Title:

Fluid Flow Friction and Fitting Loss

Objective:
To determine the pressure loss and pressure drop in different pipes, joints and valves
Theory/ Introduction:
When a fluid flows along a pipe, friction between the fluid and the pipe wall causes a loss
of energy. This energy loss shows itself as a progressive fall in pressure along the pipe and varies
with the rate of the flow. The change of direction forced on a fluid when it negotiates a bend
produces turbulence in the fluid and a consequent loss of energy. The net loss in pressure is
greater than that for the same length of straight pipes. Abrupt changes of direction produce
greater turbulence and larger energy losses than do smoothly contoured changes. When a fluid
flows through an orifice or a venturi meter, a loss of pressure energy occurs due to the turbulence
created. A straight line relation exists between the flow rate and the square root of the pressure
drop value, and this principle is utilized in the design of the orifice and venturi meters.
The internal construction of many pipe fittings leads to the construction of fluid flowing
through them causing turbulence of varying magnitude with a consequent energy loss. This
behavior can be clearly shown using gate and globe valves in comparison with one another. A
globe valve will cause an energy loss even when fully open. Partially closed position of either of
these valves increases appreciably the energy loss across them compared with the fully open
position. energy losses across a fitting are observed in the experiment by noting the pressure
drops across each of these valves.

Materials and apparatus:

8mm copper pipe, 12mm PVC pipe, 15.5mm PVC pipe, 18mm PVC pipe, ball valve, Gate Ball
valve, Gate valve, In-line Strainer, 90 Y-joint, 90 elbow joint, 90 bend joint,
90 T-joint, Venturi tube, Flow meter, orifice meter, fluid friction demonstrator

Procedure:
1. The tank was made sure is full.
2. All the valves of the trainer were shut off.
3. The inlet and outlet tube of the pressure meter were connected before the trainer main
power supply was switched on. The water pump was ensured is running.
4. The by-pass (BV) and the flow regulating meter were adjusted to obtain the desired liquid
flow rate.
5. All valves were turned off expect V1, switched on the pressure meter to measure the
pressure drop across 8mm copper pipe.
6. V1 was turned off, V2 was switched on, with the rest of the valves remain closed, the
pressure drop across the contraction, 12mm PVC pipe and the enlargement portion were
measured.
7. V2 was turned off, v3 was switched on, pressure drop across 15.5mm pipe was measured.
8. V3 was turned off, v4 was switched on, the pressure drop across the 18mm pipe, ball
valve, 45 Y-joint and 90 bend were measured.
9. V4 was turned off, globe valve was fully turned off, the pressure drop in 90
90 T-joint, in-liner strainer, gate valve, globe valve were measured.

10. The experiment was repeated by using different flow rate.

11. All the data were obtained and recorded to the table provided.

elbow,

Sample Calculation:
Flow rate: 4 GPM
8mm copper tube:

1.

2.

P=1.20 m H 2 O

Pa
=11767.98 Pa
( 9806.65
mH O )
2

h=

P
11767.98 kg /ms2
=
=1.20 m
g (9.81 m/s 2)(999 kg /m3)

3.

l
1m
=
=125.00
d 0.008 m

4.

Area=

5.

V=

6.

V 2 (5.968 m/s )
=
=1.82 m
2 g 2 ( 9.81 m/s 2 )

7.

l V
h=8
d 2g

D 2 ( 0.008 m )
=
=5.027 x 105 m2
4
4

Q
0.0003 m3 / s
=
=5.968 m/s
A 5.027 x 105 m2
2

( )

(8)

( dl )( 2Vg )

1.20 m
=6.59 x 104
( 8 ) (125 ) (1.816 m)

Sudden Contraction:
1.

P=0.10 m H 2 O

Pa
=980.665 Pa
( 9806.65
mH O )
2

2.

h=

P
980.665 kg/ms
=
=0.10 m
g (9.81 m/s 2)(999 kg / m3)
2

3.

D 2 ( 0.012m )
Area=
=
=1.13 x 104 m2
4
4

4.

V=

5.

6.

