The apparatus consists of a set of parallel pipes manifolded and valved so that a wide variation of flow circuits can be produced. The first pipe which acts as a feed pipe to the four manifolded pipes, contains a variable area flow meter, a transparent venturi tube, an orifice plate assembly and an annular test section. Means are available to vary the rate of flow over a wide range. Pressure tappings are provided at appropriate points so that measure-ments can be made of head loss over standard lengths of differing pipework, and various types of fittings as required.
Experimental Capability:
Investigations of the flow/pressure drop relationship for an annular pipe, using the concept of equivalent hydraulic diameter.
Investigation of pressure drops across various fittings enabling the results to be used to predict resistance coefficients or equivalent lengths.
Flow through smooth pipes of differing diameters under laminar and turbulent flow conditions with logarithmic plot of friction factorâ„¢ against Reynolds number (Stanton diagram).
Investigation of various methods of flow measurement including variable area meter (Rotameter), Transparent Venturi Meter, Orifice Plate Meter and Pitot Static Tube.
Comparison of pressure drops across three different types of valve (i.e. ball valve, gate valve and seat valve) under different conditions of valve opening.
Flow through roughened pipes of different diameters under laminar and turbulent flow conditions with logarithmic plot of friction factorâ„¢ against Reynolds number (Nikuradse diagram).
