Experiment No:

Date :
1. FLOW THROUGH VENTURIMETER
AIM

To determine the coefficient of discharge of given Venturimeter.

BASIC CONCEPT
Flow rate measurement is a fundamental necessity in almost all flow situation of
engineering importance. For confined flows the main devices used are a class of meters called
obstruction meters. The basic principle in all these obstruction meters is that the flow undergoes
a change in its cross-sectional area as it passes along the channel. It results in creation of
difference of pressure across the channel which is uniquely related to the flow rate and geometry
of the obstruction together with the fluid properties. Venturimeter consists of a converging
section, a cylindrical throat and a divergent cone. A differential mercury manometer is connected
between the inlet section and the throat of venturimeter to measure the pressure difference
between these two sections. The following expressions are used to compute the discharge
through a venturimeter.

a1a 2 2 gh
Theoretical discharge, Qth 
2 2
(a1  a 2 )

a1 = Cross- sectional area of inlet, a2 = Cross- sectional area of throat

g = acceleration due to gravity

(h1  h2 )  sm 
h = Pressure head in terms of flowing liquid =  1
100  sl 
h1 = Manometric level in one limb of manometer.
h2 = Manometric level in another limb of manometer.
Sm= Specific gravity of manometric liquid
S1 = Specific gravity of the flowing liquid.
Actual discharge, Q a = AH / t
A = Internal plan area of collecting tank.
H = Rise of water level in the tank
t = Time taken for rise of “ H” cm in the collecting tank.
Coefficient of discharge of the venturimeter, Cd = Qa / Q t
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Table 1. Results of flow through Venturimeter

S.No. Manometric Equivalent Time for H Discharge Coefficient

reading in cm head in rise sec (Q) m3 / s of
of mercury meters of discharge,
water (h ) Cd
h1 h2 Q act Q th

Diameter of inlet of venturimeter, d1 =

Diameter of throat of venturimeter, d2 =

Dimensions of collecting tank =

MODEL CALCULATIONS
APPARATUS

1. Pipe fitted with Venturimeter

2. Differential U – tube mercury manometer
3. Collecting tank fitted with piezometer and gate valve
4. Stop watch
5. Meter scale

PROCEDURE

1. The diameter of the inlet section, throat and internal plan dimensions of the collecting tank

are measured.

2. The control valve in the pipe line is opened for maximum discharge.

3. The pressure difference between the inlet section and throat of the venturimeter is measured

4. The outlet valve of the collecting tank is closed and time taken for a rise of “H” cm in the

collecting tank is noted down

5. The above procedure is repeated for different discharges by controlling the gate valve.

GRAPH

The following graph is drawn by taking Q act on y – axis and h on x-axis

Q act vs h

RESULT

The coefficient of discharge of venturimeter ( Cd) =

( from experiment )

The coefficient of discharge of venturimeter ( Cd) =

(from Q a vs h graph)

INFERENCE
Experiment No:
Date :
2. FLOW THROUGH ORIFICE METER
AIM

To calibrate an orifice meter and to draw the calibration curves

Basic Concept

Flow rate measurement is a fundamental necessity in almost all flow situations of engineering
importance. For confined flows the main devices used are a class of meters called obstruction
meters. The basic principle in all these obstruction meters is that the flow undergoes a change in
its cross-sectional area as it passes along the close channel/pipe. This results in a pressure
difference across the meter which is uniquely related to the flow rate and geometry of the
obstruction together with the fluid properties.

An orifice meter consists of a circular plate with specified shape of the hole called an orifice,
which is concentric with the pipe axis. A differential mercury manometer is connected between
the upstream side and on the downstream side of the orifice plate.

