Pressure losses in pipe network

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Introduction

In Bernoulli’s equation as shown below, hf represents the head loss due to the friction between the
fluid and the internal surface of the constant diameter pipe as well as the friction between the
adjacent fluid layers

p1/g + V1²/2g + Z1 = p2/g + V2²/2g + Z2 + hf (1)

This will result in a continuous change of energy from a valuable mechanical form (such as kinetic
or potential energies) to a less valuable thermal form that is heat. This change of energy is usually
referred to as friction head loss, which represents the amount of energy converted into heat per
unit weight of fluid.

The head losses (hf) in pipe due to friction can be determined using Darcy-Weisback equation;

𝟒𝒇𝑳𝑽𝟐
Turbulent flow 𝒉𝒇 = (2)
𝟐𝒈𝑫

𝟑𝟐𝒇𝑳𝑸 𝟐
Laminar flow 𝒉𝒇 = 𝝅𝟐 𝒈𝑫𝟓 (3)

Where:

f = Friction factor

L = Length

V = Mean velocity (Q/A)

g = Gravity

D = Constant diameter

The friction head loss for both laminar and turbulent flows can be expressed by similar formulas
although the original derivation of each one is different:

𝑳 𝑽𝟐
𝒉𝒇 = 𝒇 𝑫 𝟐𝒈 (4)

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In laminar flow, the friction factor is only a friction of Reynolds number while for turbulent flow
it is a function of Reynolds (Re) number and the relative roughness of the pipe.

Re = VD /  (5)

Where : density, V: average velocity, D: Pipe inside diameter, : Viscosity.

Based on the nature of the flow, friction factor (f) can be estimated using the following correlations

Laminar flow f = 64/Re (6)

Turbulent Flow f =0.316 x Re -0.25 (7)

Equation (7) is Blausius Equation and only valid for smooth pipe and 3000<Re<105.

The value of f for turbulent flow can be obtained experimentally from the Moody Chart.

Moreover, for turbulent flow, the relationship between hf and V takes the form

hf= KVn (8)

Where K is a loss coefficient and n ranges from 1.7 to 2.0 (depending on the value of Re and
ks/D).This equation can be written as

Log hf= Log K + n Log V (9)

In order to find K and n experimentally, using graph

Experimentally, one can obtain the head loss by applying energy equation between any two points
along a constant diameter pipe. This is done in Eq.1 and by noticing that the pipe is horizontal and
the diameter is constant. The pressure heads of a fluid between 2 points, h1 and h2 are measured by
using Piezometer tubes. The total head loss can be determined experimentally by applying the
Bernoulli’s equation as follows:

hf= (P1 – P2)/ g = h1 – h2 (10)

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Energy losses are proportional to the velocity head of the fluid as it flows around an elbow, through
an enlargement or contraction of the flow section, or through a valve. Experimental values for
energy losses are usually reported in terms of a resistance or loss coefficient K as follows:

hL= KV2/2g (11)

where hL is the minor loss, K is the resistance or loss coefficient, and V is the average velocity of
flow in the pipe in the vicinity where the minor occurs. The resistance or loss coefficient is
dimensionless because it represents a constant of proportionality between the energy loss and the
velocity head. The magnitude of the resistance coefficient depends on the geometry of the device
that causes the loss and sometimes on the velocity of flow.

Experimental Procedure
Measure the length of the pipe. Note down the each pipe fittings diameter given in the lab manual.
Allow the water to flow through the piping network. The discharge of the water is controlled by a
controlling valve. After controlling the flow, water is allowed to pass through the whole piping
network. Manometer is filled with H2O make sure that the manometer valves are closely tighten
and no presence of air in the manometer. Once the piping system is filled completely measure the
water head at different junctions of the piping system. Connect the manometer to the respective
parts to measure the head difference across the parts. During the pressure measurement the volume
flow rate has to be constant. Note down the manometer reading at different locations and repeat
the procedure for two more volume flow rates.

Based on the discharge value and diameter at each location calculate velocity. From the pressure
difference reading and velocity change the total pressure loss is determined. Substituting the
pressure difference to the corresponding major or minor loss the friction factor (f)/minor loss factor
(K) is determined.

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Experimental Data And Analysis

test number 1 2 3 4
1 834 549 87 336
2 260 416 100 390
3 693 375 100 373
4 315 379 11 22
5 1120 700 380 638
6 375 519 280 268
7 268 528
piezometer tube reading (cm)
water 8 153 88

Graph Result:

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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Results And Discussion
1.value of n:

n = (log hf 1 - log hf 2 ) / (log V1 - log V 2 )

pipe 1: (log 0.84 – log 0.32)/ (log 0.84 – log 0.46)

= 1.4688

When the velocity change takes place in a flow the pressure head will also change. The region
where the pressure is high the loss in the pressure drop will be also comparatively high. Likewise
the region where the velocity is high kinetic head drop will be more at those sections. Since the
velocity at section where the diameter is same there is no kinetic head loss takes place. The region
where the velocity changes like reducer and enlarger the kinetic head change appears. The pressure
drop in a pipe is mainly due to friction and the value is directly proportional to the friction factor
(f). The major pressure drop and minor pressure drop in the pipe shows the static pressure drop if
the pipe diameter is not changing. The varying pipe diameter shows both kinetic and static pressure
drop. No matter whatever the pipe is straight or bend energy will loss due to friction. For same
diameter pipe energy loss in a bend pipe is more than the energy loss in a straight pipe provided
both have same length. The effect of friction increases with velocity of flow. The variation may
be drastic in bends and less variation in straight pipe.

In this lab project the pressure drop is more in experimental result and the theoretical result based
on the reference values are less. The change in the values are in appropriate may be because of the
change in inner diameter of the pipe network due prolonged use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, all the objectives of the experiment are achieved. However, the result obtained in
the experiment is inaccurate. This is due to difference in the experimental value and theoretical
value. From the experiment, we can conclude that linear pipe with rough surface have larger
energy losses than the energy losses in linear pipe with smooth surface. This occurs because
friction in rough surface pipe is higher than the friction in smooth surface pipe. From the
experiment, we also know that losses in pipe are also dependent on the diameter of the pipe. The

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smaller the diameter will have the greater losses. Besides, losses in pipe are also dependent on
the flow rate. When the flow rate is higher, the losses will also be greater. Losses in sudden
enlargement in pipe are greater than sudden contraction in pipe and 90° bend pipe. Losses in 90°
bend pipe are greater than losses in sudden contraction in pipe.

Ksudden enlargement > K90° bend > Ksudden contraction

Hence, the precautionary steps should be taken to get the best result in order to avoid all the errors
come out. Some of the steps are to make the flow rate of the water source consistent and remove
the bubble from the tubes in the measurements.

References

Rolf H. Sabersky, Allan J Acosta, Edward G. Hauptmann and E.M. Gates, "Fluid Flow-A First
Course of Fluid Mechanics" (Fourth Edition), Prentice Hall Inc., 1999.

R.V Giles, “Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics” (Third Edition), McGrawHill Inc; 1994.

Lab Manual University Teknologi Malaysia.