1

.
1. Introduction:
The energy balance between two points in a pipe can be described by Bernoulli
equation, given by

Head loss hL includes the sum of pipe friction losses hf and all minor losses. Pipe
friction losses are assumed to be negligible in this experiment.
If
h1 & h2 are peizometer readings, hm is the minor losses.
The energy loss which occurs in a pipe fitting (so-called secondary loss) is commonly
expressed in the form:
2. Purpose:
To determine the loss factors for flow through a range of pipe fittings including
bends, a contraction, an enlargement and a gate-valve
3. Apparatus:
1. Energy Losses in Bends and Fittings Apparatus consists of:
1. Sudden Enlargement
2. Sudden Contraction
3. Long Bend
4. Short Bend
5. Elbow Bend
6. Mitre Bend
7. Gate Valve.

Fig (1): minor losses apparatus
L
h
g
V
z
p
g
V
z
p
+ + + = + +
2 2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1

g
V
K h
m
2
2
=
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
g
V
g
V
h h h
m
2 2
2 1
2
2
2
1
then h z
p
h z
p
, 2 , 1
2
2
1
1
= + = +

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
g
V
h K
m
2
/
2

2

2. The following dimensions from the equipment are used in the appropriate
calculations.
Internal diameter of pipe: d = 0.0183 m
Internal diameter of pipe at enlargement outlet and contraction inlet :
d = 0.0240 m
3. For the gate valve experiment, pressure difference before and after gate is
measured directly using a pressure gauge. This can then be converted to an
equivalent head loss using the equation: 1 bar = 10.2 m water

4. Procedure:
It is not possible to make measurements on all fittings simultaneously and, therefore,
it is necessary to run two separate tests.
PART (A)
1. Set up the losses apparatus on the hydraulic bench so that its base is horizontal by
adjusting the feet on the base plate if necessary. (this is necessary for accurate
height measurements from the manometers). Connect the test rig inlet to the bench
flow supply and run the outlet extension tube to the volumetric tank and secure it
in place.
2. Fully open the gate valve and the outlet flow control valve at the right hand end of
the apparatus.
3. Close the bench flow control valve then start the service pump.
4. Gradually open the bench flow control valve and allow the pipework to fill with
water until all air has been expelled from the pipework.
5. In order to bleed air from pressure tapping points and the manometers close both
the bench valve and the test rig flow control valve and open the air bleed screw
and remove the cap from the adjacent air valve. Connect a length of small bore
tubing from the air valve to the volumetric tank. Now, open the bench valve and
allow flow through the manometers to purge all air from them; then, tighten the
air bleed screw and partly open both the bench valve and the test rig flow control
valve.

3

Next, open the air bleed screw slightly to allow air to enter the top of the
manometers, re-tighten the screw when the manometer levels reach a convenient
height.
6. Check that all manometer levels are on scale at the maximum volume flow rate
required (approximately 17 liters/ minute). These levels can be adjusted further by
using the air bleed screw and the hand pump supplies. The air bleed screw
controls the air flow through the air valve, so when using the hand pump, the
bleed screw must be open. To retain the hand pump pressure in the system, the
screw must be closed after pumping.
7. If the levels in the manometer are too high then the hand pump can be used to
pressurise the top manifold. All levels will decrease simultaneously but retain the
appropriate differentials.
If the levels are too low then the hand pump should be disconnected and the air
bleed screw opened briefly to reduce the pressure in the top manifold.
Alternatively the outlet flow control valve can be closed to raise the static pressure
in the system which will raise all levels simultaneously.
If the level in any manometer tube is allowed to drop too low then air will enter
the bottom manifold. If the level in any manometer tube is too high then water
will enter the top manifold and flow into adjacent tubes.
8. Adjust the flow from the bench control valve and, at a given flow rate, take height
readings from all of the manometers after the levels have steadied. In order to
determine the volume flow rate, you should carry out a timed volume collection
using the volumetric tank. This is achieved by closing the ball valve and
measuring (with a stopwatch) time taken to accumulate a known volume of fluid
in the tank, which is read from the sight glass. You should collect fluid for at least
one minute to minimize timing errors. ( note: valve should be kept fully open.)
9. Repeat this procedure to give a total of at least five sets of measurements over a
flow range from approximately 8 - 17 liters per minute.




