Screen Loss Model

The screen loss factors have much in common with orifice loss factors. In fact, the sharp-edged perforated plate and round-edged perforated plate screen losses are the same as for orifices with similar area ratios and equal upstream and downstream areas. Refer to the orifice loss factor equations for these relationships. The relationships are good for screen area Reynolds numbers above 100,000.

The circular metal wire screen, shown in Figure 1, is given by the following equation for screen area Reynolds numbers above 1000 (Idelchik 2007Idelchik, I. E., Handbook of Hydraulic Resistance, 4th edition, Begell House, Redding, CT, 2007., 598):

An image of a circular metal wire screen.

Figure 1: Circular metal wire screen

The silk thread screen, shown in Figure 2, is given by the following equation for screen area Reynolds numbers above 500 (Idelchik 2007, 577):

For other screen configurations, see Chapter 8 of Idelchik's Handbook of Hydraulic Resistance (2007).

An image of a silk thread screen.

Figure 2: Silk thread screen