18/03/2019 Fluid Properties and Head Loss - Engineered Software Knowledge Base - Global Site

Fluid Properties and Head Loss

Created by Product Engineer, last modified by Jeff Sines on Oct 04, 2014

How Fluid Properties Influence Head Loss in a Piping System

There are two key fluid properties that influence the head loss in pipe: the fluid's density and viscosity, and these
properties vary with temperature in such a way that they have competing influences on the head loss. To evaluate these
competing influences, we need to begin with some fundamental equations and graphs and to analyze just fluid
properties, we'll use water as an example to solidify the underlining principle and keep the flow rate, pipe roughness, pipe
length, and pipe size constant.
There are several equations used to calculate the head loss in a pipe. The Reynolds Number must first be calculated,
then the friction factor, and then the Darcy head loss equation can be used to determine the head loss. The Hazen-
Williams head loss equation used in some industries is not considered in this article because it is used just for water close
to 60° F, but the principles discussed will still apply.

Calculating the Reynolds Number:

The first equation to review is the Reynolds Number equation. This equation is show below.

Qρ
R e = 50.6
dμ

Looking at this equation one can note the density (ρ) is in the numerator and the viscosity (μ) is in the denominator.

Determining the Friction Factor:

The equation to calculate the friction factor is complex, so the Moody diagram is used to show how the friction factor
varies with the Reynolds Number. A Moody diagram is show below.

In the transition zone for a given relative roughness, the higher the Reynolds number results in a lower the friction factor.
Conversely, the lower the Reynolds Number results in the higher the friction factor.
Pages / … / General Theory and Equations
Calculating the Head Loss:
kb.eng-software.com/display/ESKB/Fluid+Properties+and+Head+Loss 1/5
18/03/2019 Fluid Properties and Head Loss - Engineered Software Knowledge Base - Global Site

Following is the Darcy head loss equation. It is important to note the friction factor (f) is in the numerator.

2
f LQ
h L = 0.0311
5
d

Evaluating the Equations and Graphs:

How the calculated value changes for an equation depends on whether a variable is in the numerator or denominator. If
a variable in the numerator increases, the overall calculated value increases and if the variable in the numerator
decreases, the overall calculated value decreases.

If the variable in the denominator increases, the overall calculated value decreases and if the value in the denominator
decreases, the overall calculated value increases. Using this relationship, the Reynolds Number equation would have the
following correlation for all possible changes of the fluid properties.

For the Moody diagram, the following correlation applies.

Pages / … / General Theory and Equations

kb.eng-software.com/display/ESKB/Fluid+Properties+and+Head+Loss 2/5
18/03/2019 Fluid Properties and Head Loss - Engineered Software Knowledge Base - Global Site

Pages / … / General Theory and Equations

kb.eng-software.com/display/ESKB/Fluid+Properties+and+Head+Loss 3/5
18/03/2019 Fluid Properties and Head Loss - Engineered Software Knowledge Base - Global Site

For the Darcy head loss equation, the following correlation applies:

With these correlations in mind, the best way to understand the numerator-denominator increase-decrease relationship is
by looking at how both properties change for a real fluid with an example. For this analysis, water will be used as the fluid
and the overriding external condition to cause density and viscosity to change will be a temperature variation. Fluid
temperature variation is very common in piping systems. From chilled water application in the HVAC industry to process
water application in the chemical process industry, water temperature is always changing.
The temperature verses density relationship for water can be seen in the following graph.

This graph shows water density decreasing as the temperature goes from 33 °F to 210 °F.
Next, the temperature verses viscosity relationship is shown below.

Pages / … / General Theory and Equations

kb.eng-software.com/display/ESKB/Fluid+Properties+and+Head+Loss 4/5
18/03/2019 Fluid Properties and Head Loss - Engineered Software Knowledge Base - Global Site

This graph shows the water viscosity decreasing as the temperature goes from 33 °F to 210 °F.
Note the change in the magnitude of the density (62.42 to 59.75) is only a 4.28 % over the temperature range. Whereas
the change in the magnitude of the viscosity (1.633 to .2736) is 83.25% over the same temperature range. Both density
and viscosity decrease with an increase in temperature, which means they have competing influences on the head loss.
To determine which has the dominant influence, the head loss must be calculated for a given change in temperature (and
corresponding changes in density and viscosity).
Following is a table showing the water fluid properties at two different temperatures and the calculated results for the
Reynolds Number, friction factor, and head loss.

Looking at the above table, as the temperature increases, the density and viscosity decrease and the overall head loss
decreases. This demonstrates that viscosity has the dominant influence on the head loss for water.
One should be cautious about making this assumption for all fluids, however. This analysis should be done for the
particular fluid that is being used because the fluid properties may change differently for different fluids (particularly
gases).
It is necessary to have good understanding of the density-numerator and viscosity-denominator relationship in the
Reynolds Number equation, including how a change in the Reynolds Number moves the friction factor value on the
Moody Diagram either to the left or right. Once the friction factor is determined, then a direct relationship between friction
factor and the head loss value can be observed. This is important for accurately balancing the fluid piping system.
This is just one topic covered in the Piping System Fundamentals book and class. For more information on the Piping
System Fundamentals book go to: www.eng-software.com/products/books/psfbook.aspx .

For more information on the Piping System Fundamentals two day training course go to: www.eng-
software.com/products/PSTraining/PSF/default.aspx .

kb.eng-software.com/display/ESKB/Fluid+Properties+and+Head+Loss 5/5