behaves differently at inner and outer radius of the pipe. The flow can be assumed to
approach the pipe from the wind tunnel at uniform velocity and pressure. However due to the effect of centripetal
force, the pressure begins to gradually increase at A, resulting in decrease in velocity of the flow from A. This increase
continues upto some point B downstream before the streamlines begin to straighten. At B, the flow has maximum
pressure, but as a consequence minimum velocity (Bernoullis theorem can approximated to qualitatively determine
the flow). Beyond B, the pressure continue to drop and velocity continues to increase. In inviscid case, it would reach
the same pressure and velocity as in case of inlet. For the inner edge of the tube, the pressure begins to drop at
around C and goes on decreasing upto D in the bend. A consequence of this is increase in velocity from C to D (in
order to satisfy bernoulli equation and mass conservation along each cross section). Beyond D, as the streamlines lose
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their curvature, the pressure gradually recovers and velocity comes down to nearly that as in the inlet.1

FIG. 1. Flow through a pipe bend

The region between A and B and region beyond D experiences increasing pressure along the wall of the pipe,
which is know as adverse pressure gradient. Adverse pressure gradients can lead to flow separation leading to further
losses in the flow. Besides these losses, the flow can also have to radial component along the bend due to the
radial pressure distribution, resulting in eddies. This flow, in conjunction with the main flow, produces a typical
spiral motion of the fluid which persists even for a downstream distance of fifty times the pipe diameter from the cen-
tral plane of the bend.1 This secondary flow is can increase in losses and but significantly affects downstream pressure.

Flow can be studied much better using non-dimensional parameters and in this experiment, coefficient of pressure
is one such parameter useful for determining the pressure variation. It gives a comparison of the local with the
freestream pressure with respect to the difference in stagnation and freestream pressure.

P P
Cp = P0 P

For inviscid, incompressible, steady flows in absence of body forces, the bernoullis equation parallel and normal to
the streamlines are given by
V P
V s = s
2
P V
n = r

where s and n are the directions along and normal to the streamline respectively and r is the radius of the curvature
of the stream line. Bernoullis equation gives the variation of pressure and velocity parallel and perpendicular to
flow. If we move along a stream line with increase in velocity, the pressure should reduce and vice-versa, which is a
consequence of Newtons 2nd law. If we move perpendicular to streamline, along the direction of increasing radius of
curvature, pressure will increase due to the effect of centripetal force.

The volume flow rate in the pipe is given by:

R r2
Q= r1
V ndA

Q = V b(r2 r1 ) (1)

Here b represents the depth of the rectangular pipe cross section.

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The flow in the bend of the pipe is similar to an incomplete free vortex with contant circulation. Hence for 90o of
the pipe flow, the flow can be treated as a free vortex. The velocity of such a flow has only tangential component and
no radial component. Hence the streamlines in such a flow are concentric circles. It is represented by:

Vr = 0

V = 2r
Here represents the circulation of the flow. The volume flow rate con be given by:

Rr
Q = r12 V ndA
Rr
= r12 2r bdr

r2
Q = .b.ln (2)
2 r1
From Equation 1. and 2., we obtain
2 r1 )
= 2V (rln r2
r1

We know that

P P
Cp = 1 2
2 V

From Bernoullis equation (assuming inviscid) the upstream conditions can be related to the velocity and pressure in
the bend by:

P + 12 V
2
= P + 12 V2
Thus, the coefficient of pressure turns out to be

V2
Cp = 1 2
V

(r2 r1 )2 1
Cp = 1 (3)
r2 ln rr2 2
1

III. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

In this experiment, a subsonic blower-type wind tunnel is used for generating a flow through a rectangular cross
section 90o bent pipe. The wind tunnel is mainly divided into a blower, a settling chamber, converging duct, and the
test section. The wind tunnel used for this experiment does not require any diffuser as the velocity of the flow is very
low. Hence, the outlet is let open to the atmosphere. The test setup also included a multi-tube inclination manometer
subtending an angle of 45o with the horizontal, which was connected to various pressure ports in the bend tube test
section both along the inner wall and the outer wall. A few pressure ports were also connected radially, perpendicular
to the flow direction to determine the pressure variation normal to the flow streamline. The pressure probes were also
attached at the entry of the converging duct, exit of the converging duct and to the free atmosphere.

IV. PROCEDURE

It is ensured that the table on which the multi-tube manometer is placed is level with the ground and inclination
of the manometer is noted.
Ambient temperature and pressure are noted using the laboratory thermometer and barometer respectively.
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Probes from multi-tube manometer are connected to points on the pipe bend.

