Instruction Manual &

Experiment Guide

Energy Losses in Bends

And Fittings

MODEL: ME-FM-3703
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DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

NOTE:
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this manual is accurate;
however no labiality is accepted for errors. Should an error be discovered please inform the
company in writing, giving full details. Any experimental results given are for guidance only and are
not guaranteed as exact answers that can be obtained for a given apparatus; due to the complex
variables applicable to most experiments.

INTRODUCTION
The apparatus Losses in Bends and Fittings has been designed for students experiment on the
investigation of energy losses in pipe bends and fittings including valves. The equipment is
mounted on a free-standing framework supporting the test pipe work and instrumentation. These
pipe fittings are included: mitre bend, 90o elbow, sweep bends (large and small radius), contraction
and enlargement.

Lab Manuals Prepared By: Asim Malik Lab Assistant Fluid Mechanics Lab
 HITEC UNIVERSITY
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Description and Assembly

1. 90o Elbow 6. Pressure Gauge

2. Sudden Enlargement 7. Gate Valve

3. Sudden Contraction 8. Pressure Gauge

4. 45o Elbow 9. 90o Elbow

5. 90o Bend 10. Water Inlet

11. Water Outlet

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Note: Pipe and fittings sizes are as follows:

Pipe : OD = 21.5mm

: ID = 14mm

Enlarged Section: OD = 33.5

: ID 25.4mm

Fittings : ID = 14mm
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SUMMARY OF THEORY
When fluid flow through typical pipe fittings such as an elbow or a bend, an enlargement or
contraction in cross-section, or through a valve, energy losses occur. These energy losses. Which are
termed as minor losses, are primarily due to the change in the direction of flow and the change in
the cross-section of the flow path typically occurs in valves and fittings. Experimental techniques
are used to determine minor losses. Tests have shown that the head loss in valves and fittings is
proportional to the square of the average velocity of the fluid in the pipe in which the valve or
fitting is mounted. Thus the head loss is also proportional to the velocity head of the fluid.

Characteristic of Flow through various Pipe Fittings and Valve

Elbows: 45o elbow and 90o elbow

Figures below show flow round a 45o elbow and a 90o below, which has a constant circular cross
section respectively.

90 degree elbow 45 degree elbow

The value of loss coefficient K is dependent on the ratio of the bend radius, R to the pipe inner
diameter D. As this ratio increase, the value of K will fall and vice versa.

Short bend
Losses of head in bends are caused by the combined effects of separation, wall friction and the twin-
eddy secondary flow. For large radius bends, the head loss is predominant by the last two effects,
whereas for short bends, it is more dominated by separation and secondary flow. Value of K is
dependent on the shape of passage (determined by θ and R/D) and Reynolds number.

Long Bend Short Bend

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Figure: Bend Fitting

Sudden enlargement and sudden contraction

Sudden enlargement:

Figure: Fluid Flows through Sudden Enlargement

As a fluid flows from a smaller pipe into a larger pipe through a sudden enlargement, its velocity
abruptly decreases, causing turbulence that generates an energy loss. But due to diffuser effect
pressure increases.

Sudden contraction:

Figure: Fluid Flows through Sudden Contraction

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As the streamlines approach the contraction, they assume a curved path and the total stream
continues to neck down for some distance beyond the contraction. This section where the minimum
flow area occurs is called the vena contracta. Beyond the vena contracta, the flow stream must
decelerate and expand again to fill the pipe. The turbulence caused by the contraction and the
subsequent expansion generates energy loss, which is given by

Gate valve
Gate valve is one of several types of valves that is used to control the amount of flow. The value of
loss coefficient K of a gate valve is dependent on the position of the valve. Fluids flow through fully
open gate valves in straight line paths, thus there is little resistance to flow and the resulting
pressure loss is small. For fluid flow through partially opened gate valve, resistance to flow will be
greater and thus produces a larger value of K.
 HITEC UNIVERSITY
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Experiment 1: Losses in Bends and Pipe Fittings

Objective:
To measuring the losses in the fittings related to flow rate and calculating loss coefficients related
to velocity head

Procedure:
Attach pipe with hydraulic bench fitting and inlet of apparatus. Open the gate valve 4½ turns. Now
start the hydraulic bench pump and slowly open the valve. Open valve to that extent so that all
tubes of manometer get flushed out. Now slowly close the valve so that all a tubes of manometer
have water in them. If Water level in the manometer is too high use the degassing valve to lower it.
Now at different flow rates (adjusted by the hydraulic bench valve) note the manometer readings.
Calculate the flow rate with a stop watch and hydraulic bench tube.

