MANIPAL UNIVERSITY JAIPUR

Department of chemical Engineering

CE-2130 Transport Phenomena Labrotory-1

EXPERIMENT#4
PIPE FRICTION LOSSES

INSTRUCTUR
Mr.Anees y. Khan

Group Number-1
MEMBERS.AMOLUCK BHATIA
KUSHAL MAVDIKAR
YOGESH MALANI
NAME-Amoluck Bhatia
ID-209101001

DATE OF EXPERIMENT-17/11/2021

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………............... (10)

REFERENCES …………………………………………………………………………………….. (5)

APPENDIX Original data, sample calculations, other information………. (5)

GENERAL COMPLETENESS Conciseness and neatness………………………… (10)

CONTENT TABLE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.OBJECTIVE
2.INTRODUCTION
3.EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
4.PROCEDURE
5.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
6.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
7.REFRENCE
8.APPENDEX
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The total energy loss in a pipe system is the sum of the major and minor losses. 
Major losses are associated with frictional energy loss that is caused by the viscous
effects of the fluid and roughness of the pipe wall.  Major losses create a pressure
drop along the pipe since the pressure must work to overcome the frictional
resistance. The Darcy-Weisbach equation is the most widely accepted formula for
determining the energy loss in pipe flow. In this equation, the friction factor (f ), a
dimensionless quantity, is used to describe the friction loss in a pipe. In laminar
flows, f is only a function of the Reynolds number and is independent of the
surface roughness of the pipe. In fully turbulent flows, f depends on both the
Reynolds number and relative roughness of the pipe wall.  In engineering
problems, f is determined by using the Moody diagram.
OBJECTIVE
Study of losses due to friction in pipes determine losses due to friction and the
friction factor for Darcy-Weisback equation

INTRODUCTION
The pipe friction apparatus consists of a test pipe (mounted vertically on the rig), a constant
head tank, a flow control valve, an air-bleed valve, and two sets of manometers to measure
the head losses in the pipe (Figure 4.1). A set of two water-over-mercury manometers is used
to measure large pressure differentials, and two water manometers are used to measure small
pressure differentials. When not in use, the manometers may be isolated, using Hoffman
clamps.

Since mercury is considered a hazardous substance, it cannot be used in undergraduate fluid

This experiment is performed under two flow conditions: high flow rates and low flow rates.
For high flow rate experiments, the inlet pipe is connected directly to the bench water supply.
For low flow rate experiments, the inlet to the constant head tank is connected to the bench
supply, and the outlet at the base of the head tank is connected to the top of the test pipe [4].

The apparatus’ flow control valve is used to regulate flow through the test pipe. This valve
should face the volumetric tank, and a short length of flexible tube should be attached to it, to
prevent splashing.

The air-bleed valve facilitates purging the system and adjusting the water level in the water
manometers to a convenient level, by allowing air to enter them.
PRINCIPAL OF PIPE FRICTION APPARATUS

The energy loss in a pipe can be determined by applying the energy equation to a section of a
straight pipe with a uniform cross section:

If the pipe is horizontal:  

Since vin = vout :

The pressure difference (Pout-Pin) between two points in the pipe is due to the frictional
resistance, and the head loss hL is directly proportional to the pressure difference.

The head loss due to friction can be calculated from the Darcy-Weisbach equation:

where:

:  head loss due to flow resistance

f:    Darcy-Weisbach coefficient

L:  pipe length

D: pipe diameter

v: average velocity

g:  gravitational acceleration.

For laminar flow, the Darcy-Weisbach coefficient (or friction factor f ) is only a function of
the Reynolds number (Re) and is independent of the surface roughness of the pipe, i.e.:

For turbulent flow,  f  is a function of both the Reynolds number and the pipe roughness
height,  . Other factors, such as roughness spacing and shape, may also affect the value of f;
however, these effects are not well understood and may be negligible in many cases.
Therefore, f  must be determined experimentally. The Moody diagram relates f to the pipe
wall relative roughness ( /D) and the Reynolds number (Figure 4.2).

Instead of using the Moody diagram, f can be determined by utilizing empirical formulas.

Reynolds number is given by:

where v is the average velocity,  D is the pipe diameter, and    and   are dynamic and
kinematic viscosities of the fluid, respectively. (Figure 4.3).

In this experiment, hL is measured directly by the water manometers and the differential
pressure gauge that are connected by pressure tappings to the test pipe. The average
velocity, v, is calculated from the volumetric flow rate (Q ) as:

PROCEDURE
Start up:
1. The sump tank is filled with water ensuring the drain valves are closed.

2. It is ensured that the control valve for smaller pipe is closed and that for the larger pipe is
fully open.

3. The power supply and pump are switched on.

4. It is ensured that there are no air bubbles in the manometer.

Operation:
1. The manometer reading is noted.

2. The flow is diverted to the measuring tank, and change in the water level was noted for 10
seconds.

3. The same is repeated for different positions of the control valve

. 4. The control valve for the larger pipe is closed and that for the smaller pipe is opened.

5. The above steps are repeated.

Shut down:
1. The sump tank and measuring tank are emptied using their respective drain valves.
2. The power supply and the pump are switched off.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

PRECAUSION
1. Ensure that there are no air bubbles in the manometer.

2. Change the position of the control valve carefully to prevent mercury from falling into the sump
tank.

3. Note the readings of the manometer carefully.

REFRENCE
https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapt
er/experiment-4/
1. Alan S. Foust, Leonard A. Wenzel, Curtis W. Clump, Louis Maus, L. B. A.
Principles of unit operations, 2nd edition. (Wiley, 2008)