The following expressions are used to compute the discharge through the Orifice meter.

a1a 2 2 gh
Theoretical discharge Qth 
2 2
(a1  a 2 )

a1 = Cross- sectional area of pipe

a2 = Cross- sectional area of orifice
g = acceleration due to gravity

(h1  h2 )  sm 
h = Pressure head in terms of flowing liquid =  1
100  sl 
h1 = Manometric level in one limb of manometer.
h2 = Manometric level in another limb of manometer.
Sm= Specific gravity of manometric liquid
S1 = Specific gravity of the flowing liquid.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Table 1. Results of flow through Orifice meter

S.NO Manometric Equivalent Time for H Discharge Coefficient

reading in cm head in cm rise, t m3 / s of
of mercury meters of (sec) discharge,
water (h ) Cd

h1 h2 Q act Q th

Diameter of the pipe, d1 =

Diameter of orifice, d2 =
Dimensions of collecting tank =
MODEL CALCULATIONS
 Actual discharge, Q a = AH / t
A = Internal plan area of collecting tank.
H = Rise of water level in the tank
t = Time taken for rise of a “H” cm in the collecting tank.
Coefficient of discharge of the orifice meter, Cd = Qa / Q th

APPARATUS
1. Pipe fitted with orifice meter
2. Differential U – tube mercury manometer
3. Collecting tank fitted with piezometer and gate valve
4. Stop watch
5. Meter scale

PROCEDURE
1. The diameter of the pipe, orifice and internal plan dimensions of the collecting tank
are measured.
2. The control valve in the pipe line is opened for maximum discharge.
3. The pressure difference between the pipe upstream and downstream of the orifice is
measured.
4. The outlet valve of the collecting tank is closed and time taken for a rise of “H” in the
collecting tank is noted down
5. The above procedure is repeated for different discharges by controlling the gate valve.

GRAPH
The following graph is drawn by taking Q act on y – axis and h on x-axis
Q act vs h

RESULT
The coefficient of discharge of orifice meter ( Cd) =
(from experiment )

The coefficient of discharge of orifice meter ( Cd) =

(from Q a vs h graph)

INFERENCE
Experiment No:
Date :
3. FLOW THROUGH PIPES

AIM

To determine the friction factor of the pipe material

BASIC CONCEPT

Transportation of fluids through pipes is frequently dealt by engineers. Distribution of water and
gas to domestic consumers through conduits, supply of steam through pipes in thermal power
plants and gases in process plants, offshore pumping of oil, etc are some of the examples of
transportation of fluids through pipes. In order to design such systems, it is necessary to study
the friction – flow characteristics through the pipes. The loss of head through the pipe is major
loss and it is to be considered for designing pump capacity to supply the fluid. The prediction of
frictional losses through the pipes lines enables the designer to estimate the power consumption
and hence the type and size of the pumps required for a given application and length of the pipe.
When fluid flows through a pipe the frictional resistance offered to the flow depends on the
roughness of the inner surface of the pipe carrying the liquid. The frictional resistance is mostly
due to viscous resistance of fluid in case of laminar flow. In turbulent flow it is due to resistance
offered by viscosity of the fluid and surface roughness of the pipe.
The following formula is employed
The head loss due to friction (hf) = fLv2/(2gd)
(h1  h2 )  sm 
hf = Pressure head in terms of flowing liquid =  1
100  sl 
h1 = Manometric level in one of the limb of manometer.
h2 = Manometric level in one of the other limb of manometer.
Sm= Specific gravity of manometric liquid
S1 = Specific gravity of the flowing liquid.
f = friction factor of the pipe material
L = length of pipe between the pressure taps
D = diameter of the pipe
V = Velocity of flow in the pipe (Qa/a)
OBSERVATION AND TABULATION

Table 1. Flow through pipes

S. No Manometric Equivalent Time Discharge Velocity Friction

Reading (cm) head of for ‘H’ (Q) (v) factor, f
water (h) cm rise
m m3/sec m/s
h1 h2 T, sec

Diameter of the pipe, d =

Dimensions of the collecting tank =

Length of the tube, L =

MODEL CALCULATIONS
 Qa = actual discharge (AH/t)
a = cross-sectional area of the pipe
H = rise of water level in the collecting tank
t = time taken for a rise “H” in the collecting tank
g = acceleration due to gravity

