Friction and pressure drop in a steam pipe

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SUMMARY

Friction in a steam pipe leads to pressure loss due to energy dissipation as the fluid moves through the pipe. As steam flows, friction converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, resulting in a decrease in pressure. Bernoulli's equation illustrates that higher pressure corresponds to higher energy, contradicting the notion that friction would increase pressure by slowing the fluid. Maintaining a constant mass flow rate throughout the pipe is essential for understanding these dynamics.

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Hi I am new to fluid mechanics and I wondering if anyone can explain to me in very simple terms why friction causes pressure loss when steam is moving through a pipe? I thought the friction would slow down the fluid which will lead to higher pressure but it seems its the opposite. I was trying to use Bernoulli's equation to see if I could figure it out but I couldn't.
Thanks very much
 
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Welcome to PF!

The fluid loses energy to friction. Higher pressure would mean the fluid has more energy, not less. Also, if it were to slow down, it would accumulate. It has to have the same mass flow rate everywhere in the pipe (if it is a constant radius, of course).
 

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