MECH 3408

Mechanics of Fluids

Pipe flows

Dr. Jiyun Song

 Viscous flows in pipes
• Definitions of Reynolds number (3 forms)
𝜌𝑉𝐷 𝑉𝐷
𝑅𝑒 = = Notes:
𝜇 ν
𝜌: density, V: velocity, D: pipe diameter
𝑉𝐷 𝑄𝐷 4𝑄 𝜇 : dynamic viscosity, ν= 𝜇Τ𝜌 : kinematic viscosity
𝑅𝑒 = =𝜋 =
ν 4
𝐷2ν 𝜋𝐷ν 𝑄 𝑄
𝑉= =𝜋 , Q: volume flow rate
𝐴
4
𝐷2
4𝑄 4𝑚ሶ
𝑅𝑒 = = mass flow rate: 𝑚ሶ = 𝜌𝑄
𝜋𝐷ν 𝜌𝜋𝐷ν

Engineers in different fields like to use different forms of Re.

Reference: Book Chapter 8

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 Viscous flows in pipes
• For circular pipes
𝑉𝐷
𝑅𝑒 =
ν
• For noncircular ducts
𝑉𝐷ℎ
𝑅𝑒 =
ν
Dh =4A/P (hydraulic diameter)
The factor of 4 is included so that
for circular pipes, the diameter and
hydraulic diameter are equal.

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 Velocity profiles for fully-developed flows
(a) Laminar flow (Re < 2100) (b) Turbulent flow (Re > 4000)

𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥

❑ Parabolic shape ❑ Steep near the wall (Large shear stress)

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❑ Average velocity: 𝑉 = 𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥 ❑ Almost uniform in the middle
2 4
❑ Average velocity: 𝑉 ≅ 𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥
5

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Understanding laminar and turbulent flow https://youtu.be/9A-uUG0WR0w
 Entrance region
▪ Developing flow and fully-developed flow Will be linked to Chapter 9 in
the future.

o Boundary layer: Viscous

effects are important near
the pipe wall (shear
stress);
o Inviscid core: Viscous
effects are negligible in
the middle.
Figure source: Cambridge Engineering library

▪ Dimensionless entrance length (le/D):

𝑙𝑒 Notes:
= 0.06𝑅𝑒 for laminar flow The shape of the velocity profile in the
𝐷
pipe depends on whether the flow is
𝑙𝑒 laminar or turbulent, so does the length
= 4.4(𝑅𝑒)1/6 for turbulent flow of the entrance region, le.
𝐷
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https://youtu.be/AFq6MDRsfu0
 Entrance region
▪ Dimensionless entrance length (le/D):
for laminar flow 𝑙𝑒
= 0.06𝑅𝑒 (1)
𝐷
𝑙𝑒
for turbulent flow = 4.4(𝑅𝑒)1/6 (2)
𝐷
▪ Examples:
(a) Water (20 ºC) in a pipe with D=2cm at V = 3m/s
𝑉𝐷 3∗0.02
𝑅𝑒 = ν = 1.004∗10−6 = 59,760 > 4000 (turbulent)
𝑙𝑒 = 4.4(𝑅𝑒)1/6 D = 4.4(59,760)1/6 ∗ 0.02 =0.55m
(b) SAE 30 Oil (20 ºC) in a pipe with D=2cm at V =0.6m/s
𝑉𝐷 0.6∗0.02
𝑅𝑒 = ν = 1.673∗10−4 = 71.7 < 2100 (laminar)
𝑙𝑒 = 0.06𝑅𝑒 D = 0.06 ∗ 71.7 ∗ 0.02 = 0.08m
(c) Air (20 ºC) in a D=0.3m duct at 30m/s
𝑉𝐷 30∗0.3
𝑅𝑒 = ν = 1.511∗10−5 = 595,632 > 4000 (turbulent)
𝑙𝑒 = 4.4(𝑅𝑒)1/6 D = 4.4(595,632)1/6 ∗ 0.3 =12.1m

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 Energy equation between Point 1 and Point 2 along a pipeline