APPARATUS
1. Pipe fitted with gate valve
2. Differential U – tube mercury manometer
3. Collecting tank fitted with piezometer and gate valve
4. Stop watch
5. Metre Scale
PROCEDURE
1. The diameter of the pipe, internal plan dimensions of the collecting tank and the length of the
pipe between the pressure tapping’s are measured.
2. The gate valve is fully opened control valve in the pipe line is opened for maximum
discharge.
3. The manometric heads in both the limbs of manometer are noted down.
4. The outlet valve of the collecting tank is closed and time taken for a rise of “H” cm in
the collecting tank is noted down.
5.The above procedure is repeated for different discharges by controlling the gate valve and
reading are noted down in table.
GRAPH
The following graph is drawn by taking hf on y – axis and v2 on x-axis
hf vs v2
Result

The friction factor for the pipe material, (f) =

(from experiment)

The friction factor for the pipe material, (f) =

(from hf vs V2 graph)

INFERENCE
Experiment No:
Date:

4. DETERMINATION OF MINOR LOSSES FOR FLOW THROUGH PIPES

OBJECTIVE
To determine the loss of coefficient for flow through pipes due to sudden
enlargement, sudden contraction and due to pipe fittings like bend and elbow.
Basic concept
When fluid flows through a pipe, it is subjected to hydraulic resistances which are of two
types, viz. (1) viscous-frictional resistance and (2) local resistance. Viscous-frictional
resistance associated with the fluid flow is called major loss of energy, whereas local resistances
are called minor losses energy

Local resistances are essentially due to change of velocity either in magnitude or

direction, or both. This change of velocity generates large-scale turbulence due to formation of
eddies, in which a portion of energy possessed by the fluid gets dissipated as heat energy. Losses
due to change in cross-section, bends, valves and fitting of all types are categorized as minor
Losses. In short pipes, minor losses may sometimes be more than the friction losses and hence
are required to determine.
All minor losses have be found to vary as the square of the mean velocity of flow and,
hence, they are generally expressed fraction of velocity head, i.e. hL  K LV 2 / 2 g Where hL is
the loss of energy per unit weight, V is the average velocity of flow in the pipe, g is the
acceleration due to gravity, and KL is constant called loss coefficient (KL) is constant at high
Reynolds number and for particular flow geometry,
For sudden enlargement of the pipe section, the head loss is given by the following expression
(V  V1 ) 2
hL 
2g
Where V is the velocity in smaller pipe and V1 is the velocity of flow in larger pipe. This
K L xV 2
expression is further simplified to hL 
2g
where KL=1/(A-A1) 2 Here, A is the area of smaller pipe and A1 is the area of larger pipe.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS
Diameter of smaller pipe, d =
Diameter of larger pipe, D =
Area of smaller pipe, A =
Area of larger pipe , A1 =
Area of measuring tank, a =

(i) Sudden enlargement

S. Manometer Equivalent Time Discharge (Q) Velocity (V) hL

No Reading head of for ‘H’ m/s, KL 
3  V2 
water (h) cm rise, m /sec V=Q /A  2 g 
m  
h1 h2 Sec

2
 A
Average KL = Theoretically, K L  1  
 A1 
(ii) Sudden contraction

S. Manometer Equivalent Time for Discharge Velocity (V) hL

No Reading head of ‘H’ cm (Q) m/s, KL 
 V2 
water (h) rise, V=Q /A  2 g 
m m3/sec  
h1 h2 Sec
Average KL =
(iii) Elbow

S. No Manometer Equivalent Time Discharge (Q) Velocity (V) hL

Reading head of for H m/s, KL 
 V2 
water (h), rise, m3/sec V=Q /A  2 g 
m  
h1 h2 Sec

Average KL =

(iv) Bend

S. No Manometer Equivalent Time Discharge (Q) Velocity (V) hL

Reading head of for H m/s, KL 
3  V2 
water (h), rise, m /sec V=Q /A  2 g 
m  
h1 h2 Sec

Average KL =
The value of hL can be determined by writing the gauge equation between the two gauge points
and mercury – water column manometer
hL=12.6×Δx

Where Δx is the difference of mercury levels in the manometer.

