A device or software application used to estimate the reduction in pressure or energy of a fluid as it moves through a pipe due to resistance caused by the pipe’s internal surface and the fluid’s viscosity. For example, an engineer might input the pipe diameter, fluid flow rate, fluid properties, and pipe material roughness into the application to receive an estimation of the energy lost per unit length of the pipe.
Calculating the aforementioned estimation is critical in the design and operation of piping systems. It allows engineers to accurately select pumps, determine pipe sizes, and optimize system efficiency. Historically, these calculations were performed manually using equations such as the Darcy-Weisbach equation or Hazen-Williams formula, requiring significant time and effort. The advent of digital tools has simplified and accelerated this process, enhancing accuracy and allowing for quick evaluation of different design scenarios.
