H16 Losses in Piping Systems -...

32
H16 Losses in Piping Systems The equipment described in this manual is manufactured and distributed by TECQUIPMENT LIMITED Suppliers of technological laboratory equipment designed for teaching. BONSALL STREET, LONG EATON, NOTTINGHAM, NG10 2AN, ENGLAND. Tel: +44 (0)115 9722611 : Fax: +44 (0)1159731520 E-Mail: General Enquiries: CompuServe, mhs:sales@tecquip : Internet, sales@tecquip.co.uk E-Mail: Parts & Service: CompuServe, mhs:service@tecquip : Internet, service@tecquip.co.uk Information is available on the Internet at: http://www.tecquip.co.

Transcript of H16 Losses in Piping Systems -...

  • H16 Losses in Piping Systems

    The equipment described in this manual is

    manufactured and distributed by TECQUIPMENT LIMITED

    Suppliers of technological laboratory

    equipment designed for teaching.

    BONSALL STREET, LONG EATON, NOTTINGHAM, NG10 2AN, ENGLAND.

    Tel: +44 (0)115 9722611 : Fax: +44 (0)1159731520 E-Mail: General Enquiries: CompuServe, mhs:sales@tecquip : Internet, [email protected]

    E-Mail: Parts & Service: CompuServe, mhs:service@tecquip : Internet, [email protected]

    Information is available on the Internet at: http://www.tecquip.co.

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

  • 1. 2. © TecQuipment Limited

    No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in

    any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including

    photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval

    system without the express permission of TecQuipment

    Limited. Exception to this restriction is given to bona fide

    customers in educational or training establishments in the

    normal pursuit of their teaching duties.

    Whilst all due care has been taken to ensure that the contents of

    this manual are accurate and up to date, errors or omissions

    may occur from time to time. If any errors are discovered in

    this manual please inform TecQuipment Ltd. so the problem

    may be rectified.

    A Packing Contents List is supplied with the equipment and it

    is recommended that the contents of the package(s) are

    carefully checked against the list to ensure that no items are

    missing, damaged or discarded with the packing materials.

    In the event that any items are missing or damaged, contact

    your local TecQuipment agent or TecQuipment directly as soon

    as possible.

  • SECTION 1.0

    TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    INTRODUCTION

    One of the most common problems in fluid mechanics is the estimation of

    pressure loss. This apparatus enables pressure loss measurements to be made on

    several small bore pipe circuit components, typical of those found in central

    heating installations. This apparatus is designed for use with the TecQuipment

    Hydraulic Bench H1, although the equipment can equally well be supplied from

    some other source if required. However, al1 future reference to the bench in this

    manual refers directly to the TecQuipment bench.

    1.1 Description of Apparatus

    The apparatus, shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.1, consists of two separate

    hydraulic circuits, one painted dark blue, one painted light blue, each one

    containing a number of pipe system components. Both circuits are supplied with

    water from the same hydraulic bench. The components in each of the circuits are

    as follows:

    Dark Blue Circuit

    Light Blue Circuit

    1. Gate Valve

    2. Standard Elbow

    3. 90° Mitre Bend

    4. Straight Pipe

    5. Globe Valve

    6. Sudden Expansion

    7. Sudden Contraction

    8. lS0mm 90° Radius Bend

    9. 100mm 90° Radius Bend

    10. 50mm 90° Radius Bend

    3. 4.

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Key to Apparatus Arrangement

    A Straight Pipe 13.7mm Bore

    B 90° Sharp Bend (Mitre)

    C Proprietary 90° Elbow

    D Gate Valve

    E Sudden Enlargement - 13.7mrn/26.4mm

    F Sudden Contraction - 26.4mrn/13.7rnrn

    G Smooth 90° Bend 50mm Radius

    H Smooth 90° Bend 100mrn Radius

    J Smooth 90° Bend lS0mm Radius

    K Globe Valve

    L Straight Pipe 26.4mm Bore

    In all cases (except the gate and globe valves) the pressure change across each of

    the components is measured by a pair of pressurized Piezometer tubes. In the case

    of the valves pressure measurement is made by U-tubes containing mercury.

