Example of laboratory report

The objective of this experiment was to determine the frictional head loss through experiment and compare the results with the theoretically computed values. The fluid flow rate in different pipes was measured using the flow rate meter. These pipes were of internal diameters 0.430”, 0.545”, 0.785and 1.025” respectively. Water was pumped to the flow rate mater to record the flow rate then directed into the pipes. The control arm was used to ensure that water only flow to the correct pipes that had been measured. Before turning on the pump, the digital pressure transducers were inserted into upstream and downstream pipe taps which were located 48’’ apart horizontally. Thereafter, the taps were turned on and the pressure of each gauge was recorded after every 30 seconds for a period of 3 minutes. Then, the Reynolds number and relative roughness was calculated using the recorded results. To determine the friction factor of each pipe, the Moody diagram was used. Afterward, the theoretical values of frictional head loss were computed and the values compared with the measured values. These figures are illustrated in table 1 below.
As depicted above, the theoretical and experimental values of frictional head loss were different. These variations were captured in the graph of measured against theoretical as illustrated in figure 1 below.

The difference was caused by the difficulty in reading flow rate meter. This introduced an error into the experimental process. Besides, the pressure gauges at times turned off in the middle of experiment resulting into error in pressure measurement. Despite some difficulties of using the system, the experiment proceeded to conclusion and all the required variables were measured, recorded or calculated. Therefore, the experiment was essential in establishing that frictional head loss in a pipe is dependent on its size. It is also evident that differences may arise between theoretical and the value obtained in an experiment due to errors occurring during the process.