Help with entrance effects for fluid please

[JI567]

Can anyone tell me how significant are entrance effects for a fluid entering a circular pipe? Like the fully developed region, laminar region etc. comparison between these regions...

 

[Baluncore]

Entrance effects are very important.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vena_contracta
google images 'vena contracta'

 

[JI567]

Entrance effects are very important.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vena_contracta
google images 'vena contracta'

It talks about Vena contract and nothing about entrance effect. I mean a fluid enters with uniform speed inside a circular pipe and then just flows, I mean what's the big deal here? Its just entering and flowing....don't get it

 

[Baluncore]

The fluid moves as a radial flow towards the pipe entrance. As it enters the pipe it is still accelerating and still has radial velocity. That causes the entrance separation and the vena contracta which together represent a pressure loss and an obstruction to flow like an orifice. If a tapered horn like a trumpet is mounted at the pipe entrance then the flow can be better regulated and the vena contracta avoided.