Steam Pipe Pressure Drop

Overview

Engineering reference data for Steam Pipe Pressure Drop in fluid mechanics.

Key Formulas

Reynolds Number

$Re = \frac{\rho v D}{\mu}$

Ratio of inertial to viscous forces — determines flow regime.

Bernoulli's Equation

$P + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 + \rho g h = \text{const}$

Conservation of energy for steady, inviscid, incompressible flow.

Continuity Equation

$A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2$

Conservation of mass for incompressible flow.

Darcy-Weisbach

$\Delta P = f \frac{L}{D} \frac{\rho v^2}{2}$

Pressure drop due to friction in a pipe.

Variables

Imperial Units Correction Factors

For steam pressures other than 100 psi, adjust the estimated pressure drop by the corresponding factor from the table below.

Metric Units Correction Factors

For steam pressures other than 7 bar, multiply the estimated pressure drop by the corresponding factor.

Unit Conversions

Key conversions between Imperial and SI units for steam system calculations.

Mass Flow Rate

• $1 \text{ lbs/hr} = 1.26 \times 10^{-4} \text{ kg/s}$
• $1 \text{ kg/h} = 2.778 \times 10^{-4} \text{ kg/s} = 3.67 \times 10^{-2} \text{ lb/min}$

Pressure

• $1 \text{ psi (lb/in}^2\text{)} = 6,894.8 \text{ Pa (N/m}^2\text{)} = 0.06895 \text{ atm} = 14.50 \text{ bar}$
• $1 \text{ bar} = 10^5 \text{ Pa} = 14.50 \text{ psi}$

Interactive Charts

References

• Original Source