Soran University-Faculty of Engineering

Petroleum Engineering Department

2024-2025 – 2nd Stage

Fluid Mechanics – Lab Report:

Prepared by: Kian Ali Sabri

Experiment No: 06

Exp.Date: 2 / 12 / 2023

Subm.Date: 4 / 12 / 2023

Group A

Supervised by: Dr.Hiwa & Mr.Shahab

Introduction……………………………………………………………….....…………..2
Theory…….……………………………………………………………………….….…3

Objective…………….………………………………………………………….....….…4
Materials ……………..…………….….……………………………………….…….…4
Apparatus …...………..…………….….……………………………………….…….…4
Procedure………….…………………………………………………………….……....5

Calculation……………………………………………………………………...……….6
Result and Discussion……………………………………………...………..........……..8

Conclusion……………………………………………...…………………….…...….....9
References……………………………………………...…………………….....……...10
Introduction :

Two types of energy loss predominate in fluid flow through a pipe network; major losses, and
minor losses. Major losses are associated with frictional energy loss that is caused by the
viscous effects of the medium and roughness of the pipe wall. Minor losses, on the other hand,
are due to pipe fittings, changes in the flow direction, and changes in the flow area. Due to the
complexity of the piping system and the number of fittings that are used, the head loss
coefficient (K) is empirically derived as a quick means of calculating the minor head losses.

The term “minor losses”, used in many textbooks for head loss across fittings, can be misleading
since these losses can be a large fraction of the total loss in a pipe system. In fact, in a pipe
system with many fittings and valves, the minor losses can be greater than the major (friction)
losses. Thus, an accurate K value for all fittings and valves in a pipe system is necessary to
predict the actual head loss across the pipe system. K values assist engineers in totaling all of
the minor losses by multiplying the sum of the K values by the velocity head to quickly
determine the total head loss due to all fittings. Knowing the K value for each fitting enables
engineers to use the proper fitting when designing an efficient piping system that can minimize
the head loss and maximize the flow rate.

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Theory :

The resistance to flow in a pipe network causes loss in the pressure head along the flow. The
overall head loss across a pipe network consists of the following:

• Major losses (h major).

• Minor losses (h minor).

1. Major losses

Major losses refer to the losses in pressure head of the flow due to friction effects. Such losses
can be evaluated by using the Darcy-Weisbach equation:

𝑳 𝑽𝟐
𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓 = 𝒇 × 𝑫 × (1)
𝟐𝒈

where f is the Darcy friction factor, L is the length of the pipe segment, v is the flow velocity,
D is the diameter of the pipe segment, and g is acceleration due to gravity. Equation (1) is valid
for any fully developed, steady and incompressible flow.

The friction factor f can be calculated by the following empirical formula, known as the Blasius
formula, valid for turbulent flow in smooth pipes with ReD < 105:

𝒇 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟏𝟔 (𝑹𝒆𝑫 )_𝟎.𝟐𝟓 (2)

2. Minor losses

In a pipe network, the presence of pipe fittings such as bends, elbows, valves, sudden expansion
or contraction causes localized loss in pressure head. Such losses are termed as minor losses.
Minor losses are expressed using the following equation:

𝒗𝟐
𝒉 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒓 = 𝒌 × 𝟐𝒈 (3)

where K is called the Loss Coefficient of the pipe fitting under consideration.

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Objective :

• Study the value of the Bernoulli equation applied to water flow in a horizontal tapered pipe
to determine whether the total pressure head remains constant along the pipe length as
predicted by the equation.

• Determine whether the change in static pressure along the length of a pipe can be predicted
using Bernoulli's equation

Materials:

Water

Apparatus:

Fluid Friction in Pipes and Fitting Stopwatch

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Procedure :

1. Make sure have enough water in the mean tank.

2. must all fitting valve closed and have closed side in the mean pipe and open side (water go

in one direction not in both) and close the discharge valve in volume tank.

3. turn on the pump and calculate the volumetric flow rate (by using the volume per time), the

Q needed for calculate the velocity.

4. open the tow valves (slowly until be full open) just before and after the place we want to

calculate it, (the remaining valves except the both valve should be closed.