Results:

Volume, Flow Manometer readings (mmH2O)

Time, T
V rate, Q
(s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(liter) (m3/s)

Velocity Differential Piezometer head, h (mm H2O)

Velocity in small head,
Flow rate, bore pipe, v (m/s)
Q (m H2O)
4Q 90 Sudden Sudden 45 Short
(m3/s) v2
d 2 elbow enlargement contraction elbow bend
2g
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Experiment 2: Energy Losses through Gate Valve

Objective:
To measuring the losses through gate valve related to flow rate and calculating loss coefficients
related to velocity head

Procedure:
Place apparatus on bench, connect inlet pipe to bench supply and outlet pipe into volumetric tank.
With the bench valve fully closed and the discharge valve fully opened, start up the pump supply
from hydraulic bench. Slowly open the bench valve until it is fully opened. When the flow in the
pipe is steady and there is no trapped bubble, start to close the bench valve to reduce the flow to
the maximum measurable flow rate. Slowly open the gate valve to 2 turns position and measure and
record the differential pressure reading across the valve. Then, measure the flow rate with the
volumetric tank. Repeat the differential pressure measurement with different decreasing flow rates.
The flow rates can be adjusted by utilizing the bench flow control valve. Plot graph differential
piezometer head, h against velocity head for the gate valve and determine the loss coefficient. The
experiment can be repeated with different gate valve opening.

Results:

Volume, Differential pressure

Time, T Flow rate, Q across valve
V
(s) (m3/s) (psi)
(liter)

Velocity in small bore Velocity head,

pipe, v (m/s) (m H2O) Differential
Flow rate,
pressure Valve
Q
4Q v2 across valve position
(m3/s)
(m H2O)
d 2 2g
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TEACHER GUIDE
The slope of curves will give us the value of loss coefficient K.
Experiment 1

Observations

No time Flow rate Q Manometer Readings

Time
(Ltr) (sec) (m3/sec) h1 h2 h3 h4 h5 h6 h7 h8 h9
4.4 31.22 1.409x10-4 243 182 198 209 152 100 75 58 22
4.5 34.13 1.318x10-4 227 179 189 199 149 103 82 62 35
4.6 40.68 1.131x10-4 201 165 173 180 142 107 90 78 54
4.55 46.65 9.754x10-5 181 153 159 163 137 112 98 90 73
4.42 60.68 7.284x10-5 158 141 143 146 135 115 106 101 90

Note: 4½ turn of gate valve.

Calculations
Flow Velocity in Velocity Head Differential Piezometer Head Δh (mH2O)
Rate Q small bare pipe V2/2g
(m3/sec V = 4Q πd2 (mH2O) 90o elbow Sudden Sudden 45o elbow 90o Bend
) (mH2O) (h1-h2) Enlargement Contractio (h5-h6) (h8-h9)
(h3-h2) n (h4-h5)
1.409x1 0.915 0.0427 61x10-3 16x10-3 50x10-3 46x10-3 27x10-3
0-4
1.318x1 0.856 0.0374 48x10-3 10x10-3 50x10-3 46x10-3 27x10-3
0-4
1.131x1 0.735 0.0275 36x10-3 8x10-3 38x10-3 35x10-3 24x10-3
0-4
9.754x1 0.634 0.0205 28x10-3 6x10-3 26x10-3 25x10-3 17x10-3
0-4
7.284x1 0.473 0.0114 17x10-3 2x10-3 11x10-3 20x10-3 11x10-3
0-4
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Differential Piezometer Head

Velocity Head (mH2O)
(mH2O)
0.061 0.0427
0.048 0.0374
0.036 0.0275
0.028 0.0205
0.017 0.0114

Differential Piezometer Herad V/S

Velocity Head for 90 degree Elbow
0.07
Differential Piezometer Head mH2O

0.06
0.05 Differential Piezometer
0.04 Herad V/S Velocity Head
for 90 degree Elbow
0.03
0.02
Linear (Differential
0.01 Piezometer Herad V/S
0 Velocity Head for 90
degree Elbow)
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Velocity Head mH2O

Equation of lines
(x1 , y1) = (0.0114, 0.017)

(x2 , y2) = (0.0427, 0.061)

m = (y2 , y1) = 0.061 – 0.017 = 1.406 = K

(x2 , x1) 0.0427 – 0.0114

y = mx + b = 1.406x + 9.677x10-4

Point 1
0.017 = (1.406) (0.0114) + b

b = 9.716x10-4

Point 2
0.061 = (1.406) (0.0427) + b

b = 9.638x10-4
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Differential Piezometer Head

Velocity Head (mH2O)
(mH2O)
0.016 0.0427
0.01 0.0374
0.008 0.0275
0.006 0.0205
0.002 0.0114

Differential Piezometer Head V/S

Velocity Head for Sudden Enlargement
0.018
Differential Piezometer Head mH2O

0.016
0.014
Differential Piezometer
0.012
Head V/S Velocity Head
0.01
for Sudden Enlargement
0.008
0.006
0.004 Linear (Differential
0.002 Piezometer Head V/S
0 Velocity Head for Sudden
Enlargement)
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Velocity Head mH2O

Equation of lines
(x1 , y1) = (0.0114, 0.002)

(x2 , y2) = (0.0427, 0.016)

m = (y2 , y1) = 0.4473 = K

(x2 , x1)

y = mx + b = 0.4473x - 3.099x10-3

Point 1
0.002 = (-0.4473) (0.0114) + b

b = -3.099x10-3

Point 2
0.016 = (-0.4473) (0.0427) + b

b = -3.099x10-3
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Differential Piezometer Head Velocity Head (mH2O)

