PRACTICAL

No. 2
To determine
Equivalent length and
loss coefficient of
various fittings.

Name: Hardik Sharma

Roll. No.: CH17136
B.E. Chemical 2nd year
Objective:-
Determination of equivalent length and loss coefficients of
various fittings and valves and straight pipe.

Theory:-
Fitting can refer to any machine,
component, piping or tubing part that can attach or connect two
or more larger parts. Fittings and valves disturb the normal flow
lines and cause friction. In short lines with many fittings, the
friction loss from the fittings may be greater than that from the
straight pipe. As in straight pipe, velocity increases through
valves and fittings at the expense of head loss.
Pressure losses in fittings is usually represented by equivalent
length Leq. It is the length of a straight pipe that offers same
resistance to flow as that offered by the fitting. The ratio L/D is
equivalent length in pipe diameters of straight pipe that will cause
the same pressure drop or head loss as the valve or fitting under
the same flow conditions.

The losses can be found out by subsequent equations: -

𝐠
∆ P = 𝐑 𝐦 (𝛒𝐦 - 𝛒𝐟 ) 𝐠
𝐜

∆𝐏 ( 𝛒𝐦 − 𝛒𝐟 ) 𝐠
= 𝐑𝐦
𝛒𝐟 𝛒𝐟 𝐠𝐜

∆𝐏 𝐯𝟐
∝
𝛒𝐟 𝟐𝐠 𝐜
 ∆𝐏 𝐤𝐯 𝟐
=
𝛒𝐟 𝟐𝐠 𝐜

Where,
k = loss coefficient for any kind of fitting and valves
∆P = pressure difference
𝐑 𝐦 = Height difference
𝛒𝐦 = Density of manometric fluid
𝛒𝐟 = Density of fluid

∆𝐏
(𝛒 )
𝐟
k= ⁄ 𝐯𝟐
(𝟐𝐠 )
𝐜
Compare k with literature values in text

∆𝐏 𝟐 𝐟 𝐋 𝐯𝟐
=
𝛒𝐟 𝐃𝐠 𝐜

𝐃𝐯𝛒𝐟
𝐑𝐞 = 𝛍𝐟
16
R e ≤ 2100 , f =
Re

0.079
R e > 4000 , f =
R0.25
e

Where
L = length of pipe
 v = velocity of water
µ𝐟 = viscosity of fluid
D = diameter of the pipe

Where
𝐋𝐞 = Equivalent length of straight pipe and tube

𝐑 𝐦 𝐬𝐭. ∝ 𝐋 𝐬𝐭.
𝐑 𝐦 𝐟𝐭. ∝ 𝐋𝐞𝐪.

𝐋𝐞𝐪. 𝐑
= 𝐑 𝐦 𝐟𝐭.
𝐋 𝐬𝐭. 𝐦 𝐬𝐭.
𝐑
𝐋𝐞𝐪. (Experimental) = 𝐋 𝐬𝐭. 𝐑 𝐦 𝐟𝐭.
𝐦 𝐬𝐭.

For contraction:-

∆𝐏
(𝛒 )
𝐟
kexp = ⁄ 𝐯𝟐
(𝟐𝐠𝟐 )
𝐜

𝐀
ktheo = 0.45 (𝟏 − 𝐀𝟐 )
𝟏

For expansion:-
 ∆𝐏
(𝛒 )
𝐟
kexp = ⁄ 𝐯𝟐
(𝟐𝐠𝟏 )
𝐜

𝟏 𝟐
ktheo = (𝛃 − 𝟏)

𝐀𝟏
𝛃=
𝐀𝟐

The velocity taken is based on smallest flow area pipe.

Description of setup:-

The setup consists of various pipes through which the flow of

water is controlled by a globe valve and a socket for contraction
and expansion. The water flows through each fitting and pipe and
a manometer with same manometric fluid is attached to each
fitting and valve to measure the pressure drop across that
particular fitting/valve. A single outlet is present and readings are
taken after some time.
Schematic Diagram:-

Procedure:-

1. The temperature of the water is noted using a thermometer.

2. Weigh an empty bucket.
3. Five different types of fittings and valves (90°elbow joint,
135°joint, globe valve, straight pipe) are chosen and
manometers are connected across them.
 4. Then valve is opened in such a position such that the
volumetric flow of the water through the pipe is minimum
and allowed the flow to reach a steady state.
5. For a specific period of time, collect the water in the bucket
and weigh it.
6. The pressure difference across various fittings and valves is
measured using a manometer attached to it.
7. The volumetric flow through the pipe is slowly increased
using valve.
8. Take about 5 to 6 readings.

Data Recordings:-
 Temperature Of Water = 27 ℃
 Density Of Water = 996.5 kg/m3
 Viscosity Of Water = 0.8509 cP

 Length Of Pipe = 1.206 m

 Internal Diameter Of Pipe = 0.0207 m
 Area of cross-section = 5.57×10−4 m2

 Manometric fluid = Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)