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
The apparatus consists of two pipes connected through a common manifold. These pipes
are fitted with bend, elbow, glob valve, and gate valve etc.. The sudden enlargement and sudden
contraction are also provided in the pipe. Water is supplied to the manifold through an inlet valve
provided in the supply pipeline connected to a constant overhead water tank. Pressure taping is
provided on upstream and downstream ends of each fitting for the measurement of pressure head
difference across the fitting and to compute the head loss through the fittings. The pressure
tapings are connected to a multi tube U-tube differential manometer containing mercury. The
discharge through each pipe is regulated by means of a valve provided near the outlet end of
each pipe.

PROCEDURE
1. Take one fitting at a time of a particular pipe and open pressure valves corresponding to
it. And keep close valves of all other fittings as well as other pipes. Remove air in the
manometer for this fitting.
2. Open the inlet valve fully and regulate the flow with the help of exit valve.
3. When the flow becomes steady, measures pressure head difference (Δx) across the fitting.
4. Measure the discharge, Q.
5. Repeat steps (2) to (5) for three different discharges by regulating the flow with the exit
valve.
6. Repeat the above steps for other types of fittings.
MODEL CALCULATIONS
RESULT

The loss coefficient for various fittings

i) For sudden Enlargement =_______________

ii) For sudden contraction =_______________
0
iii) For 90 bend =_______________
iv) For 900 elbow =________________.

INFERENCE:
Experiment No :
Date :

5. REYNOLD’S EXPERIMENT

AIM

To study the flow transition from laminar to turbulent using Reynold’s method.

APPARATUS

Reynold’s apparatus

BASIC CONCEPT

Reynold’s explained the distinction between the types of flow, i.e. laminar flow and
turbulent flow. At low flow rates the water flows in parallel straight lines without any cross
current or mixing and it is called as laminar flow. When the flow rates were increased a velocity
called critical velocity was reached at which the flow become wavy and the water flows in
erratically in the form of cross current and eddies. This type of flow is called as turbulent flow.

The critical velocity at which laminar flow changes into turbulent flow depends on four
quantities: diameter of the tube, viscosity, density and average linear velocity of the liquid. These
four factors can be combined into one dimensionless group and changes occur in the flow can be
relate to a definite value of a group. This dimensionless group is called Reynold’s number, Re.

FORMULA

VD
Re=

ρ= Density of water
V= velocity
D= Diameter of the tube
µ= Viscosity of water
OBSERVATIONS AND TABULATIONS

VD Type of flow

S.No. Rise of Time Q, V=Q/a, Re=

water (m/s)
(Sec) (m 3/s) Observation Calculation
(h)

(cm)

OBSERVATIONS

Area of the collecting Tank A=

Diameter of the perplex tube d=

Area of conduit a =

Density of water ρ =

Viscosity of water μf =
MODEL CALCULATIONS:

Flow Rate, Q =

Cross Sectional area of the tube, a =

Velocity, V =

Reynold’s Number, Re =
 Axh
Q=
t
A = Area of collecting tank
h = Rise in level of liquid
t = time of h cm rise of liquid.
PROCEDURE:

1. Maintain a constant head in the supply tank with over flow arrangement

2. Fill the dye in the container and allow it to flow through the glass tube

3. Adjust the flow rate by controlling the outlet valve and measure the flow rate by

collecting the water for known amount of time.

4. Vary the flow rates from minimum and observe the changes in the flow behaviour.

RESULT

The critical value of NRe, at which fluid transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow is
determined.

INFERENCE
Experiment No :
Date :

6. VERIFICATION OF BERNOULLI’S THEOREM

AIM
To verify the Bernoulli’s theorem for liquids.

APPARATUS

The Bernoulli’s apparatus, water collecting tank and stop watch

BASIC CONCEPT

According to Bernoulli’s theorem for an ideal steady incompressible &

irrotational fluid the sum of pressure energy ,kinetic energy and potential always

constant

PROCEDURE

1) Measure the internal dimensions of the collecting tank.

