Session

THE MEASUREMENT LOCAL LOSSES AND K FACTOR OF

VALVES AND FITTINGS BY COMPUTER
Riza GRBZ
Ankara University
Cankiri College Of Arts And Technology
Cankiri-Trkiye
E-mail: gurbuz@cmyo.ankara.edu.tr

Abstract
The purpose of this experiment is to measure flow rate, friction factor, velocity of fluid and the K
factor of some valves and fittings such as tee, elbow, Y Junction, gate and globe valves.
It is used computer, pressure differential transmitter, venturi and orifice meter to measure flow rate,
pressure drops on flow rate measurement devices and pressure drops of some valves and fittings to
be measured K factors. It is also measured temperature of fluid.
A computer program is written to calculate Reynold number of fluid, friction factor of pipe, velocity,
local losses of fluid, flow rate and K factor of valves and fittings, required data are received from
measured quantities. Conclusion of experiments are printed as shown next pages of article.
Volumetric flow rate limitations 0-60 (Lpm), pressure drop is 0-100 kPa.
Key words: K factor, fittings, valves, flow rate measurement, local losses.

Introduction
When fluid flows throughout a pipe or conduit, it counters resistance to flow. In straight piping, this
resistance is caused by surface roughness.
In addition to friction losses, there are losses due to turning gate valve, globe valve, flow control
valve, sudden enlargement, 45? or 90? junctions etc. Finally, it took place pressure drop in this
sections of fluid systems local losses. It must be taken care of system design.
All losses can be determined for each of various elements in the system and added together to get
the total system loss. K factor of some elements can be determined using empirical formulas that
have been developed by experimentation.
This permits the calculation of energy losses for any system compenents. Bernoullis equation and
the continuity equation can be used to perform a complete analysis of a fluid power system. This
includes calculating the pressure drops, flow rates and horsepower losses for all components of fluid
power system.
Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

There are two basic types of flow in pipes, depending on the nature of different factors mentioned
above that affect the flow. The first type is laminar flow, which is characterized by the fluid flowing in
smooth layers of laminae. This type of fluid motion is called streamline flow because all particles of
fluid are moving in parallel paths.
If the velocity of flow reaches a high enough value, the flow ceases to be laminar and becomes
turbulent. Movement of a particular becomes random and fluctuates up and down in a direction
perpendicular as well as parallel to the mean flow direction in turbulent flow. Reynold numbers (Re)
is very important to know whether the flow puttern inside a pipe is laminar or turbulent[1].
If Re is less than 2000 the flow is laminar, if Re is greater than 4000, the flow is turbulent. Reynold
numbers between 2000 and 4000 cover a critical zone between laminar and turbulent flow[2].
There are well-established methods for determining friction losses which can be found in numerous
textbooks and engineering handbooks (Two frequently cited references are: Cameron Hydraulic
Data, Ingersall-Rand Co., N.Y., 1970, and Flow of Fluids Through Valves, Fittings, and Pipe,
Technical Paper No: 410, crane co., N.Y., 1981)[8].
Additionally, manufacturer produced data sheets and engineering handbooks frequently contain the
design information to determine line losses.
Friction losses are a function of velocity (flow rate), there is unique pressure value for each flow rate
value. Therefore friction losses should be calculated experimentally for the minimum and maximum
flow rates.
Manufacturers of the pipe, valves, fittings, elbow, X.Y.T junction etc. are determined by
computerized friction losses apparatus and are prepared as table in their catalogue or their internet
site.

System Design of Local Losses and K Factor Measurement and Calculation Method
The calculations of K factor of some valves, fittings parts by computer needs pressure transmitter,
Analog-Digital cards, fluid flow rate or velocity of flow device such as venturi or orifice matter,
computer and program to be evaluated the data. For calculating of some data such as Reynold
numbers, friction factor, velocity, specific values should be given for parameters such as pipe
diameters, pipe lengths, fluid specific gravity, dimension of flow rate measurement devices: Analogdigital cards should be suitable for measured physical quantity and maximum-minimum values in
system[3,4].
In order to perform to enormous number of calculations required to optimize complete fluid friction
measurement systems in a reasonable period of time, it becomes necessary to utilize computers. The
value of any numbers parameters can be changed and the effect on overall system performance.
Thus, the use of computers permits to analyze the some parameters very quick and sensitive and all
data can be stored and utilized for measurement, requested data can be got as a table or graphic.

