Pressure Drop Across a Change in Diameter

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the pressure drop across an abrupt change in pipe diameter for water, the relevant formulas are ΔH = (V1 - V2)² / (2g) and ΔP = ρgΔH, where ρ is the fluid density. The discussion clarifies that ΔH represents a pressure drop expressed as a length, not necessarily related to height changes. It is noted that in a horizontal system, potential energy changes can be ignored, simplifying the calculations. The conversation also references the Bernoulli equation to further explain the principles involved. Understanding these concepts is essential for accurately determining pressure drops in fluid dynamics.
nlis12
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Greetings,

I have very little experience with fluid dynamics and I was wondering how I can calculate a pressure drop across an abrupt change in diameter of the piping used for water.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!
 
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I looked my notes on fluid dynamics by my professor and I found this formula

##ΔH = \frac {(V_1-V_2)^2} {2g}##

Then ##ΔP = \rho g ΔH## where ##\rho## is the density of the fluid.

I'm sorry that I can't give you any reference, but my notes are in italian... and I don't know the name of this formula in english! :(
 
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dRic2 said:
I looked my notes on fluid dynamics by my professor and I found this formula

##ΔH = \frac {(V_1-V_2)^2} {2g}##

Then ##ΔP = \rho g ΔH## where ##\rho## is the density of the fluid.

I'm sorry that I can't give you any reference, but my notes are in italian... and I don't know the name of this formula in english! :(

Thank you very much for your reply.
But I wonder what the H stands for?
I think your equation determines the pressure drop due to a change in potential energy.
Unfortunately, my system is perfectly horizontal, or I can assume Delta H is zero, so I have no losses due to potential energy changes. (I think)

Regards!
 
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nlis12 said:
I think your equation determines the pressure drop due to a change in potential energy.
Unfortunately, my system is perfectly horizontal

No, H is a misleading letter but It doesn't refer to the heights necessarily. It's just that egineers like to work with the pressure drop as it was a length thus they divided it but ##\rho## and ##g##(that are constant).

This is the simplest explanation I can think of.
 
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