PIPE FLOWS - LOCAL (MINOR) HEAD LOSSES: examples
A pipe fitting that presents a quite large loss coefficient with no change in
cross-sectional area is the pipe bend, or the elbow. This loss derives primarily
from the secondary flow caused by the fluid flowing from the high-pressure
region to the low-pressure region (can you explain why there is this pressure
difference?), as shown in Figure
this secondary flow is eventually dissipated after the fluid leaves the long
sweep bend or elbow. In addition, a separated region occurs at the sharp
corner in a standard elbow. Energy is needed to maintain a secondary flow and
the flow in the separated region. This wasted energy is measured in terms of
the loss coefficient. KEY POINT
, PIPE FLOWS - LOCAL (MINOR) HEAD LOSSES: examples
The table below reported the head loss coefficient for different
fittings/geometries
A pipe fitting that presents a quite large loss coefficient with no change in
cross-sectional area is the pipe bend, or the elbow. This loss derives primarily
from the secondary flow caused by the fluid flowing from the high-pressure
region to the low-pressure region (can you explain why there is this pressure
difference?), as shown in Figure
this secondary flow is eventually dissipated after the fluid leaves the long
sweep bend or elbow. In addition, a separated region occurs at the sharp
corner in a standard elbow. Energy is needed to maintain a secondary flow and
the flow in the separated region. This wasted energy is measured in terms of
the loss coefficient. KEY POINT
, PIPE FLOWS - LOCAL (MINOR) HEAD LOSSES: examples
The table below reported the head loss coefficient for different
fittings/geometries
