Friction in Pipes

Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 143) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph
College of Engineering – Department of Chemical Engineering
FRICTION IN PIPES LABORATORY SIMULATION

Laboratory Examination
by:
Abejuro, Joshua R.
Alcantara, John Kenneth E.
Alvarez, Pamela L.
Latunio, Katherine E.
Mabini, Jessica L.
Panganiban, Jasmine Mae M.
ChE-2102
Sir Jiro Vince Allen Marinay

Professor
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 243) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
I. INTRODUCTION
A friction force is generally formed along the pipe wall against the fluid as an
incompressible fluid moves through a pipe. As the fluid passes through the pipe, the frictional
resistance causes a continual loss of energy, or total head, in the fluid, which lowers the fluid's
pressure. Numerous factors can stop a fluid from flowing through a pipe, which results in friction
loss in the pipes. The velocity of the fluid, the pipe's internal diameter, its length, and the pipe's
interior surface roughness are the four variables that affect friction losses in the pipe. Plumbing
fixtures like elbows, valves, and junctions, as well as friction caused by the rapid contraction or
expansion of the pipe's internal surface, all contribute to small head losses.
The relationship between the diameters of the pipes, head loss, friction factor, flow rate,
and water velocity in each pipe will be the main emphasis of this experiment. To calculate the
head loss, flow rate, and velocity, the Friction in the Pipes experiment simulator will be used.
Additionally, the Darcy Equation can be used to get the analytical friction factor for each pipe.
Based on the fluid's velocity and the frictional resistance, this theoretical equation forecasts the
loss of frictional energy in a pipe. It is almost primarily used to figure out the frictional head loss
in turbulent flows.
𝑓𝑙𝑣
𝐻=
𝑑𝑔
Where:
H = Head Loss
f = Analytical Friction Factor
l = Length of the pipe
d = Pipe diameter
v = Mean velocity
g = acceleration due to gravity

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 343) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
II. OBJECTIVES
 To determine head loss due to friction in the specified pipe diameter and hence
determine the friction factor.
 To compare and determine the relationship of the computed flow rate and velocity
to its respective pipe diameter
 To compare and determine the relationship of the computed flow rate and velocity
of each of the pipe diameters to the computed analytical friction factor
III. APPARATUS USED
 Pipes having different diameters are connected to a differential manometer
 Collecting tank
 Stopwatch
 Scale
IV. PROCEDURES
These procedure steps will be followed on the simulator.
1. Open Friction in Pipes experiment, a window will appear as shown.
2. Select the required diameter of the pipe, then click the NEXT button.

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 443) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
3. Click on the selected pipe inlet valve to allow the flow through it.
4. Click on the main inlet valve to allow the flow through it and then click on the pipe valve
to allow water flow to test for air bubbles.
5. Click on the knot to change from the isolated position to the air-vent position and again
click to change it to the read position.

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 543) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
6. Now click on the tank outlet valve to open and allow flow, note the manometer reading.
7. Here click on the tank outlet valve to close and then calculate the Head Loss value.
8. Calculate the discharge, velocity, and analytical friction factor with the help of the
observation given here.

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 643) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
9. Repeat the same procedure for other trials.
V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

TABLE 1: TRIAL 1-3 FOR 50 MM DIAMETER PIPE
50 mm Trial Head Final Initial Rise Time Flowrate Velocity Analytical
Diameter Loss Reading Reading (h) required (Qact) (cm/s) Friction
Pipe (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) to fill (cm3/s) Factor
(sec)
1 75.6 65 55 10 31 1129.0322 57.5303 0.7469
2 126 65 55 10 18 1944.4444 97.0799 0.4197
3 88.2 65 55 10 27 1296.2962 66.0533 0.6610
AVERAGE 0.6092
Table 1 shows the results of the simulation after the three trials of the experiment for the
50 mm diameter pipe. The computed head losses for the three trials are 75.6cm, 126cm, and
88.2cm respectively. Furthermore, 1129.0322cm3/s, 1944.4444cm3/s, and 1296.2962cm3/s were
the values of the flow rate after the three trials of simulations. With regards to the velocity, the
computed values were 57.5303cm/s, 97.0799cm/s, and 66.0533cm/s respectively. Lastly, the
analytical friction factor of the three trials includes 0.7469, 0.4197, and 0.6610 with an average
friction factor of 0.6092.

