Enlargements/contractions: If I change the opening agle, whats the result for pressure drop?
It’s different whether we have laminar or turbulent flow. Turbulent flow The pressure drop in enlargements/contractions at turbulent flow is caused by turbulences within flow medium primarily. The pressure drop caused by friction at the wall of the pipe is marginal. If we increase the opening angle we have more turbulences and the pressure drop will increase. Laminar flow The pressure drop in enlargements/contractions at laminar flow is caused by friction at the wall of the pipe primarily. The pressure drop caused by turbulences within the flow medium is marginal. If we increase the opening angle the length of the pipe element will be smaller and the pressure drop will decrease.