The blower type subsonic wind tunnel is switched on and the rpm is gradually raised to a particular value.

The readings are noted down for different rpm.

Observations are tabulated and conclusions are drawn.

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Pressure and Cp follow a similar trend and only differ by a scaling factor for each RPM. However the conclusions
drawn from either plots will be the same. The error bar had an order of magnitude of 1X10 4 for Cp and less than
3% error in p and thus has not been plotted.

FIG. 2. Variation of Coeffecient of Pressure in the radial direction perpendicular to the flow

FIG. 3. Variation of Pressure in the radial direction perpendicular to the flow

From the graph of Cp v/s radial distance, it can be concluded that pressure decreases as we move radially inwards.
Hence it follows bernoullis equation for flow perpendicular to streamline, and also it is in close agreement with the free
vortex model. The drop in pressure is lesser RPM which shows that pressure drop is related propotionately to velocity

The graph of Cp along the outer edge shows that increase in pressure begins after the flow enters the bend. The
rise continues upto approximately 30o -40o of the bend, after which it begins to drop to inital value. However we seen
that Cp is negative at 90o which can be attributed to viscous losses.
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FIG. 4. Variation of Pressure along the outer wall of the bent tube

FIG. 5. Variation of Coeffecient of Pressure along the outer wall of the bent tube

FIG. 6. Variation of Coeffecient of Pressure along the inner wall of the bent tube

The graph of Cp along along the inner edge shows that decrease in pressure begins immediately after the flow enters
the bend. It continues to drop upt0 30o and remains approximately the same upto 60o of the bend, after which it
recovers, but not completely, ie, Cp is negative at 90o due to viscous losses.
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VI. CONCLUSION

Hence in this experiment, the coefficient of pressure was calculated along the inner and outer wall of the pipe. Its
variation is seen to follow the expected trend that is obtained from the conservation laws. The variation in coefficient
of pressure along the radial direction follows the same trend as predicted by the free vortex approximated model.
1. Along the outer edge pressure increases and after crossing the major part of the bend, the pressure decreases
back to original value.
2. Along the inner edge, pressure decreases and after a certain point, the pressure gradually recovers.
3. Pressure increase as we move radially outward.
4. The velocity of flow follows exactly the reverse trend of that of pressure.
Hence the effect of curvature of streamlines has been studied for a bent pipe. This can even be used to certain extent
in qualitatively predicting the pressure distribution over cylinders or airfoils.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Consider the part of the pipe where it transitions for a straight duct to the circular bend. What is the pressure
distribution in this region? This problem can be analysed by applying law of mass conservation or the continuity
equation and Newtons second law. The flow is assumed to be inviscid and incompressible, which is a reasonable
assumption to make considering the very low flow velocity. The continuity equation which states that in flux of
mass must be equal to out flux of mass since mass cannot get accumulated in the system can be expressed as
the product of velocity and area of cross-section remains a constant throughout the flow.
When the flow transitions from the straight line to the curved path, the flow starts to turn. This is only possible
if force acts on the fluid particle, causing it to turn radially. This means that the pressure at the outer wall
of the flow has to be higher than the pressure at the inner wall so that a force acts radially inward, sustaining
the centripetal acceleration of the flow. Hence, if we consider a streamline starting from the free stream, if
the streamline is along the outer wall of the bend tube, the pressure rises. From the Bernoulli equation, as
the pressure rises, the velocity of the flow drops. However, at the inner wall, the pressure along the streamline
decreases resulting in an increasing velocity. The variation of velocity from low at the outer wall to high at the
inner wall means that, if we consider a cross-section to the bend tube, the product of the velocity and area will
remain a constant. Hence the velocity re-arranges to accommodate the pressure change and thus satisfy the
continuity equation.

2. Explain how the apparatus can be used as a flow meter. Calculate the discharge co-efficient for this set-up?
Whenever there is bend in the flow, a centripetal force is established which is seen as increasing pressure in
the outward radial direction of the flow. Hence if static probes can be placed at about 45o of the bend, on the
outer and inner edges of the tube, the difference in pressure can be used to calculate the velocity of the flow
after calibrating the instrument. This flow measuring instrument is known as an elbow-tap flow meter, wherein
taps less than 81 the diameter of the pipe are put on the outer and inner wall of the tube.2 Another variation
of this would be to place many static probes along the radial direction of the tube, hence calculate the velocity
and finally use the velocity distribution to calculate the flow rate. However this type of measurement has lower
accuracy. It comes useful only when there is a pipe bend in the flow as the measurement doesnt lead to any
addition pressure drop, while in other flow measuring devices, some type of constrictions are necessary for flow
measurement which can lower the pressure head. Coefficient of discharge is given by:

p
C d = v P

The average value of Cd turned out to be 0.23, which is very poor.