 Density of manometric fluid = 1575.698 kg/m3

 Weight Of Empty Bucket = 1.4 kg

Observations and calculations:-

S.No. Mass Collected (kg) Mass of Water (kg) Time (sec) Rm 1 (St. Pipe) Rm 3 (Globe Valve) Rm 4 (135 Bend)
1 10.64 10.64 30 4.8 32.7 37
2 11.14 11.14 30 5 35.2 39.4
3 11.82 11.82 30 5.3 36.9 40.7
4 11.88 11.88 30 5.5 37.2 41.3
5 11.64 11.64 30 5.2 37.7 41.6
6 11.92 11.92 30 5.2 37.5 41.5
7 11.82 11.82 30 5.2 38 41.2
8 12.18 12.18 30 5.2 37.8 41.6
9 11.8 11.8 30 5 37.3 41.2
10 11.9 11.9 30 5.2 37.6 40.7
11 11.68 11.68 30 5.1 36.5 40.4
12 11.6 11.6 30 5 35 38.6
13 11.02 11.02 30 4.7 33 36.8
 135' bend
S.No. Mass Flow Rate (kg/s) Volumetric Flow Rate (m3/s) Velocity (m/s) Manometric Reading Pressure Difference (in Pa) NRe f Lact (in m) k (exp)
1 0.354666667 0.000355912 0.638980898 37 2102.314981 15490.1991 0.007081298 9.29625 10.3341492
2 0.371333333 0.000372638 0.669008195 39.4 2238.681358 16218.12199 0.007000466 9.50328 10.03880688
3 0.394 0.000395384 0.70984532 40.7 2312.546479 17208.09712 0.006897534 9.261169811 9.211189468
4 0.396 0.000397391 0.713448596 41.3 2346.638073 17295.44787 0.006888809 9.055963636 9.252805429
5 0.388 0.000389363 0.699035493 41.6 2363.68387 16946.04488 0.006924047 9.648 9.708309864
6 0.397333333 0.000398729 0.71585078 41.5 2358.001938 17353.6817 0.006883022 9.624807692 9.235317813
7 0.394 0.000395384 0.70984532 41.2 2340.956141 17208.09712 0.006897534 9.555230769 9.324349044
8 0.406 0.000407426 0.731464975 41.6 2363.68387 17732.2016 0.006845993 9.648 8.866557063
9 0.393333333 0.000394715 0.708644228 41.2 2340.956141 17178.9802 0.006900455 9.93744 9.355983793
10 0.396666667 0.00039806 0.714649688 40.7 2312.546479 17324.56478 0.006885913 9.439269231 9.087757838
11 0.389333333 0.000390701 0.701437677 40.4 2295.500682 17004.27871 0.006918111 9.553411765 9.363795901
12 0.386666667 0.000388025 0.696633309 38.6 2193.225899 16887.81105 0.006930008 9.31032 9.070423934
13 0.367333333 0.000368624 0.661801644 36.8 2090.951116 16043.42049 0.007019446 9.442723404 9.581662934
Globe Valve
S.No. Mass Flow Rate (kg/s) Volumetric Flow Rate (m3/s) Velocity (m/s) Manometric Reading Pressure Difference (in Pa) NRe f Lact (in m) k (exp)
1 0.354666667 0.000355912 0.638980898 32.7 1857.991888 15490.1991 0.007081298 8.215875 9.133153485
2 0.371333333 0.000372638 0.669008195 35.2 2000.040198 16218.12199 0.007000466 8.49024 8.968680257
3 0.394 0.000395384 0.70984532 36.9 2096.633048 17208.09712 0.006897534 8.396490566 8.351176692
4 0.396 0.000397391 0.713448596 37.2 2113.678845 17295.44787 0.006888809 8.156945455 8.334246052
5 0.388 0.000389363 0.699035493 37.7 2142.088507 16946.04488 0.006924047 8.7435 8.798155814
6 0.397333333 0.000398729 0.71585078 37.5 2130.724643 17353.6817 0.006883022 8.697115385 8.345166699
7 0.394 0.000395384 0.70984532 38 2159.134304 17208.09712 0.006897534 8.813076923 8.600127759
8 0.406 0.000407426 0.731464975 37.8 2147.77044 17732.2016 0.006845993 8.766692308 8.056631178
9 0.393333333 0.000394715 0.708644228 37.3 2119.360778 17178.9802 0.006900455 8.99676 8.470344551
10 0.396666667 0.00039806 0.714649688 37.6 2136.406575 17324.56478 0.006885913 8.720307692 8.395569895
11 0.389333333 0.000390701 0.701437677 36.5 2073.905319 17004.27871 0.006918111 8.631176471 8.459865108
12 0.386666667 0.000388025 0.696633309 35 1988.676333 16887.81105 0.006930008 8.442 8.224477661
13 0.367333333 0.000368624 0.661801644 33 1875.037685 16043.42049 0.007019446 8.467659574 8.592252087
 0.0075
Fanning fricton factor
0.007
0.0065 y = 0.079x-0.25
0.006 R² = 1
0.0055
0.005
0.0045
0.004
15000 15500 16000 16500 17000 17500 18000
Reynold's Number

For 135⁰ bend:-

Mass of water collected = 10.64 kg

Time = 30 sec

Rm = 37 cm (of CCl4 ) = 0.37 m

Mass flow rate = 0.355 kg/s

Volumetric flow rate = Mass Flow Rate/Density = 0.355/996.5 =

0.000356m3/s

Velocity = Volumetric flow rate/Area = 0.000356/0.000557 =

0.63 m/s
g
Pressure Difference = ∆P = R m (ρm - ρf ) = 0.37(1575.698 –
gc
996.5)9.81 = 2102.3 Pa

∆P
(ρ )
f
k= ⁄ v2 = 10.334
(2g )
c
 D v ρf 0.0207 x 0.342311195 x 996.5
Re = = = 15450.065
uf 0.0008509

0.079
R e > 4000 , f = = 0.00703
R0.25
e

R
Leq. (act) = L st. R m ft. = (1.206 x 0.141)/0.032 = 9.296 m
m st.

Sources of Error:-

1) Any alternation in the steadiness of water supply.

2) Improper functioning of the valve.
3) Error while taking manometric readings.