  • SECTION 2.0 THEORY

    Figure 2.1

    Figure 2.2

    Figure 2.3

    For an incompressible fluid flowing through a pipe the following equations apply:

    (Continuity)

    (Bernoulli)

    Notation:

    Q Volumetric flow rate (m3/s)

    V Mean Velocity (m/s)

    A Cross sectional area (m3)

    Z Height above datum (m)

  • P Static pressure (N/m2)

    hL Head Loss (m)

    ρ Density (kg/m3)

    g Acceleration due to gravity (9.81m/s2)

    2.1 Head Loss

    The head loss in a pipe circuit falls into two categories:

    (a) That due to viscous resistance extending throughout the total

    length of the circuit, and;

    (b) That due to localized effects such as valves, sudden changes in

    area of flow, and bends.

    The overall head loss is a combination of both these categories. Because of

    mutual interference between neighboring components in a complex circuit the

    total head loss may differ from that estimated from the losses due to the

    individual components considered in isolation.

    Head Loss in Straight Pipes

    The head loss along a length, L, of straight pipe of constant diameter, d, is

    given by the expression:

    where f is a dimensionless constant which is a function of the Reynolds

    number of the flow and the roughness of the internal surface of the pipe.

    Head Loss due to Sudden Changes in Area of Flow

    Sudden Expansion: The head loss at a sudden expansion is given by the

    expression:

    ( )

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Sudden Contraction: The head loss at a sudden contraction is given by the

    expression:

    where K is a dimensionless coefficient which depends upon the area ratio

    as shown in Table 2.1. This table can be found in most good textbooks on

    fluid mechanics.

    A2/A1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

    K 0.50 0.46 0.41 0.36 0.30 0.18 0.06 0

    Table 2.1 Loss Coefficient For Sudden Contractions

    Head Loss Due To Bends

    The head loss due to a bend is given by the expression:

    where K is a dimensionless coefficient which depends upon the bend

    radius/pipe radius ratio and the angle of the bend.

    Note:

    The loss given by this expression is not the total loss caused by the bend

    but the excess loss above that which would be caused by a straight pipe

    equal in length to the length of the pipe axis.

    See Figure 4.5, which shows a graph of typical loss coefficients.

    Head Loss due to Valves

    The head loss due to a valve is given by the expression:

  • where the value of K depends upon the type of valve and the degrees of

    opening.

    Table 2.2 gives typical values of loss coefficients for gate and globe valves.

    Globe Valve, Fully Open 10.0

    Gate Valve, Fully Open 0.2

    Gate Valve, Half Open 5.6

    Table 2.2

    2.2. Principles of Pressure Loss Measurements

    Figure 2.4 Pressurised Piezometer Tubes to Measure Pressure Loss

    between Two Points at Different Elevations

    Considering Figure 2.4, apply Bernoulli's equation between points 1 and 2:

  • but:

    (2-1)

    therefore

    ( )

    (2-2)

    Consider Piezometer tubes:

    ρ [ ( )] (2-3)

    also

    (2-4)

    giving

    ( )

    (2-5)

    Comparing Equations (2-2) and (2-5) gives

    (2-6)

    2.2.1 Principle of Pressure Loss Measurement

    Considering Figure 2.5, since points 1 and 2 have the same elevation and pipe

    diameter:

    ( ) = hL (2-7)

    Consider the U-tube. Pressure in both limbs of the U-tube is equal at level 00.

    Therefore equating pressure at 00:

    ( ) (2-8)

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Figure 2.5 U- Tube Containing Mercury used to measure Pressure Loss

    across Valves

    giving ( )

    (2-9)

    hence:

    ( )

    (2-10)

    Considering Equations (2-7) and (2-10) and taking the specific gravity of

    mercury as 13.6:

    hL = 12.6x (2-11)

  • SECTION 3.0

    TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

    (1) Connect the hydraulic bench supply to the inlet of the apparatus and

    direct the outlet hose into the hydraulic bench weighing tank.

    (2) Close the globe valve, open the gate valve and admit water to the Dark

    Blue circuit by starting the pump and opening the outlet valve on

    hydraulic bench.

    (3) Allow water to flow for two or three minutes.

