Types of pressure drop...

[kilrbee]

In a turbocharged, aftercooled application, is there more than one type of pressure drop?

Does a pressure drop occur across a charge air cooler as a result of the charge cooling/constant volume argument? The charge performs no work.

I am aware of the more commonly referred to frictional losses, a separate loss, in addition to the above.

 

[dcasto]

There are three types of pressure drop. The first is frictional loss mainly caused by the friction of the fluid against the pipe surface and intermolecule friction. So it turns out velocity and lenght are the main factors. Thats why big pipes are better (almost always gotta a little complication with too slow). Long pipes have more drop than short.
Next is height. With gases, nothing here in loss unless you are going up 100's of feet.

The last is acceleration. Not much here either. Even when the gas is changing speeds like when the throttle body goes open and closed.

Now the good news is as the air cools, it gets a higher density and therefore a smaller volume and velocity (remember its the same pounds per hour of air). At a slower velocity, less pressure drop per foot of travel through the cooler. The only set back would be if the air moves to slowly. It takes some detailed calculations to optimize the cooler for this, but a fully custom air cooler isn't worth the little gain from perfect.

 

[kilrbee]

Then you are saying there is no pressure drop derived from the phenomena of densification?

I think I agree with you. Even frictional loss is reduced as charge progresses from hot to cool.

 

[dcasto]

Its all frictional loses as the air rubs on the walls of the pipe and itself.