FRICTION LOSSES IN PIPES
Date: 12th February, 2024
Names: ATTA, Clement Boakye,
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Tech.
REPORT INFO ABSTRACT
Keywords: The impact of flow rate (Q) on the head loss (hL) in
Pressure drop
pipes and fittings was studied on different sizes or
Friction loss
diameters (D) of pipes fitted with gate valve, 45 and 90
Friction
Valves and fittings bends using water as process fluid. Diameters of pipes
Fanning Friction ranged from 6mm to 17mm while the process fluid
Pipelines flow rates ranged from 1 to 10 cm3/h and pressure drop
Reynolds number
ranging from 0.2 to 7.4cmHg. The Darcy-Weisbach
Virtual fluid friction apparatus
equation was used to evaluate friction losses.
Fanning friction factor
Friction losses
This study examines head loss in pipelines, focusing on
factors like friction between fluid and pipe walls, as
well as fittings and valves. Experiments involve
measuring Reynolds numbers, pressure drops, flow
rates, velocities, and Fanning friction factors across
various pipe sizes. Results show higher flow rates and
Reynolds numbers increase turbulence and friction,
leading to greater pressure loss and economic impacts
on fluid transmission. Friction factors were calculated
for different pipe configurations, highlighting the
interplay between flow conditions and pressure
variations.1
1. INTRODUCTION
Pipe flow presents challenges like frictional losses, occurring as fluids move
through pipes. Friction, especially with turbulence at high Reynolds numbers,
causes energy dissipation. Friction loss refers to the pressure lost as fluids flow
through pipes, with viscosity contributing to friction within the fluid and
between the fluid and pipe, converting pressure energy into heat, raising
temperatures. To move a fluid through a pipe, energy and a pressure difference
are required, but some energy is lost due to resistance, known as head loss from
friction. This friction slows the flow, requiring pumps or compressors to
overcome it. The amount of loss depends on viscosity and flow turbulence
(Patel, Chaudhari, and Patel, 2019).
Understanding pipe friction is essential for engineers as it reveals fluid flow
principles like laminar and turbulent flow, Reynolds number, and factors
influencing frictional losses such as pipe roughness and fluid viscosity. This
knowledge helps in designing efficient hydraulic systems and contributes to
sustainable, innovative solutions across industries (De Lorenzo, 2025).
Frictional losses and pressure drops impact fluid transport efficiency. Using
smooth pipe materials, like stainless steel or anti-friction linings, reduces
resistance. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning to prevent scaling, ensures
smooth operation. Increasing pipe diameter reduces flow velocity and friction.
Minimizing turbulence by operating under ideal conditions further reduces
energy losses (White, 2011; Munson et al., 2013). Factors like pipe roughness,
fluid viscosity, flow regime, and system design (pipe length, diameter, bends,
and fittings) all influence frictional losses (De Lorenzo, 2025). Smoother pipes
and less viscous fluids experience lower resistance. Reducing bends and using
energy-efficient pumps and advanced flow control technologies like automated
valves help reduce pressure drops (Cengel & Cimbala, 2018). Computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) technologies optimize system design by identifying high-
pressure-loss regions (De Lorenzo, 2025), ensuring efficient fluid
transportation.
1.1 OBJECTIVES
2
To determine the effect of flow regime, pipe diameter, and fittings on the pressure
drop across pipes
2. METHODOLOGY
Figure 1: Virtual Fluid Friction Simulator Interface
The Virtual Fluid Friction Apparatus simulation program was used to determine the head
losses. Five (5) pipes in all, with different fittings and diameters, were investigated. The
simulation window was activated and the manometer wires were connected to the pipes in
order to measure the pressure drops. For each pipeline, the diameters and flow rates were
altered. These tests were performed on the remaining pipelines, opening each valve in
response to changes in the flow rate. The measured head losses were then recorded.