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Fluid
Friction
Apparatus

?
?
?

Printer
Hard-Disk
Floppy Disk

Measurement
Devices
? Venturi
? Orifice meter

?
?

Transmitter
? Pressure Diff.
? Temperature

Computer
Program

Analog
Digital
Cards

Figure 1: Block Diagram of Computerized Fluid Friction Apparatus

Fluid Friction Apparatus and Specifications

Fluid friction apparatus is designed to allow the detailed study of fluid friction head losses which
occur when an incompressible fluid flows through pipes bends, valves and pipe flow metering
devices. Pressure differences transmitters (2) Thermocouple (J Model) transmitter and AnalogDigital Cards were added to system to measure the some quantities (flow rate, velocity of fluid,
Reynolds number, friction factor, losses etc.) [3,5,6].

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of Fluid Friction Apparatus

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Index Sheet for Fluid Friction Apparatus

1, 2, 3, 4,

(Pipes (7,5, 16, 18 mm)

10. 90? Elbow

2. Suddent contraction

11. 90? Bend

3. Sudden Enlargement

12. 90? T Junction

4. Ball Valve

13. Pitot Static Tube

5. 45? Elbow

14. Venturi meter

6. 45? Y Junction

15. Orifice meter

7. Gate Valve

20,21 U Type manometers (not used)

8. Globe Valve

22-28

Tank unit. (Pump, motor etc.)

9. In-line Strainer

Figure 3: Picture of Fluid Friction Apparatus

Input Data (SI system)

Fluid Type

= Water

Data to be calculated
?

Flow rate ( V )
= ..... m3/s, L/s.
Density (? )
= 999 kg/m (water)
Velocity (U)
= ..... m/s.
Specific gravity (g)
= 9,81 m/s2 (water)
Reynolds number (Re) = ................
Friction Factor (f)
= ................
Viscosity (? )
= 0,001 Pa.s. (water)
Local Losses (H)
= ......... m.
Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering
Education
Annual
Conference
Exposition
K factor
(K L)
= .........&m.
3

Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Diameter (inside) (d) = (18,16, 7,5 mm)

Temperature :

= (25-28?C)

K (Ventury) : 0,0007 (Cd= 0,98, D= 24 mm , d= 14 mm)

K (Orifice)

: 0,0012 (Cd= 0,62, D= 24 mm, d= 20 mm)

n (Turning number): .................. (for gate and globe valves)

Data to be measured.
Pressure Drop (? p), Pa
Pressure Drop (? p), Pa

(Venturi and orifice plate) it is used flow rate and Reynold number
(input-output of component) it is used K factor and losses.

Equations for Measurement and Calculation

?
V

= K

?h

? p = ?g ? h
U=

?
V
? D2 / 4

DU?
?
0 , 079
Re0 ,25

(Flow rate)

Re =

(Pressure Drop)

f=

(Velocity of fluid)

HL = KL

U2
2g

(Reynold number)
(Friction Factor for Turbulence)
(Local Losses)

Experimental Analysis of Fluid Friction and Discussion

Flow rate of fluid is calculated as below:
?
V

= K

?h

U=

? p = ?g ? h

?
V
? D2 / 4

? h = ? p/

?g

?
V

= K

?p / ?g

K is 0,0007 for used venturi meter.

? p signal is received from pressure differential transmitter between 4-20 mA. and changed as
pressure (Pa).
Flow rate is calculated with computer program as m3/s and converted L/s by multiplying 1/1000.
It is shown an graphics (figure 8-16) of experiments.
Reynold number is dimensionless parameter to determine the type of fluid which is laminar or
turbulence.[1,2,3]
Re =

DU ?
?

