Head Losses in Industrial Piping Systems
Head Losses in Industrial Piping Systems
Classification of Losses
• There are two main classifications of head losses in the piping line. These are the:
1. Major head losses are head losses due to fluid friction because viscosity and or head
losses due to friction because of pipe roughness.
2. Minor Losses are head losses or turbulence Losses due to pipe fittings and valves.
b. Exit loss – flow of fluid from pipe to tank, head loss because velocity is being
destroyed.
Figure 2. Exit Loss
e. Bends (elbows), fittings and valves is head loss due to the change in magnitude
and direction of velocity.
Figure 5. Elbow & Valves
f. Gradual Expansion and gradual contraction are head loss due to gradual
increase or gradual decrease of fluid velocity.
Figure 6. Gradual Expansion & Contraction
g. A nozzle at the end is head loss due to the very high velocity at the nozzle outlet.
Figure 7. Nozzle at the End
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Darcy-Weisbach Equation
a. Darcy-Weisbach equation for circular pipe
𝐋 𝐕𝟐
𝐡𝐟 = 𝐟
𝐃 𝟐𝐠
b. For non-circular pipe
𝐋 𝐕𝟐
𝐡𝐟 = 𝐟
𝟒𝐑 𝐦 𝟐𝐠
Blasius Equation,
0.316
f= → R e < 105
(R e )0.25
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ε
𝑓 = ϕ (R e , )
D
ε
e = D = relative roughness
𝜀 = Absolute roughness of a pipe material, m.
o Relative roughness is a better indicator of pipe roughness
o Darcy friction factor is one of the parameters used to calculate friction loss
o Absolute roughness or specific roughness is a parameter that measures the
average size of imperfection inside the pipe.
Important Notes:
1. Values of friction factor, f, may be obtained by the use of Moody’s Chart, from the
following references:
a. Page 105, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd Edition, By Stoecker & Jones.
b. Pages 61-62, Power Plant Theory and Design, 2nd Edition by Potter.
c. Page 12, Centrifugal Pumps and Blowers. By: Church.
d. Page 119, Mechanical Engineering Tables & Charts, 5th Edition. By MRII
3. Friction Factor, f, may also be determined using Moody’s Equation, for turbulent flow.
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1
ε 106 3
f = 0.0055 [1 + (20 000 + ) ]
D Re
5. Equivalent length of valves and fittings. Equivalent lengths of valves and fittings are
obtained using Crane Chart, formulated by Dean, and charted by the Crane Co., from
the following references:
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a. Fig. 2-21, p70, Power Plant Theory and Design, 2nd Edition. By Potter.
b. Figure 14-23, p607, Power Plant Engineering, By Morse (Metric Unit)
c. Chart, p113 (S.I.), Mechanical Engineering Tables and Charts, 5th Edition. By MRII.
d. Chart, p91 (English Units), Mech. Engineering Tables & Charts, 3rd Edition. By MRII
e. Table, p112, Mech. Engineering Tables & Charts, 5th Edition. By MRII.
3. Sudden enlargement,
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𝐕𝟐 𝟐 − 𝐕𝟏 𝟐
𝐡𝐋 = 𝐤 ( )
𝟐𝐠
Where, k ≈ 1
V1 = velocity at upstream, m/s
V2 = downstream velocity, m/s
4. Gradual Enlargement,
𝐕𝟐 𝟐 − 𝐕𝟏 𝟐
𝐡𝐋 = 𝐤 ( )
𝟐𝐠
5. Sudden Contraction,
𝐕𝟐 𝟐
𝐡𝐋 = 𝐤 ( )
𝟐𝐠
6. Gradual Contraction,
𝐕𝟐 𝟐
𝐡𝐋 = 𝐤 ( )
𝟐𝐠
Where, k = depends on the cone angle ∝. ≈ 0.10 to 0.04
𝐋 𝐕𝟐 𝐕𝟐 𝐋𝐓 𝐕 𝟐
𝐡𝐟 = 𝐡𝐟 + 𝐡𝐭 = 𝐟 +𝐤 = 𝐟( )
𝐃 𝟐𝐠 𝟐𝐠 𝐃 𝟐𝐠
SAMPLE PROBLES:
#1. A pump delivering 230 lps of water whose absolute viscosity is 0.0114 poise has 300 mm
diameter suction pipe 254 mm discharge pipe as shown in the figure below. The suction pipe
is 3.5 m long and the discharge pipe is 23 m long. The water is delivered 16 m above the
intake water level. Considering the head losses in fittings and valves, find a) a head which
the pump must supply. b) If the motor brake power of the driving motor is 75 kW, what is the
efficiency of the pump? Assume pipe material as cast iron.
