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Equivalent Length 1

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reliob

Mechanical
Jun 7, 2012
1
Hi,

Just a quick quesiton. I have been looking with no success for some values for the equivalent length of both iron unions and couplings. Sorry I can't be more specific but I hope someone can help.

Thank you.
 
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In my experience, there is no need to handle unions and couplings as an extra pressure drop. Just ignore them and add up the pipe lengths.

Good luck,
Latexman
 
The equivalent length method is a fluid flow pressure loss estimating method that does not purport to a high level of accuracy.

In addition, the effect of pressure drop through minor fittings is negligible when the ratio of pipeline length to pipe diameter is large.

For these reasons, the minor losses associated with items such as unions are generally ignored.
 
If in doubt and you have a lot of fittings etc just add a foot or 2 to the total head calculation.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
 
Unions are pretty minor restriction; probably 60-70% recoverable anyway.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it's not safe ... make it that way.
 
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