𝑃1 𝑉12 𝑃2 𝑉22
+ + 𝑧1 + ℎ𝑝 = + + 𝑧2 + ℎ 𝑇 + ℎ𝐿 + ℎ𝑚
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔

𝑃
: Pressure head
𝛾
𝛾: specific weight 𝛾 = 𝜌𝑔
𝑉2
: Velocity head
2𝑔
z : Elevation head
ℎ𝑝 : Energy(head) added by pump
ℎ 𝑇 : Energy consumed (head loss) by turbine
ℎ𝐿 : Major head loss due to friction
ℎ𝑚 : Minor head loss due to valves, bends, tees, etc.
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 Major head loss (hL) in pipe flow
Darcy-Weisbach equation:

𝑙 𝑉2 o Valid for any fully developed, steady,

ℎ𝐿 = 𝑓 incompressible pipe flow
𝐷 2𝑔 o Valid for both laminar and turbulent flows

Friction factor f
hL: major head loss in pipe flow due to
▪ Different for laminar or turbulent flows.
friction, ▪ Pipe friction is due to viscous effects
f : friction factor, when fluid molecules move against pipe
l : pipe length, walls (possibly rough).
D : pipe diameter for round pipes, or Therefore, 𝑓 = ∅ 𝑅𝑒, 𝜀/𝐷
hydraulic diameter for noncircular pipes, Re: related to viscous effects
V : velocity, 𝜀/D: dimensionless roughness factor
g : acceleration due to gravity. 𝜀: roughness length of pipes
depending on pipe materials, age, etc.
▪ Methods: Get f from Moody Chart or
equations.
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Moody chart: (solutions to friction factor f)
(1) (2) https://youtu.be/PgAXycpuZqM
(3)
Zone 4

f
𝜀/𝐷
Zone 1

Zone 3

Zone
2 (3)

(1) (2) 𝑅𝑒
Zone 1 at left hand side of Line (1) Laminar flow: f depends on Re only
Zone 4 at right hand side of Line (3) Fully developed turbulent flow: f depends on 𝜀/𝐷 only
Zone 3 between Line (2) and Line (3) Transitional turbulent flow: f depends on both Re and 𝜀/𝐷
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Zone 2 between Line (1) and Line (2) Laminar-turbulent transition zone: Unknown (hard to reach this zone)
❖ Equations derived from Moody Chart
64
❑ Laminar flow: 𝑓=
𝑅𝑒
1.11
❑ Turbulent flow: 1 𝜀/𝐷 6.9 Colebrook
= −1.81 log + equation
𝑓 3.7 𝑅𝑒

New

Notes:
Old pipes will be rougher than new
pipes due to rust / calcium carbonate
on the pipe walls.

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 Minor head loss (hm) in pipe flow
Minor head loss is due to different components in the pipeline system
(elbows, bends, tees, valves, etc.)

𝑉2
ℎ𝑚 = 𝐾𝐿 ❑ KL can be derived from experiments.
2𝑔
∆𝑃 𝑉2
ℎ𝑚 = = 𝐾𝐿
hm: minor head loss in pipe flow 𝜌𝑔 2𝑔
due to pipe components,
Therefore,
KL: minor loss coefficient,
𝐾𝐿 = ∅ 𝑔𝑒𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑦 ℎ𝑚 ∆𝑃 𝑃1 − 𝑃2
𝐾𝐿 = 2 = =
V : velocity, 𝑉 /2𝑔 1/2𝜌𝑉 2 1/2𝜌𝑉 2
g : acceleration due to gravity.
P1 V P2

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Minor loss coefficients for pipe components

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 Pipe surge (Water hammer)
❑ Water hammer is a pressure surge or wave caused when a fluid in motion is forced to stop
or change direction suddenly (a momentum change). This phenomenon commonly occurs
with a valve closed suddenly at an end of a pipeline system. The pressure wave can cause
numerous problems (noise, vibration, pipe collapse).
❑ Surge tanks are installed before a valve to reduce the effects of water hammer.

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