21373

Two methods for

calculating approximate
pressure losses in pipes
by
Bob McNair
Menu
Slow Speed considerations
Viscosity Chart
Moody Diagram
Relative Roughness
Reynolds Number
Kinematic Viscosity
Units of Viscosity
Unit conversion
Examples




Slow Speed FO System
Slow Speed FO System
For heavy fuel oil consider the system a Closed
Loop system:
The viscosity near the main FO pump is a little
lower than when the fuel is injected
As the fuel comes from the Service Tank to the
engine its increased in temperature
We should therefore calculate the pipe losses at
a viscosity averaged from Service Tank
temperature at say 55C to 120C at the transfer
pump up to the main FO pump
15 cts
9 cts
9cts at Main Fuel Pump Pressure 15cts at Main Fuel Pump Pressure
1000 Redwood N
From 4 to 3 the
temperature increases
and the viscosity drops
Consider two plates
Absolute Viscosity =
Shear Rate
dy
dv
A
P

Stress
dv
dy
Load
Units of Viscosity
Absolute Viscosity =
Shear Rate
Stress
Absolute Viscosity (units) = poise
Stress
Shear Rate
Stress
Shear Rate
Absolute Viscosity

Kinematic Viscosity = Absolute Viscosity / density

Units of Viscosity
Units are called centipoise
Kinematic Viscosity
Units of Viscosity
We could find the pressure exerted by a fluid by using these formulas and
hence the Pressure drop per metre length
Although the normal units of Kinematic Viscosity are centistokes they are
sometimes in mm/s
Conversion factors
Moody Diagram
We use this diagram to find the Friction Factor (f)
and f is used in finding the pressure losses in a
pipe
(metres)

(Pa)

(The tables previously handed out are directly
related to Moody Chart values)



Relative Roughness
4
10 5 . 2

x
Material Roughness () in metres
Glass or Plastic Smooth
Copper, Brass, lead (tubing)

Cast Iron (uncoated)
Commercial mild steel or welded steel
4
10 5 . 1

x
Pipes can are of different roughness internally and this affects the
pressure losses. As pipes age roughness factors will increase
this is particularly true for water carrying pipes
For constant Reynolds Number
If is increased as the Friction Factor (f) decreases

If increases as the value of in the turbulent zone increases
Also:
Relative Roughness
Reynolds Number
Absolute and Kinematic Viscosity is used to
define the Reynolds Number



V = velocity
v = kinematic viscosity
D = pipe internal diameter
Examples
Oil of density 800kg/m has a kinematic
viscosity of 40cts. Calculate the critical velocity
when flowing in a pipe of 50mm diameter
A Reynolds Number of 2000 is normally
selected for find the critical velocity

Surface Roughness Coefficient
We use more accurate charts when working out
pipe Friction Factors
Mean surface roughness coefficient (k)
Diameter (D)


Moody Chart
We use a slightly different method
Mean surface roughness coefficient (k)
It gives more accurate results
More accurate Moody Chart

Finding the Friction Factor
Friction Factor (f)