    (4) Close the gate valve and manipulate all of the trapped air into the air

    space in piezometer tubes. Check that the piezometer tubes all indicate

    zero pressure difference.

    (5) Open the gate valve and by manipulating the bleed screws on the U-

    tube fill both-limbs with water ensuring no air remains.

    (6) Close the gate valve, open the globe valve and repeat the above

    procedure for the Light Blue circuit.

    The apparatus is now set up for measurement to be made on the components

    in either circuit.

    The-datum position of the piezometer can be adjusted to any desired position either by pumping air into the manifold with the bicycle pump supplied, or by gently allowing air to escape through the manifold valve. Ensure that there are no water locks in these manifolds as these will tend to suppress the head of water recorded and so provide incorrect readings.

    3.1 Filling the Mercury Manometer

    Important:

    Mercury and its vapors are poisonous and should be treated with great

    care. Any local regulations regarding the handling and use of mercury

    should be strictly adhered to.

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Due to regulations concerning the transport of mercury, TecQuipment Ltd. are

    unable to supply this item. To fill the mercury manometer, it is recommended

    that a suitable syringe and catheter tube are used (not supplied) and the

    mercury acquired locally.

    If you are wearing any items of gold or silver, remove them.

    Remove the manometer from the H16 before filling with mercury. The object

    is to fill the dead-ended limb with a continuous column of mercury and then

    invert the column so that a vacuum is formed in the closed end of the tube.

    Hold the manometer upside down and support it firmly. Thread a suitable

    catheter tube into the manometer tube, ensuring the catheter tube end touches

    the sealed end of the glass column. Fill a syringe with 10ml of mercury and

    connect to the catheter tube. Slowly fill the glass column using the syringe,

    and as the mercury fills the column, withdraw the tube ensuring there are no

    air bubbles left. Fill up to the bend and return the manometer to its normal

    position. The optimum level for the mercury is 400mm from the bottom of the

    U-Tube.

    When the manometer has the correct amount of mercury in it, a small quantity

    of water should be poured into the reservoir to cover the mercury and so

    prevent vapors from escaping into the air.

    3.2 Experimental Procedure

    The following procedure- assumes that pressure loss measurements are to be

    made on all the circuit components.

    Fully open the water control valve on the hydraulic bench. With the globe valve

    closed, fully open the gate valve to obtain maximum flow through the Dark Blue

    circuit. Record the readings on the piezometer tubes and the U- tube. Collect a

    sufficient quantity of water in the weighting tank to ensure that the weighing takes

    place over a minimum period of 60 seconds.

    Repeat the above procedure for a total of ten different flow rates, obtained by

    closing the gate valve, equally spaced over the full flow range.

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    With simple mercury in glass thermometer record the water temperature in the

    sump tank of the bench each time a reading is taken.

    Close the gate valve, open the globe and repeat the experimental procedure for the

    Light Blue circuit.

    Before switching off the pump, close both the globe valve and the gate valve. This

    procedure prevents air gaining access to the system and so saves time in

    subsequent setting up.

    .-

  • SECTION 4.0

    4.1 Results

    TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    TYPICAL SET OF RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

    Basic Data

    Bend Radii

    Pipe Diameter (internal)

    Pipe Diameter [between sudden expansion

    (internal) and contraction]

    Pipe Material

    Distance between pressure tappings for straight

    pipe and bend experiments

    90° Elbow (mitre)

    90° Proprietary elbow

    90° Smooth bend

    90° Smooth bend

    90° smooth bend

    = 13.7mrn

    = 26.4mrn

    Copper Tube

    = 0.914m

    =0

    = 12.7mm

    = 50mm

    = 100mm

    = 150mm

    4.1.1 Identification of Manometer Tubes and Components

    Manometer Tube

    Number

    Unit

    1 Proprietary Elbow Bend

    2

    3 Straight Pipe

    4

    5 Mitre bend

    6

    7 Expansion

    8

    9 Contraction

    10

    11 150mm bend

    12

    13 100mm bend

    14

    15 50mm bend

    16

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    4.2 Straight Pipe Loss

    The object of this experiment is to obtain the following relationships:

    (a) Head loss as a function of volume flow rate;

    (b) Friction Factor as a function of Reynolds Number.

