Fluid Mechanics A

Pipe Friction Lab Report

DECEMBER 5, 2022
Caroline ho ying san
H00384762
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the relationship between friction factor and
Reynolds number for laminar flow and turbulent flow. In both experiments, the water was
allowed to flow in a pipe with different volumetric flow rate and the pressure difference
between two points was measured. The Reynolds number and friction factor for each set of
volumetric flow rate were calculated and tabulated. The experimental and theoretical results
were compared and analysed using graphing method. The experimental relationship was
found to be different from theoretical relationship. The engineering error in the experiments
were due to the waiting time for the flow rate to be stable. The improvement discussed was
by increasing the waiting time to be 10 or 15 minutes. The experiment was concluded to be
inaccurate.
Introduction
In this pipe friction lab experiment, water was used as the fluid that was transported in a brass
pipe. As water is travelling through a pipe, there is a pressure difference between two points
in the pipe. The two points that were taken for observation were a point near the inlet side of
the pipe and another point near the outlet side of the pipe which is 0.4m in distance. To
overcome the pressure difference, energy is needed to make sure the fluid in the pipe is
moving. In the experiment, the pressure difference between the two points was caused by
friction losses between the water and the inner surface of the pipe. This friction losses were
overcame by energy.
In the real world, there are multiple engineering applications of pipe friction. One of the very
common applications is the piping system that can be found any buildings in a city. The pipes
that are installed in houses which are used to transport hot and cold water pumped from water
sources (Çengel and Cimbala, 2006, pp. 321). Studying the pipe friction theory allows
engineers to further improve the pipeline system that is built in the house.
Another pipe friction engineering application is transporting cooling water in an engine by
using hoses to the pipes in the radiator which cools them as it flows (Çengel and Cimbala,
2006, pp. 321). This principle allows engineers to better design the piping system in the car
engines to ensure the cooling functions are being applied sufficiently.
Pipe friction is important in improving the productivity of pipeline system. In some
applications, the flow rate capacity is needed to be maximized and at the same time, the head
loss per unit length is minimized (Habib and Shah, no date). With the theory applied, the
energy consumption in order to overcome the friction losses in a pipe with a certain flow rate
can be calculated and hence the amount of material required per unit length can be calculated.
This allows engineers to calculate the cost to build a pipeline.
This pipe friction lab experiment aims to investigate the friction losses for laminar flow and
turbulent flow. The objective of the experiment is to investigate the relationship between
friction factor and Reynolds number for both laminar flow and turbulent flow.
Theory
The velocity of the water flow can be determined by dividing the volumetric flow rate with
the area of the pipe as shown:
Q
u= ----------Equation 1
A
The pressure difference of laminar flow can be converted from the head loss measured from
water manometer by multiplying it with density of water and gravitational acceleration as
shown:
ΔP=hρg ----------Equation 2
When fluid is moving in a pipe, the outermost layers of the fluid that is in contact with the
inner wall of the pipe experience shear stress that depends on the viscosity of the fluid. At a
low flow rate, the fluid flows with a single streamline and does not mix with other fluid
layers. The fluid flow remains glassy and smooth as the velocity of the fluid remains
constant. This flow is called Laminar Flow.
When the velocity of the fluid increases, there is a higher tendency for rapid macroscopic
fluid mixing in the radial direction. The fluid layers no longer flow smoothly past each other,
they turn into turbulent eddies as they flow randomly through the pipe. The flow of the fluid
looks rough and opaque. This flow is called Turbulent Flow.
As the type of flow of the fluid in a pipe is highly dependent on the fluid’s density, velocity,
viscosity and the diameter of the pipe, scientist came up with a formula that is used to
determine the type of flow of the fluid that is flowing in a pipe. The formula is as shown
below:
ρuD
ℜ= ---------- Equation 3
µ
If the Re value is found to be less than 2000, the flow of fluid is said to be Laminar Flow. If
the Re value is found to be more than 4000, the flow of the fluid is said to be Turbulent Flow.
Any values that fall between 2000 to 4000, the flow is said to be transitional, and it can be
either laminar or turbulent that can change back and forth.
To determine the experimental friction factor for Laminar and Turbulent Flow, a formula
consist of the pressure difference between two points, length and diameter of the pipe, density
and velocity of the fluid flowing in the pipe as shown below:
2
l ρu
ΔP=f ' E ( ) ----------Equation 4
D 2
To determine the theoretical friction factor for Laminar Flow, Equation 5 is used and to
determine the theoretical friction factor for Turbulent Flow, Equation 6 is used as shown
below:
64
f ' T = ℜ ----------Equation 5
 0.3164
f ' T= 4 ----------Equation 6
√ℜ

To calculate the percentage error of the experimental friction factor, the following formula is
used:

%error=¿ f ' T −f ' E∨ ¿ ¿ ----------Equation 7

f 'T

The first-row data from Table 2.1 was taken for sample calculations:
−6
6.97 × 10
u= 2
π ×0.0015
−1
¿ 0.986 ms

2
0.4 1000× 0.986
2138.58=f ' E ( )
0.003 2
f ' E =0.0330

1000 × 0.986 ×0.003

ℜ=
0.001
¿ 2959

64
f ' T=
2959
¿ 0.0216

%error=¿ 0.0216−0.0330∨ ¿ ×100 % ¿

0.0216
= 52.78 %
Equipment

Figure 1.1: Apparatus Set Up (Display).

