Theoretical and experimental comparison of losses in piping systems using a similar but more complex apparatus than that used by osborne reynolds

The objective of this research work was to experimentally determine the losses in a piping system categorized into major and minor losses and compare the results obtained to their theoretical value using a similar but more complex apparatus than that used by Osborne Reynolds. Different experiments were performed and results obtained using a more complex apparatus than that used by Osborne Reynolds. In the experiment, pressure loss measurements were made as a function of flow rate on differential pipe components namely straight pipes, globe valve, gate valve, an expander ( sudden expansion), a reducer ( sudden contraction) standard elbow and 900 elbow. The result of this experiment was compared to that obtained from theoretical equations for pressure loss across a pipe using dimensionless groups such as Reynolds number, Moody friction factor, modified Bernoulli’s theorem, Darcy - Weisbach equation and the concept of flow regime. The result shows that the flow was turbulent since the Reynolds number was greater than 2 x 103 and that the theoretical frictional head loss was 0.14m while that of the experimental head loss was 0.17m. The results when compared show that the values obtained experimentally and theoretically are within range and closely linked. The difference was mainly contributed by experimental errors.