1. What is Pressure Loss in Pipe?

Definition: This calculator determines the pressure drop (ΔP) in a pipe due to friction, using the Darcy-Weisbach equation.

Purpose: It helps engineers and fluid system designers calculate energy losses in piping systems for proper pump sizing and system design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Darcy-Weisbach equation:

Where:

• \( \Delta P \) — Pressure loss (Pascals)
• \( f \) — Darcy friction factor (dimensionless)
• \( L \) — Pipe length (meters)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( v \) — Flow velocity (m/s)
• \( D \) — Pipe diameter (meters)

Explanation: The equation calculates the pressure drop due to friction between the fluid and pipe walls.

3. Importance of Pressure Loss Calculation

Details: Accurate pressure loss calculations ensure proper pump selection, energy efficiency, and system performance in piping systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the friction factor (typically 0.01-0.05 for turbulent flow), pipe length, fluid density (1000 kg/m³ for water), flow velocity, and pipe diameter. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine the friction factor?
A: The friction factor depends on Reynolds number and pipe roughness. For turbulent flow in smooth pipes, it's typically 0.02-0.03.

Q2: What's a typical fluid density?
A: Water at 20°C is 998 kg/m³, while air at 20°C is about 1.2 kg/m³. The default is set to 1000 kg/m³ for water.

Q3: Does this include minor losses?
A: No, this calculates only major (friction) losses. Minor losses from fittings and valves require separate calculations.

Q4: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses SI units: meters for length/diameter, kg/m³ for density, m/s for velocity, and outputs Pascals.

Q5: How does pipe diameter affect pressure loss?
A: Pressure loss is inversely proportional to pipe diameter - smaller diameters create significantly higher pressure drops.