4

PART (B)
10. Clamp off the connecting tubes to the mitre bend pressure tappings (to prevent air
being drawn into the system).
11. Start with the gate valve closed and open fully both the bench valve and the lest
rig flow control valve.
12. open the gate valve by approximately 50% of one turn (after taking up any
backlash).
13. For each of at least 5 flow rates, measure pressure drop across the valve from the
pressure gauge; adjust the flow rate by use of the test rig flow control valve. Once
measurements have started, do not adjust the gale valve. Determine the volume
flow rate by timed collection.
14. Repeat this procedure for the gate valve opened by approximately 70% of one turn
and then approximately 80% of one turn.

5. Data and Results:
Table (1): Raw Data for All Fittings Except Gate Valve
Case No. I II III IV V
Volume (L) 13 13 21 24 25
Time (sec) 95.93 75.8 107.06 108.53 93.14
P
i
e
z
o
m
e
t
e
r

R
e
a
d
i
n
g
s

(
m
m
)

Enlargement
1 243 255 265 276 299
2 248 263 275 289 319
Contraction
3 247 262 274 287 317
4 237 245 253 260 276
Long Bend
5 246 259 272 284 309
6 244.5 256 267 279 301
Short Bend
7 237 245 253 260 277
8 228 231 234 237 243
Elbow
9 220 220 219 219 217
10 206 198 191 183 165
Mitre Bend
11 190 175 162 147 115
12 171 145 122 98 43


5

Table (2): Raw Data for Gate Valve
Case No. I II III IV V
5
0
%

O
p
e
n
e
d

Volume (L) 40 25 24 19 14
Time (sec) 84.12 61.21 67.02 63.49 65.22
Gauge
Reading
(bar)
Red
(upstream)
1.1 0.79 0.6 0.4 0.2
Black
(downstream)
0.09 0.05 0.01 0 0
7
0
%

O
p
e
n
e
d

Volume (L) 40 40 35 30 25
Time (sec) 57.53 68.04 65.39 64.9 71.4
Gauge
Reading
(bar)
Red
(upstream)
0.4 0.3 0.23 0.16 0.09
Black
(downstream)
0.02 0.01 0 0 0
8
0
%

O
p
e
n
e
d

Volume (L) 40 40 40 40 40
Time (sec) 55.45 61.39 67.31 83.97 96.78
Gauge
Reading
(bar)
Red
(upstream)
0.2 0.17 0.11 0.08 0.03
Black
(downstream)
0.07 0.05 0.02 0 0

Calculations:
Table (3): Minor Head Losses of All Fittings Except Gate Valve
Case No. I II III IV V
Q (m
3
/sec)
1.355*10^-4 1.715*10^-4 1.961*10^-4 2.21*10^-4 2.684*10^-4
V (m/s) 0.515 0.652 0.7456 0.840 1.020
V
2
/2g (m)
0.0135 0.0216 0.0283 0.0359 0.053
M
i
n
o
r

H
e
a
d

L
o
s
s
e
s

(
m
)

Enlargement
h
-5*10^-3 -8*10^-3 -10*10^-3 -13*10^-3 -20*10^-3
V1
2
/2g- V2
2
/2g 8.93*10^-3 14.34*10^-3 18.73*10^-3 23.8*10^-3 35.1*10^-3
h +V1
2
/2g- V2
2
/2g
3.93*10^-3 6.34*10^-3 8.73*10^-3 10.8*10^-3 15.1*10^-3
Contraction h 10*10^-3 17*10^-3 21*10^-3 27*10^-3 41*10^-3
V1
2
/2g- V2
2
/2g -8.93*10^-3 -14.34*10^-3 -18.73*10^-3 -23.8*10^-3 -35.1*10^-3
h +V1
2
/2g- V2
2
/2g
1.07*10^-3 2.66*10^-3 2.27*10^-3 3.2*10^-3 5.9*10^-3
Long Bend 1.5*10^-3 3*10^-3 5*10^-3 5*10^-3 8*10^-3
Short Bend 9*10^-3 14*10^-3 19 *10^-3 23*10^-3 34*10^-3
Elbow 14*10^-3 22 *10^-3 28*10^-3 36 *10^-3 52*10^-3
Miter Bend 19*10^-3 30*10^-3 40*10^-3 49 *10^-3 72*10^-3


