Resistance Curve Loss Model
The resistance curve loss model is available in several junctions including the General Component and Heat Exchanger junctions. It is useful when measured flow vs loss data is available for a component.
It is not uncommon to obtain from an equipment manufacturer a single data point. For example, the data might be 3 psi pressure drop at 1 lbm/sec. Along with this data point, another always comes along for free. The second data point is zero pressure drop at zero flow.
The pressure drop characteristics of most equipment follows the square law. As the flow rate increases, the pressure increases with the square of the flow rate.
Therefore, in our example, an increase in the flow rate to 2 lbm/sec would result in a pressure drop of 12 psi. Although this may not be exactly correct, it is much better than assuming a flat 3 psi drop for all flow rates, which we know for certain is not correct.
Table 1: Example data points for pressure drop modeling using manufacturer data
| Data Point | Flow Rate (lbm/sec) |
Pressure Drop (psid) |
Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | Always valid for passive equipment |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | Given by manufacturer |
| 3 | 2 | 12 | Extrapolated assuming square law |