Given: A pumping installation shown
Q = 230 lps
BP = 75 kW
Ds = 300 mm
Dd = 254 mm
µ = 0.0114 Poise = 0.00114 Pa-s
Required:
a) The total dynamic head
b) The pump efficiency
Solution:
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Q 4Q 4(0.23)
V1 = = = = 3.254 m/s
A πD1 2 π(0.30)2
ε 0.00025 m
e1 = = = 0.00083
D1 0.30 m
Solving for the friction factor, f, using Moody’s Chart (p119, MRII)
Solving for the Equivalent Length of fittings & valves, using the Crane Chart (p113,
MRII)
Q 4Q 4(0.23)
V2 = = 2 = = 4.539 m/s
A2 πD2 π(0.254)2
ρD2 V2 (1000)(4.539)(0.254)
R e2 = = = 1011321 ≈ 1.01 𝑥 106
µ 0.00114
ε 0.00025 m
e2 = = = 0.00098 ≈ 0.001
D2 0.254 m
1
ε 106 3
fd = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( ) + ]
D R e2
1
0.00025 106 3
fd = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( )+ 6
] = 0.021
0.254 1.01 x 10
Solving for the Equivalent Length of valves & fittings, Using the Crane Chart
Ls V2 2 69.5 (4.539)2
hfd = fd = (0.02) ( )[ ] = 5.75 m
D2 2g 0.254 2(9.8066)
#2. What is the power of the pump required to draw 50 lps of water from reservoir A to
reservoir B, as shown below? Assume an over-all efficiency of the pump 70 % and an average
relative roughness for cast iron of 0.50 mm. The absolute viscosity of water is 0.001002 Pa-s.
Given: Pumping Installation Show
Straight Pipe 18 m 50 m
Nominal Diameter 8 inches 6 inches
Schedule Number 80 40
Pipe Material Cast Iron Cast Iron
Absolute roughness 0.50 mm 0.50 mm
Water viscosity 0.001002 Pa-s 0.001002 Pa-s
Q = 50 lps
Pump efficiency = 70 %
Required:
The pump brake power if the pump efficiency is 70 %
Solution:
▪ Consider the Suction Pipe Line
o From Pipe Table (p114, MRII), inside diameter, D1 = 193.7 mm for 8’’ nominal
diameter of suction pipe.
Then, f1 = 0.026
Checking for the value of f using Moody equation,
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1
ε 106 3
fd = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( ) + ]
D2 R e2
1
0.0005 106 3
fd = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( )+ 6
] = 0.0264
0.254 3.3 x 10
Solving for the equivalent length of fittings and valve (Using the Crane Chart)
Then, fd = 0.027
Checking for the value of f using Moody Equation,
1
ε 106 3
fd = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( ) + ]
D2 R e2
1
0.0005 106 3
fd = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( )+ ] = 0.0279
0.1541 4.1 x 105
Solving for the Equivalent length of Fittings and Valves
Using equivalent length table (p112, MRII), for 6 inches nominal diameter
Elbows (2 x 4.88) 9.76 m
Gate valve (full open) 1.07 m
Check valve 10.67 m
Then, Leq2 = 9.76 + 1.07 + 10.67 = 21.5 m
Solving for the total length of the discharge line, Ld = L2 + Leq2 = 50 + 21.5 = 71.5 m
Solving for the head loss at the discharge line,
Ld V2 2 71.5 (2.68)2
hf2 = fd = (0.027) ( )( ) = 4.59 m
D2 2g 0.1541 2(9.8066)
Solving for the Total Dynamic Head, TDH:
TDH = (zB + zA ) + HLAB = (zB + zA ) + (hf1 + hf2 )
TDH = (20 + 4.5) + (0.51 + 4.59) = 29.6 m
Solving for the pump Brake Power, BP
ρgQ(TDH) 1000(9.8066)(0.05)(29.6)
BP = = = 20.73 kW
1000ƞ 1000(0.70)
Therefore, use a 25-kW motor, if the pump is directly coupled to the motor.
