PRESSURE DROP NOTES

1. Pabs = Pgauge + Patm

2. Pressure drop occurs due to frictional forces that resist flow.

3. Pressure drop needs to be calculated to meet the requirements with required flow through
piping and valve size selection.

4. Darcy – Weisbach Equation:

𝝆 𝑽𝟐
ΔP = fD × × ×L fD = Darcy friction factor
𝟐 𝑫
𝜌 = fluid density. Kg/m3
𝑉 = fluid velocity, m/s
D = tube/pipe diameter, m
L= Pipe/tube length, m

For LAMINAR FLOW:

𝟏𝟐𝟖 µ𝐐
ΔP = × ×L µ = Dynamic viscosity, Pa.s = kg/(m.s)
𝝅 𝑫𝟒

5. Ideal Gas Pressure:

𝒏𝑹𝑻
P= V= volume
𝑽
n= amount of substance
T = Absolute Temperature
P = Absolute Pressure
6. Equivalent length for pipe fitting/valves

Fittings: Valves:
𝐊𝐫𝐃 𝟕𝟒.𝟓𝑑 5
Le = Le =
𝒇 𝒇(𝑪𝑣)2

Kr = Resistance coefficient, dimensionless

D = Diameter of the pipe
f = moody friction factor, dimensionless
d = pipe Internal diameter, inches

ΔP = Le + L
7. Joule Thomson Effect

Joule Thomson Coefficient:

𝝏𝑻 𝑽
µ JT = (𝝏𝑷)𝑯 = 𝑪𝑷
(∝ 𝑻 − 𝟏) V= Gas volume
𝐶𝑃 = Heat capacity at constant pressure
∝ = coefficient of thermal expansion

The equation can be derived into: ΔT = µ JT (ΔP)

8. 1 bar = 14.5 psi

9.

∆𝑃
Q = Cv × √𝑃1 × 14.5 − ∆𝑃) ×
𝑆𝑔

10. GPM = Gallons Per Minute

11. GPM = Cv × √𝚫𝐏

𝑮𝑷𝑴 𝟐
12. ΔP = ( 𝐂𝐯
)