Energy Losses in Bends

Updated 11/26/08

Energy Losses in Bends Introduction Energy losses in pipe flows are the result of friction between the fluid and the pipe walls and internal friction between fluid particles. Minor (secondary) head losses occur at any location in a pipe system where streamlines are not straight, such as at pipe junctions, bends, valves, contractions, expansions, and reservoir inlets and outlets. In this experiment, you will measure minor head losses through a pipe section that has several bends, transitions, and fittings as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Schematic drawing of the energy-loss apparatus.

Objective The objectives of this lab are to measure head losses through bends, transitions, and fittings, and to use these measurements to estimate the loss coefficients for each transition or fitting.

Theory The energy balance between two points in a pipe can be described by the Bernoulli equation, given by p1 V2 p V2  z1  1  2  z2  2  hL ,  2g  2g

(1)

where pi is static pressure (in Pa) at point i,  is specific weight of the fluid (in N/m3), zi is the elevation (in meters) of point i, Vi is the fluid velocity (in m/s) at point i, g is the gravitational constant (in m/s2), and hL is head loss (in meters). The term pi/ is referred

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Updated 11/26/08 to as the static head; zi is the elevation head; and Vi/2g is the dynamic (or velocity) head. The summation of the static head and the elevation head, pi/ + zi, is referred to as the piezometric head. The piezometric head is what is measured with the piezometer (manometer) board on the apparatus for this experiment. Head loss, hL, includes the sum of pipe friction losses, hf, and all minor losses, hL  h f 

h ,

i 1n

i

(3)

where hi is the minor head loss (in meters) for the ith component and n is the number of components (fittings, bends, etc.). Pipe friction losses are expressed as the DarcyWeisbach equation given by hf  f

L V2 , D 2g

(2)

where f is a friction factor, L is the pipe length, and D is the pipe diameter. Pipe friction losses are assumed to be negligible in this experiment. Minor losses occur at any bend, transition, or fitting where the streamlines are not straight and are proportional to the velocity head. For all components, head loss is given by hi  K i

V2 , 2g

(5)

where Ki is the loss coefficient (dimensionless) for the ith component and V is the fluid velocity as it travels through the pipe component. For the expansion and contraction, the V used in Equation (5) is the velocity of the fluid in the smaller-diameter pipe. In this experiment, the loss coefficients for different pipe components will be experimentally determined by calculating the minor head loss using Equation (1) and utilizing Equation (5) to find the loss coefficient. In Exercise B a pressure difference across a gate valve is measured from a pressure gauge in units of bars and must be converted to an equivalent head loss using the following relationship 1 bar = 10.2 m water.

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(6)

Updated 11/26/08

Equipment  

Armfield Hydraulics Bench with Energy Losses apparatus Stop Watch

The Energy Losses apparatus is a pipe with several pipe fittings. Piezometers (a type of manometer) are connected to the pipe upstream and downstream of each fitting to measure the pressure in the pipe at those locations.

Technical Data The following dimensions from the equipment are used in the appropriate calculations. Internal diameter of main pipe: Internal diameter of enlargement outlet and contraction inlet:

0.0196 m 0.0240 m

Procedure Exercise A 1. Setup the Energy Losses in Bends (ELB) accessory on a hydraulic bench with its base level. This is necessary for accurate height measurements from the manometers. 2. Connect the quick disconnect of the ELB Accessory to the bench flow supply in the basin of the hydraulics bench and run the outlet extension tube into the volumetric tank. Make sure both ends are secure to prevent water from spraying everywhere. If you can see the ball bearings on the quick disconnect of the hydraulics bench, the inlet tube is not secure. 3. On the hydraulics bench, completely close (i.e. turn all the way clockwise) the valve for the pump, and then open the valve about one turn. (If the valve is fully open when you turn on the pump, the water exits too quickly through the exit tube and sprays water all over the lab). Do NOT turn on the pump yet! 4. On the head loss apparatus, completely open (i.e. turn all the way counter clockwise) the gate valve fitting, located just below the pressure gauge, and the flow-control valve, located on exit of the module. 5. Check that the pressure taps from either side of the mitre bend are not clamped by the white clamps. 6. Attach a piece of plastic tubing to the air-bleed valve (Figure 1). Point the air-bleed tube into the hydraulics bench. 7. Turn on the hydraulics bench pump.

