hotjohn said:
Your mathematics here is incorrect.
Hydraulic diameter and hydraulic radius are both measurements used to describe the size of a circular pipe or tube. The hydraulic diameter is calculated by dividing 4 times the cross-sectional area of the pipe by the wetted perimeter. The hydraulic radius is calculated by dividing the cross-sectional area by the wetted perimeter. Essentially, the hydraulic diameter takes into account the shape of the pipe, while the hydraulic radius assumes a perfectly circular shape.
In general, hydraulic diameter is considered to be a more accurate measurement for describing the size of a circular pipe. This is because it takes into account the actual shape of the pipe, rather than assuming a perfect circular shape. However, both measurements can be useful depending on the specific application.
Hydraulic diameter and hydraulic radius are important concepts in fluid mechanics because they are used to calculate the Reynolds number, which is a dimensionless quantity that describes the type of flow (laminar or turbulent) in a pipe. They are also used in various equations for pressure drop, flow rate, and other hydraulic calculations in piping systems.
No, hydraulic diameter and hydraulic radius cannot be used interchangeably. While they are both measurements of pipe size, they are calculated differently and can result in different values. It is important to use the correct measurement for the specific application and to understand the differences between the two.
The hydraulic diameter and hydraulic radius of a pipe can have a significant impact on the flow of fluids. In general, a smaller hydraulic diameter or radius will result in a higher velocity and a larger hydraulic diameter or radius will result in a lower velocity. This can also affect the pressure drop and overall efficiency of a fluid system.
