CE142P-2 Experiment 9
CE142P-2 Experiment 9
CE142P-2 Experiment 9
Experiment No. 9
ENERGY LOSSES IN BENDS
TITLE
EXPERIMENT NO. 9
OBJECTIVE
To determine the loss factors for flow through a range of pipefittings including
bends, a contraction, an enlargement, and a gate-valve.
EQUIPMENT
Hydraulics Bench
Energy Losses in Bends and Fittings Apparatus
Stopwatch
Clamps for pressure tapping connection tubes
Spirit Level
Thermometer
TECHNICAL DATA
The following dimensions from the equipment are used in the appropriate
calculations. If required, these values may be checked as part of the experimental
procedure and replaced with your own measurements.
The energy loss which occurs in pipe fittings (so-called secondary loss) is commonly
expressed in terms of a head loss (h, meters) in the form :
Δh = Kv2 / 2g
where K = the loss coefficient and v = mean velocity of flow into fitting.
K = (Δ h )(2g) / v2
Due to the change in pipe cross – sectional area through the enlargement and
contraction, the system experiences as additional change in static pressure. This
change can be calculated as
V12 / 2g - v22 / 2g
To eliminate the effects of this area change on the measured head losses, this value
should be added to the head loss reading for the enlargement, and subtracted from
the head loss reading for the contraction.
For the gate valve experiment, pressure difference before and after the gate is
measured directly using a pressure gauge. This can then be converted to an
equivalent head loss using the equation
The loss coefficient may then be calculated as above for the gate valve.
1. Set up the losses apparatus on the hydraulic bench so that its base is
horizontal (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. Open the bench valve, the gate valve, and the flow control valve and start
the pump to fill the test rig with water. 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. 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.
3. Check that all manometer levels are on scale at the maximum volume flow
rate required (approximately 17 liters/min). These levels can be adjusted
further by using the air bleed screw and the hand pump supplied. 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.
NOMENCLATURE
Temp of Water 0
C Measured Temperature of water under
test.
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLE
1. For Exercise A, plot graphs of head loss (∆h) against dynamic head, and K
against volume flow rate Qt.
2. For Exercise B, plot graphs of equivalent head loss (∆h) against dynamic
head, and K against Qt.
3. Comment on any relationship noticed. What is the dependence of head losses
across pipefittings upon velocity?
4. Examining the Reynolds number obtained, are the flows laminar or turbulent?
5. Is it justifiable to treat the loss coefficient as constant for a given fitting?
6. In Exercise B, how does the loss coefficient for a gate valve vary with the
extent of opening the valve?
FINAL DATA SHEET
EXPERIMENT NO.9
Head Flow
Manometer Manometer Vol. Velocity
Loss Time Rate
V2/2g k
FITTING h1 h2 V V
h1- h2 (s) Q
(m) (m) (m3/s) (m/s)
(m) (m3/s)
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
OBSERVATION
The principles of this experiment may be applied to engineering by enlarging the diameter of the pipes and
lowering the loss coefficients. Also, if it is not possible, we will limit the use of pipes with high head losses and high
loss coefficients and increase the use of pipes with low head losses and low loss coefficients since using pipes with
high head losses and high loss coefficients would result in a loss cost. Therefore, in attempt to save money and time,
we may change the pipe's area to a larger one and make it flow from a higher elevation, resulting in a pipe with
higher velocity and lower head losses and loss coefficient.
CONCLUSION
We will discover the loss factors for the flow through various pipefittings in Experiment 9 Energy Losses in
Bends. Mitre, Elbow, Short Bend, Enlargement, Contraction, and Long were the pipefittings. Before beginning the
experiment, double-check everything, including the number for the matching pipefittings. In 1 and 2, enlargements of
h1 and h2 were found. The elbow has the largest head loss and loss coefficient, whereas the contraction and short
bend have the lowest head loss and loss coefficient.
RECOMMENDATION
In terms of recommendations, the video should be obvious when it comes to the h1 and h2 tags, and
the rest should be good. Overall, we learnt something, even if it was simply formulae and recording time, as well as
the differences between pipefittings so that we may optimize the use of pipefittings with low loss coefficients and limit
the use of pipefittings with large loss coefficients.