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Updated 11/26/08 8. Slowly open the air-bleed screw completely to purge the manometer board of all air bubbles. a. Be sure the air-bleed tube is pointing into the reservoir. b. Slowly close the flow-control valve (not all the way!) on the exit of the head loss apparatus to force the water out the air-bleed tube until the manometer board readings are be completely full of water (no air bubbles). 9. Close the air-bleed screw. 10. Remove the air-bleed tube and attach the bicycle pump to the air-bleed valve. 11. Close the flow-control valve, located on exit of the module. 12. Quickly, open the air-bleed screw and pressurize the manometer board by forcefully pumping air until the water levels are near 320 mm. 13. Immediately close the air-bleed screw and remove the bicycle pump. Be sure the water levels are still near 320 mm. 14. Slowly open the flow-control valve on the head loss apparatus to select a flow rate of approximately 18-20 L/min. . The maximum flow rate that can be obtained while keeping all manometer levels at a recordable level is 20 liters per minute. a. The flow-control valve and the pump valve of the hydraulic bench may be adjusted, but do not use the gate valve. b. Make sure that the difference between the first and second manometer readings is at least 8mm so that the pressure difference is significantly higher than the measurement error. Be sure to maintain this difference at lower flow rates where the two measurements start to converge. c. Monitor the manometer board to make sure the sixth manometer reading does not exceeding the manometer range and the twelfth reading does not drop too low as to be off the manometer board. These are the limiting cases for measurement range. The air-bleed screw may need to be opened to add/release air from the manometer board to get just the right reference pressure in order to maximize your measurement range for the various flow rates. 15. Record the flow rate using the following proceedure. a. Close the dump valve via the dump valve handle on the Hydraulics Bench. The fluid will start to rise in the volume measuring tank. Wait for the water level to reach zero on the upper scale of the side tube scale (near the pump ON/OFF switch) before starting your measurement. 4

Updated 11/26/08 b. Using the side tube scale and a stopwatch, measure the volume change as a function of time (at least 30 seconds to obtain an accurate flow rate measurement). c. Once you have obtained your timed volume collection – reopen the dump valve to drain the tank. 16. Record the level of water in each of the manometers using the included table. Also, record to what location each manometer reading corresponds. 17. Repeat Steps 14-16 for four additional flow rates (total of five) that span the range from approximately 10-20 L/min. 18. Continue directly to Exercise B. Exercise B 19. Clamp the tubes running from the pressure taps on either side of the mitre bend with the white, hose clamps in order to prevent air from getting into the system. 20. Close the gate valve completely. 21. Fully open the flow-control valve and the pump valve of the hydraulic bench. 22. Open the gate valve by approximately 50% of one turn (after taking up any backlash in the valve—watch the pressure gauge for a change). 23. For each of five flow rates, measure the pressure drop across the valve using the pressure gauge that is mounted above the valve. a. Adjust the flow rate by use of the flow-control valve at the exit of the accessory. Do not adjust the gate valve. b. Determine the flow rate as in the previous exercise. 24. Repeat Steps 20-23 for the gate valve open approximately 70% and 85% of one turn. Shut Down 25. Unclamp the white, hose clamps from the hoses of the mitre bend. 26. Open the gate valve completely. 27. Fully open the flow-control valve at the exit of the accessory. 28. Turn off the pump of the hydraulics bench. 29. Completely close the pump valve of the hydraulics bench.

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Calculations and Results Fill in Tables 3 – 5 with calculated results. Assume that the pipe friction losses between the upstream and downstream manometer ports are negligible, so the total head loss is due to minor head losses. Remember the piezometric head is what is measured with the piezometer (manometer) board on the experimental apparatus.

Questions 1. For Exercise A, prepare plots that show the effect of dynamic head on minor head loss and the effect of flow rate on loss coefficients. Use error bars to depict measurement uncertainty. 2. For Exercise B, prepare plots that show the effect of dynamic head on equivalent head loss (Equation (1) is not used) and the effect of flow rate on loss coefficients. Use error bars to depict measurement uncertainty. 3. Comment on and explain the relationships evident in the plots of Questions 1 and 2. Include a comparison of the loss coefficients and geometry for the four types of bends. a. Is it justifiable to treat the loss coefficient as constant for a given fitting? Explain. b. How does the loss coefficient for the gate valve vary with the extent of the opening of the valve? Explain. 4. Compare the experimental loss-coefficient values for different fittings to those found in a fluid mechanics text book (or another source). Be sure to site the source of the published values. 5. Does the static pressure increase or decrease for the enlargement and contraction? Explain the increase or decrease in static pressure.

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Raw-Data Tables

Q (L/min)

Enlargement 1 2 (mm) (mm)

Table 1. Raw Data for All Fittings Except Gate Valve Piezometer Readings Contraction Long Bend Short Bend 3 4 5 6 7 8 (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)

Q (L/min)

Table 2. Raw Data for Gate Valve Valve-Gauge Readings Valve Position Red Black (% of 1 turn) (downstream) (upstream) (bar) (bar)

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Elbow 9 10 (mm) (mm)

Mitre Bend 11 12 (mm) (mm)

Updated 11/26/08

Result Tables Q (L/min)

Q (L/min)

Table 3. Minor Head Losses of All Fittings Except Gate Valve Minor Head Losses Enlarge.

Contract.

Long Bend

Short Bend

Elbow

Mitre Bend

(m)

(m)

(m)

(m)

(m)

(m)

Table 4. Loss Coefficients for All Fittings Except Gate Valve Loss Coefficients Enlarge.

Contract.

Long Bend

Short Bend

Elbow

Mitre Bend

(m)

(m)

(m)

(m)

(m)

(m)

Table 5. Equivalent Minor Head Loss and Loss Coefficient for Gate Valve Q (L/min)

Minor Head Loss of Valve (m)

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Loss Coefficient