27. Pipe Flow (Contd.)
The chapter discusses the dimensional analysis of pipe flow, focusing on major and minor losses due to roughness and pipe components. It introduces the Darcy-Weisbach equation as a crucial tool for calculating head loss in turbulent flow and explores the importance of determining the friction factor as a function of Reynolds number and roughness. Several illustrative problems demonstrate the application of these concepts in real-world scenarios, emphasizing the importance of empirical formulas and ensuring systems operate efficiently.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Major losses in pipe flow are primarily due to viscous flow, while minor losses occur at junctions and bends.
- The Darcy-Weisbach equation relates pressure drop to friction factor, pipe length, and other parameters.
- The friction factor, 'f', is a function of Reynolds number and relative roughness, which necessitates careful measurement or estimation in engineering applications.
Key Concepts
- -- Major Losses
- Energy losses in pipes due to viscous flow, primarily associated with the length and roughness of the pipe.
- -- Minor Losses
- Energy losses that occur at fittings, turns, and variations in the pipe system.
- -- DarcyWeisbach equation
- An equation used to calculate the head loss due to friction in a pipe, defined as hL = f * (L/D) * (V^2/(2g)).
- -- Friction Factor (f)
- A dimensionless quantity used in the Darcy-Weisbach equation that accounts for the effects of flow conditions and pipe roughness in calculating head loss.
- -- Reynolds Number
- A dimensionless number that characterizes the flow regime in fluid mechanics, determining whether the flow is laminar or turbulent.
- -- Relative Roughness
- The ratio of the roughness height of a pipe to its diameter, which influences the friction factor in fluid flow.
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