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Pressure Drop Calculation
Pressure Drop Calculation
In this calculator well known equations have been used. Here you can find all of them for your review.
First of all, pressure drop through the pipe due to friction and local losses can be calculated as follows:
where is:
Dp - pressure drop
rho - fluid density view table
Q - volumetric flow rate
D - pipe diameter
lambda - friction coefficient
L - pipe length
sum ksi - the sum of minor losses coefficient
For pressure drop calculation because of friction, viscosity of fluid has to be known. Relation between
dynamic and kinematic viscosity is as follows:
where is:
To find out if the flow is laminar or turbulent, Reynolds number must be calculated:
The boundary layer thickness (delta) can be calculated based on the Prandtl equation as:
and when the boundary layer thickness is bigger than pipe roughness and if the flow is turbulent, than
it can be considered as flow in hydraulically smooth pipe and Blasius equation is used.
Pipe diameter can be calculated when volumetric flow rate and velocity is known as:
where is:
D - pipe diameter
Q - volumetric flow rate
V - velocity
If mass flow rate is known than diameter can be calculated as:
where is:
G - mass flow rate
rho - fluid density view table
If the flowing fluid is gas than the density can be calculated if pressure, temperature and gas constant
is known as:
where is:
p - pressure
T - temperature
R - gas constant view table
It is important to say that the flow rate is depending on the pressure difference between two points.
This calculator is for the calculation if you already know the flow rate. If the flow rate is to be
calculated also, than you should use pressure drop calculator.
It is well known that for the completely turbulent flow relationship between fluid flow rate and
pressure drop follows the power low. Flow coefficient is the proportional constant between
pressure drop and flow rate and it is determined experimentally by valve manufactures. It is
expressed as the flow rate of water in gpm u.s. (m3/h) for a pressure drop of 1 psi (1 bar) across
a flow passage.
note: (flow coefficient: Cv-imperial, Kv-metric)
For correct control valve sizing it is important to calculate flow coefficient using this calculator.
When flow coefficient is calculated for required flow rate and known pressure drop, selection of
proper control valve can be done by selecting control valve with first bigger flow coefficient.
Also using this calculator you can calculate maximum flow rate through control valve for given
pressure drop and known flow coefficient or valve size.
This version of calculator can be used for turbulent flow of water or other incompressible fluid, as
viscosity and expansion effect is not included. It means that for steam and gas control valve you
will need to use other calculation methods. Also, possible flashing and cavitation may reduce the
control valve capacity, as it is not treated in this version calculator.
Read about used theory for control valve sizing calculation
Control valve sizing is based on the calculation of flow coefficient for given pressure drop and fluid flow
rate. Main equation that gives relation between flow rate and pressure drop is:
Flow coefficient is defined as the proportional constant between pressure drop and flow rate and it is
determined experimentally by valve manufactures. It is expressed as the flow rate of water in gpm u.s.
(m3/h) for a pressure drop of 1 psi (1 bar) across a flow passage.
note: (flow coefficient: Cv-imperial, Kv-metric)
Relation between volumetric and mass flow rate is calculated using well known equation:
Also, velocity or pipe diameter can be calculated using following equations:
Based on the energy conservation low, Venturi tube is one of the easiest to use, not expensive and
very accurate instrument for flow rate measuring of water, air, gas or any other fluid in pipe
systems.
Measure pressure drop from the inlet to the throat and calculate flow rate using this free
calculator.
Flow through Venturi tube calculator can be used for both liquids and gases. Fluid is considered
as incompressible, so density (rho) and temperature (T) are constant through tube. Also, gas is
considered as ideal.
Read about used theory in flow through Venturi tube calculation
Calculation of flow through the Venturi tube is for incompressible flow, based on the Bernoulli
principle:
where is:
p - pressure
rho - density view table
V - velocity
g - gravitational constant (9.81 m/s2)
z - geodetic height
Assumption that pressure lost is negligible:
and:
where is:
Q - volumetric flow rate
D - diameter
Pressure drop through the Venturi tube because of velocity increase can be calculated as follows:
or:
Substituting:
where C is coefficient of discharge. The above equation is main one used for flow calculation in
calculator.
Other values are calculated using following equations:
mass flow:
velocities:
If the calculator is used for gas flow, then gas is considered as incompressible and ideal. Equation for
ideal gas:
Orifice plate is used for flow rate measuring in pipe systems. With orifice plate, pressure drop is
created. Based on the value of pressure drop, flow rate can be calculated. This instrument is very
practical for large tube diameters and for dirty fluid when turbines are not applicable.
Measure pressure drop from position 1 to position 2 and calculate flow rate and more with this
easy to use calculator
Orifice plate calculator can be used for both liquids and gases. Fluid is considered as
incompressible, so density (rho) and temperature (T) are constant through tube. Also, gas is
considered as ideal.
Read about used theory for flow through orifice calculation.
