Prediction of minor losses for

bends and valves

Jaydeep Prajapati
B21ME030
Objective:
To predict minor losses for bends and pipes.

Introduction:
For designing efficient pipelines and comprehending the behaviour of fluids
in various types of components, such as bends and valves, the prediction
of minor losses in fluid systems is essential. The minor losses for curves
and valves were anticipated and analysed through experimental
measurements and theoretical calculations in this laboratory experiment.
The purpose of the experiment was to examine the effect of flow rate and
the geometrical parameters of the fittings on minor losses in comparison to
theoretical predictions. The results of the experiment provide valuable
insights into the behaviour of fluids in complex conduit systems, which can
be used to design more cost-effective and efficient fluid transport systems.

Theory:
Around valves and bends in the pipe, there is a small amount of loss that
occurs as a result of differences in the fluid's direction, area, and velocity as
it moves through the pipe.
These losses are often insignificant and may be represented as a function
of the fluid velocity, pipe diameter, and geometric parameters of the bend or
valve.
The foundations of fluid physics, in particular the Bernoulli equation and the
principle of energy conservation, serve as the basis for the theory that
explains the very minute losses that occur in pipe bends and valves. When
fluid flows through a pipe, there is a loss of energy due to the friction that
occurs with the pipe walls as well as changes in the fluid's direction, area,
and velocity. The decrease in pressure that occurs over the bend or valve
as a direct consequence of this loss of energy is referred to as a minor
loss.

Apparatus:

● Pipe and Bend System: The pipes and bends in the plumbing system
have different sizes and curves to create different flow conditions. So
that rough walls don't change the results too much, the system
should be made of a smooth material like PVC.
● Pump: A pump is needed to move the fluid through the piping system
at different flow rates to create different conditions for measuring
small losses.
● Flowmeter: A flowmeter is used to correctly measure how much fluid
is moving through the machine.
● Pressure Gauges: Pressure gauges are used to measure the drop in
pressure between the pipe and the bend when the flow rate changes.
 ● Manometer: A manometer can be used to measure the change in
pressure between the two sides of the bend.
● A thermometer can be used to find out the viscosity and density of a
stream by measuring its temperature.
● Tubing: Tubing is needed to connect the pressure metres and
manometer to the piping system.

Methodology:
● Set up the equipment. Connect the pump, flowmeter, pressure
gauges, manometer, temperature, and data collection system to the
pipe and bend system.
● Figure out what the fluid's qualities are: A thermometer can be used
to measure the features of the material, such as its viscosity and
density.
● Measure the original pressure. Use a pressure gauge to measure the
initial pressure at the pipe's entrance.
● Measure the flow rate. Use a flowmeter to measure the total flow rate
of the fluid.
● Measure the pressure drop. Use pressure gauges and a manometer
to measure the pressure drop across the pipe and bend. Write down
the pressure drop, the flow rate, and the amount of time it takes for
the fluid to run through the pipe and around the bend.
● Do steps 4 and 5 again: Repeat steps 4 and 5 for a variety of flow
rates and bend angles to get a variety of data.
● Analyse the data: Analyse the data you've collected to find out what
small losses the pipe and bend system has. Make a prediction model
for small losses by plotting the pressure drop against the flow rate.
Observations:

Pipe Inside diameter d/k

Cu, d=18 di=16mm 16000

Galvanised steel d=1/2 di=16mm 160

Observation table for Cu bend

Flow rate (l/h) Calculated pressure Theoretical pressure Percentage deviation
loss (pa) loss(pa)

100 19.62 18.29 6.77

200 39.2 33.87 13.6

300 88.2 76.2 13.6

400 156.8 135.47 13.6

500 235.2 201.873 21.25

600 323.4 275.4 14.84

700 588 518.56 11.8

800 725.2 639.883 11.76

Observation table for galvanised steel bend

Flow rate(l/h) Calculated pressure Theoretical pressure Percentage deviation
loss(pa) loss(pa)

100 19.62 16.7825 14.6

200 39.2 27.85 28.92

300 117.6 92.062 21.76

400 205.8 160.4 22.06

500 313.6 242.661 22.62

600 450.8 348.65 22.66

700 803.6 664.56 17.3

800 960.4 778.8 18.908

Observation table for needle valve
Flow rate (in l/h) Calculated Pressure loss (in pa)

100 666.4

150 3253.6

200 5576.2

Observation table for slant valve

Flow rate (in l/h) Calculated pressure loss(in pa)

100 49

200 196
Calculations:
Calculation for Cu pipe
Calculation for Galvanised Steel
Results:

Graph for percentage deviation for Cu bend

Graph for percentage for galvanized steel:

Conclusion:
In the end, the experiment on predicting small losses at bends and valves
taught us a lot about how fluids behave in complicated pipeline networks.
Through actual readings and theoretical analyses, the effect of flow rate
and physical factors of the fittings on small losses was studied. The theory
showed that the pressure drop across the fittings went up as the flow rate
and bend angle went up. This means that more energy is being lost in the
system. Also, the theoretical estimates of the pressure drop were pretty
close to what was seen in the experiments. This shows that theoretical
models can be used to predict small losses in fluid systems.

The experiment's study also showed that the parts with a bigger radius of
curve had lower pressure drops, which means they lost less energy. By
optimising the physical features of the fittings, this knowledge can be used
to make piping systems that work better and cost less.

Also, the experiment showed how important it is to get exact readings of

fluid qualities like viscosity and density, which can have a big effect on how
small losses are predicted. Getting trustworthy and accurate data for
analysis was impossible without the use of advanced measurement
methods and data gathering tools.

Overall, the experiment on predicting small losses for bends and valves
showed how fluid mechanics can be used in real life and how important it is
to understand how fluids behave in complex pipeline systems. The results
of the experiment can be used to make better systems for moving fluids
and to improve the performance of systems that are already in place.

Innovative aspects:
● The experiment on predicting small losses at bends and valves can
be used to improve the design of pipes in oil and gas, water supply,
and chemical processing, among other fields.
 ● The results of the experiment can be used to make piping systems
that are more efficient and cost-effective. This can cut down on
energy use and running costs.
● The experiment shows how fluid mechanics can be used in the real
world and how important it is to understand how fluids behave in
complex transportation networks.
● The experiment's use of advanced measuring methods and data
gathering systems shows how important accurate and reliable data
are for analysing fluid systems.
● The project is a starting point for future study and development in
fluid physics and the building of pipelines.
● The results of the experiment can be used to improve transportation
systems and reduce the environmental damage caused by moving
fluids.
● The experiment can also be used to test how well valves and other
parts in fluid systems work. This is important for making sure that
pipes run safely and efficiently.
● The results of the experiment can be used to make models that can
predict small leaks in fluid systems. This can help make pipes that
are more efficient and reliable.
● The experiment shows how important it is to think about how the flow
rate and physical features of fittings affect small losses. This can give
us valuable information about how fluids behave in pipeline systems.
● The experiment can be made bigger by looking at how different fluids
and fittings affect small losses. This can help us learn more about
fluid mechanics in pipeline systems.

References:
https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapter/experiment
-3/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016818302278