    Test Time To Piezometer Tube Readings (cm) U-Tube

    Number Collect 18 kg Water (cm) Hg

    Water

    (s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gate-Valve

    1 63.0 51.0 14.0 49.5 16.3 86.9 29.2 29.4 28.6*

    2 65.4 52.5 18.2 50.3 19.5 87.5 33.2 31.9 25.9

    3 69.4 51.9 21.6 49.7 21.6 86.5 37.3 33.8 24.0

    4 73.9 52.2 25.1 49.2 24.0 85.5 41.7 35.8 22.0

    5 79.9 53.1 29.4 48.6 27.0 84.2 47.1 38.1 19.5

    6 88.8 53.4 33.4 48.0 29.7 83.0 52.1 40.5 17.0

    7 99.8 53.2 36.5 46.6 31.7 81.6 56.8 42.7 14.8

    8 111.0 52.6 39.2 46.1 33.7 80.0 59.8 44.0 13.5

    9 146.2 52.6 44.4 54.4 37.7 78.4 66.1 47.3 10.3

    10 229.8 52.9 49.1 45.0 41.5 77.4 72.0 50.3 7.3

    * Fully Open

    Water Temperature 23°C

    Table 4.1 Experimental Results for Dark Blue Circuit

    Specimen Calculation

    From Table 4.1, test number 1

    Mass flow rate

    Head loss

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Volume flow rate (Q)

    Area of flow (A)

    Mean Velocity (V)

    Reynolds Number (Re)

    For water at 23°C ⁄

    Therefore Re

    Friction Factor (f)

    Figure 4.1 shows the head loss - volume flow rate relationship plotted as a

    graph of log hL against log Q.

    The graph shows that the relationship is of the form hL α Qn with n = 1.73

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    This value is close to the normally accepted range of 1.75 to 2.00 for turbulent

    flow. The lower value n is found as in this apparatus, in comparatively

    smooth pipes at comparatively low Reynolds Number.

    Figure 4.2 shows the Friction Factor - Reynolds Number relationship plotted

    as a graph of friction factor against Reynolds Number.

    The graph also shows for comparison the relationship circulated from

    Blasius's equation for hydraulically smooth pipes.

    Blasius's equation:

    f

    ⁄ In the range 104 < Re < 105

    As would be expected the graph shows that the friction factor for the copper

    pipe in the apparatus is greater than that predicted for a smooth pipe at the

    same Reynolds Number.

    Figure 4.1 Head Loss - Volume Flow Rate

  • 5. TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Figure 4:2 Friction Factor - Reynolds Number

    4.3 Sudden Expansion

    The object of this experiment is to compare the measured head rise across a

    sudden expansion with the rise calculated on the assumption of:

    (a) No head loss;

    (b) Head loss given by the expression:

    ( )

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Test Time To Piezometer Tube Readings (cm) V-Tube

    Number Collect 18 kg Water (cm) Hg

    Water

    (s) 7 8 9 10 11 Globe Valve

    11 73.2 38.7 43.5 42.5 12.1 38.3 37.4 20.2

    12 76.8 39.2 43.5 42.5 22.1 38.5 38.5 19.0

    13 82.6 39.1 43.0 42.2 24.5 38.3 40.2 17.4

    14 95.4 39.4 42.0 41.5 28.5 38.3 43.0 14.7

    15 102.6 39.7 42.2 41.7 30.2 38.0 44.0 13.6

    16 130.8 40.0 41.5 41.1 33.8 37.3 46.5 11.7

    17 144.6 40.4 41.5 41.2 35.2 37.5 47.5 10.1

    18 176.9 40.7 41.4 41.2 37.0 37.3 49.1 8.6

    19 220.8 41.0 41.5 41.4 38.6 37.4 50.2 7.5

    20 277.8 41.2 41.6 41.6 39.6 37.5 51.4 6.5

    Table 4.2(a) Experimental Results For Light Blue Circuit

    Table 4.2(b) Experimental Results For Light Blue Circuit (continued)

