Engineering Reference & ASME Code Basis
1. Core Formula & Variable Definitions
Darcy–Weisbach equation (closed-conduit friction) · Haaland (1983) explicit friction-factor approximation · Crane Technical Paper No. 410 (fitting L/D factors) · ASME B36.10M / B36.19M (pipe ID by NPS/schedule)
Darcy-Weisbach Equation, Haaland Explicit Friction & Crane TP-410 Fitting Equivalents
Hero ΔP is total friction drop on L + Σ L_eq. Friction factor f uses the Haaland explicit approximation to Colebrook–White. ID comes from the B36.10M / B36.19M schedule row. Fitting L/D values are Crane TP-410 screening factors (90° LR elbow 30, gate 8, globe 340). Steam/air/crude/condensate use fixed screening ρ and μ — HP steam and compressed air are order-of-magnitude only. ΔP/100 is reported for straight pipe only (no fittings).
- ΔP (Total Friction Pressure Drop) — Hero output — friction loss on L + Σ L_eq (bar or psi).
- f (Darcy Friction Factor) — Haaland / laminar 64/Re (dimensionless).
- L (Straight Pipe Length) — Physical run length (m or ft).
- L_eq (Fitting Equivalent Length) — Σ (L/D)·D for elbows, gates, globes.
- D (Inside Diameter (ID)) — Schedule bore from the pipe table (m).
- v (Mean Velocity) — v = Q / A with A = π D²/4.
- ε (Absolute Roughness) — Selectable surface roughness (mm).
- Re (Reynolds Number) — Re = ρ v D / μ.
2. Allowances, Tolerances & Standards
Results are single-phase Newtonian screening. Confirm pump curves and project velocity limits separately.
Presets for SS/PVC, new CS, corroded CS, and heavily corroded steel.
Converted as L_eq = (L/D) × D and added to straight L before ΔP.
Gradient excludes fittings. Imperial shows psi per 100 ft (scaled from the 100 m straight basis).
Otherwise Haaland turbulent branch. Transition band is not specially smoothed.
Quick Reference Lookup Table
| Q (m³/h) | v (m/s) | ΔP (bar) | ΔP (psi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 0.676 | ~0.045 | ~0.65 |
| 40 | 1.353 | ~0.168 | ~2.44 |
| 50 | 1.691 | 0.259 | 3.76 |
| 80 | 2.706 | ~0.66 | ~9.6 |
| 100 | 3.382 | ~1.03 | ~14.9 |
| 150 | 5.073 | ~2.33 | ~33.8 |
50 m³/h is independently verified near 0.259 bar (3.76 psi) with ρ ≈ 998 kg/m³. Live calculator uses the app water ρ(T) correlation (~999 kg/m³ at 20 °C) and recomputes f(Re). Other rows are v²-scaled screens.
3. Material & Code Limitations
Keep liquid headers near 1.5–3.0 m/s when practical. Steam/air densities in this tool are fixed screening values.
| Material Group | Temperature Range | Allowable Stress / Limit | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid headers (CS) | Typical v ≈ 1.5–3.0 m/s | Economic ΔP often ≤ ~0.1–0.2 bar / 100 m | Default case (~1.35 m/s at 40 m³/h in NPS 4 Sch 40) sits in the usual band. |
| Pump suction | Often 0.6–1.5 m/s | Protect NPSHa | Prefer larger ID and fewer fittings on suction lines. |
| Steam / air (this app) | Fixed ρ / μ presets | Order-of-magnitude only | HP steam and compressed air need project properties — not the LP presets. |
| Non-Newtonian fluids | Out of scope | N/A | Slurries and polymers need specialized rheology models. |
Code Applicability & Safety Boundaries
- Calculator scope: single-phase Darcy–Weisbach ΔP with Haaland f and Crane L/D elbows/gates/globes.
- Does not size pumps, control valves, or two-phase / flashing flow.
- Globe valves (L/D = 340) can dominate — remove or resize before blaming pipe ID.
4. Step-by-Step Worked Example
Field VerificationShowHide
Reproduce the app default: water @ 20 °C, Q = 40 m³/h, NPS 4 Sch 40, L = 100 m, ε = 0.045 mm, four 90° LR elbows, two gate valves.
Velocity from ID
Within typical liquid header guidance.
Reynolds number
Haaland turbulent branch applies.
Haaland friction factor
Matches the calculator friction factor for the default case.
Equivalent length with fittings
Fittings add ~14% equivalent length.
Total ΔP (hero)
Hero includes fittings; ΔP/100 badge is straight pipe only.
5. Frequently Asked Questions & Technical References
ShowHide
Colebrook–White is implicit in √f. Haaland is an explicit approximation typically within ~1.5% of Colebrook — adequate versus roughness uncertainty.
This app uses the Darcy factor in ΔP = f (L/D)(½ρv²). f = 4 f_F relative to the Fanning factor common in some chemical-engineering texts.
No. The gradient is straight pipe only. Hero ΔP includes L + Σ L_eq.
Yes — typical screening presets. For HP steam or compressed air, treat results as order-of-magnitude only.