2.1 PROCEDURE
3
3. CHEMICALS AND APPARATUS
Virtual Fluid Friction Apparatus
4
4. TABLE OF RESULTS
Experiment Flow Flow rates Velocity Pressure Pressure Reynolds Fanning
numbers rates (m3/s) (m/s) (cmHg) (Pa) number factor, f
(cm3/s)
1 1 0.000001 0.03537 0.4 533.28956 212.207 1.279
2 2 0.000002 0.07074 1.4 1866.51346 424.414 1.119
3 3 0.000003 0.1061 2.8 3733.02692 636.621 0.9948
4 4 0.000004 0.1415 4.8 6399.47472 848.827 0.9593
5 5 0.000005 0.1768 7.4 9865.85686 1061.034 0.9465
Figure 1. pipe 1
Experiment Flow Flow Velocity Pressure Pressure Reynolds Fanning
numbers rates rates (m/s) (cmHg) (Pa) number factor, f
(cm3/s) (m3/s)
1 1 0.000001 0.01273 0.3 399.96717 127.324 12.336
2 2 0.000002 0.02547 0.3 399.96717 254.648 3.084
3 3 0.000003 0.03820 0.4 533.28956 381.972 1.828
4 4 0.000004 0.05093 0.5 666.61195 509.296 1.285
5 5 0.000005 0.06366 0.6 799.93434 636.620 0.9869
Figure 2: pipe 2
Experiment Flow Flow rates Velocity Pressure Pressure Reynolds Fanning
numbers rates (m3/s) (m/s) (cmHg) (Pa) number factor, f
(cm3/s)
1 2 0.000002 0.008811 0.2 266.64478 149.793 4.7856
2 4 0.000004 0.01762 0.3 399.96717 299.586 1.7946
3 6 0.000006 0.02643 0.4 533.28956 449.379 1.06347
4 8 0.000008 0.03525 0.6 799.93434 599.172 0.8973
5 10 0.00001 0.04406 0.8 1066.57912 748.965 0.7657
Figure 3: pipe 3
Experiment Flow Flow rates Velocity Pressure Pressure (Pa) Reynolds Fanning
numbers rates (m3/s) (m/s) (cmHg) number factor, f
(cm3/s)
1 2 0.000002 0.008811 0.2 266.64478 149.793 12.8317
2 4 0.000004 0.01762 0.2 266.64478 299.586 3.2079
3 6 0.000006 0.02643 0.3 399.96717 449.379 2.1386
4 8 0.000008 0.03525 0.4 533.28956 599.172 1.6040
5 10 0.00001 0.04406 0.4 533.28956 748.965 1.0265
Figure 4: pipe 4
5
Experiment Flow Flow rates Velocity Pressure Pressure Reynolds Fanning
numbers rates (m3/s) (m/s) (cmHg) (Pa) number factor, f
(cm3/s)
1 2 0.000002 0.008811 0.2 266.64478 149.793 3.9583
2 4 0.000004 0.01762 0.3 399.96717 299.586 1.4844
3 6 0.000006 0.02643 04 533.28956 449.379 0.8796
4 8 0.000008 0.03525 0.7 933.25673 599.172 0.8659
5 10 0.00001 0.04406 0.9 1199.90151 748.965 0.7125
Figure 5: pipe 5
Some relations ;
Re = 𝜌𝑣𝐷/𝜇
∆𝑃 =4𝑓(𝐿/𝐷)*v^2* 𝜌 ; for major friction loss
∆𝑃 =4𝑓(𝐿𝑒/𝐷)(𝑣2^2 ) ×𝜌 ; for minor friction loss
Conversion factor from cm3 to m3
1 m3 = 1,000,000 cm3
Pressure conversion from cmHg to Pascal (Pa)
760 mmHg = 101325 Pa or 1 mmHg = 133.3224 Pa
1 mmHg = 0.1 cmHg = 133.3224 Pa
1 cmHg = 1333.224 Pa
Area, A = 𝜋𝐷^2/ 4
For pipe 1;
Diameter, D = 6 mm = 0.006 m
A1 = 𝜋(0.006)^2/ 4 = 2.8274 × 10-5 m2
For pipe 2; D = 10 mm = 0.01 m
6
A2 = 𝜋(0.01)2/4 = 7.8540 × 10-5 m2
For pipe 3, 4 and 5; D = 17 mm = 0.017 m
A3 = A4 = A5 = 𝜋(0.017)2 /4 = 2.2698 × 10-4 m2
Let the density of fluid be that of water,
ρ = 1,000 kg.m-3
Flowrate, Q = Av ,Where A is the area of the pipe and v is the fluid velocity
⇒ v = 𝑄 𝐴 Where, Re = Reynolds number, ρ = fluid density (kg/m3),Q =
flowrate (m3/s), v = fluid velocity (m/s), D = Pipe diameter (mm or m), L = Pipe
length (m),Le / D = Equivalent Lenth /Pipe Diameter
μ = viscosity of water = 1 cP or 1 × 10-3 Pa. s
f = fanning friction factor ∆P = Pressure drop (cmHg or Pa)
7
5.0 DISCUSSION
The Reynolds number (Re) is a vital dimensionless parameter in fluid
dynamics that determines the flow regime. In these experiments, as the
Reynolds number increases, the friction factor decreases, as shown in Figure
8-7 in the appendix. This inverse relationship aligns with the behaviour of
fluid flow in pipes transitioning from laminar to turbulent regimes. In the
laminar flow regime, characterized by low Reynolds numbers, fluid flows
smoothly in parallel layers with minimal mixing. Here, the pressure drop is
directly proportional to the flow rate and pipe length, as described by the
Hagen-Poiseuille equation. Additionally, the pressure drop is inversely
proportional to the fourth power of the pipe diameter, underscoring the
economic importance of pipe size in minimizing pressure losses.
