1

ENERGY LOSSES in FLUID FLOW

In practice there is no such thing as frictionless flow and we must normally take
frictional losses into account.
Frictional losses occur because of fluid viscosity and the creation of turbulence because
of flow disturbances.
entrances,
exits,
straight sections,
bends,
contractions,
expansions,
valves,
fittings etc.

If there are energy losses between (1) and (2)

Bernoulli's equation is written:
Loss Energy
p
gz v
p
gz v
2
2
2
2 2
1 1
1
2
1 2
1
+

+ + =

+ +
L
H
g
p
z
g
v
g
p
z
g
v
Loss Head
g
p
z
g
v
g
p
z
g
v
+

+ + =

+ +
+

+ + =

+ +
2
2
2
2 1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2 1
1
2
1
2 2

2 2
The usual form of the equation expressing these losses is to write it in terms of head
and the energy loss is expressed as a head loss.
2
Head loss because of fluid friction in straight length of pipe
flow
shear forces due to viscosity
resisting the flow
L
d
1
p
2
p
The fluid contained in the pipe is not accelerating therefore the forces acting on it must
sum to zero.
pressure difference between the ends
arising as a result of resistance to flow
dL F area surface stress shear force shear Total
w s
= = i.e. .
2
2 1 2 1
4
) ( i.e. . sec ) ( Pr d p p F area tional cross p p force essure
p

= =
w w
d
L
p p dL d p p = =

4
) (
4
) (
2 1
2
2 1
wall pipe the at stress shear
w
=
Equating forces:
The fluid shear stress acting at the wall is related to the dynamic pressure by what is
known as the friction factor.
2
4 ) (
2
2 1
v
d
L
f p p

=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
2
v
f
w
g
v
d
L
f
g
p p
loss head The
2
4
) (

2
2 1
=

=
The friction factor itself is a function of Reynolds Number (containing viscosity) and the
relative roughness of the pipe inner surface.
For laminar flow:
Re
16
= f
For turbulent flow we obtain friction factor from a Moody Diagram:
g
v
d
L
f h
L
2
4
2
=
3
Caution: In some versions of the Moody Diagram (US practice) the 4 in the expression
is incorporated into the friction factor. This is usually evident from the diagram itself.
In the diagram above:
g
V
d
L
f h
LV
hDg
f
L
2
2
2
2
= =
For laminar flow:
Re
64
= f
4
American
British
f
f =
the 4 is missing
This does not normally cause a problem its simply a case of using the correct head
loss expression with the matching friction factor.
4
Head loss due to bends, elbows, fittings, etc.
These are usually dealt with in one of two ways:
Substitution of an equivalent length of straight pipe;
Designation of a k factor, where the head loss is given by:
g
v
k h
L
2
2
=
0.20 Long radius 90, flanged
1.50 Elbow 90 threaded
0.30 Elbow 90 flanged
0.90 Tee , Line flow, threaded
0.20 Tee , Line flow, flanged
0.40 Elbow 45, threaded
0.70 Long radius 90, threaded
2.00 Swing check valve, flow
2.10 Gate valve, 1/2 closed
0.15 Gate valve, fully open
2.00 Angle valve, fully open
10.00 Globe valve, fully open
k Fitting
This information is often
provided by manufacturers.
However, some care is
needed because some
manufacturers use
proprietary methods of
head loss calculation.
Example: Determine the flow rate from a water tank with a pipe system as shown.
fully open gate valve
90elbow , threaded
5m
7m
10m
11m
25 mm dia pipe
(smooth)

L
H
g
p
z
g
v
g
p
z
g
v
+

+ + =

+ +
2
2
2
2 1
1
2
1
2 2
datum
L
atm atm
H
g
p
g
v
g
p
+

+ + =

+ + 0
2
11 0
2
2
g
v
H
L
2
11
2
2
=
5
fully open globe valve
90elbow , threaded
5m
7m
10m
11m
25 mm dia pipe
(smooth)

datum
entry
loss
pipe straight elbow elbow valve entry H
L
) 10 7 5 ( + + + + + + =
) 10 7 5 (
2 2
) (
2
2 2 2
+ + = + + + + = L
g
v
d
L
f
g
v
k k k
g
v
H
elbow elbow valve L

However, before we can find f we need v!
We need the answer before we
can solve the problem!
We proceed by estimating v, find the estimated head loss, and then check our estimate.
We can easily find v if there are no losses, and then reduce it by a reasonable fraction.
g
v
H
L
2
11
2
2
= s m v
g
v
/ 7 . 14 11 81 . 9 2 11
2
2
2
= = = 0 =
L
H If
Lets assume the actual velocity = 0.5 x 14.7 7m/s
017 0 15 5 . 2 7 . f Vd = = = Diagram Moody the from
cm
6
Smooth
pipes
m
L
g
v
d
L
f
g
v
k k k
g
v
H
elbow elbow valve estimate L


7 . 47
025 . 0
22
017 . 0 ) 5 . 1 5 . 1 15 . 0 ( 1
81 . 9 2
7
) 10 7 5 (
2 2
) (
2
2
2 2 2
=
)
`

+ + + +

=
+ + = + + + + =
5 ~ dividing by velocity the reduce to need We
5 ~ of factor a by loss head actual likely the exceeds value this Since 5 . 2
2
2
2
=
g
v
m/s 1 . 3
5
7

Lets assume the actual velocity = 3.1 m/s

020 0 5 . 7 5 . 2 3 . f Vd = = = Diagram Moody the from
cm
7
m

65 . 10
025 . 0
22
02 . 0 ) 5 . 1 5 . 1 15 . 0 ( 1
81 . 9 2
1 . 3
) 10 7 5 (
2 2
) (
2
2
2 2 2
=
)
`

+ + + +

=
+ + = + + + + = L
g
v
d
L
f
g
v
k k k
g
v
H
elbow elbow valve estimate L
m 52 . 10
81 . 9 2
1 . 3
11
2
11
2 2
2
=

= =
g
v
H
L
The estimated and actual values of the head loss are now almost equal.
kg/s 52 . 1 1 . 3 025 . 0
4
1000
2
=

= = Av m
This iterative method often occurs when analysing pipe flow systems.
It is often readily carried out via a spreadsheet.