Hydraulic mean diameter

(turbulent flow in noncircular cross-section)

d
a
d
b
d
m
= 4 X (cross sectional area)/ (wetted perimeter)
Example: Calculation of dm

for a rectangular duct

d
m
= 4 X d
a
.d
b
/ 2(d
a
+d
b
)
Example: Calculation of dm for annular region
d
m
= 4 X (r
2
ri
2
)/2 (r + ri) = 2 (r - ri)
r
i
r
Miscellaneous friction losses
(sudden enlargement, contraction, and various pipe fittings)
1 2
P
1
P
2
P
1
2 C
vena
contracta
P
2
Sudden Enlargement
Sudden Contraction
Pipe fittings
Gate valve
Globe valve
Needle valve
Friction losses in pipe fittings
Fitting No. of Pipe dia. No. of u
2
/2g heads
45
0
elbow 15 0.3
90
0
std. radius elbow 30 40 0.6 0.8
90
0
square elbow 60 1.2
Entry from leg of a T 60 1.2
Entry into leg of a T 90 1.8
Unions & Couplings Very small Very small
Globe valve (full open) 60 300 1.2 6.0
Gate valve (full open) 7 0.15
Gate valve (3/4 open) 40 1
Gate valve (1/2 open) 200 4
Gate valve (1/4 open) 800 16