Pressure drop per unit length of the pipe

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the pressure drop per unit length of a pipe through which a viscous liquid is being pumped. Participants explore the application of the Darcy-Weisbach equation and the relationship between shear stress, pressure gradient, and friction factors in the context of fluid dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant has calculated the velocity and Reynolds number, and derived the Fanning friction factor from a plot but is uncertain about the next steps in applying the Darcy-Weisbach equation.
  • Another participant questions whether the shear stress at the wall has been calculated and how it relates to the pressure gradient in the tube.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about calculating shear stress without knowing the length of the pipe and mentions an approximate pressure loss calculation of 1629 N/m.
  • There is a reference to the equation relating shear stress and friction factor, prompting a discussion about the implications for pressure drop per unit length.
  • One participant seeks clarification on when to use the Darcy-Weisbach equation versus the pressure gradient method, indicating a lack of specific guidance in available textbooks.
  • A participant notes that the Darcy friction factor is four times the Fanning friction factor, suggesting a relationship between the two in the context of pressure drop calculations.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the meaning of "driving force in terms of pressure drop per unit length" and seeks clarification on whether it involves expressing a function in terms of pressure drop and length.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit uncertainty and seek clarification on various aspects of the calculations and equations involved. There is no consensus on the correct approach or final answer, as multiple viewpoints and questions remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not provided specific assumptions or conditions under which the equations should be applied, and there are unresolved mathematical steps regarding the calculations of pressure drop and shear stress.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners interested in fluid dynamics, particularly those dealing with pressure drop calculations in pipe flow and the application of friction factors.

umalik
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MODERATOR NOTE: THERE IS NO TEMPLATE BECAUSE THIS THREAD WAS ORIGINALLY MISPLACED IN A NON-HOMEWORK FORUM

Viscous liquid (ρ = 1460 kg/m3, μ = 5.2×10−1Ns/m2) is pumped through a smooth pipe with a 0.1 m diameter, at a rate of 5×10−2m3/s. Using your Fanning friction factor versus Reynolds Number plot to estimate the driving force needed to maintain the flow rate mentioned earlier. I need to express the driving force in terms of pressure drop per unit length of the pipe. No length is provided so the force will be a function of pressure drop and a constant of L.

I've found the the velocity, reynolds number. The fanning friction factor I got was by reading of the subsequent friction factor for the calculated reynolds number from the plot. I'm not sure where to go from here as I've used the darcy-weisbach pressure loss equation but don't know to solve the equation with varying units. Could someone guide me as to what to whether I've taken the correct approach and how I should go about solving the equation?

Thank you so very much.
 
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Have you calculated the shear stress at the wall, τ? How is the pressure gradient in the tube related to the shear stress at the wall?

Chet
 
Chestermiller said:
Have you calculated the shear stress at the wall, τ? How is the pressure gradient in the tube related to the shear stress at the wall?

Chet
Thank you for your reply. I'm not sure how the shear stress can be calculated without the length for the pipe.
I've calculated an answer of approximately 1629 N/m from the pressure loss equation. Not sure if that is correct.
 
umalik said:
Thank you for your reply. I'm not sure how the shear stress can be calculated without the length for the pipe.
I've calculated an answer of approximately 1629 N/m from the pressure loss equation. Not sure if that is correct.
I'm not going to check your result, but have you ever seen the following equation?
$$\tau = \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 f$$
where f is the friction factor and τ is the shear stress at the wall.
Have you ever seen the following equation?
$$Δp=4\frac{L}{D}τ$$
What does that tell you about Δp/L?

Chet
 
Ahhh, great. Thank you so much. Could I just ask, as to when the darcy-weisbach pressure loss equation is used? What are the specific conditions for using that to calculate pressure drop rather than the pressure gradient method that you mentioned? I'm unable to find any specific information in the textbooks I have.
 
It's really the same thing. The Darcy friction factor is 4x the Fanning friction factor that I used.

Also, in flow in a pipe, the pressure gradient is constant, so
$$\Delta p=\frac{dP}{dx}L$$
Chet
 
umalik said:
Ahhh, great. Thank you so much. Could I just ask, as to when the darcy-weisbach pressure loss equation is used? What are the specific conditions for using that to calculate pressure drop rather than the pressure gradient method that you mentioned? I'm unable to find any specific information in the textbooks I have.
i am doing this question, too. how did you solve it finally? i don't understand what does it mean by driving force in terms of pressure drop per unit length, does that ask us to express the function in terms of pressure drop and L? or do you actually solve it...
 

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