9.5.3. Equivalent pipe length


<BR>A major factor in dimensioning the inside diameter of a pipe d i is the pipe length. Pipelines are not only made up of straight sections of pipe, the flow resistance of which can quickly be deduced. Installed bends, valves and other fittings considerably increase flow resistance inside the pipeline. This is the reason that the effective pipe length L must be determined, taking into account the fittings and bends.

For simplification, the flow resistance values of various fittings and bends have been converted into equivalent pipe lengths.

The following table gives the equivalent pipe length in dependency on pipe nominal width and the fitting:
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<BR>These values must be added to the actual pipe length to obtain the effective pipe length L.

Note

Complete information about fittings and bends are not generally available at the start of planning a pipeline system. The effective pipe length L is therefore calculated by multiplying the straight pipe length by 1.6.