Enter the friction factor, length of pipe, the inner diameter of the pipe, and the velocity of flow into the calculator to determine the friction head loss.
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Pipe Friction Loss Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the head loss due to friction of flow through a pipe.
hf = f (L/D) * (v^2/2g)
- Where hf is the head loss (m)
- f is the friction factor
- L is the length of pipe (m)
- D is the inner diameter of the pipe (m)
- v is the flow velocity (m/s)
- g is the acceleration due to gravity (m/s^2)
Units of feet can be substituted for meters assuming the proper conversions are done.
Pipe Friction Loss Definition
A pipe friction loss is defined as the total loss of energy, typically as potential energy, that arises from friction forces of flow moving through a pipe.
Pipe Friction Loss Example
How to calculate a pipe friction loss?
- First, determine the friction factor.
Calculate the friction factor between the pipe and the fluid flow.
- Next, determine the length and diameter.
Measure the length and inner diameter of the pipe.
- Next, determine the velocity of fluid.
Measure the fluid velocity moving through the pipe.
- Finally, calculate the pipe friction loss.
Calculate the pipe friction loss using the equation above.
FAQ
Friction loss is the loss of kinetic or potential energy of a system to the forces of friction resisting flow.

