Theoretical Investigation of The Major and Minor Losses in Pipes and Fittings

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate major pressure losses in pipes and minor losses in certain pipe fittings, such as sudden expansion. Initially, the relationships for calculating major and minor losses were derived by applying Bernoulli's equation to the studied components. Flow velocity, pipe diameter, and pipe length effects on major losses were examined. Additionally, the impact of velocity on minor losses in sudden expansion was analysed. The results demonstrated that major losses, represented by friction, significantly vary with changes in flow velocity, pipe diameter, and pipe length. It was found that increasing the pipe diameter by 200% leads to a 6% reduction in major losses. Moreover, increasing the length and velocity results in proportional increases in major losses. Regarding minor losses, the findings indicated that these losses in sudden expansion increase by a factor of six with the increase in velocity.