A Study of Pressure Drop in Helical Coils

Author: Dwire, Oliver Scott

Year: 1949

Degree: Engineer's thesis

Advisor: Seifert, Howard S.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Aeronautics

DOI: 10.7907/GV93-7D64

Abstract

This study was made to investigate the increase in pressure drop through a helix over that through a straight pipe and to study the variables involved. The pressure drops in ten helices and seven straight pipes were observed over a range of Reynolds Numbers.

The results indicate that the increase in pressure drop due to the helical shape is a function of tube diameter, helix diameter, relative roughness, and possibly Reynolds Number. There is some indication that relative roughness may be the most important of these variables. However, the data obtained are insufficient to justify the formulation of an empirical equation for the curvature correction.

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