Author(s): Shouhong Wu
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Head loss; Head loss coefficient; Diffuser pipe; Orifice flow
Abstract: Calculations of head losses from diffuser pipes are important in designing pumps and other infrastructure that discharge into lakes or oceans. Currently several commercial programs are available to calculate head loss, but these programs are often used as “black boxes” by users as the manuals typically have limited information on calculation methods. This paper presents a relatively simple, explicit method to calculate diffuser head losses using the Microsoft Excel Solver tool. The method presented does not require programming. The advantages of the method presented in this paper are: (1) Microsoft Excel is widely used; (2) the calculation is explicit; and (3) the calculation can be used for various diffuser configurations. This paper uses a horizontal diffuser with sharp edged side holes as an example to illustrate the method, and presents a comparison with simulation results using the commercial program CorHyd.
Year: 2016