Pressure Drop Calculator 1.3

This application provides a systematic approach to calculating the pressure drop, or head loss, of a fluid flowing through straight circular pipes as a result of friction. Users can input various parameters such as pipe diameter, length, and roughness, with default values included for commonly used pipe types. Additionally, it accommodates flow rates expressed in multiple formats and considers the physical properties of the fluid being analyzed.

The application effectively begins by determining the Darcy friction factor (f) based on the flow characteristics within the pipe. For conditions where the Reynolds number is less than 2000, indicative of laminar flow, the friction factor is calculated using the formula f = 64/Re. Conversely, for Reynolds numbers exceeding 2000, which correspond to transitional or turbulent flow regimes, it employs an approximation of the Colebrook equation (specifically, the Swamee-Jain equation) to derive the friction factor.

Subsequently, the Darcy-Weisbach equation is utilized to compute the overall pressure loss accurately. This methodical approach ensures precision in assessing fluid dynamics in various piping conditions.