Length of Pipe for Head Loss due to Friction in Viscous Flow Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ L = \frac{hL \times Dp \times 2 \times g}{4 \times \mu f \times va^2} \]

Loss of Head (hL):

Diameter of Pipe (Dp):

Coefficient of Friction (μf):

Average Velocity (va):

m/s

Length of Pipe (L):

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1. What is the Length of Pipe Formula?

The formula calculates the length of pipe required for a given head loss due to friction in viscous flow. It's derived from the Darcy-Weisbach equation and considers factors such as pipe diameter, friction coefficient, and flow velocity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ L = \frac{hL \times Dp \times 2 \times g}{4 \times \mu f \times va^2} \]

Where:

\( L \) — Length of Pipe (m)
\( hL \) — Loss of Head (m)
\( Dp \) — Diameter of Pipe (m)
\( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s²)
\( \mu f \) — Coefficient of Friction
\( va \) — Average Velocity (m/s)

Explanation: The formula calculates the pipe length required to achieve a specific head loss considering the fluid properties and flow characteristics.

3. Importance of Pipe Length Calculation

Details: Accurate pipe length calculation is crucial for designing efficient piping systems, optimizing energy consumption, and ensuring proper fluid transport in various engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter loss of head in meters, pipe diameter in meters, coefficient of friction, and average velocity in m/s. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is head loss in pipe flow?
A: Head loss refers to the reduction in total head of the fluid as it moves through a pipe due to friction and other resistances.

Q2: How does pipe diameter affect head loss?
A: Larger diameter pipes generally result in lower head loss for the same flow rate, as the fluid experiences less friction per unit length.

Q3: What factors influence the coefficient of friction?
A: The coefficient of friction depends on pipe material, surface roughness, Reynolds number, and flow regime (laminar or turbulent).

Q4: When is this formula most accurate?
A: This formula is most accurate for fully developed turbulent flow in circular pipes with constant cross-section.

Q5: Can this formula be used for non-circular pipes?
A: For non-circular pipes, the hydraulic diameter should be used instead of the pipe diameter in the calculation.