If 100 GPM is flowing through 100 feet of 1 1/4 inch pipe, what is the equivalent length of 1 1/2 inch pipe that produces the same friction loss?

To determine the equivalent length of a different pipe diameter that produces the same friction loss, we apply the concept of the Darcy-Weisbach equation, which relates flow characteristics, pipe diameter, length, and friction loss.

When the flow rate is constant, the resistance to flow, or friction loss, is influenced by the diameter of the pipe and its length. A larger pipe diameter typically results in less friction loss because it reduces the velocity of the water flowing through it, thereby reducing turbulence and energy loss.

The equivalent length is calculated by utilizing a friction loss coefficient that accounts for the difference in internal diameters between the two types of pipes. In this case, when comparing the 1 1/4 inch pipe to the 1 1/2 inch pipe, the coefficient indicates that the larger diameter pipe will effectively allow for greater flow efficiency and lower resistance over a longer distance.

When using established formulas or tables for friction loss, it's found that transitioning from a 1 1/4 inch to a 1 1/2 inch pipe increases the flow area significantly, which requires a longer length of the larger diameter pipe to create an equivalent friction loss to that of the shorter, narrower pipe.

In this scenario, the calculation or reference to