Experimental investigation of the kinetic energy correction factor in pipe flow

In this study, an experimental investigation of the kinetic energy (Coriolis) correction factor in laminar, transitional and turbulent flow in a transparent smooth pipe with a Reynolds number up to 25000 is performed. The velocity profiles are obtained using a laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). Based on the experimental results obtained for Re < 25000, generalized correlations for the kinetic energy correction factor as a function of the Reynolds number are presented. The results of the research are compared with experimental results reported by other authors. The predicted correlations for the kinetic energy correction factor can be a very useful resource for the hydraulic calculations of fluid through circular ducts.