Engineering ToolBox - Resources, Tools and Basic Information for Engineering and Design of Technical Applications!

This is an AMP page - Open full page! for all features.

Pipe and Duct Systems - Total Head Loss

Major and minor loss in pipes, tubes and duct systems.

Sponsored Links

The head loss of a pipe, tube or duct system, is the same as that produced in a straight pipe or duct whose length is equal to the pipes of the original systems plus the sum of the equivalent lengths of all the components in the system. This can be expressed as

hloss = Σ hmajor_losses + Σ hminor_losses                                           (1)

where

hloss = total head loss in the pipe or duct system

hmajor_losses = major loss due to friction in the pipe or duct system

hminor_losses = minor loss due to the components in the system

  • Major Head Loss - head loss or pressure loss - due to friction in pipes and ducts.
  • Minor Head Loss - head loss or pressure loss - due to components as valves, bends, tees and the like in the pipe or duct system.

Summarized Major Losses

The major head loss for a single pipe or duct can be expressed as:

hmajor_loss = λ (l / dh) (v2 / 2 g)                                            (2)

where

hloss = head loss (m, ft)

λ = Darcy-Weisbach friction coefficient

l = length of duct or pipe (m)

dh = hydraulic diameter (m)

v = flow velocity (m/s, ft/s)

g = acceleration of gravity (m/s2, ft/s2)

Note! - the head unit is with reference to the density of the flowing fluid. For other units - like mm Water Column - check Velocity Pressure Head.

Summarized Minor Losses

Minor head loss can be expressed as:

hminor_loss = ξ v2/ 2 g                                            (3)

where

ξ = minor loss coefficient

Since the velocity - v - in equation (2) in general is related to the pipe or duct where the component is located, the sum of the minor losses in a pipe or duct can be expressed as:

Σ hminor_losses = Σ ξ (v2/ 2 g)                                         (4)

The minor loss can be calculated by summarizing the minor loss coefficients - and multiplying the sum with the dynamic pressure head.

Total Head Loss in a Single Pipe or Duct

The total head loss for a single pipe can be calculated by using equation (1) and (3):

hloss_single = λ (l / dh) (v2 / 2 g) + Σ ξ v2/ 2 g                                      (5)

or

hloss_single = (λ (l / dh) + Σ ξ ) (v2/ 2 g)                                          (6)

Total Head Loss in Serial Connected Pipes

The total head loss in several serial connected pipes can be calculated by adding the total head loss in each pipe or duct. The total head loss can be expressed as:

hloss_serial = Σ [(λ1 (l1 / dh1) + Σ ξ1) (v12/ 2 g) + .. + λn (ln / dhn) + Σ ξn) (vn2/ 2 g)]                                     (7)

for 1 to n serial connected pipes

Sponsored Links

Related Topics

Related Documents

Sponsored Links

Share

Search Engineering ToolBox

  • the most efficient way to navigate the Engineering ToolBox!

SketchUp Extension - Online 3D modeling!

Add standard and customized parametric components - like flange beams, lumbers, piping, stairs and more - to your Sketchup model with the Engineering ToolBox - SketchUp Extension - enabled for use with the amazing, fun and free SketchUp Make and SketchUp Pro . Add the Engineering ToolBox extension to your SketchUp from the Sketchup Extension Warehouse!

Privacy

We don't collect information from our users. Only emails and answers are saved in our archive. Cookies are only used in the browser to improve user experience.

Some of our calculators and applications let you save application data to your local computer. These applications will - due to browser restrictions - send data between your browser and our server. We don't save this data.

Google use cookies for serving our ads and handling visitor statistics. Please read Google Privacy & Terms for more information about how you can control adserving and the information collected.

AddThis use cookies for handling links to social media. Please read AddThis Privacy for more information.

Topics

Unit Converters

Temperature

oC
oF


Load Calculator!

Length

m
km
in
ft
yards
miles
naut miles


Load Calculator!

Area

m2
km2
in2
ft2
miles2
acres


Load Calculator!

Volume

m3
liters
in3
ft3
us gal


Load Calculator!

Weight

kgf
N
lbf


Load Calculator!

Velocity

m/s
km/h
ft/min
ft/s
mph
knots


Load Calculator!

Pressure

Pa (N/m2)
bar
mm H2O
kg/cm2
psi
inches H2O


Load Calculator!

Flow

m3/s
m3/h
US gpm
cfm


Load Calculator!

3 30

This website use cookies. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies! Learn more