    Test Time To Piezometer Tube Readings (cm) V-Tube

    Number Collect 18 kg Water (cm) Hg

    Water

    (s) 12 13 14 15 16 Globe Valve

    11 73.2 12.1 35.0 7.2 32.1 3.8 37.4 20.2

    12 76.8 14.1 34.9 9.7 32.5 6.0 38.5 19.0

    13 82.6 17.0 34.9 12.6 31.6 8.6 40.2 17.4

    14 95.4 22.0 34.5 17.6 31.5 13.7 43.0 14.7

    15 102.6 23.6 34.2 19.4 30.7 15.2 44.0 13.6

    16 130.8 28.0 33.4 23.7 29.6 19.5 46.5 11.7

    17 144.6 29.7 33.4 25.5 29.8 21.4 47.5 10.1

    18 176.9 31.9 33.2 27.7 29.4 23.5 49.1 8.6

    19 220.8 33.6 33.3 39.4 29.5 25.4 50.2 7.5

    20 227.8 35.0 33.4 30.9 29.5 26.8 51.4 6.5

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Specimen Calculation

    From Table 4.2 test number 11.

    Measured head rise = 48mm

    (a) Assuming no head loss

    (

    )

    (Bernoulli) Since

    [ ( ⁄ )

    ]

    [ ( )

    ]

    From the table,

    (Continuity)

    = 1.67m/s

    therefore h2 - h1

    = [ ( )

    ]

    = 0.132m

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Therefore head rise across the sudden expansion assuming no head

    loss is 132mm water.

    (b) Assuming

    ( )

    (

    )

    (Bernoulli)

    (

    )

    ( )

    On rearranging and inserting values of d. = 13.7mm and d2 = 26.4mm,

    this reduces to

    which when

    V1 = 1.67m/ s

    gives

    Therefore head rise across the sudden expansion assuming the simple

    expression for head loss is 56mm water.

    Figure 4.3 shows the full set of results for this experiment plotted as a graph

    of measured head rise against calculated head rise.

    Comparison with the dashed line on the graph shows clearly that the head

    rise across the sudden expansion is given more accurately by the assumption of a

    simple head loss expansion than by the assumption of no head loss.

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Figure 4.3 Head Rise Across a Sudden Enlargement

    4.4 Sudden Contraction

    The object of this experiment is to compare the measured fall in head across a

    sudden contraction, with the fall calculated in the assumption of:

    (a) No head loss;

    (b) Head loss given by the expression

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Specimen Calculation

    From Table 4.2, test number 11.

    Measured head fall = 221mm water

    (a) Assuming no head loss

    Combining Bernoulli's equation and the continuity equation gives:

    [ ( )

    ]

    Which when V2 = 1.67m/s gives

    Therefore head fall across the sudden contraction assuming no head

    loss is 132mm water.

    (b)

    Assuming

    [ ( )

    ]

    [ ( )

    ]

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    From Table 1, when

    K = 0.376

    giving

    Which when V2 = 1.67m/s gives

    h1 – h2 = 0.185m _

    Therefore head fall across the sudden contraction assuming loss

    coefficient of 0.376 is 18.5cm water.

    Figure 4.4 shows the full set of results for this experiment plotted as a graph

    of measured head fall against calculated head fall.

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Figure 4.4 Head Decrease across a Sudden Contraction

    The graph shows that the actual fall in head is greater than predicted by the

    accepted value of loss coefficient for this particular area ratio. The actual

    value of loss coefficient can be obtained as follows:

    Let hm = measured fall in head and K' = actual loss coefficient

    then

    Calculated decrease in head (cm of water)

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    hence

    which when

    4.5 Bends

    v2 = 1.67 m/s gives K' = 0.63

    The aim here is to measure the loss coefficient for five bends. There is some

    confusion over terminology, which should be noted; there are the total bend

    losses (KL hL) and those due solely to bend geometry, ignoring frictional

    losses (KB, hB).

    i.e.

    (Total measured head loss - straight line loss)

    i.e.

    (Head gradient for bend - k x head gradient for straight pipe)

    Where k = 1 for KB

    For either,

    Plotted on Figure 4.5 are experimental results for KB and KL for the 5 types of

    bends and also some tabulated data for KL. The last was obtained from

    'Handbook of Fluid Mechanics' by VL Streeter. It should be noted though,

    that these results are by no means universally accepted and other sources

    give different values. Further, the experiment assumes that the head loss is

    independent of Reynolds Number and this is not exactly correct. 6.

