Calculating Head Loss in a Mitre Bend Air Passage for Beginners

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the total head loss in a Mitre Bend air passageway, specifically for a ductile iron knuckle with two 90-degree sharp bends. The user seeks guidance on determining k-values for the bends and turbulent friction factors, given the dimensions of the passage (10 mm diameter before the bend, 9.5 mm after) and an initial air flow rate of 0.3 cfs. The user emphasizes the need for specific charts or calculations tailored to their unique geometry and material, as general resources have proven inadequate for their application.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles
  • Familiarity with head loss calculations in fluid systems
  • Knowledge of k-values for pipe fittings
  • Experience with turbulent flow and friction factor determination
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "k-values for Mitre Bends in ductile iron" to find specific coefficients
  • Learn about "Darcy-Weisbach equation for head loss" to apply in calculations
  • Explore "fluid flow charts for non-standard geometries" to find relevant data
  • Study "turbulent flow friction factors" for accurate head loss assessments
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, fluid mechanics students, and professionals involved in designing air passage systems or optimizing fluid flow in ductile iron applications.

Trigger32
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I am trying to find the total head loss of an air passageway system but I have not taken a fluids class. I have been trying to teach myself the equations and principles but it tends to be very confusing without guidance. So here is my question:

I have a wheel-end knuckle with an air passage put through it. The passage is not a pipe but a diameter cut into the actual material (ductile iron). The passage takes two 90 degree sharp bends and then exits the knuckle. Now i am fairly certain that I understand how to calculate a straight line head drop with no bends. My confusion is coming from finding specific k-values for these pipe bends and also completely turbulent friction factors.

If someone could show me a calculation and also explain what they are doing for one bend, I think that I could solve the rest of the problem.

Here are some details of my passage:
Diameter before bend - 10 mm
Diameter after bend - 9.5 mm
Degree of bend - 90
Material Type - Ductile Iron
Initial air flow rate- 0.3 cfs

P.S. I believe this would be considered a Mitre Bend because it as a sharp angle (not sure though)
 
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Dear Trigger32 the best way to learn is to teach yourself through Easy-learning documents and it is for your best if you print the documents and not read them online, I will give you this link that will help you in fluid mechanics and solving your problem.
http://www.firavia.com/mecheng.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I appreciate your sharing this knowledge site with me, but I do not think this is helping me. I've already read through many of these short guides and for some reason I can't find what I am looking for. My problem stems from the fact that none of the charts that I can find have the specific materials and geometries of my passageways. I would like to make as little assumption as possible because this is for a real application.

My specific problem I think (unless I'm going about this the wrong way) is I can not find values for my mitered bend size. Here are the dimensions again and some added data, if anyone can just walk me through an example or post a chart, I would really appreciate it.

Dia. before bend = 10 mm
Dia. after bend = 9.5 mm
Geometry - Circular cross section
Matl. = Ductile Iron
Initial air velocity entering bend = 361.63 ft/s

Head loss per this fitting = ?
 
can you please give a drawing?
 

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