Lab Exercise 2, pressure loss in internal flows

1 Introduction
In this lab exercise, we are going to measure the friction factor in a pipeline and the pressure loss
coefficient of expansion/contraction joints. We then compare the results from the experiment to
the values obtained from theoretical equations.

2 Tasks
Figure 1 shows the pipe flow setup consisting of 5 sections to study different phenomena in
internal flows. We will investigate the pressure drop in a straight pipe (mandatory) and the
pressure loss coefficient in expansion and contraction joints (optional). The drainage valve of the
rig should be completely open before running the pump. Before using the setup, ensure all the
section valves and the main pump valves are closed. For each task, after switching on the pump,
you only need to slowly open the main valve right after the pump and the valve that lets the flow
into the desired section.

Figure 1: The pipe flow setup.

 2.1 The friction factor of pipe flow

In this task, we are going to use the pipeline of the second row from the top to measure the
friction factor of the pipe flow.
2.1.1 Experiment

Venting air from the system and preparing the pressure gauge
1. Connect the pressure gauge to the measurement points shown in figure 2. Close the vent
valve and the drain valves of the pressure gauge (figure 3).
2. Start the pump, and slowly open the pump valve and the desired section valve.
3. To vent the air from the system, open the vent valve of the pressure gauge. Adjust the
main drain valve and let the air vent through the vent valve of the setup so that you get a
bubble-less water flow through the vent valve.
4. Close the vent valve, main drain valve, and section valve consecutively, and stop the
pump.
5. Open the drain valve of one of the pressure gauge columns and wait until the flow is
stopped.
6. Open the vent valve of the pressure gauge slowly. This will introduce an air column into
the system. Let the air column reach the bottom half of the column, then stop the vent
valve and the drain valve on the pressure gauge consecutively.
7. You should see an equal water level in both pressure gauge columns.
Now, the setup is ready to measure the friction factor in the pipe.

(a) (b)

Figure 2: Differential pressure measurement of the pipe flow setup. (a) Locations of the pressure
taps. (b) The double pressure gauge.
Measuring the pressure difference
1. Start the pump, and slowly open the section valve and the main drain valve.
2. Note down the difference in column heights of the pressure gauge ( ∆ he) in the prepared
worksheet in appendix 1.
3. You also need to know the flow rate in the pipeline to calculate the average velocity of
flow. You can do that by shutting the drain gate of the upper tank (figure 3), and then, use
the volume meter (figure 3) and a stopwatch to measure the flow rate. For example, you
can measure the time needed for a 5 l change in the volume of water inside the tank.
Open the drain gate afterwards. You can now calculate the volumetric flow rate of the
flow and insert the value in the prepared worksheet in appendix 1.
4. If you have time, try to repeat the experiment for different flow rates by adjusting the
main drain valve.
Note: The inner diameter of the pipe between the two measurement points mentioned above is
d=17 mm, and the distance is L=800 mm. The roughness height of the pipe is ϵ=¿ 0.001 mm.

Figure 3: Measurements of the volumetric flow rate.

2.1.2 Comparing the experimental results to the theoretical equations

Calculate the Reynolds number ( ℜ) in the pipe based on your measurement results and insert the
values in appendix 1; assume the kinematic viscosity of water to be ν=1.04 ×10−6.
Now, use Haaland’s equation (equation 4 in the background theory) to obtain the theoretical
friction factor ( f ) and insert the values in the prepared worksheet in appendix 1.
Using equation (3) in the background theory, calculate the theoretical value of the head drop in
the pipe (∆ ht ¿. You can now compare the experimental result to the theoretical one. Discuss the
sources of error.
2.2 Optional task: Pressure loss coefficient (K)

In this task, you are expected to calculate the pressure loss coefficient (K in equation 5 in the
background theory) for the expansion and contraction joints shown in figure 4.
2.2.1 Experiment

Venting air from the system and preparing the pressure gauge
Repeat the steps mentioned in section 2.1.1 by connecting the measurement points on the two
sides of each of these joints to one of the pressure gauges.
Measuring the pressure difference
1. Start the pump, and slowly open the section valve and the main drain valve.
2. Read the columns’ heights differences (∆ he1 and ∆ he2 ) on the pressure gauge.
3. You also need to know the flow rate in the pipeline to calculate the average velocity of
the pipe. You can do that by shutting the drain gate of the upper tank (figure 3) and then
use the volume meter (figure 3) and a stopwatch to measure the flow rate. For example,
you can measure the time needed for a 5 l change in the volume of water inside the tank.
Open the drain gate afterwards. You can now calculate the volumetric flow rate of the
flow and insert the value in the prepared worksheet in appendix 2.
4. If you have time, try to repeat the experiment for different flow rates by adjusting the
main drain valve.
Note: The inner diameter of the pipe between the two joints is D=28.4 mm, and the inner
diameter of the rest of the pipeline is d=17 mm.

Figure 4: Pressure loss coefficient setup.

2.2.2 Comparing the experimental results to the theoretical equations

Find theoretical equations for the pressure loss coefficient of expansions and contractions (in
fluid mechanics books or the internet) and compare the values from your measurement to the
values obtained from those formulas. Discuss the sources of error.
Appendix 1: Worksheet for the measurement of pressure loss coefficient

Experimental results Theoretical results Comparison

Reynolds Relative deviation (%)

Head loss Volumetric flow rate Average velocity Friction coefficient Head loss
Δ he [mm]
number
Δ ht [mm]
| Δ he −Δ ht|
Q [l/s] U [m/s] f ×100
ℜ Δ he

21,8 0,4166 1,84 30100 0,023 19,0 12,84

6,2 0,1772 0,78 12800 0,029 4,2 32,25

0,5 0,0484 0,213 3479 0,042 0,4 20

Appendix 2: Worksheet for the measurement of friction factor in the pipe

Experimental results Theoretical results Comparison

Relative deviations (%)

Expansion Head loss Contraction head loss Volumetric flow rate Expansion Head loss Contraction head loss | Δ he −Δ ht|
Δ he1 [mm] Δ he2 [mm] Δ ht 1 [mm] Δ ht 2 [mm] ×100
Q [l/s] Δ he
Expansion Contraction