Chemical Engineering Laboratory 1 – CEL262S
Practical: Fluid Flow Bench
1. Aim
To introduce students to the calculation of friction and shock losses in various pipe fittings.
2. Theory
2.1 Shock and Friction Losses
In a normal system there are two types of losses, namely shock losses and friction losses. The shock
losses are caused by fittings that are used in the system, such as valves and bends. Friction losses
are caused by pipes due to their roughness. Friction losses depend on the roughness of the pipe and
the higher the roughness the higher the energy losses due to friction.
2.1.1 Friction Losses
Friction losses in a pipe system can be determined by the following equation:
The fanning friction factor, fF, is determined from the Moody Chart. The Reynolds number together
with the pipe roughness, ԑ, the friction factor can be determined.
2.1.2 Shock Losses
As mentioned earlier, shock losses occur in fittings. The type of fitting used determines the
magnitude of the pressure loss. This magnitude is characterised by a constant, the K-factor. The
pressure drop in terms of pressure head can be calculated by the following equation:
The total head loss due to friction and shock is the sum of all the friction losses and shock losses in
the different fittings and pipes in the system.
2.2 Determination of k values
As mentioned earlier the shock losses in a pipe system can be attributed to fittings and valves. Other
sources for shock losses are sudden enlargements, sudden contractions, sharp point entry and sharp
point exit.
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2.2.1 Sharp point entry and exit
The sharp point entry is located at the exit from a large tank into a pipe. This should not be confused
with a sudden expansion. A sharp point exit is located at the exit of a pipe into a large tank. The
respective k values are as follows:
𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑦 = 0.5 𝑘𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡
When you incorporate exit losses in your total head loss, you do not incorporate the kinetic head
also, i.e., the value of v1 and v2 are assumed the same.
2.2.2 Sudden contraction
A sudden contraction can be represented by two pipes. At the connection between the two pipes, the
larger pipe changes immediately into a smaller pipe. This sudden change in diameter causes shock
losses. The extent of shock loss is determined by the ratio of di2 / di1.
The shock loss is then determined by using the velocity in the smaller pipe.
2.2.3 Sudden Expansion
In the case of a sudden expansion, the smaller pipe changes into a larger pipe. The fluid flows as a
jet and gradually expands to fill the larger pipe, there being a large recirculating flow outside the jet.
Owing to the low velocity gradients in the recirculating flow, there is very little frictional loss here:
most of the losses occur where the expanding jet reattaches to the wall.
The k value can be estimated by the following equation:
The velocity in the smaller pipe is used to determine the shock losses.
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3. Procedure
At four different flow rates do the following practical exercises on the Edibon Fluid Flow Bench.
3.1 Practical exercise: Pressure drop in a 90º and 45º elbow
3.1.1 Objective
To determine the pressure drop of a fluid that flows through an elbow of 90º and 45º.
3.1.2. Required elements
➢ AFT/AFTB/AFTC/AFTP unit.
➢ Hydraulic bench.
3.1.3. Experimental procedure
Step 1: Connect the hydraulic bench to the AFT/AFTB/AFTC/AFTP.
Step 2: Activate the “mushroom button” of the hydraulic bench with the V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7
and the regulation valve number 23 closed.
Step 3: Connect the unit and switch on the pump.
Step 4: Keep closed all the valves of the unit.
Step 5: Open the V7 valve and the ball valve number 19 and wait until all the air from the pipe is
expelled.
Step 6: Connect the pressure taps of the corresponding manometer to the inlet and outlet of the 90º
elbow (22); for the 45º elbow (20). The manometric tubes will be chosen when there are
water column differences lower than 800 mm.
Step 7: Regulate with the regulation valve number 23 the flow which runs through the pipe. It is
recommended to start with a flow of 10 l/min and increase 5 l/min for each data taking.
CAUTION: When using the Hydraulic Bench (FME00) once the flow measurement has been done, the
driver of the emptying valve must be lowered to avoid that the drain tank is left without
water and the pump seizes up. When another time-measuring process is performed, put up
the driver to fill the volumetric tank and, once the measurements are finished, put it down
again.
3.1.4 Data Capturing
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3.1.5 Results
The value of K will be obtained from the equation above. To calculate the velocity, use the equation
above, considering the diameter of the pipe d = 20mm.
3.1.6 Questions
1. Confirm that the loss coefficient K is constant for the 90º and 45º elbows in the whole operation
range.