Calculation of flow rate using orifice plate calculator is for incompressible flow, based on the
Bernoulli principle:
where is:
p - pressure
rho - density view table
V - velocity
g - gravitational constant (9.81 m/s2)
z - geodetic height
Assumption that pressure lost is negligible (pressure drop is obvious and included with coefficient of
discharge which is introduced bellow):
and:
or:
Substituting:
where is:
C - coefficient of discharge
e - expansion coefficient
Coefficient of discharge can be calculated using following equation (ISO):
where is:
beta - diameter relation D2/D1
ReD - Reynolds number which can be calculated as follows:
where is:
ni - kinematic viscosity view table
mi - dynamic viscosity view table
L1 and L2 are functions on tap type and it is:
L1=L2=0 for corner taps
L1=1 L2=0.47 for D & D/2 taps
L1=L2=0.0254/D D[m] for 1" taps
Expansion coefficient e can be calculated (for gases only):
where is:
kappa - isentropic coefficient; kappa = 1.4 for air and other two atom gas molecules view table
Other values are calculated using following equations:
mass flow:
velocities:
If flowing fluid is gas, then it is considered as incompressible and ideal. Equation for ideal gas:
-50
50
100
150
200
300
400
1 bar
1.563
1.275
1.078
50 bar
83.794
36.18
29.8
25.37
100 bar
70.92
58.37
49.71
200 bar
340.34
253.7
205.4
174.3 152.2
135.6
111.8
95.41
300 bar
449.3
350.8
288.6
246.7 216.4
193.4
160.3
137.4
1 bar
1.007
1.006
1.008
1.012 1.018
1.026
1.046
1.69
50 bar
1.212
1.112
1.085
1.075 1.055
1.049
1.061
1.08
100 bar
1.43
1.216
1.133
1.096 1.078
1.072
1.075
1.09
200 bar
1.623
1.361
1.229
1.161 1.126
1.108
1.099
1.107
300 bar
1.604
1.409
1.282
1.204 1.16
1.135
1.117
1.12
1 bar
14.65
17.2
19.61
21.82 23.92
25.85
29.47
32.76
50 bar
16.7
19.42
20.57
22.59 24.4
26.4
29.9
33.1
100 bar
18.3
20.2
21.7
23.4
25.1
26.9
30.4
33.5
200 bar
22.8
23.6
24.4
25.6
26.8
28.5
31.5
34.7
300 bar
28.7
27.8
27.5
28.1
28.8
30.1
33.1
36.1
GAS
Gas
density
Molar
weight
Gas
constant
rho
M*103
Cp
[kg/m3]
[kg/mol]
[J/kg*K]
Cv
Dynamic viscosity
kapa=Cp/Cv mi*106
Acethylene
C2H2
1.171
26.04
319.6
1683
1352
1.25
9.35
Ammonia
NH3
0.771
17.03
488.3
2219
1680
1.37
9.18
Argon
Ar
1.782
39.94
208.5
532
322
1.65
20.9
Nitrogen
N2
1.251
28.02
296.7
1047
746
1.4
17
Nitrogen Oxide
NO
1.34
30.01
277.1
975
696
1.38
17.8
Butane
C4H10
2.673
58.12
143.2
1917
1733
1.108
8.1
i-Butane
C4H10
2.668
58.12
143.2
1632
7.47
Ethane
C2H6
1.357
30.06
276.7
1729
1445
1.2
8.5
Ethylene
C2H4
1.261
28.05
296.6
1528
1222
1.25
9.85
Ethyl Ether
C4H10O -
74.12
112.2
2302
286
Ethyl Chloride
C2H5Cl -
64.5
129
1340
9.4
Helium
He
0.178
4.002
2079
5274
3181
1.66
18.8
Chlor
Cl2
3.217
70.91
117.3
481
355
1.36
12
Hydrogen
Chloride
HCl
1.639
36.47
228
812
583
1.4
Oxygen
O2
1.429
32
259.9
913
653
1.4
20.3
Krypton
Kr
3.708
83.7
100.3
251
151
1.67
23.2
Xenon
Xe
5.851
131.3
63.84
159
96.3
1.7
21
Methane
CH4
0.717
16.03
518.8
2225
1700
1.31
10.3
Methyl Chloride
CH3Cl
2.308
50.48
164.8
741
582
1.28
9.89
Neon
Ne
0.9002
20.18
411.7
1038
620
1.68
29.7
Ozone
O3
2.22
48
173.4
1.29
Pentane
C5H12
72.1
115.2
1717
1575
1.09
8.74
Propane
C3H8
2.02
44.06
188.8
1863
1650
1.13
7.95
Propene
C3H6
1.914
42.05
198.8
1635
1437
1.17
8.35
Sulphur Dioxide
SO2
2.927
64.06
129.8
633
503
1.25
11.7
Sulphur
Hydrogen
H2S
1.539
34.09
244.2
1059
804
1.3
11.66
Carbon Dioxide
CO2
1.976
44.01
189
837
653
1.3
13.7
Carbon Monoxide CO
1.25
28.01
297
1047
754
1.4
16.6
Air
1.293
28.95
287
1010
720
1.4
17.3
0.08985
2.016
4125
14266
10130
1.407
8.42
Hydrogen
H2
This table gives values of some physical properties in relation to the temperature of gases.