In these experiments Reynold number is above the 4000, therefore fluid type is turbulance flow.
Local losses can be found by using Darcys equation.
HL = KL

U2
2g

(Local Losses)

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Local losses are generally between 0,5 2 (m) in these experiments (90? bend, 90? elbow, 45?
elbow, 45? Y, 90? T, sudden enlargement, sudden contraction, ball valve, in line strainer, orifice
meter, gate valve and globe vale).
Flow rate is controlled by control valves (V2, V6, V1) to measure K factor at different flow rates.
(see figure 2)
Specifications of Used Transmitters and Analog Digital Cards and Transmitters
Model = Pressure Measurement A/D Card (4)

RS 232/RS 485 Converter Card (1)

Output = 15-50-100-500 mV, 4-20 mA.

Speed (bps) : 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600

Power

= +10 + 30 VDC

Thermocouple (1)
Model = Fe constant (J)
Range

= -200, + 800 ?C

Figure 4: Pressure Transmitter

Pressure Differential Transmitter (2)

Range : 0-60/0-120/0-150 kPa
Output: 4-20 mA

Figure 5: Analog Digital Cards

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Determining the K factor of some valves and fittings are used experimental techniques. These parts
are valves and fitting such as tees, elbows and bends.
Experimental tests have shown that local losses are proportional to the square of the velocity of the
fluid and inside diameter of pipe and viscosity of fluid.
It used analog or digital devices to measure pressure differences, and flow rate of fluid.
Analog devices are not proper for sensitive measurement. Therefore it is advised to use digital
pressure differential measurement for computerized measurement.
Figure 6: Orifice meter

Figure 7: Venturi meter

Computer program helps for calculating quickly and correctly of K factor and other values.
This experimental study has universal structure and can be applied all kind of valves and fittings.
It must be changed pressure difference and other transmitters in according to range of the pressure,
temperature, flow rate etc.
Proportional valves or frequency converter of motor can be used to control flow rate instead of
manual valve control.
It will give more sensitive graphics than applied method.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
1.

Hardy, J.E., Hylton, J.O., Flow Measurement Methods and Applications John Willey and Sons
Publication, ISBN 0-471-24509-7, USA, 1999.

2.

Bentley, J., Principles of Measurement Systems Longman Scientific and Technical, ISBN 0-470-21056-7,
USA, 1988.

3.

Spitzer, D., Industrial Flow Measurement, Resources for Measurement and Control Series, ISBN 1-55617243-5, USA, 1990.

4.

Transactions in Measurement and Control, Volume 4, Flow and Level Measurement, OMEGA.
www.omega.com.

5.

Grbz, R., The Measurement of Local and Continuous Losses Against the Increasing Flow the by
Computer. UMTIK 2000, ISBN Tk 975-429-157-8, Pages 433-451, 13-15 Sept. 2001, METU, Ankara, Turkey.

6.

Armfield Armfield, Fluid Friction Apparatus, Issue 7a March 1987 Hampshire, England
www.armfield.co.uk

7.

Morison, K., R., JORDAN, P., J., Spreadsheet Documentation for Students and Engineers, The
International Journal of Engineering Education, Volume 16, Number 6, ISSN 0949-149x, page 509-515,
IRELAND, 2000.

8.

Ostand, R.P., Richards, P.G. Minimizing Piping Friction Losses in Low-Pressure Regulating Valves.
www.controleng.com/archives/.

BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Riza Gurbuz is Vice Principal of Ankara University, Cankiri College of Arts and Technology and is
instructor at mechanical engineering higher technician programme since 1985. For detailed
information, please click below address.
http://cmyo.ankara.edu.tr/ogrgor/ (Select Riza Gurbuz)
Appendixes

Experimental Results of Some Fittings and Valves

8: rate
90? Elbow
open)
Pump button shows the amount ofFigure
the flow
on the (Full
graphic.

Figure 9: 90Bend (Full open)

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society

for45?
Engineering
Education
Figure 10:
Elbow (Quarter
open) Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

K factor window (under the pump button) shows average K factor right hand side shows sudden K factor

Appendixes

Experimental Results of Some Fittings and Valves

Figure 11: In-line Strainer (Quarter open)

Figure 12: Orifice Meter (Full open)

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Figure13: Sudden Contraction (Full open)

Appendixes

Experimental Results of Some Fittings and Valves

Figure 14: Gate valve (Quarter open)

Figure 15: Globe valve (Full open)

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Figure 16: Globe valve (Quarter Open)

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition
Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education