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Reynolds Number:
Friction Factor:
This calculator estimates the friction factor and displays the Moody chart for fluid flow. It helps you understand critical concepts in fluid mechanics, such as Reynolds number, flow regimes, and the impact of pipe roughness. By utilizing this tool, you can gain insights into laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow behaviors in pipes and channels.
| Fluid | Kinematic Viscosity (ν in m²/s) |
|---|---|
| Water (20°C) | 1.0 x 10-6 |
| Air (20°C) | 1.5 x 10-5 |
| Ethanol | 1.1 x 10-6 |
| Glycerin | 0.89 x 10-6 |
| Olive Oil | 1.0 x 10-3 |
| Vegetable Oil | 0.9 x 10-3 |
The friction factor is crucial for analyzing energy losses in fluid flow through pipes. There are two primary types of flow regimes that influence the friction factor calculation:
For laminar flow, which occurs when the Reynolds number (Re) is less than 2000, the friction factor is determined by the simple formula:
f = 64 / Re
Where:
In laminar flow, the fluid moves smoothly, with all particles following parallel paths. This results in a relatively low friction factor.
In turbulent flow (Re > 4000), the Colebrook-White equation is used to calculate the friction factor. This equation accounts for both the Reynolds number and the relative roughness of the pipe:
1 / √f = -2 * log10((ε/D) / 3.7 + 2.51 / (Re * √f))
Where:
This equation is implicit and requires iterative methods to solve for the friction factor, as both f and Re influence each other.
For Reynolds numbers between 2000 and 4000, the flow is considered transitional, where the fluid exhibits characteristics of both laminar and turbulent flow. In this region, the friction factor can fluctuate significantly, making it difficult to calculate precisely. Therefore, this region is often avoided in practical calculations.
The Moody chart is widely used in engineering to determine the pressure drop and head loss in pipes, which are critical factors in the design of piping systems for various industries, including:
The Reynolds number (Re) is a dimensionless quantity that predicts the flow regime within a pipe or channel. It helps determine whether the flow will be laminar, turbulent, or transitional. A Reynolds number below 2000 indicates laminar flow, between 2000 and 4000 is transitional, and above 4000 indicates turbulent flow.
Pipe roughness (ε) has a significant impact on turbulent flow. The more roughness present on the pipe surface, the higher the friction factor will be, which leads to greater energy loss due to friction. In real-world scenarios, the pipe material and surface treatment will influence this roughness value.
The friction factor is essential for calculating head loss and pressure drop in a pipe, which are crucial for designing efficient fluid transport systems. A higher friction factor leads to more energy consumption, as more pressure is required to maintain the flow rate.
This calculator is specifically designed for circular pipes with steady-state flow. For non-circular pipes, the calculations become more complex and require different methods to estimate the friction factor.
While the Moody chart is a useful tool, it has limitations. It is designed for fully developed, steady-state flow in smooth or rough pipes. It does not account for complex flow conditions such as pulsating flow, highly viscous fluids, or highly irregular pipe geometries.
Note: This Moody chart calculator is specifically designed for circular pipes with steady-state flow.