NOTE (cancel out the pressure head drop that experiments before evacuated with
atmosphere).

5. the liquid in the scale unstable (go up and down) we close the valves just the liquid reach at

the highest level in the scale and reading the pressure head drop.

6. know we have the data to calculate the (k).

7. we run the seam steps for other fitting.

8. after we finish the experiment turn off the pump and discharge the water from volume

measuring tank and make this part of apparatus to down.

9. now we have the data for calculate the (K).

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 Calculations :

Table of reading:

❖ Contraction

D1 = 0.028 m D2 = 0.015 m

Time Volume 𝒑𝟏 𝒑𝟐 𝒑
∆
𝜸 𝜸 𝜸
23.34 s 0.00234 m3 0.115 m 0.095 m 0.02 m

❖ Enlargement

D1 = 0.015 m D2 = 0.028 m

Time Volume 𝒑𝟏 𝒑𝟐 𝒑
∆
𝜸 𝜸 𝜸
23.34 s 0.00234 m3 0.09 m 0.10 m -0.01 m

❖ Elbow

D1 = 0.015 m D2 = 0.015 m

Time Volume 𝒑𝟏 𝒑𝟐 𝒑
∆
𝜸 𝜸 𝜸

23.34 s 0.00234 m3 0.125 m 0.12 m 0.005 m

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Table of calculation:

❖ Contraction

𝒑
Q V1 V2 ∆𝜸 HL K
(m3/s) (m/s) (m/s) (m)
(m)
1.0026*10-4 0.16 0.57 0.02 4.75*10-3 0.29

❖ Enlargement
𝒑
Q V1 V2 ∆𝜸 HL K
(m3/s) (m/s) (m/s) (m)
(m)
-4 0.57 0.16 -0.01 5.254*10-3 0.32
1.0026*10

❖ Elbow

𝒑
Q V1 V2 ∆𝜸 HL K
(m3/s) (m/s) (m/s) (m)
(m)
1.0026*10-4 0.57 0.57 0.005 0.005 0.302

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Result and discussion:

The head loss in pipes and fittings is an important factor that affects the energy and efficiency
of fluid systems. In this experiment, the head loss due to three different fittings, contraction,
enlargement, and elbow, was measured and analyzed.

For the contraction fitting, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the pressure
drop per unit weight of the fluid (∆p/γ) as the velocity increased from 0.16 m/s to 0.57 m/s. This
resulted in a high head loss (HL) of 0.29, which can be attributed to the sudden reduction in
cross-sectional area, leading to an increase in fluid velocity and turbulence. This suggests that
contractions in pipes should be avoided where possible to minimize head loss and improve
energy efficiency.

In contrast, the enlargement fitting resulted in a decrease in the pressure drop per unit weight
of the fluid (∆p/γ) as the velocity increased. This led to a head loss (HL) of 0.32, which can be
attributed to the sudden increase in cross-sectional area, leading to a decrease in fluid velocity
and turbulence. This suggests that enlargements in pipes can help to minimize head loss and
improve energy efficiency.

For the elbow fitting, it was observed that there was a slight increase in the pressure drop per
unit weight of the fluid (∆p/γ) as the fluid flowed through the bend. This resulted in a relatively
low head loss (HL) of 0.302, which can be attributed to the change in flow direction and increase
in turbulence. This suggests that elbow fittings should be minimized in fluid systems to reduce
turbulence and improve energy efficiency.

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Conclusion :

In conclusion, the results obtained in this experiment demonstrate the significant impact of
fittings on head loss in pipes. The factors affecting energy on the pipe when it flows include
changes in cross-sectional area, flow direction, and turbulence. Contractions in pipes should be
avoided, whereas enlargements can help to minimize head loss and improve energy efficiency.
Elbow fittings should also be minimized to reduce turbulence and improve energy efficiency.
Overall, careful design and selection of fittings are essential for minimizing head loss and
improving the efficiency of fluid systems.

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References :

➢ https://www.pipeflow.com/pipe-pressure-drop-calculations/pipe-flow-head-loss

➢ https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/head-loss-pipe-flow-d_409.html

➢ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/Head loss in pipes

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