FM&HM LAB

FRICTION IN PIPES
AIM:
To determine Darcy Friction Co-efficient of flow in a pipe and to
investigate the velocity for different diameters of pipe.
APPARATUS:
Pipe friction apparatus, stopwatch
SPECIFICATIONS:
* Pump Capacity : 1 HP, 1 Ph.

* Collecting (Measuring) Tank Area : 0.0772 m2

* Diameters of pipes being used : ½”, ¾”. 1”

DESCRIPTIPN OF APPARATUS
The apparatus consists of pipe line of three different diameters of G.I. A
U-Tube manometer is provided with a stabilizing valve to measure the pressure
difference across the tapping, one at either end of the pipe line fitted with a Ball
Valve. A constant steady supply of water is provided using Centrifugal Pump.
There is means for varying the flow rate. A Measuring tank is provided to
measure the flow rate. Each pipe line is provided with separate control valve to
conduct experiment separately.
THEORY:
A closed circuit of any cross-section used for flow of liquid is known as a
pipe. In hydraulics, generally, pipes are assumed to be running full and of
circular cross section. Liquids flowing through pipes are encountered with
frictional resistance resulting in loss of head or energy of liquids. This
resistance is of two types depending upon the velocity of flow.
1. Viscous Resistance and
2. Frictional Resistance, due to different diameters.
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The viscous resistance is due to the molecular attraction between the
molecules of the fluid. At low velocities, the fluid appeared to move in layer or
lamina, and hence the nature of this flow is termed laminar flow or Stream line.
If the velocity of the liquid is steadily increased, at certain velocity termed as
the lower critical velocity the parallel bands of liquid will become wavy. On
further increase in the velocity these instabilities will increase in intensity until a
velocity corresponding to the upper critical velocity is attained. The region of
flow bounded by the lower and upper critical velocities is termed the transition
zone. For all further increase in velocity of flow the streamline remains in a
diffused state and the nature of this type of flow is termed turbulent. In this
case the flow is restricted by the friction between the liquid and the pipe
surface which is known as frictional resistance.
Darcy - weisbach Friction Factor:

Darcy Weisbach equation is commonly used for computing the loss of

head due to friction in pipes. It is given by,

LV2
hf = f -----------
D2g
where ,
hf = loss of head due to friction
L = length of pipe
D = diameter of pipe
V = mean velocity of flow in the pipe
f = Darcy Weisbach friction factor.

The above equation indicates that the loss of energy head varies directly
with velocity head (V2/2g), pipe length L and inversely with pipe diameter (D).
The constant of proportionality used in Darcy Weisbach equation, in the above
form, f, is called friction factor.

PROCEDURE:
1. Fill-in the sump tank with clean water.
2. Keep the delivery valve closed.
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3. Connect the power cable to 1 Ph, 220V, 10 Amps with earth connection.
4. Switch -ON the Pump & open the delivery valve.
5. Adjust the flow through the control valve of the pump.
6. Open the corresponding ball valves of the pipe line.
7. Note down the differential head reading in the Manometer (Expel if any air
is there by opening the drain cocks provided with the Manometer).
8. Operate the Butterfly Valve to note down the collecting tank reading against
the Known time and keep it open when the reading are not taken.
9. Change the flow rate & repeat the experiment for different diameter of
pipes.
OBSERVATIONS:

MANOMETER READING
TIME TAKEN FOR
mm of Hg
SL. TYPE OF PIPE 10cm RISE OF
VALVE POSITION
NO. FITTING WATER,
h t

1. (Dia ) 27mm

2.
(Dia ) 21mm

3.
(Dia ) 15mm
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CALCULATIONS:

DATA:

* Area of Measuring Tank, “A” = 0.0764m 2

* Length of pipe, “L” = 1.2 m.
* Kinematic viscosity, = 1.00 x 10-6 m2/sec
* Acceleration due to gravity, “g’’ = 9.81 m/sec2
* Diameter of pipe, “d’’ = 27, 21, 15 mm, (G.I)

1) Loss of Head due to Friction (hf):

12.6 H
hf = ----------- m.
1000
Where,
H = Difference in Mercury Column in mm of Hg in double column
Manometer.
12.6 & 1000 are conversion factors.

2) Discharge (Q):

AxR
Q = ------------ in m3/sec
100 x t
Where, A = Area of Collecting tank = 0.0764m2
R = Rise of water in collecting tank in m
t = time taken for ‘R’ rise of water in collecting tank in sec.

3) Velocity Head(V):

Discharge Q
V = --------------------- = ------ in m/sec.
Area of inlet section a

Where, Q = from formulae 2.

a = area of pipe ( d2/4) in m2.
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4) Friction Factor (f):

Loss of Head
f = ------------------
Velocity Head

2 g d hf
f = -----------
4 L V2
Where,
hf = The loss of head due to friction = Formulae (1)
g = Specific gravity = 9.81 m/sec2
d = diameter of pipe in m.
L = The length of the pipe (Manometer tapping distance)
in m.= 1.2 m
f = Friction factor or co-efficient.
V = Velocity Head = Formulae (3).

5) Reynolds Number (Re):

Inertia force VD
Re = ---------------- or Re = ----- (for circular pipe)
Viscous force ν

Where, V = average velocity of flow

D = diameter of pipe
ν = Kinematic viscosity coefficient of the fluid(water)
= 1x10-6 m2/sec
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TABLE OF CALCULATION:

FRICTION IN PIPES SET UP

TIME
TAKEN
MANOMETER Area of
VALVE TYPE OF FOR 10cm
READING mm Collecting hf Q Velocity f Re
Area of POSITION PIPE FITTING RISE OF
of Hg Tank (A)
inlet WATER t
section 's'
1"
(DIA = 27mm)

3/4"
(DIA = 21mm)

1/2"
(DIA = 15mm)

hf = Loss of Head due to Friction in m

Re = Reynolds Number
Q = Discharge in m3/sec
V = Velocity Head in m/sec
f = Friction Factor

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

FM&HM LAB