Calculating the Pressure Drop and Power in Pipe Flow: Summary
The answers to the ConcepTests are given below and will open in a separate window.
Key points from this module:
- The mechanical energy equations include head loss which accounts for friction in the flow.
- Major head losses consist of straight pipe while the minor losses take into account changes in the pipe, including bends and turns as well as valves, pumps, etc.
- Friction factors can be determined from the Moody chart.
- Pressure drop can be calculated using the energy equation.
- Power can be calculated by determining the pump head.
From studying this module, you should now be able to:
- Calculate the pressure drop of a pipe given its diameter and length as well as the fluid flow rate.
- Use the Moody chart to calculate friction factors.
- Calculate major and minor head loss for both laminar and turbulent flow.
- Calculate power based on the pump head term in the energy equation.
Prepared by Janet deGrazia, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder