Piping Systems

ENGI 7903 - Mechanical Equipment Lab 1

1. Introduction

The Pipe Fitting Loss Demo Panel HM 120 enables experimental examination of system
losses in pipes and special pipeline elements. The following individual topics can be explored:
 Influence of different pipe diameters
 Influence of different materials and degrees of surface roughness
 Influence of flow velocity
 Losses due to pipe bends and elbows
 Losses due to changes in cross-sectional area
 Losses due to shut-off devices
 Determining resistance coefficients and loss levels
 Measuring opening characteristics in valves and gates
 Comparison between experiments and calculations
 Observing the influence of defects

2. Apparatus

Figure 1. Layout of the demo panel HM 120

1 - Demo panel; 2 - Connecting hose; 3 - Discharge valve: 4 - Electric differential pressure

manometer; 5 - Rotameter; 6 - Six tube manometer panel; 7 - Double manometer; 8 - Inflow
valve 


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3. Procedure

Theoretical equations for measuring pressure loss in each cross section, pipe material, bending,
and components are presented in the course material. After measuring head loss at different
flow rates, theoretical equations can be used to calculate and compare with the experimental
data.

3.1 Experimental Procedure

Measure the head loss and friction coefficient in each fitting and water network sections, and
then compare to the theoretical measurements for different flow rates (3 different flow rates).
Calculate the total pressure loss from the water inlet to exit and compare it with experimental
measurements.
Note: In some points there are not enough manometer connections to calculate a pressure loss
in one fitting or cross section and you need to calculate two or three different sections together.
In these sections, you need to theoretically add all the head losses together and compare it with
the experimental measurements.
Note: Because of limitation in manometer range, you cannot read the total pressure loss from
the start point to the end point and you need to categorize each 3-5 sections together to be able
to read a pressure loss in the manometer.

3.2 Operation of Experimental Apparatus

 Connection of the manometer and the measurements are performed as described below.
 Connect pipe with infeed and discharge hose.
 Open the inflow to the pipe section.
 Close the discharge from the pipe section.
 Open the outlet valve gradually and record the measurements.
 Repeat the points above for all sections. Close the inflow to the pipe section.
 Close the discharge from the pipe section.
 Open the gate valve gradually by defined number of revolutions and make a note of the
flow rate. Plot flow rate as a function of number of revolutions.

Connecting and operating the manometer

 Close the inflow to pipe section. 

 Open the discharge from pipe section. 

 Connect the manometer to the pipe section to be measured using the connecting hoses.

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4. Lab Objectives

1 - Experimentally measure head loss in four different sections of a water network and add all
together to measure head loss in system. Compare your results of each section by measuring a
head loss in each component / cross-section / pipe of section. Are the results different?

2 - Theoretically calculate the head loss for each section by adding a head loss of each
component / cross-section / pipe section together. Compare with experimental data. Are the
results different? Why?

3 - Repeat calculations and measurements for three different flow rates and compare the results.

4 - Calculate the resistance coefficient and friction factor for 180° hoses and calculate the
pressure loss in corresponding fittings (you can neglect curvature and assume the hoses are
straight).

5 - Calculate the pressure loss for the nodes before and after the tees. Write down the Bernoulli
equations for the two lines in parallel flow. Determine the velocity and mass flow rate in each
flow path.

6 - Open the gate valve gradually by a defined number of revolutions and make a note of the
flow rate. Plot flow rate as a function of number of revolutions.

7 - Determine pressure drop between water entrance point and water exit point and take into
account all loses.

8 - Find velocity and Reynolds number in all pipes and cross sections.

9 - Explain how changing flow rates, diameter, length, roughness of pipe, and components
(valves, bends, etc.) affect losses?

10 - Explain the effect of elevation change on the pressure drop in different sections. Do we
need to take into account the pressure drop due to elevation in Bernoulli equation?

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5. Technical Data

1a. Knee 40mm x 11,5mm

1b. Elbow DN 15
1c. Bend DN 15 l
2. Copper Pipe 18mm x 1mm
3. Steel-Pipe, Galvanized 1/2‘‘
4. PVC-Pipe 20mm x 1,5mm
5. PVC-Pipe 32mm x 1,7mm
6a. Cross Section Enlargement DN 20...32, Continuous
6b. Cross Section Contraction DN 32...20, Continuous
7a. Cross Section Enlargement DN 20...32, Sudden
7b. Cross Section Contraction
DN 32...20, Sudden
8a. Ball Valve DN 20

8b. Angle Seat Valve DN 20
9. Wedge Gate Valve DN 20

10. Double Line PVC 20 mm x 1.5 mm
11. Annular chambers with measuring points

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Rotameter measuring range 150-1700 L/h

Pipe section 1, with knee, bend and elbow

Material PVC
Diameter 20 mm
Wall thickness 1.5 mm

Pipe section 2, straight

Material copper
Diameter 18 mm
Wall thickness 1 mm
Length 1000 mm

Pipe section 3, straight 1/2”

Material Steel, galvanized
Length 1000 mm

Pipe section 4, straight

Material PVC
Diameter 20 mm
Wall thickness 1.5 mm
Length 1000 mm