Table 1.1: Labelling of Apparatus in Figure 1.1.

1. Instrument Panel 8. Hose connection for water inlet
2. Drain Valve 9. Bypass
3. Pressure measuring fitting 10. Shut-off valve for water feed at bypass
4. Pipe section 11. Head tank
5. Pressure measuring fitting 12. Dial manometer
6. Shut-off valve for water outlet on head tank 13. Water manometer
7. Shut-off valve for water inlet on head tank

Figure 1.1 shows the apparatus set up that was used in the experiment.
Table 1.1 shows the name of each component presented in the set up.
 Figure 1.2: Apparatus Set Up (Storage Tank).

Table 1.2: Labelling of Apparatus in Figure 1.2.

1. Drain valve 7. Water connection from experiment
2. Submersible motor driven pump 8. Water connection to experiment
3. Water supply connection for accessories with 9. Volumetric measuring tank- for measuring
pump volumetric flowrate (Tank A)
4. Main flow control valve (Valve A) 10. Liquid level gauge
5. Overflow pipe 11. Sliding valve (Valve B)
6. Switch box 12. Main water storage tank (Tank B)

Figure 1.2 shows the apparatus set up that was used in the experiment.
Table 1.2 shows the name of each component presented in the set up.
Procedure
A. Laminar Flow:
1. The apparatus was set up with the drain valve 100% opened and the water was left to flow
in the pipe for 5 minutes to achieve steady flow rate. A steady flow rate can be determined
from the water manometer showing a constant pressure difference.
2. The volumetric flow rate of the water was measured for three trials by using a measuring
cylinder to collect the water at the outlet and a stopwatch to measure the time taken for the
water to reach the corresponding volume. The volumetric flow rate can then be determined
by dividing the volume of water collected with the time taken measured.
3. The pressure difference between the two points as shown in Figure 1.1 (3&5) was
determined using water manometer. The values were collected, and the difference of the
values was recorded as the pressure difference.
4. The volume of water collected, the time taken, and the values on water manometer were
observed and recorded in Table 3.1 provided in Appendices.
5. Steps 1 to 4 were repeated by setting the drain valve to be 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% open.

B. Turbulent Flow:
1. The ends of the two pressure measuring fitting (Figure 1.1, 3&5) were disconnected from
the water manometer and connected to the dial manometer (Figure 1.1, 12).
2. The drain valve was 100% opened and the water was left to flow in the pipe for 5 minutes
to achieve steady flow rate. A steady flow rate can be determined from the dial manometer
showing a constant pressure difference.
3. The volumetric flow rate of the water was measured for three trials by using a measuring
cylinder to collect the water at the outlet and a stopwatch to measure the time taken for the
water to reach the corresponding volume. The volumetric flow rate can then be determined
by dividing the volume of water collected with the time taken measured.
4. The pressure difference between the two points as shown in Figure 1.1 (3&5) was
determined using dial manometer. The values were collected and recorded as the pressure
difference.
5. The volume of water collected, the time taken, and the values on dial manometer were
observed and recorded in Table 3.2 provided in Appendices.
6. Steps 2 to 5 were repeated by setting the drain valve to be 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% open.
Results and Discussion
Laminar Flow:
Table 2.1: Processed data for laminar flow.
Volumetric Pressure Experimental Theoretical
Velocity, Reynolds
Flow Rate, Q Difference, ΔP Friction Factor, Friction Factor,
u (m s−1) Number, Re f 'E f 'T
(10−6 m3 s−1) (Pa)
6.97 0.986 2959 2138.58 0.0330 0.0216
6.28 0.887 2662 1824.66 0.0348 0.0240
5.77 0.816 2447 1515.65 0.0342 0.0262
5.28 0.746 2238 1167.39 0.0315 0.0286
4.34 0.613 1840 804.420 0.0321 0.0348

0.0400
0.0350
0.0300
Frition Factor, f'

0.0250
0.0200
0.0150
0.0100
0.0050
0.0000
1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200
Reynolds Number, Re

Experimental Friction Factor, f' Theoretical Friction Factor, f'

Figure 2.1: Relationship between Friction Factor and Reynolds number.