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APPENDIX

TABLE I. Observation Table containing the manometer readings for different RPM
RPM P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12 P13 P14 P15 P16 P17 P18 P19 P20 P21 P22 P23 P24 P25 P29 P30 Reference
550 6.6 7.2 7.1 7.3 7.1 7.3 7.2 6.7 6.3 6.7 6.4 6.2 6.1 6 6 5.9 6 6.2 6.3 6.3 6 6.2 6.5 6.8 7 6.3 4.4 6.6
650 6.6 7.4 7.5 7.8 7.4 7.6 7.6 6.8 6.3 6.8 6.3 6.1 5.9 5.8 5.7 5.6 5.8 6 6.2 6.2 5.7 6.1 6.4 6.9 7.3 6.2 3.4 6.6
750 6.7 7.3 7.9 8.3 7.7 8 7.9 6.9 6.2 6.8 6.2 5.9 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.4 5.6 5.8 6.1 6 5.5 5.9 6.4 7 7.6 6.1 2.5 6.6
850 6.7 7.2 8.4 8.9 8 8.4 8.4 7 6.1 6.9 6 5.7 5.4 5.2 5.2 5 5.3 5.6 5.9 5.8 5.2 5.7 6.3 7.1 7.9 6 1.2 6.6

TABLE II. Uncertainty analysis for P and Cp at inner wall

Manometer Absolute % Error in % Error
RPM Probe No. Cp
Reading (cm) Pressure (Pa) Absolute Pressure in Cp
P1 6.6 99960 0.14 -0.158 0.51
P2 7.2 96675.34758 2.41 -0.473 0.20
P3 7.1 97222.78965 1.99 -0.421 0.22
P4 7.3 96127.90551 2.83 -0.526 0.18
550 P5 7.1 97222.78965 2.00 -0.421 0.22
P6 7.3 96127.90551 2.82 -0.526 0.19
P7 7.2 96675.34758 2.41 -0.473 0.20
P8 6.7 99412.55793 0.41 -0.211 0.39
P9 6.4 101054.8841 0.78 -0.053 1.45
P1 6.6 99960 0.138 -0.143 0.34
P2 7.4 95580.46344 3.25 -0.42 0.13
P3 7.5 95033.02137 3.68 -0.464 0.13
P4 7.8 93390.69516 4.99 -0.57 0.11
650 P5 7.4 95580.46344 3.25 -0.428 0.13
P6 7.6 94485.5793 4.11 -0.5 0.12
P7 7.6 94485.5793 1.24 -0.5 0.12
P8 6.8 98865.11586 0.79 -0.21 0.24
P9 6.3 101602.3262 1.15 -0.036 1.34
P1 6.7 99412.55793 2.34 -0.167 0.226
P2 7.3 96127.90551 0.15 -0.333 0.12
P3 7.9 92843.25309 2.51 -0.5 0.09
P4 8.3 90653.48481 4.28 -0.61 0.078
750 P5 7.7 93938.13723 1.66 -0.444 0.1
P6 8 92295.81102 2.95 -0.528 0.09
P7 7.9 92843.25309 2.52 -0.5 0.09
P8 6.9 98317.67379 1.58 -0.222 0.17
P9 6.2 102149.7683 4.18 -0.027 1.28
P1 6.7 99412.55793 2.35 -0.146 0.20
P2 7.2 96675.34758 0.42 -0.25 0.12
P3 8.4 90106.04274 4.74 -0.5 0.07
P4 8.9 87368.83239 7.11 -0.604 0.06
850 P5 8 92295.81102 2.95 -0.416 0.08
P6 8.4 90106.04274 4.74 -0.5 0.07
P7 8.4 90106.04274 4.74 -0.5 0.072
P8 7 97770.23172 1.20 -0.208 0.15
P9 6.1 102697.2103 4.54 -0.0208 1.34
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TABLE III. Uncertainty analysis for P and Cp at outer wall