2) Open the inlet valve carefully so as to allow uniform through the testing pipe.

3) Eject the air bubbles in the piezometer tubes

4) Open the outlet valve of the apparatus and regulate the flow through the testing pipe so

that the head in the supply tank is constant i.e. inlet flow = outlet flow

5) Note pressure head P1, P2 etc. at cross sections A1, A2 etc.

6) Note the time in second to collect 10 cm rise of water in the collecting tank.

7) Repeat the experiment for medium and low head tank supply levels.
OBSERVATIONS AND TABULATIONS

Area of the collecting tank =

S.No. Hm P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 T Qa V12 V22 V32 V42 V52 V62

2g 2g 2g 2g 2g 2g

MODEL CALCULATION

S.No P1 +V12/2g P2 +V22/2g P3 +V32/2g P4 +V42/2g P5 +V52/2g P6 +V62/2g

RESULT

At minimum cross section of pipe

Pressure head + velocity head for medium head tank level =

Pressure head + velocity head for low head tank level =

Average value of head for medium head tank level =

Average value of head for low head tank level =

INFERENCE
Experiment No :
Date :

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRIUGAL PUMP

AIM:

To draw the performance characteristics of the given centrifugal pump at rated speed.

APPARATUS:

Centrifugal pump (single stage), meter scale, stop watch and thread

THEORY:

A centrifugal pump is a machine for moving liquid by imparting energy by centrifugal

action. This is a single stage volute pump. The most important part is the impeller. This consists
of a series of curved vanes. During the rotational motion of the impeller the fluid is sucked into
the casing. As the fluid laves, the velocity is reduced. According to Bernoulli’s equation this is
compensated by an increase in pressure. This increases the head. The efficiency of the pump
decreases because of two main losses. The first one due to change in direction of fluids which
develops turbulence and this consumes power in terms of friction. The second one due to failure
in stuffing boxes, water and decrease in available suction head

PROCEDURE:

1. Prime the pump with water and close the delivery valve. Start the motor
2. Adjust the delivery head to a particular value and corresponding pressure gauge and
vacuum gauge readings
3. Record and time taken for 10 resolutions of energy meter disc by means of stop watch
4. The discharge is measured by the time taken for rise of 20 cm rise in the water level
in the collection tank
5. Note the difference in level between the vacuum and pressure gauge (x)

6. Take at least 6 sets of readings

OBSERVATIONS AND TABULATIONS

Energy meter constant, N =

Length of the collecting tank, L = m
Breadth of the collecting tank, B = m
Area of the collecting tank, A = m2
Rise of water level in the tank, H = m
Level difference in the pressure
Gauge and the vacuum gauge, x = m

S.No Pressure gauge Vacuum gauge Time for 10 cm Time taken

Kg/ cm2 m of Kg/ cm2 m of rise For 10 rev of
Water water t (s) energy T (s)
CALCULATIONS:

Actual discharge, Q = A x H /t m3/s

Total head, HT = G + V + X m
Input power = (3600 x 10 x 1.3) / NT hp
Output power = Q HTg watt
Q HTg hp
746
Efficiency, %  = (Output /Input) x 100
S.No Discharge, Qa Total head HT Input power Output power Efficiency,
m3/s (m) (hp) (hp) %

GRAPH

Total head vs discharge

Overall efficiency,  vs discharge
Input power vs discharge

RESULT

The characteristic curves are drawn for the centrifugal pump.

Experiment No :
Date :

8. FLOW THROUGH NON CIRCULAR PIPES

AIM
To determine the coefficient of friction or fiction factor of the given pipe.

APPARATUS

A pipe line, a pump and motor supplying water to the pipe, a U tube mercury manometer,
collecting tank, and stopwatch

BASIC CONCEPT

When a fluid flows through a pipe, certain resistance is offered to the flowing fluid, which

results in causing loss of energy. The major loss of energy, as a fluid flows through a pipe is

caused by friction. It may be computed by Darcy-Weisbatch equation as given below.