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 743) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221

(sec)
1 144.9 65 55 10 19 1842.1052 146.6644 0.1762
2 132.3 65 55 10 23 1521.7391 121.1575 0.2358
3 107.1 65 55 10 30 1166.6666 92.8874 0.3247
AVERAGE 0.2456
Table 2 displays the simulation's findings following the experiment's three attempts with
a pipe with a diameter of 40 mm. The three trials' computed head losses are 144.9cm, 132.3cm,
and 107.1cm, respectively. Moreover, the flowrate results following the three simulation runs
were 1842.1052cm3/s, 1521.7391cm3/s, and 1166.6666cm3/s while the calculated speeds for
velocity were 146.6644cm/s, 121.1575cm/s, and 92.8874cm/s, respectively. Lastly, the three
trials' analytical friction factors are 0.1762, 0.2358, and 0.3247, with a mean of 0.2456.

3
Pipe (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) to fill (cm /s) Factor
(sec)
1 73.71 65 55 10 35 1000 203.75 0.0290
2 97.65 65 55 10 30.2 1158.9403 236.13 0.0286
3 73.71 65 55 10 35 1000 203.75 0.0290
AVERAGE 0.0289

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 843) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221

The findings of the simulation following the three experiments for the 25 mm diameter
pipe are shown in table 3. The calculated head losses for the three trials are, respectively, 73.71
cm, 97.65 cm, and 73.71 cm. Additionally, following three simulation runs, the flow rate was
recorded as 1000cm3/s, 1158.9403cm3/s, and 1000cm3/s. The velocity was computed to be
203.75 cm/s, 236.13 cm/s, and 203.75 cm/s, respectively. Lastly, the analytical friction factor for
the three tests is 0.0290, 0.0286, and 0.0290, with an average friction factor of 0.0289.

3
Pipe (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) to fill (cm /s) Factor
(sec)
1 145.475 65 55 10 43.5 804.5977 256.2413 0.0290
2 107.1 65 55 10 47.5 736.8421 234.663 0.0254
3 81.9 65 55 10 55.50 630.6306 200.8377 0.0266
AVERAGE 0.0270
The results of the simulation after three rounds of the experiment using a pipe with a
diameter of 20 mm are shown in Table 4. Calculated head losses for the three trials are
145.475cm, 107.1cm, and 81.9cm, respectively. Additionally, the three simulation runs produced
flowrate findings of 804.5977cm3/s, 736.8421cm3/s, and 630.6306cm3/s, respectively, while the
projected speeds for velocity were 256.2413cm/s, 234.663cm/s, and 200.8377cm/s. The
analytical friction factors for the three trials are 0.0290, 0.0254, and 0.0266, with a mean of
0.0270.
Lastly, the findings of the simulation following the three experiments for the 15 mm
diameter pipe are shown in table 5. The calculated head losses for the three trials are,
respectively, 56.7cm, 107.1cm, and 94.5cm. Additionally, following three simulation runs, the
flow rate was recorded as 456.6666cm3/s, 555.5555cm3/s, and 522.3880cm3/s. The velocity was

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 943) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221

computed to be 264.2132cm/s, 314.5395cm/s, and 295.7611cm/s, respectively. Lastly, the
analytical friction factor for the three tests is 0.0080, 0.0106, and 0.0106, with an average friction
factor of 0.0097.

(sec)
1 56.7 65 55 10 75 456.6666 264.2132 0.0080
2 107.1 65 55 10 63 555.5555 314.5395 0.0106
3 94.5 65 55 10 67 522.3880 295.7611 0.0106
AVERAGE 0.0097
To compare and determine the relationship of the computed flow rate and velocity to its
respective pipe diameter
TABLE 6: AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR

EACH DIAMETER PIPE
Pipe Average
Diameter Velocity
50 73.5545
40 120.2364333
25 214.5433333
20 230.5806667
15 291.5046
FIGURE 1: PIPE DIAMETER VS AVERAGE

VELOCITY OF THE THREE TRIALS

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 1043) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221

