Pressure drop across an orifice (orific drop in meters?)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the pressure drop across an orifice and converting that pressure drop into meters of fluid head. The formula used is ΔP = 1000 x 9.81 x (Orifice pressure drop in m), with a specific example provided where an orifice pressure drop of 470.72 Pa is converted to meters using the equation Orifice pressure drop in meters = (Pa)/(ρg). Given the parameters of T = 312 K, ρ = 1.1333 kg/m³, and g = 9.81 m/s², the calculation yields an orifice pressure drop of 42.34 meters, which is noted to be unusually high. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding fluid head measurements in practical applications.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with pressure measurement units (Pascals)
  • Knowledge of fluid density and gravitational acceleration
  • Basic proficiency in algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of fluid head and its applications in engineering
  • Learn about the properties of different fluids, including water and mercury
  • Explore the use of pressure drop calculations in various engineering scenarios
  • Investigate the implications of using different fluids for pressure measurements
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Engineers, physics students, and professionals involved in fluid dynamics or pressure measurement applications will benefit from this discussion.

scottniblock
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Homework Statement



ΔP = 1000 x 9.81 x (Orifice pressure drop in m)

Pressure drop across orifice = 470.72 Pa

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I am not sure how this works. How can pressure be converted to meters? It does not make sense to me.

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks
Scott
 
Last edited:
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Might help if you stated the problem clearly.
 
Question

Orifice pressure drop in meters = (Pa (N/m^2 ))/(ρg (N/m^3 )) This gives answer in meters


Question 1

Given:
T = 312 K
ρ = 1.1333 kg/m^3 (From Air properties table)
g = 9.81 m/s^2

Orifice pressure drop = 470.72 Pa

Calculation:

Orifice pressure drop in meters = 470.72 / (9.81x1.1333) = 42.34 meters

This answer does not seem right, looks way too large.
 
Pressure drops can be expressed as a head of a fluid, often water, but others like mercury can be used as well. The head would be measured in meters of fluid, or some other unit of length. That's what the reading on a barometer is, after all. The reading of 760 mm is the height of a column of mercury supported by the difference in pressure between a vacuum and atmospheric pressure. In working with modest pressure drops, water is used in place of mercury. A pressure drop of 1 meter of water is equivalent to 1000 kg/m^3 * 9.81 m/s^2 = 9810 pascals.
 

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