Understanding Pressure Drop & Flow in Pipes

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the distinction between pressure drop due to frictional loss in pipes and the pressure difference that induces flow, specifically referencing Poiseuille Flow and the Darcy-Weisbach equation. The Darcy-Weisbach equation is highlighted as a more versatile analytical tool compared to the theoretical Poiseuille equation, which is primarily applicable in laminar flow scenarios. Practical applications of pressure drop analysis often favor the Darcy-Weisbach and Hazen-Williams equations over Poiseuille's equation, especially in industries dealing with high viscosity fluids such as polymer processing.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Poiseuille Flow principles
  • Familiarity with the Darcy-Weisbach equation
  • Knowledge of Hazen-Williams equation
  • Basic concepts of fluid dynamics and pressure drop analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the application of the Darcy-Weisbach equation in various fluid flow scenarios
  • Study the Hazen-Williams equation and its relevance in water flow calculations
  • Explore the implications of viscosity on pressure drop in polymer processing
  • Examine case studies involving pressure drop analysis in industrial applications
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, fluid dynamics specialists, and professionals in the polymer processing industry will benefit from this discussion, particularly those involved in pressure drop analysis and flow optimization in piping systems.

tonyjk
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Hello... I can't find the difference between the pressure drop in a pipe due to frictionnal loss and the Pressure difference that cause the flow like in Poiseuille Flow.. Thanks
 
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They are completely different ideas...what specifically don't you understand about either?

Edit: Oh are you talking about like the losses associated with flows like Poiseuille Flow?
 
If you are asking how this solution to pressure drop is associated with similar ideas such as the Darcy-Weisbach equation, the answer is that the analytical (experimentally derived) Darcy-Weisbach equation is employable under broader circumstances.

The assumptions taken for Poiseuille Flow equations are (from wikipedia) "...that the fluid is viscous and incompressible; the flow is laminar through a pipe of constant circular cross-section that is substantially longer than its diameter; and there is no acceleration of fluid in the pipe". In theory this is a nice equation to look at to understand where the mechanical energy is being lost to, but in practical applications of pressure drop analysis it is rarely, if ever, employed.

Basically: Poiseuille equation is theoretical, solutions like Hazen-Williams and Darcy-Weisbach are analytical.
 
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we say that gradient pressure cause flow but in pipe flow the pressure different is due to friction loss
 
To see how people generally use these equations (Poiseuille is mentioned in there), see http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/water/papers/others/Allen_1996_Trans_ASAE_Relating_HazenWilliams_and_DarcyWeisbach.pdf

A solution to Poiseuille's equation is used to approximate the D-W friction factor for Laminar, fully developed flow in long pipes.
 
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Thank you i understand it
 
Travis_King said:
If you are asking how this solution to pressure drop is associated with similar ideas such as the Darcy-Weisbach equation, the answer is that the analytical (experimentally derived) Darcy-Weisbach equation is employable under broader circumstances.
In theory this is a nice equation to look at to understand where the mechanical energy is being lost to, but in practical applications of pressure drop analysis it is rarely, if ever, employed.

Basically: Poiseuille equation is theoretical, solutions like Hazen-Williams and Darcy-Weisbach are analytical.

In polymer processing applications, typically involving high viscosity polymer melts (say 1000 Poise), the Poiseuille pressure drop equation is used extensively. This includes the entire man-made fiber industry, polymer granule production industry, and plastics manufacture industry. In addition, it applies to flow of ordinary fluids through capillaries.
 
Thanks for that, I wasn't aware it was so widely used in that industry. I've never personally had any experience with such high viscosity fluids.
 

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