The head loss due to friction (hf) = fLv2/(2gd)

(h1  h2 )  sm 
hf = Pressure head in terms of flowing liquid =  1
100  sl 
h1 = Manometric level in one of the limb of manometer.
h2 = Manometric level in one of the other limb of manometer.
Sm= Specific gravity of manometric liquid
S1 = Specific gravity of the flowing liquid.
f = friction factor of the pipe material
L = length of pipe between the pressure taps
D = diameter of the pipe
V = Velocity of flow in the pipe (Qa/a)
PROCEDURE

1. Open the outlet valve completely and switch on the motor.

2. Now open the inlet valve.
OBSERVATIONS AND TABULATIONS

Diameter of square pipe D1 = Diameter of triangular pipe D2 =

Area of the square pipe A1 = Area of the triangular pipe A2 =

Area of the collection tank A =

Length of the pipe L =

Table 1.Flow through Square pipe

S. No Manometric Equivalent Time Discharge Velocity Friction

Reading (cm) head of for ‘H’ (Q) (v) factor, f
water (h) cm rise f=
h1 h2 M T, sec m3/sec m/s

Table 2.Flow through Triangular pipe

S. No Manometric Equivalent Time Discharge Velocity Friction

Reading (cm) head of for ‘H’ (Q) (v) factor, f
water (h) cm rise f=
h1 h2 M T, sec m3/sec m/s
MODEL CALCULATIONS
3. With a particular opening of the inlet valve, note the readings on the limb of the
manometer. Compute the value of h1-h2
4. Compute the discharge using the collecting tank and stop watch and the head loss due to
friction.
5. Now change the opening of the inlet and note the readings on the manometer. Compute
the value of h1-h2. Take five such readings.
6. Compute the friction factor.

GRAPHS
The following graph is drawn by taking hf on y – axis and Q on x-axis
hf vs Q
RESULT
Square Triangular
The friction factor for the pipe material, (f) =
(from experiment)

The friction factor for the pipe material, (f) =

(from hf vs Q graph)

INFERENCE
Experiment No:
Date:

9. FLOW THROUGH FLUIDIZED BED

AIM
 To observe and study the behavior of bed during fluidization.
 To determine the pressure drop per unit length as a function of superficial velocity of
fluidization medium.
 To determine the minimum fluidization velocity.
 To study the effect of Re on porosity ∈.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
Fluidized beds, collection tanks, stop watch and scale.

THEORY
When a gas or liquid is passed at very low velocity up through a bed of solid particles,
the particles do not move and the pressure drop is given by Ergun’s equation. If the fluid velocity
is steadily increased, the pressure drop on individual particles increase and eventually the
particles start to move and become suspended in the fluid. The term fluidization and fluidized
bed are used to describe the condition of fully suspended particles. When a fluid passes through a
bed of solids, there will be a certain pressure drop across the bed required to maintain the fluid
flow depending upon the bed geometry. Fluid velocity and particle characteristic, the following
phenomena occur with gradual increase in fluid velocity. At low velocities there is a pressure
drop across the bed, but the particles are stationary and flow of fluid through a fixed bed. As the
fluid velocity is gradually increased assert. A value is reached when the bed starts expanding.
The point is known as fluidized bed.

PROCEDURE
1. Noted the individual height.
2. Opened the valve slightly and allow the water to flow through the bed.
3. Noted the bed height remains the same and collected the water for a particular period of
time that is 30 seconds and noted down the volume or weight of water collected.
4. Gradually increased the flow of water by opening the valve and repeated step 3.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS
Diameter of column D = 0.044m
Diameter of particle Dp = 4 X 10-3
Initial bed height L0 =
Initial porosity ∈0 = 0.2036
s = Density of particle = 2500 kg/m3
w = Density of water =1000 kg/m3
µ = Viscosity of water = 8.11 X 10-4 kg/ ms
Length of fluidization column = 1200 mm

S. Manometer
No reading (∆H)H20 Volume Time of Q Bed V0 = ∆P/ L
h1 – h2 of water collection (m3/s) height Porosity Q/A NRe
h1 h2 (m) collected (sec) L (∈)
(m) (m) (m3) (m)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
MODEL CALCULATIONS
5. Once the bed fluidized, note down the bed height and collected the water for a particular
period of time.
6. Repeated step 4 and 5 until the maximum bed height is attained.

