There were tow main objectives to complete with this experiment. First, the understanding of the energy loss in a fluid between a pipe’s inner walls and the flowing fluid itself is important.
Second, calculate the friction factor of the actual pipe with given initial conditions.
First, the understanding of energy loss in a fluid can be realized by measuring a pressure
differential along a certain length of pipe. Numerical values for this objective can be found later in this report.
Second, the calculated and measured friction factors were obtained using Darcy’s equation and one of two Colebrook equations. The flow was classified as turbulent or laminar based on the calculation of the Reynolds number. The measured values of the friction factor were compared
to the calculated values at each of the different flow and piping scenarios. Percentage difference calculations were performed to determine the better approximation to the measured data.
Apparatus
Purpose
The Hampden Model H-6925 Fluid Circuit
Demonstrator provides complete facilities for
the investigation of the phenomena associated
with incompressible fluid flow in conduits.
Description
Each unit comes factory-equipped with mobile
carrier, supply storage tank, centrifugal water
pump, cylindrical clear tank, interchangeable
transparent Venturi flowmeter,interchangeable
Orifice flowmeter, manometer, electrical controls, and the four-pipe network. Both of the flowmeters incorporate zero clearance fittings for interchangeability.
Experiment Capabilities
The head loss caused by fluid friction in straight pipes and the effects of fluid velocity, pipe diameter, and surface roughness can be studied in detail. The experiments can be carried out over a wide range of Reynolds’ numbers.
The head loss due to flow separation in pipe fittings and valves can also be investigated.
These include bends of different radii and a tee.
In addition, the flow rate versus head loss characteristics of control valves can be studied as well as the operating characteristics of flowmeters.
Objectives
There are tow objectives required to complete this experiment.
The first objective is to understand the energy loss in a fluid between a pipe’s inner walls and the flowing fluid itself.
The second objective is to calculate the friction factor of the actual pipe.
Results
The results below were obtained using three different flow rates. The system was allowed to reach steady state before any measurements were taken.
The Table below shows the different flow paths, the measured pressure differentials, volumetric flow rates, equivalent pipe roughness, length of pipe run, and the corresponding hydraulic
Diameters.
And shows the measured and calculated friction factors with varying both the flow rate and the inside diameter of the pipe.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the first objective, to understand the energy loss in a fluid between a pipe’s inner walls and the flowing fluid itself, was accomplished. The second objective, calculate the friction factor of the actual pipe, was accomplished.
To complete the analysis of the data set, an uncertainty budget of the calculations and measurements was performed.
Discussion
As can be expected, there was an increase in the Reynolds number when there was an increase in the flow rate of the fluid. The flow rates had different reactions to the status of the flow in the pipes. Depending on the area, velocity, and fluid properties, the Reynolds number changes.
The pressure measurement uncertainties could be improved theoretically by improving the inside diameter measurement of the pipe. In most cases, this will not be possible since it is very
difficult to measure the inside diameter of a pipe that is extremely long.
A significant improvement in uncertainty can be obtained by improving this one piece of equipment.