GAS
Nitrogen
Argon
N2
Ar
t [OC]
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
cp [kJ/kgK]
1.039
1.042
1.052
1.069
1.091
1.115
1.139
1.161 1.181
mi*106 [Pas]
16.6
20.8
24.6
28
31.1
33.9
36.6
39
41.3
31.52
38.5
44.89
50.71
55.82
60.36
64.2
67.45
cp [kJ/kgK]
0.522
0.521
0.521
0.521
0.521
0.52
0.52
0.52
0.52
mi*106 [Pas]
21.2
27.1
32.1
36.7
41
45.22
48.7
21.17
25.59
29.89
33.96
37.91
39.43
1.591
2.026
2.453
2.813
3.127
3.403
3.642
6.84
9.26
11.67
14.03
16.38
18.74
21.09
23.5
36.52
51.87
29.78
90.25
113
cp [kJ/kgK]
1.647
2.067
2.49
2.87
3.214
3.519
3.787
mi*106 [Pas]
8.55
11.5
14.1
16.4
19
21.4
23.8
lambda*103 [W/mK] 18
31.7
47.7
65.9
cp [kJ/kgK]
1.406
1.737
2.064
2.394
2.721
3.052
3.382
3.709 4.039
mi*10 [Pas]
9.6
12.7
15.6
18.2
20.6
22.8
24.9
26.8
C4H10 cp [kJ/kgK]
mi*106 [Pas]
Ethane
Ethylene
C2H6
C2H4
800
4.022 4.216
28.7
Helium
He
Oxygen
O2
Methane
CH4
29.54
44.19
59.43
75.71
92.34
cp [kJ/kgK]
5.204
5.204
5.204
5.204
5.204
5.204
5.204
mi*106 [Pas]
18.74
22.96
26.98
30.8
34.33
37.57
40.32
179.1
212.8
244.2
275.6
304.7
332.6
cp [kJ/kgK]
0.915
0.934
0.963
0.995
1.024
1.048
1.069
1.086 1.1
mi*106 [Pas]
19.2
24.4
29
33.1
26.9
40.3
43.5
46.5
49.3
32.91
40.7
48.03
55.01
61.52
67.45
72.8
77.69
cp [kJ/kgK]
2.165
2.448
2.807
3.175
3.529
3.856
4.153
4.421 4.659
mi*10 [Pas]
10.4
13.3
16.1
18.5
20.8
22.7
24.6
26.5
41.29
51.87
62.34
72.22
81.88
91.3
100.5 109.3
cp [kJ/kgK]
1.549
2.017
2.458
2.834
3.161
3.449
3.697
3.916 4.093
7.5
10.06
12.48
14.75
17.15
19.4
21.8
lambda*10 [W/mK] 15
27.4
41.7
57.9
76
95.8
cp [kJ/kgK]
1.426
1.8
2.16
2.476
2.753
2.991
3.2
3.388 3.54
mi*10 [Pas]
7.84
10.73
13.4
15.92
lambda*103 [W/mK] 14
25.6
38.9
53.7
cp [kJ/kgK]
0.607
0.662
0.712
0.754
0.783
0.808
0.825
0.837 0.85
mi*106 [Pas]
12.1
16.1
20
23.8
27.5
31.3
35
38.6
12.33
16.63
21.17
25.82
30.7
35.82
41.05 46.29
cp [kJ/kgK]
0.815
0.914
0.993
1.057
1.11
1.155
1.192
1.223 1.249
mi*106 [Pas]
13.8
18.4
22.6
26.4
29.9
33.2
36.2
38.1
22.79
30.94
39.08
47.22
54.89
62.1
68.85 75.13
cp [kJ/kgK]
1.104
1.045
1.058
1.08
1.106
1.132
1.157
1.179 1.999
mi*106 [Pas]
16.6
20.9
24.6
27.8
39
33.8
36.3
38.7
30.12
36.52
42.57
48.5
54.08
59.66
65.01 70.13
Propane
C3H8
mi*106 [Pas]
3
Propene
C3H6
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon dioxide
SO2
CO2
Carbon monoxide CO
H2
5.204 5.204
28.2
42.1
41.8
41
cp [kJ/kgK]
mi*106 [Pas]
8.4
t - temperature
cp - specific heat
mi - dynamic viscosity
10.3
12.1
13.9
15.4
16.9
18.3
19.6
21
216.3
258.2
300.1
341.9
383.8
452.7
467.5 509.4