Head Loss due to Friction Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the Head Loss (hf) is:

$h_f = f_{Darcy} \cdot u_{Fluid}^2 \cdot L_{Pipe} / (d_{pipe} \cdot 2 \cdot g)$

Definition

Head loss is a measure of the reduction in the total head (sum of elevation head, velocity head, and pressure head) of the fluid as it moves through a fluid system. Darcy Friction Factor is denoted by f. Its value depends on the flow's Reynolds number Re and on the pipe's relative roughness ε / D. It can be obtained from Moody's chart. Fluid velocity is the volume of fluid flowing in the given vessel per unit cross-sectional area. Length of Pipe describes the length of the pipe in which the liquid is flowing. Pipe Diameter is the diameter of the pipe in which the liquid is flowing.

Example Calculation

Let's assume the following values:

Darcy Friction Factor (fDarcy) = 0.1
Fluid Velocity (uFluid) = 12 Meter per Second
Length of Pipe (LPipe) = 0.2 Meter
Pipe Diameter (dpipe) = 1.01 Meter

Using the formula:

$h_f = \frac{0.1 \cdot 12^2 \cdot 0.2}{1.01 \cdot 2 \cdot 9.80665} \approx 0.145385281850319$

The Head Loss is approximately 0.145385281850319 Meter.

Conversion Chart

Darcy Friction Factor	Fluid Velocity (Meter per Second)	Length of Pipe (Meter)	Pipe Diameter (Meter)	Head Loss (Meter)
0.08	12	0.2	1.01	0.116308225480255
0.09	12	0.2	1.01	0.130846753665287
0.1	12	0.2	1.01	0.145385281850319
0.11	12	0.2	1.01	0.159923810035350
0.12	12	0.2	1.01	0.174462338220382