FORMULAE USED
Q = actual discharge = m3/s

Volumetric flow rate Q = m3/s

Fluidization velocity V0 = Q/a m/s

A= m2

a= m2

∈=1− ( 1−∈0)

Initial porosity ∈0 =

Reynolds number NRe =

. ρ ρ ∈
Minimum fluidization velocity Vm = (
m/s
∈ )μ

Where,
D = Diameter of column, m
Dp = Diameter of particle, m
s = Density of particle, kg/m3
w = Density of water, kg/m3
µ = Viscosity of water, kg/ ms
L0 = Initial bed height, m
L = Bed height, m
GRAPHS

(i) ∆ / L Vs V0
(ii) L Vs V0
(iii) ∈ Vs V0

RESULT

The fluidized bed was studied.

The minimum fluidization velocity was found to be ---------------- m/s.
Experiment No:
Date:

10. FLOW THROUGH PACKED BED

AIM
To verify relationship between the flow of fluid and pressure drop per unit length of
packing.

THEORY
Packed columns for gas liquid contacting is used extensively for absorption occupations,
distillation and extraction processes. Usually the columns are filled with randomly oriented
packing materials. The resistance to flow of a liquid through the voids in a bed of solids is the
result of the total drag on all particles in the bed. The total drag per unit area of the channel is the
sum of two kinds that is, viscous drag forces and inertial forces. At low Reynolds number
viscous forces are much more and inertial forces are negligible. At high Reynolds number
inertial forces are more and viscous forces are negligible. The pressure drop differed by a single
liquid in flowing through a bed is given by Erguns equation.

For 1< NRep < 1000

∆p ∈3 Dp φs / L ρ V0 2(1 - ∈) = 150 (1 - ∈) / φs NRep + 1.75

For NRep< 1
∆p ∈3 Dp2 φs2 / L V0 µ (1 - ∈)2 = 150
This equation is called as Kozney Carman equation.

PROCEDURE
1. Slightly opened the inlet valve and waited for steady state and noted down manometer
heads in both liquids.
2. Collected the outlet water for a particular time period and weighed the collected water.
3. Repeated step 1 and 2 for various flow rates
4. Tabulated the observation and calculated.

1
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS
Diameter of particles = 1.43 X 10-2 m
Diameter of the column = 7.2 X 10-2 m
Bed height = 1.175 m
Porosity = 0.3428
Length of packed column = 1200 mm

S. Manometer Q=
No reading (∆H)H20 Volume Time of Velocity vol. of
h1 – h2 of water collection (V0) water NRe FThe Fexp (∆P/ (∆P/
h1 h2 (m) collected (sec) (m/s) /time L)Theo L)exp
(m) (m) (m3) (m/s)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

2
MODEL CALCULATIONS

3
FORMULAE USED

For NRe between 1 and 1000

Friction factor (f) exp

Friction factor f theo , For 1 < NRep < 1000

Friction factor f theo, For NRep >1000

Friction factor theo = 1.75

4
Superficial velocity V0 = Q/A m/s
Volumetric flow rate Q = water collected / time of collection m3/s
Area A = D2/4
Where,
∆p = Pressure drop
L = Bed height
µ = Viscosity of water
V0 = Superficial velocity
ϵ = Porosity
Dp = diameter of spherical particle
s = Sphericity
= Density
D = Diameter of column

Graphs
NRep Vs Friction factor (Experimental)
NRep Vs Friction factor (Theoretical)
NRep Vs (∆p/ L) Experimental
NRep Vs (∆p/ L) Theoretical

RESULT
The relationship between the flow of fluid and pressure drop per unit length of packing is
verified.