Q 0.0003 m3 / s
=
=2.653 m/ s
A 1.13 x 104 m 2

2
V 2 (2.653 m/s )
=
=0.36 m
2 g 2 ( 9.81 m/s 2 )

V2
h=k
2g
k=

h
V2
2g

( )

0.10 m
=0.28
0.36 m

90 bend:
1.

2.

P=0.02m H 2 O

h=

9806.65 Pa
=196.133 Pa
m H2O

P
196.133 kg /ms2
=
=0.02 m
g (9.81 m/s 2)(999 kg / m3)
2

3.

D 2 ( 0.0155 m)
Area=
=
=1.89 x 104 m2
4
4

4.

V=

5.

Q 0.0003 m3 / s
=
=1.590m/ s
A 1.89 x 104 m2

2
V 2 (1.590 m/s )
=
=0.13 m
2 g 2 ( 9.81 m/s 2 )

6.

h=k

k=

V
2g

h
2

( V2 g )

0.02 m
=015
0.13 m

Gate valve:
1.

2.

P=0.09 m H 2 O

h=

9806.65 Pa
=882.5985 Pa
m H2O

P
392.27 kg/ms2
=
=0.09 m
g (9.81 m/s 2)(999 kg /m3)
2

3.

D 2 ( 0.0155 m)
Area=
=
=1.89 x 104 m2
4
4

4.

V=

5.

6.

Q 0.0003 m3 / s
=
=1.590m/ s
A 1.89 x 104 m 2

2
V 2 (1.590 m/s )
=
=0.13 m
2 g 2 ( 9.81 m/s 2 )

h=k

k=

V2
2g

h
2

( V2 g )

0.09 m
=0.69
0.13 m

Discussion:
Pipe losses in a piping system result from a number of system characteristics, which
include among others; pipe friction, changes in direction of flow, obstructions in flow path, and
sudden or gradual changes in the cross-section and shape of flow path.
Whenever the velocity of a fluid is changed, either in direction or magnitude, by a change
in the direction or size of the conduit, friction additional to the skin friction from flow through
the straight pipe is generated. Such friction includes form friction resulting from vortices which
develop when the normal streamlines are disturbed and when boundary-layer separation occurs.
The form friction is due to the obstructions present in the line of flow, it may be due to a
bend or a control valve or anything which changes the course of motion of the flowing fluid.
Fittings and valves also disturb the normal flow lines and cause friction. In short lines with many
fittings, the friction loss from the fittings may be greater than that from the straight pipe. As in
straight pipe, velocity increases through valves and fittings at the expense of head loss.
When the flow rate is 4GPM then the 8mm copper tube will experience 1.20m
pressure drop, for 12mm PVC tube the pressure drop is 0.11m
the pressure drop is 0.06m

H2O

H2O

H2O

, for 15.5mm PVC tube

, when sudden enlargement is no pressure drop occurred

because the area was increased and when reach sudden contraction the system will experience
H2O
0.10 m
pressure drop.

H2O
When the flow rate is 4GPM as well, the 90 bend joint will occurred 0.02 m
H2O
pressure drop, 90 elbow joint will experienced 0.04 m

pressure drop, then the same

pressure drop happen on the 90 T-joint. Lastly, the 90 Y-joint will have small pressure
drop which is 0.01 m

H2O .

When the water flow through the Gate valve will occured 0.09 m
while for the Ball valve the pressure drop is 0.08 m
valve it will experience 0.82 m

H2O

H2O

H2O

pressure drop,

. When flow through the Globe

pressure drop and the In-line strainer the pressure drop is

much larger than the other valves, which is 1.18 m

H2O

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the pressure drop in the pipe, joint and valve are not same to each another
because the area and the flow thorough velocity are not the same. When the flow rate increases
then the pressure drop also increases. The objective of the experiment is achieved. The
coefficient of friction and the friction factor of this experiment are calculated out.
Reference:
1.

F. M. White, Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill, 7th ed., Secs. 6.1 - 6.8.

2.

R. W. Fox and A. T. McDonald, Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, Wiley, 7th ed.,

Secs.8-1-8-8.

3.

3. B. R. Munson, D. F. Young, and T. H. Okiishi, Fundamentals of Fluid Mech.,

Wiley 6th ed., Ch. 8