  • Figure 4.5 Graph of Loss Coefficient

    Is the form of Kg what you would expect? Does putting vanes in an elbow

    have any effect? Which do you consider more useful to measure, KL or KB?

  • 4.6 Valves

    The object of this experiment is to determine the relationship between loss

    coefficient and volume flow rate for a globe type valve and a gate type valve.

    Specimen Calculation

    Globe Valve

    From Table 4.2, test number 11.

    Volume flow rate = (valve fully open)

    U-tube reading = mercury

    Therefore hL =

    = water

    Velocity (V) =

    Giving K =

    = 15.3

    Figure 4.6 shows the full set of results for both valves in the form of a graph of loss

    coefficient against percentage volume flow.

  • TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS Percentage Flow Rate

    Figure 4.6 Loss Coefficients for Globe and Gate Valves

    7.

  • 8.

    TECQUIPMENT H16 LOSSES IN PIPING SYSTEMS

    Normal manufacturing tolerances assume greater importance when the

    physical scale is small. This effect may be particularly noticeable in relation

    to the internal finish of the tube near the pressure tappings. The utmost care

    is taken during manufacturing to ensure a smooth uninterrupted. Bore of the

    tube in the region of each pressure tapping, to obtain maximum accuracy of

    pressure reading.

    Concerning again all published information relating to pipe systems, the

    Reynolds Numbers are large, in the region of 1 x 105 and above. The

    maximum Reynolds Number obtained in these experiments, using the

    hydraulic bench, HI, is 3 x 104 although this has not adversely affected the

    results. However, as previously stated in the introduction to this manual, an

    alternative source of supply (provided by the customer) could be used if

    desired, to increase the flow rate. In this case an alternative flow meter would

    also be necessary.

    The three factors discussed very briefly above are offered as a guide to

    explain discrepancies between experimental and published results, since in

    most cases all three are involved, although much more personal investigation

    is required by the student to obtain maximum value from using this

    equipment.

    In conclusion the general trends and magnitudes obtained give a valuable

    indication of pressure loss from the various components in the pipe system.

    The student is therefore given a realistic appreciation of relating experimental

    to theoretical or published information.

  • SECTION 5.0 GENERAL REVIEWS OF THE EQUIPMENT AND

    RESULTS

    An attempt has been made in this apparatus to combine a large number of pipe components

    into a manageable and compact pipe system and so provide the student user with the

    maximum scope for investigation. This is made possible by using small bore pipe tubing.

    However, in practice, so many restrictions, bends and the like may never be encountered in

    such short pipe lengths. The normally accepted design criteria of placing the downstream

    pressure tapping 30-50 pipe diameters away from the obstruction i.e. the 90° bends, has been

    adhered to. This ensures that this tapping is well away from any disturbances due to the

    obstruction and in a region where there is normal steady flow conditions. Also sufficient pipe

    length has been left between each component in the circuit; to obviate any adverse influence

    neighboring components may tend to have on each other.

    Any discrepancies between actual experimental and theoretical or published

    results may be attributed to three main factors:

    (a) Relatively small physical scale of the pipe work;

    (b) Relatively small pressure differences in some cases;

    (c) Low Reynolds Numbers.

    The relatively small pressure differences, although easily readable, are encountered on the

    smooth 90° bends and sudden expansion. The results on these components should therefore be

    taken with most care to obtain maximum accuracy from the equipment. The results obtained

    however, are quite realistic as can be seen from their comparison with published data, as

    shown in Figure 4.5. Although there is wide divergence even amongst published data, refer to

    page 472 of “Engineering Fluid Mechanics”, it is interesting to note that all curves seem to

    show a minimum value of the loss coefficient 'K' where the ratio"

    " is between 2 and 4. It is

    important to realize and remember throughout the review of the results that all published data

    have been obtained using much larger bore tubing (76mm and above) and considering each

    component in isolation and not in a compound circuit.

    . by Charles Jaeger and published by Blackie and Son L