Manometer Absolute % Error in % Error
RPM Probe No. Cp
Reading (cm) Pressure (Pa) Absolute Pressure in Cp
P10 6.7 99411.17 2.34 -0.210 0.39
P11 6.4 101057.7 3.46 -0.052 1.45
P12 6.2 102155.3 4.18 0.0526 1.37
P13 6.1 102704.1 4.54 0.105 0.67
P14 6 103253 2.26 0.158 0.44
550 P15 6 103253 2.26 0.158 0.44
P16 5.9 103801.8 2.62 0.210 0.32
P17 6 103253 2.26 0.158 0.44
P18 6.2 102155.3 1.52 0.053 1.37
P19 6.3 101606.5 1.15 0 -
P20 6.3 101606.5 1.15 0 -
P10 6.8 98862.34 0.79 -0.214 0.26
P11 6.3 101606.5 1.15 -0.035 1.44
P12 6.1 102704.1 1.89 0.036 1.39
P13 5.8 104350.6 2.98 0.143 0.33
P14 5.8 104350.6 2.98 0.143 0.33
P15 5.7 104899.5 3.33 0.178 0.26
P16 5.6 105448.3 3.68 0.214 0.22
P17 5.8 104350.6 5.58 0.143 0.33
P18 6 103253 2.26 0.071 0.68
P19 6.2 102155.3 1.52 0 -
P20 6.2 102155.3 1.53 0 -
P10 6.8 98862.34 0.8 -0.194 0.22
P11 6.2 102155.3 1.53 -0.028 1.43
P12 5.9 103801.8 2.62 0.055 0.68
P13 5.7 104899.5 3.33 0.111 0.33
P14 5.6 105448.3 3.68 0.138 0.26
750 P15 5.5 105997.1 4.03 0.167 0.22
P16 5.4 106545.9 4.38 0.194 0.18
P17 5.6 105448.3 3.68 0.139 0.26
P18 5.8 104350.6 2.98 0.083 0.45
P19 6.1 102704.1 1.89 0 -
P20 6 103253 2.26 0.028 1.39
P10 6.9 98313.52 1.2 -0.187 0.17
P11 6 103253 2.26 0 -
P12 5.7 104899.5 3.33 0.063 0.45
P13 5.4 106545.9 4.37 0.125 0.22
P14 5.2 107643.6 5.05 0.166 0.16
850 P15 5.2 107643.6 5.05 0.166 0.16
P16 5 108741.2 5.71 0.208 0.13
P17 5.3 107094.8 4.71 0.146 0.18
P18 5.6 105448.3 3.68 0.083 0.33
P19 5.9 103801.8 2.62 0.021 1.39
P20 5.8 104350.6 2.98 0.041 0.69
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TABLE IV. Uncertainty analysis for P and Cp along the radial line
Manometer Absolute % Error in % Error
RPM Probe No. Cp
Reading (cm) Pressure (Pa) Absolute Pressure in Cp
P21 6 103244.7 4.89 0.158 0.44
P22 6.2 102149.8 4.19 0.053 1.38
550 P23 6.5 100507.4 3.1 -0.105 0.75
P24 6.8 98865.12 1.97 -0.263 0.33
P25 7 97770.23 1.2 -0.368 0.25
P21 5.7 104887 5.93 0.179 0.26
P22 6.1 102697.2 4.54 0.036 1.39
650 P23 6.4 101054.9 3.46 -0.071 0.73
P24 6.9 98317.67 1.59 -0.25 0.23
P25 7.3 96127.91 0.14 -0.393 0.16
P21 5.5 105981.9 6.6 0.167 0.22
P22 5.9 103792.1 5.24 0.056 0.69
750 P23 6.4 101054.9 3.46 -0.083 0.49
P24 7 97770.23 1.2 -0.25 0.18
P25 7.6 94485.58 1.24 -0.417 0.12
P21 5.2 107624.2 7.58 0.167 0.16
P22 5.7 104887 5.93 0.063 0.46
850 P23 6.3 101602.3 3.83 -0.063 0.49
P24 7.1 97222.79 0.81 -0.229 0.15
P25 7.9 92843.25 2.52 -0.396 0.09

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We thank Dr. Vinoth B.R (Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace, Indian Institute of Space Science and
Technology) and Dr. Manoj T. Nair(Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace, Indian Institute of Space Science
and Technology) for their constant supervision throughout the course of the experiments. We also thank them for
providing us with vital information required for the completion of the experimental work. We also would like to thank
the lab assistants for their cooperation and assistance.

REFERENCES

1. http://nptel.ac.in/courses/112104118/lecture-37/37-2_losses_pipe_bends.htm
2. http://www.maxiflo.co.kr/English/Technology/flowmetertypes.htm#Elbow