MEASUREMENT OF MICRO-CHANNELS FRICTION FACTORS WITH SINGLE PHASE FLOW AT LOW REYNOLDS NUMBER

• Main Author: Miftakhul Huda, Rachmat
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/53271
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

This research focused on analyzing the characteristics of a single-phase fluid flow through a circular cross-section micro-channel. Glass channels with diameter variation of 118 ?m to 1860 ?m were fed by two fluid variations: water and kerosene, with Reynolds numbers ranging from 3 to 4606. The pressure here then measured at the inlet and outlet of the channel. A syringe pump with a stepper motor was used to push the fluid and the motor speed is regulated by a microcontroller. Data obtained by recording the pressure drop data and test time. The study observed the trend of pressure drop with variations in the Reynolds number and the effect of changing friction factors on variations in channel diameter. The pressure drop measurement then was used to calculate the value of the friction factor over the Reynolds number and compared with the Moody chart. The study results showed that the pressure drop per unit length increases with the increasing in the Reynolds number for both fluids. Experimental results of channel at diameters of 118 ?m and 144 ?m under predict the pressure drop when compared to the Poiseuille equation. The difference between the friction factor in the test results with the Darcy friction factor equation varies from 0.1 to 300 % for all channels and fluids. The difference might be caused by non-laminar flow conditions at Reynolds number above 1000. The Darcy friction factor equation became applicable at this condition and causes a very large difference in friction factor. Errors from the measurements of pressure drop, volumetric flow rate, diameter and length of the channels are calculated to obtain the uncertainty of the Poiseuille number.