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8.3: Pressure Loss

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    44575
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    8.3.1 Introduction

    As discussed above the loss of energy as fluids flow may be divided into friction loss and minor losses. Friction loss occurs due to the resistance of a fluid to flow. Minor losses due to turbulence occur at obstructions to flow such as changes in the direction of flow and flow through valves, etc

    8.3.2 Pressure Loss Due to Friction Loss

    A fluid deforms upon the application of force. Consider a block of wood floating on water. If a force is applied to one side, the block will move because the water cannot hold the block in its original position. However, there is a resistance to the movement, i.e., friction. If there were no friction, the block would continue to move forever once it was started in motion. The loss of energy due to friction loss depends upon the type of fluid used, the roughness of the conducting vessel, and the velocity of the fluid. Fluids that are very viscous have more resistance to flow. An example is the difficulty in pouring syrup as compared to water. Similarly, the rougher the inside of the pipe or conducting vessel, the higher the friction loss. In irrigation, the interest is in determining the friction loss in pipelines so that the proper pipe diameter is selected and the energy requirement for developing the pressure needed within the system can be calculated.


    8.3: Pressure Loss is shared under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.