Figure 1 shows the relationship between the pipe diameter and the average velocity of the
three trials made in the simulation. Upon analyzing the graph, it could be inferred that as the pipe
diameter increases, the average velocity in the pipe decreases. It only means that velocity and
pipe diameter is inversely proportional to each other. It is supported by the statement of Corzan
(2022) which emphasizes that the larger the pipe diameter is, the slower the flow velocity will
be. The optimal flow rate can be maintained without increasing the velocity if a larger pipe is
specified.
TABLE 7: AVERAGE FLOW RATE FOR
EACH DIAMETER PIPE
Pipe Average Flow

Diameter rate
50 1456.590933
40 1510.1703
25 1052.9801
20 724.0234667
15 511.5367
FIGURE 2: PIPE DIAMETER VS AVERAGE

FLOW RATE OF THE THREE TRIALS
Figure 2 depicts the link between the pipe diameter and the simulation's three trials'
average flow rates. From the graph, it can be deduced that the average velocity in the pipe
increases as the pipe diameter increases. The only conclusion to be drawn from this is that flow
rate and pipe diameter are directly proportional. It is reinforced by Mansion (2021)'s assertion,
which highlights that a decrease in pipe diameter can compress a fluid that is running through it.
It moves more quickly, increasing the flow rate. The flow rate also decreases as the diameter
expands.

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 1143) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221

To compare and determine the relationship of the computed flow rate and velocity of each
of the pipe diameters to the computed analytical friction factor
TABLE 8: AVERAGE VELOCITY VS

ANALYTICAL FRICTION FACTOR
Average Analytical
Velocity Friction
Factor
73.5545 0.6092
120.2364333 0.2456
214.5433333 0.0289
230.5806667 0.027
291.5046 0.0097
FIGURE 3: AVERAGE VELOCITY VS

Figure 3 shows the relationship between the average velocity and analytical friction
factor of the three trials made in the simulation. Upon analyzing the graph, it could be inferred
that as the average velocity increases, the analytical friction factor in the pipe decreases. It is
supported by the statement of Queen’s University (2022) which emphasizes that the head loss is
proportional to velocity rather than velocity squared, thus the friction factor is inversely
proportional to velocity.
TABLE 8: AVERAGE VELOCITY VS

Average Flow Analytical

Rate Friction Factor
1456.590933 0.6092
1510.1703 0.2456
1052.9801 0.0289
724.0234667 0.027
511.5367 0.0097

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 1243) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
FIGURE 4: AVERAGE FLOW RATE VS

Figure 4 depicts the relationship between the simulation's three trials' average flow rates
and their corresponding analytical friction factor. From the graph, it can be deduced that the
average flow rate in the pipe increases as the pipe analytical friction factor increases. The only
conclusion to be drawn from this is that flow rate and friction factor are directly proportional to
each other
VI. CONCLUSIONS
The statements below were the conclusions drawn after the simulation or experiment.
1. The velocity and pipe diameter is inversely proportional to each other.
2. The flow rate and pipe diameter are directly proportional to each other
3. As the average velocity increases, the analytical friction factor in the pipe
decreases, meaning inversely proportional.
4. The average flow rate in the pipe increases as the pipe analytical friction factor
increases, meaning directly proportional.

Alangilan Campus
Tel Nos.: (+63 1343) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The use of an actual setup will really help the students to understand the concept
of friction.
2. Addition of other variables such as Reynolds number and friction losses will
really make this experiment a more productive one.
3. The simulation can be repeated to verify the results of the experiment.
VIII. REFERENCES
Inc, Lubrizol Advanced Materials. “How to Design an Industrial Piping System for Ideal
Flow Rate and Velocity.” Www.corzan.com, www.corzan.com/blog/how-to-design-
an-industrial-piping-system-for-ideal-flow-rate-and-
velocity#:~:text=An%20increase%20in%20slope%20decreases. Accessed 27 Oct.
2022.
“Losses in Pipes.” Me.queensu.ca,
me.queensu.ca/People/Sellens/LossesinPipes.html#:~:text=For%20laminar%20flo
w%2C%20the%20head.
Mart, Piping. “Does Increasing Pipe Size Increase Water Pressure?” Pipingmart Blog, 1
Jan. 2021, blog.thepipingmart.com/other/does-increasing-pipe-size-increase-water-
pressure/#:~:text=The%20diameter%20of%20pipe%20and. Accessed 27 Oct. 2022.

Friction in Pipes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Friction in Pipes

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Friction in Pipes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering – Department of Chemical Engineering