6

Table (4): Loss Coefficients for All Fittings Except Gate Valve
Case No. I II III IV V
Q (m
3
/sec)
1.355*10^-4 1.715*10^-4 1.961*10^-4 2.21*10^-4 2.684*10^-4
V (m/s) 0.515 0.652 0.7456 0.840 1.020
V
2
/2g (m)
0.0135 0.0216 0.0283 0.0359 0.053
L
o
s
s

C
o
e
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t
s

Enlargement 0.291 0.293 0.308
Contraction
Long Bend
Short Bend
Elbow
Mitre Bend


Table (5): Equivalent Minor Head Loss and Loss Coefficient for Gate Valve
Case No. I II III IV V
5
0
%

O
p
e
n
e
d

Q (m3/sec) 4.75*10^-4 4.08*10^-4 3.58*10^-4 3*10^-4 2.14*10^-4
V (m/sec) 1.8 1.55 1.36 1.14 0.813
V
2
/2g (m) 0.165 0.122 0.094 0.066 0.0336
Minor Head
Loss (m)
1.01 0.74 0.59 0.4 0.2
Loss
Coefficient

7
0
%

O
p
e
n
e
d

Q (m3/sec) 6.95*10^-4 5.878*10^-4 5.35*10^-4 4.622*10^-4 3.5*10^-4
V (m/sec) 2.642 2.231 2.034 1.756 1.33
V
2
/2g (m) 0.355 0.253 0.21 0.157 0.09
Minor Head
Loss (m)
0.38 0.29 0.23 0.16 0.09
Loss
Coefficient

8
0
%

O
p
e
n
e
d

Q (m3/sec) 7.21*10^-4 6.515*10^-4 5.94*10^-4 4.76*10^-4 4.133*10^-4
V (m/sec) 2.74 2.475 2.258 1.8 1.57
V
2
/2g (m) 0.382 0.3122 0.259 0.165 0.1256
Minor Head
Loss (m)
0.13 0.12 0.09 0.08 0.03
Loss
Coefficient




7





0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
M
i
n
o
r

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(2): Dynamic Head Vs Minor Loss
Enlargement h
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.004
0.005
0.006
0.007
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
M
i
n
o
r

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(3):Dynamic Head Vs Minor Loss
Contraction h
0
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.01
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
M
i
n
o
r

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(4): Dynamic Head Vs Minor Loss
Long Bend

8




0
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.01
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
M
i
n
o
r

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(5):Dynamic Head Vs Minor Loss
Short Bend
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.004
0.005
0.006
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
M
i
n
o
r

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(6): Dynamic Head Vs Minor Loss
Elbow
0
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
M
i
n
o
r

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(7): Dynamic Head Vs Minor Loss
Miter Bend

9




0.28
0.285
0.29
0.295
0.3
0.305
0.31
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
L
o
s
s

C
o
f
f
i
e
c
i
e
n
t

Flow Rate
FIG(8): Head loss agnist dynamic head
Enlargement h
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
L
o
s
s

C
o
f
f
i
e
c
i
e
n
t

Flow Rate
FIG(9): Head loss agnist dynamic head
Contraction h
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0 0.02 0.04 0.06
L
o
s
s

C
o
f
f
i
e
c
i
e
n
t

Flow Rate
FIG(10): Head loss agnist dynamic head
Short Bend

10





0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
L
o
s
s

C
o
f
f
i
e
c
i
e
n
t

Flow Rate
FIG(13): Head loss agnist dynamic head
Long Bend
0.134
0.136
0.138
0.14
0.142
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
L
o
s
s

C
o
f
f
i
e
c
i
e
n
t

Flow Rate
FIG(12): Head loss agnist dynamic head
Miter Bend
0.096
0.098
0.1
0.102
0.104
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
L
o
s
s

C
o
f
f
i
e
c
i
e
n
t

Flow Rate
FIG(11): Head loss agnist dynamic head
Elbow

11





0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
H
e
a
d

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(14): Effect Of Flow Rate on Loss Cofficient
50% Opened
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
H
e
a
d

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(15): Effect Of Flow Rate on Loss Cofficient
70% Opened
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
H
e
a
d

L
o
s
s

(
m
)
Dynamic Head (m)
FIG(16):Effect Of Flow Rate on Loss Cofficient
80% Opened

12

6. Comments:
It is recommended to make sure that there is no zero error. And it should to the
experimenter to see and analysis the changes of parameters during the
experiment by engineering sense and make comments.