In contrast, the turbulent flow regime, associated with high Reynolds
numbers, is chaotic and marked by eddies and vortices. The pressure drop in
this regime primarily arises from frictional losses between the fluid and the
pipe walls, which increase with rising Reynolds numbers due to enhanced
turbulence and mixing. For example, in Experiments 3 and 4, the Reynolds
number increases from 149.793 to 748.965 , while the friction factor
decreases from 0.9505 to 0.1519. This relationship is explained by the
Darcy-Weisbach equation, which relates the pressure drop to flow rate, pipe
diameter, pipe length, and friction factor. The friction factor, in turn, depends
on the Reynolds number and the pipe’s relative roughness. As the Reynolds
number rises, signifying a transition from laminar to turbulent flow, the
friction factor decreases, resulting in a reduced pressure drop for a given
flow rate and pipe diameter. This is because turbulence improves fluid
mixing, lowering frictional losses.
8
Pipe diameter significantly influences flow characteristics and frictional
losses. Smaller pipes experience higher friction factors due to increased
relative surface roughness and the greater impact of viscous forces on flow
resistance. Conversely, larger pipes have lower friction factors, as they
promote smoother flow profiles and reduce viscous losses. For instance, in
Experiment 1 (6 mm diameter pipe), the smallest pipe exhibited the highest
friction factor (1.279) due to the dominance of viscous forces, leading to
increased frictional losses. In Experiment 2 (10 mm diameter pipe), the
larger diameter resulted in lower friction factors compared to Experiment 1,
though higher friction factors are expected compared to larger diameter
pipes. Experiments 3, 4, and 5 (17 mm diameter pipe) showed even lower
friction factors, as the larger diameter reduced the influence of viscous forces
and surface roughness, creating smoother flow and reducing losses.
The presence of additional components, such as return bends and globe
valves, further influences friction factors. These fittings add resistance to
flow, increasing friction factors regardless of pipe diameter. Experiment 1
and 2 did not include fittings, while Experiment 3 included a return bend,
Experiment 4 had a fully open globe valve, and Experiment 5 incorporated
both. A return bend changes flow direction, creating turbulence and flow
separation, particularly downstream of the bend. This increases frictional
losses, as observed in Experiment 3, where the return bend contributed to a
higher friction factor despite a lower flow rate compared to other
experiments. A fully open globe valve also adds resistance due to its internal
structure and the flow redirection, leading to higher friction factors, as seen
in Experiment 4. Experiment 5, which combined a return bend and a globe
valve, had the highest frictional losses due to the compounded effects of
turbulence, flow separation, and resistance from both components.
9
Interestingly, Table 5 shows that Experiment 5 had the highest pressure at
the end, despite the additional fittings. Comparing Table 3 and 4, Experiment
3, which included only a return bend, had higher pressure than Experiment 4,
which included only a globe valve, suggesting lower friction in Experiment
3. From Graphs 1-5, the friction factor initially decreases and then increases,
forming a U-shaped curve. The minimum friction factor occurs near the
transition between laminar and turbulent flow (Re ≤ 2300), indicating that
laminar flow produces lower friction, particularly when it is fully laminar or
near the transition regime.
10
6.0 CONCLUSIONS
11
7.0 RECOMMENDATION
.
12
8.0 REFFERENCES
13
9.0 APPENDIX
Some of the basic computational formulas for the table of results;
1. Velocity, = V * A 2. Area of the pipe, 𝐴 = 𝜋𝐷 2 /4
ρ∗v∗D
3. Reynold’s number (Re) = 4. Pressure drop, Pa =
µ
cmHg∗101325 Pa
76 cmHg
∗
L v2
4. Friction factor, f = ∆𝑃/ (4 * (
D
) 2
) ρ)
Where;
ΔP = The pressure drops across the length of the pipe L = Length of pipe
f = Fanning friction factor v = velocity of fluid
D = diameter of pipe ρ = fluid density
Le = Equivalent length of straight pipe in pipe diameter units
14
DECLARATION
15