(mH2O)
0.05 0.0427
0.05 0.0374
0.038 0.0275
0.026 0.0205
0.011 0.0114

Differential Piezometer Herad V/S Velocity

Head for Sudden Contraction
0.06
Differential Piezometer Head mH2O

0.05

0.04 Differential Piezometer

Herad V/S Velocity Head for
0.03 Sudden Contraction
0.02
Linear (Differential
0.01 Piezometer Herad V/S
Velocity Head for Sudden
0
Contraction)
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Velocity Head mH2O

Equation of lines
(x1 , y1) = (0.0114, 0.011)

(x2 , y2) = (0.0427, 0.050)

m = (y2 , y1) = 0.050 – 0.011 = 1.246 = K

(x2 , x1) 0.0427 – 0.0114

y = mx + b = 1.246x - 3.2x10-3

Point 1
0.011 = (1.246) (0.0114) + b

b = -3.2x10-3

Point 2
0.050 = (1.246) (0.0427) + b

b = -3.2x10-3
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Differential Piezometer Head Velocity Head (mH2O)

(mH2O)
0.046 0.0427
0.046 0.0374
0.035 0.0275
0.025 0.0205
0.02 0.0114

Differential Piezometer Herad V/S

Velocity Head for 45 degree Elbow
0.06
Differential Piezometer Head mH2O

0.05

0.04 Differential Piezometer

Herad V/S Velocity Head
0.03 for 45 degree Elbow
0.02
Linear (Differential
0.01 Piezometer Herad V/S
Velocity Head for 45
0
degree Elbow)
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Velocity Head mH2O

Equation of lines
(x1 , y1) = (0.0114, 0.020)

(x2 , y2) = (0.0427, 0.046)

m = (y2 , y1) = 0.83 =K

(x2 , x1)

y = mx + b = 0.83x + 0.01

Point 1
0.020 = (0.83) (0.0114) + b

b = 0.01

Point 2
0.046 = (0.83) (0.0427) + b

b = 0.01
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Differential Piezometer Head Velocity Head (mH2O)

(mH2O)
0.027 0.0427
0.027 0.0374
0.024 0.0275
0.017 0.0205
0.011 0.0114

Differential Piezometer Herad V/S

Velocity Head for 90 degree Bend
0.035
0.03
Differential
0.025 Piezometer Herad V/S
0.02 Velocity Head for 90
degree Bend
0.015
Linear (Differential
0.01
Piezometer Herad V/S
0.005 Velocity Head for 90
0 degree Bend)
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05

Equation of lines
(x1 , y1) = (0.0114, 0.011)

(x2 , y2) = (0.0427, 0.027)

m = (y2 , y1) = 0.027 – 0.011 = 0.51 = K

(x2 , x1) 0.0427 – 0.0114

y = mx + b = 0.51x + 5.2 x 10-3

Point 1
0.011 = (0.51) (0.0114) + b

b = 5.186x10-3

Point 2
0.027 = (0.51) (0.0427) + b

b = 5.2x10-3
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Experiment 2

Observations
No time Time Flow rate Q Differential Pressure (Psi) Valve Position
(Ltr) (sec) (m3/sec) P1 p2 Δp
3.82 36.66 1.042x10-4 25 0 25 2 turns open
4.22 44.34 9.517x10-5 20 0 20 2 turns open
4.63 55.44 8.351x10-5 15 0 15 2 turns open
4.59 66.87 6.864x10-5 10 0 10 2 turns open
4.51 89.25 5.053x10-5 5 0 5 2 turns open

Calculations
Flow Rate Q Velocity in Velocity Head
(m3/sec) small bare pipe V2/2g (mH2O) Differential Valve Position
V = 4Q Pressure Across
πd2 Valve (m H2O)
(mH2O)
1.042x10-4 0.677 0.0234 17.577 2 turns open
9.517x10-5 0.618 0.0195 14.0614 2 turns open
8.351x10-5 0.542 0.015 10.546 2 turns open
6.864x10-5 0.446 0.0101 7.031 2 turns open
5.053x10-5 0.328 0.0055 3.515 2 turns open
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Differential Piezometer Head (mH2O) Velocity Head (mH2O)

17.577 0.0234
14.0614 0.0195
10.546 0.015
7.031 0.0101
3.515 0.005

Differential Piezometer Herad V/S

Velocity Head for 2 Turns open of Gate
Valve
20
Differential Piezometer Head mH2O

15 Differential Piezometer
Herad V/S Velocity Head
10 for 2 Turns open of Gate
Valve
5
Linear (Differential
Piezometer Herad V/S
0 Velocity Head for 2 Turns
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 open of Gate Valve)
Velocity Head mH2O

Equation of lines
(x1 , y1) = (0.0055 , 3.515)
(x2 , y2) = (0.0234, 17.577)

m = (y2 , y1) = 17.577 – 3.515 = 7.85.6 = K

(x2 , x1) 0.0234 – 0.0055

y = mx + b = 785.6x – 0.8

Point 1
3.515 = (785.6) (0.0055) + b

b = 0.8

Point 2
17.577 = (785.6) (0.0234) + b

b = 0.8