Head Losses in the

Pipeline

By: Engr. Jordan L. Ronquillo RMEE

 Objectives
• Enumerate the two main classes of head losses and the different
fittings and valves;

• Use Darcy-Weisbach equation in calculating head losses;

• Use Moody’s chart in determining the Darcy-Weisbach friction

factor.

• Calculate the equivalent length of fittings and valves

Classification of Losses

1. Major head losses are head losses due to a fluid friction because
of viscosity and pipe roughness.
2. Minor losses are head losses or turbulences losses due to pipe
fittings and valves.

a). Entrance loss is the flow of fluid from tank to pipe. It is a head loss
because velocity is created.
Classification of Losses

b). Exit loss is the flow of fluid from pipe to tank. It is a head loss
because velocity is being destroyed.
Classification of Losses

c). Sudden Expansion is the flow of in a suddenly increasing pipe

diameter. It is a head loss due to the decrease in velocity.
Classification of Losses

d). Sudden Contraction is the flow of in a suddenly decreasing pipe

diameter. It is a head loss due to the sudden increase in velocity.
Classification of Losses

e). Bends (elbows), fittings and valves are head losses due to the
change in the magnitude and direction of velocity.
Classification of Losses

f). Gradual Expansion and Gradual Contraction are head losses due to
the gradual increase or gradual decrease in fluid velocity.
Classification of Losses

g). A nozzle at the end is a head loss due to the very high velocity at the
nozzle outlet.
Equations for the Computation of Major Head Losses Due to Friction

Major head losses are mainly due to friction because of the fluid viscosity and
pipe material roughness. Head losses, hf are computed particularly in a long
straight pipe (L > 500D)
Where:
1. Darcy-Weisbach Equation
f = friction factor
hf = head loss due to friction, m
a). For circular pipe L = length of pipe, m
D = inside diameter of pipe, m
hf = V = velocity of fluid, m/s
g = acceleration due to gravity
Rm = hydraulic radius, m
b). For a non-circular pipe
Rm = Cross sectional area/Wetted Perimeter of cross section

hf =
Equations for the Computation of Major Head Losses Due to Friction

Value of f for laminar flow:

Hagen-Poiseuille equation, f = Re < 2,000

Blasius equation, f = Re < 105

Re = Reynold’s Number

Note: Friction factor f in laminar flow is a function of Reynold’s number,

Re and independent of the pipe roughness.
Equations for the Computation of Major Head Losses Due to Friction

Value of f for transition and turbulent flows:

f=Φ

Notes:
Where:
Relative roughness is a better indicator of pipe
roughness
f = is a function of
e = = relative roughness The Darcy friction factor is one of the parameters
ε = absolute roughness of a pipe material, m used to calculate friction loss.
Re = Reynold’s Number
Absolute roughness or specific roughness is a
parameter that measures the average size of
imperfection inside the pipe.
Bernoulli’s Equation

Bernoulli’s equation is an used to determine the head of fluid.

Bernoulli’s equation for ideal neglects friction, viscosity and flow is assumed
to be steady and incompressible.
Moody’s equation

f = 0.0055
Where:

f = friction factor
e = = relative roughness
ε = absolute roughness of a pipe material, m
Re = Reynold’s Number
Colebrook equation

The turbulent portion of the Moody

chart is represented by the
Colebrook formula.

A difficulty with its use is that it is implicit in the dependence of f. That is, for given
conditions it is not possible to solve for f without some sort of iterative scheme.
Haaland’s equation

A simpler formula where f can be solve explicitly.

Absolute Roughness of selected Materials
2. Hazen-Williams Formula

The Hazen-Wiliams formula is used for fluid flowing in a pipe with D >
50 mm and velocity of V < 3 m/s.
Equations for the Computation of Minor Losses in Pipe Lines

Minor losses are head losses called turbulence losses because of the fittings
and valves installed in the piping line or flow line.
Determination of Major and Minor Loss Combined
THANK YOU!