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Engineering ToolBox > Total Pressure or Head Loss in Pipe or Duct Systems
The head loss of a pipe, tube or duct system, is the same as that produced in a straight pipe or duct whose length is equal to the pipes of the original systems plus the sum of the equivalent lengths of all the components in the system. This can be expressed as:
hloss = Σ hmajor_losses + Σ hminor_losses (1)
where
hloss = total head loss in the pipe or duct system
hmajor_losses = major loss due to friction in the pipe or duct system
hminor_losses = minor loss due to the components in the system
The major head loss for a single pipe or duct can be expressed as:
hmajor_loss =λ (l / dh) (v2 / 2 g) (2)
where
hloss = head loss (m, ft)
λ = friction coefficient
l = length of duct or pipe (m)
dh = hydraulic diameter (m)
v = flow velocity (m/s, ft/s)
g = acceleration of gravity (m/s2, ft/s2)
Minor head loss can be expressed as:
hminor_loss = ξ v2/ 2 g (3)
where
Since the velocity - v - in equation (2) in general is related to the pipe or duct where the component is located, the sum of the minor losses in a pipe or duct can be expressed as:
Σ hminor_losses = Σ ξ (v2/ 2 g) (3)
The minor loss can be calculated by summarizing the minor loss coefficients - and multiplying the sum with the dynamic pressure head.
The total head loss for a single pipe can be calculated by using equation (1) and (3):
hloss_single =λ (l / dh) (v2 / 2 g) + Σ ξ v2/ 2 g (4)
or
hloss_single = (λ (l / dh) + Σ ξ ) (v2/ 2 g) (5)
The total head loss in several serial connected pipes can be calculated by adding the total head loss in each pipe or duct. The total head loss can be expressed as:
hloss_serial = Σ [(λ1 (l1 / dh1) + Σ ξ1) (v12/ 2 g) + .. + λn (ln / dhn) + Σ ξn) (vn2/ 2 g)] (6)
for 1 to n serial connected pipes