PIPE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS
• If the requirement is to specify the pipe sizes, take following example.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
#1. A pump is to draw water from reservoir A to reservoir B, as shown in the figure below.
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Recommend the pipe sizes and the size of motor to be used for the following specifications:
Suction Pipe Line
Length of straight pipe: 100 m Pipe Material: Cast
Iron
Absolute roughness: 0.50 mm Schedule Number: Sch. 80
Discharge Pipe Line
Length of straight pipe: 400 m Pipe Material: Cast Iron
Absolute roughness: 0.50 mm Schedule Number: Sch. 40
Other Data:
Pump Capacity: 40 lps Pump efficiency: 78 %
Water viscosity: 0.001002 Pa-s Allowable velocity: 1.0 to
2.50 m/s
Pipe sizes D1 > D2
Specify the pipe size.
Figure:
Solution:
• Considering the Suction Pipe Line
Solving for the Pipe Inside Diameter, Try say,
4Q 4(0.040)
Vs1 = 1.25 m/s ∶ Ds1 = √ =√ = 0.2019 m = 201.9 mm
πVs1 π(1.25)
o Then, referring to the pipe table (p114, MRII), the nearest ID = 0.2027 m, with
nominal diameter of 8 inches for Sch. 80.
4Q 4(0.040)
V1 = 2 = = 1.24 m/s
πD1 π(0.2027)2
o Since, 1.0 m/s < 1.24 m/s < 2.50 m/s, the assumption is correct. Therefore, use
the following pipe specification for the suction line:
8” Nominal Diameter
Sch. 80 Cast Iron Pipe
(ID = 0.2027 m)
o If the computed velocity, V, is outside the given velocity range, try another value of
velocity, then refer to the table and check the actual velocity.
m 4Q 4(0.040)
try, Vs2 = 2.0 : Ds2 = √ = √ = 0.1596 m = 159.6 mm
s πVs2 π(2.0)
o Then, referring to pipe table (p114, MRII), the nearest Id = 0.1541 m with nominal
diameter of 6” for Sch. 40 pipe.
o If the computed value of velocity, V, is outside the given velocity range, try another
value then refer to the pipe table and check for the actual velocity.
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Ls V1 2 107.77 (1.24)2
hf1 = f1 = (0.0262) ( )[ ] = 1.09 m
D1 2g 0.2027 2(9.8066)
ρV2 D2 1000(1.145)(0.1541)
R e2 = = ≈ 3.3 x 105
µ 0.001002
1
ε 106 3
f2 = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( ) + ]
D2 R e2
1
0.0005 106 3
fd = 0.0055 + 0.0055 [20 000 ( )+ ] = 0.0279
0.1541 3.3 x 105
Ld V2 2 426.38 (1.145)2
hf2 = f2 = (0.0279) ( )[ ] = 18.11 m
D2 2g 0.1541 2(9.8066)
• Solving for the total dynamic head (TDH)
ρgQ(TDH) 1000(9.8066)(0.04)(34.7)
BP = = = 17.45 kW
1000ƞp 1000(0.78)
LECTURE WORKSHEET 4
Answer the following problems correctly. Present the solution
completely with figures. Send it in pdf format to our gclassroom.
#1. A pump is required to draw 50 lps of water (SG = 0.988) from reservoir A, with
static suction lift of 4.5 m, to reservoir B, with static discharge head of 15 m. the pipe
in the suction line is a 6” nominal diameter, sch. 40, and 80 m long. The pipe in the
discharge side is a 4” nominal diameter, schedule 40, and 150 m long. The fittings and
valves installed in the suction line are one-foot valve, one standard elbow, and one
gate valve: and in the discharge line are one check valve, one gate valve, and two
standard elbows. Assuming an absolute roughness of 0.24 mm for a cast iron pipe, and
an absolute viscosity of water of 0.01002 Poise. Neglecting the head losses in the foot
valve and at the exit in the discharge reservoir. Determine the pump brake power if
the pump efficiency is 82 %.
#2. Specify the sizes of pipes (cast Iron, schedule 40) and the size of the motor to be
used for a pump to lift water at 40 lps, from reservoir A to reservoir B.
Consider the following data:
Neglect the head losses in the foot valve an at the pipe exit in the discharge reservoir,
and do not use equal sizes of the suction and discharge pipes.