Figure 2.1 is a graph showing the relationship between friction factor and Reynolds number
for experimental and theoretical in laminar flow based on Table 2.1. The theoretical trend
line shows that the friction factor decreases exponentially with increasing Reynolds number
and the experimental trend line shows the friction factor decreases at the beginning, increases
in the middle, and decreases again at the end with increasing Reynolds number. The
experimental results do not follow the theoretical results.
The difference between the experimental and theoretical results may be due to the unstable flow of the
water in the pipe. This can be proven by looking at the Re value of each volumetric flow rate. The
experimental Re value for first to forth set of volumetric flow rate went above 2000. The experimental
Re values are said to be in transitional flow as the Re value for laminar flow falls under 2000
theoretically.
To improve the accuracy of the experimental results, the waiting time for the flow rate to be stable can
be improved to 10 minutes or 15 minutes (the waiting time in the experiment was 5 minutes for each
set). As Re value is highly depending on velocity of the fluid, improving the waiting time can make
sure the flow rate, hence the velocity remains constant throughout the measuring and data collection
processes.
Turbulent Flow:
Table 2.2: Processed data for turbulent flow.
Volumetric Velocity Pressure Experimental Theoretical
Flow Rate, Q ,u( Reynolds Friction Factor, Friction Factor,
Difference, ΔP
Number, Re f 'E f 'T
(10−5 m3 s−1) −1
ms ) (Pa)
3.73 5.27 15818 41370 0.0223 0.0282
3.33 4.70 14112 34475 0.0234 0.0290
2.49 3.53 10578 27580 0.0333 0.0312
2.33 3.30 9894 20685 0.0285 0.0317
2.04 2.89 8658 13790 0.0248 0.0328

0.0350

0.0300

0.0250
Friction Factor, f'

0.0200

0.0150

0.0100

0.0050

0.0000
8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000 16000 17000
Reynolds Number, Re

Experimental Friction Factor, f' Theoretical Friction Factor, f'

Figure 2.2: Relationship between Friction Factor and Reynolds number.

Figure 2.2 is a graph showing the relationship between friction factor and Reynolds number
for experimental and theoretical in turbulent flow based on Table 2.2. The theoretical trend
line shows that the friction factor decreases exponentially with increasing Reynolds number
and the experimental trend line shows the friction factor increases at the beginning, decreases
in the middle after reaching a maximum point, and increases again at the end with increasing
Reynolds number. The experimental results do not follow the theoretical results.
As mentioned in laminar flow discussion, the difference between the experimental and theoretical
results may be due to the unstable flow of the water in the pipe. Although the Re values for all 5 sets
of volumetric flow rate are all above 4000 which follow the theoretical Re value for turbulent flow, it
was discussed that the wating time of 5 minutes was not sufficient for the flow rate to be stable for
measuring and data collection processes that caused the laminar Re values to be inaccurate, it can also
be the cause of the inaccurate turbulent flow in this part of experiment.
To improve the accuracy of the experimental results, the waiting time for the flow rate to be stable can
be improved to 10 minutes or 15 minutes (the waiting time in the experiment was 5 minutes for each
set). As Re value is highly depending on velocity of the fluid, improving the waiting time can make
sure the flow rate, hence the velocity remains constant throughout the measuring and data collection
process.
Conclusion
In summary, for both laminar and turbulent flow experiment, the experimental relationship
between friction factor and Reynolds number was found to be inaccurate as it does not follow
the theoretical relationship between friction factor and Reynolds number. The main
improvement was discussed to be increasing in the waiting time for the flow rate of the water
to be greater. The experiments were found to be inaccurate.
References
Çengel, Y.A. and Cimbala, J.M. (2006) Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications.
New York: McGraw-Hill. Available at:
https://www.kau.edu.sa/Files/0057863/Subjects/Chapter%208.pdf (Accessed: 2 December
2022).
Habib, A. and Shah, I.K. (no date) Applied Fluid Mechanics Lab Manual. Available at:
https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapter/experiment-4/ (Accessed: 2
December 2022).
Bibliography
Keerthana, D.S. (2021) Laboratory 2: Flow through Pipes Technical Report. Curtin
University, Dubai. Available at: 10.13140/RG.2.2.17004.69766 (Accessed: 2 December
2022).
Appendices
Table 3.1: Raw Data for Laminar Flow.
Time Volume Volumetric Average Volumetric Water Manometer, h (mm)
Taken (s) (ml) Flow Rate Flow Rate Point 1 Point 2 Difference
7.31 51 6.98
Trial
11.69 80 6.84 6.97 294.5 76.5 218
1
5.35 38 7.10
4.79 30 6.26
Trial
8.29 52 6.27 6.28 282.5 96.5 186
2
12.56 79 6.29
7 41 5.86
Trial
10.09 58 5.75 5.77 268.5 114 154.5
3
15.44 88 5.70
6.53 35 5.36
Trial
12.6 66 5.24 5.28 254 135 119
4
17.97 94 5.23
8 35 4.38
Trial
10.84 47 4.34 4.34 238.5 156.5 82
5
19.07 82 4.30

Table 3.2: Raw Data for Turbulent Flow.

Time Taken Volume Volumetric Average Volumetric Dial Manometer

(s) (ml) flow rate Flow Rate (psi)
2.6 98 37.69
Trial 1 2.16 79 36.57 37.29 6
1.41 53 37.59
2.72 91 33.46
Trial 2 1.72 57 33.14 33.27 5
2.5 83 33.20
3.28 81 24.70
Trial 3 1.97 50 25.38 24.93 4
2.75 68 24.73
3.1 73 23.55
Trial 4 3.62 83 22.93 23.32 3
2.81 66 23.49
3.22 65 20.19
Trial 5 4.28 87 20.33 20.41 2
3.38 70 20.71