2. Plot the K-Q relation for each opening degree.
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3.2 Practical exercise: Pressure drop in a narrowing
3.2.1 Objectives
To determine the pressure drop of the fluid that flows through a narrowing.
3.2.2. Required elements
➢ AFT/AFTB/AFTC/AFTP unit.
➢ Hydraulic bench.
3.2.3. Experimental procedure
Step 1: Connect the hydraulic bench to the AFT/AFTB/AFTC/AFTP.
Step 2: Activate the “mushroom button” of the hydraulic bench with the V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7
and the regulation valve number 23 closed.
Step 3: Connect the unit and switch on the pump.
Step 4: Keep closed all the valves of the unit.
Step 5: Open the V6 valve and the diaphragm valve number 10 and wait until all the air from the pipe
is expelled.
Step 6: Connect the pressure taps of the corresponding manometer to the inlet and outlet of the
narrowing (15). The manometric tubes will be chosen when there are water column
differences lower than 800 mm.
Step 7: Regulate with the regulation valve number 23 the flow which runs through the pipe. It is
recommended to start with a flow of 10 l/min and increase 5 l/min for each data taking.
CAUTION: When using the Hydraulic Bench (FME00) once the flow measurement has been done,
the driver of the emptying valve must be lowered to avoid that the drain tank is left without
water and the pump seizes up. When another time-measuring process is performed, put
up the driver to fill the volumetric tank and, once the measurements are finished, put it
down again.
3.2.4 Data capturing
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3.2.5 Results
➢ Considering the inner diameter at the inlet (40mm) and the outlet (25mm), the value of the
velocity of the fluid for each flow at the inlet and outlet of the narrowing can be obtained with
the equation (7).
➢ Calculate the pressure decrement that should take place in the pipe.
➢ Take away the theoretical pressure decrement that should take place (previously calculated)
from the real pressure decrement measured (difference among the water column, inlet, and
outlet). Thus, the value of the pressure drop introduced by the narrowing will be obtained.
➢ Using the difference between the real and theoretical values without pressure drop, calculate
the value of λ.
➢ Complete the table below:
3.2.6. Questions
1. Confirm that the loss coefficient K is constant in the narrowing.
2. Plot the K-Q relation for each opening degree.
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3.3 Practical exercise: Pressure drop in a gradual widening
3.3.1 Objectives
To determine the pressure drop of the fluid that flows through a gradual widening.
3.3.2. Required elements
➢ AFT/AFTB/AFTC/AFTP unit.
➢ Hydraulic bench.
3.2.3. Experimental procedure
Step 1: Connect the hydraulic bench to the AFT/AFTB/AFTC/AFTP.
Step 2: Activate the “mushroom button” of the hydraulic bench with the V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7
and the regulation valve number 23 closed.
Step 3: Connect the unit and switch on the pump.
Step 4: Keep closed all the valves of the unit.
Step 5: Open the V6 valve and the diaphragm valve number 10 and wait until all the air from the pipe
is expelled.
Step 6: Connect the pressure taps of the corresponding manometer to the inlet and outlet of the
gradual widening (11). The manometric tubes will be chosen when there are water column
differences lower than 800 mm.
Step 7: Regulate with the regulation valve number 23 the flow which runs through the pipe. It is
recommended to start with a flow of 10 l/min and increase 5 l/min for each data taking.
CAUTION: When using the Hydraulic Bench (FME00) once the flow measurement has been done,
the driver of the emptying valve must be lowered to avoid that the drain tank is left without
water and the pump seizes up. When another time-measuring process is performed, put
up the driver to fill the volumetric tank and, once the measurements are finished, put it
down again.
3.3.4 Data capturing
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3.3.5 Results
➢ Considering the inner diameter at the inlet (25mm) and the outlet (40mm), calculate the value
of the velocity of the fluid for each flow at the inlet and outlet of the widening.
➢ Calculate the pressure decrement that should take place in the pipe.
➢ Take away the theoretical pressure decrement that should take place (previously calculated)
from the real pressure decrement measured (difference among the water column, inlet, and
outlet). Thus, the value of the pressure drop introduced by the widening will be obtained.
➢ Using the difference between the real and theoretical values without pressure drop, calculate
the value of λ.
➢ Complete the table below:
3.3.6. Questions
1. Plot the λ-Q relation for each opening degree.
2. Compare the obtained value with the value given by Gibson.
Frictional losses will be experimented on, using the same procedure as well as fittings and
valves.
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