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Let's say I have a pipe followed by a reduction and then another smaller diameter pipe continues. Using conservation of mass, the flow through the smaller diameter pipe will have higher velocity. If I apply Bernoulli to this system, while higher velocity, the smaller diameter pipe's flow has lower static pressure.

So this means if I have pressure gauges installed both before and after this reduction they would measure different pressures? And the pipe wall design should be different (eg. each side should take into account different pressure values)?

Rafael Pitta
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  • And the length of each pipe section will cause a pressure drop. You can derive the expression for pressure drop using dimensional analysis or it is stated in many texts. – Solar Mike Jan 22 '22 at 06:47
  • Yes, you will get the different pressure values at the intake and outlet, but the pressure differential is mainly caused by the velocity head, which I doubt has any significance in pipe wall design. I could be wrong though. – r13 Jan 22 '22 at 20:13

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You can't design for a lower pressure in higher velocity sections of piping because you have to design for the zero flow pressure as well.

Tiger Guy
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