Pipe Sizing & Pressure Drop Engineering

A Practical Course for Engineers on Sizing Pipes for Water, Steam & Air using Real-World Calculations and Examples.

Created byAtul Singla

Last updated 11/2025

English

What you'll learn

Calculate the correct pipe diameter for liquids and gases using the velocity method.
Apply the Darcy-Weisbach equation to accurately calculate pressure drop from pipe friction (Major Losses).
Determine pressure losses from fittings and valves using both the K-Value and Equivalent Length methods (Minor Losses).
Read a Moody Diagram to find a precise friction factor for any pipe material, including steel and HDPE.
Perform a complete, start-to-finish pressure drop calculation for a real-world piping system
Understand how to select the right valves and fittings to design energy-efficient piping systems.
Recognize the complexities of two-phase flow and know when to apply advanced methods.

Course content

4 sections • 11 lectures • 57m total length

Course Introduction - Your Path to Mastering Pipe Sizing2:31
Welcome to the course! In this introductory video, we'll outline the complete learning journey you are about to take. We'll cover the course structure, what you will be able to do by the end, and who this course is for. Let's get started!
The 7 Essential Parameters for Pipe Sizing4:48
Before any calculation can begin, you need the right inputs. In this lecture, we build the foundation for everything to come by defining the seven essential parameters required for accurate pipe sizing, including flow rate, fluid properties, allowable pressure drop, and velocity limits.
Keywords: flow rate, fluid density, allowable pressure drop, velocity limits, design inputs, pipe roughness
How to Calculate Your Basic Pipe Size6:10

Calculating Major Losses with the Darcy-Weisbach Formula5:10
The single largest contributor to pressure loss is friction within the pipe. In this lecture, we deconstruct the most important formula in pipe flow: the Darcy-Weisbach equation. You will learn what each variable means and perform a worked example to calculate friction loss (Major Loss).
Keywords: Darcy-Weisbach equation, friction loss, major losses, pressure drop formula, friction factor
How to Calculate Minor Losses from Pipe Fittings5:02
Pressure isn't just lost in straight pipes; every elbow, tee, and valve adds resistance. This lecture introduces the concept of Minor Losses and the K-Value (Loss Coefficient) method. We will calculate the total pressure drop from multiple fittings in a system.
Keywords: minor losses, K-value, loss coefficient, pressure drop in fittings, valve pressure drop
The Equivalent Length Method for Minor Losses6:01
Let's explore a different way to think about minor losses. This lecture covers the widely used Equivalent Length Method, where we convert the resistance of a fitting into an equivalent length of straight pipe. This is an intuitive and powerful alternative to the K-Value method.
Keywords: equivalent length method, L/D method, minor loss calculation, pipe fittings

Total Pressure Drop and Practical Tips for Efficient Design4:44
In this crucial lecture, we put everything together by adding major and minor losses to find the total system pressure drop. Then, we transition from calculation to design, covering six practical tips—like choosing the right valves—to create more energy-efficient piping systems.
Keywords: total pressure drop, system design, energy efficiency, gate valve vs globe valve, design tips
The Friction Factor - Unlocking Accuracy with the Moody Diagram5:48
It's time to move beyond estimates. This lecture is a deep dive into the Darcy Friction Factor, explaining how it's influenced by pipe roughness and the Reynolds Number. You will learn how to read the essential Moody Diagram to find a precise friction factor for any material.
Keywords: Moody Diagram, Moody Chart, Darcy Friction Factor, Reynolds Number, relative roughness, HDPE
Complete Walkthrough - Sizing an HDPE Water Line6:33
This is our capstone project. We will apply everything learned so far in a complete, start-to-finish, professional-level calculation. Follow along as we size an HDPE water line, find the precise friction factor, and calculate the total system pressure drop.
Keywords: worked example, comprehensive problem, HDPE pipe sizing, practical calculation, full walkthrough
Why Valve Selection is Critical for Pressure Drop4:49
A deep dive into the most common control components. We will compare the internal flow paths and K-values of gate valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, and globe valves, and quantify how choosing the wrong valve can lead to massive energy losses in your system.
Keywords: valve selection, globe valve, gate valve, ball valve, pressure drop in valves, K-value comparison

An Introduction to Two-Phase Flow5:36
In our final lecture, we look beyond single-phase flow. You will learn what two-phase (liquid and gas) flow is, see the complex flow regimes it creates (like slug flow), and understand why the methods from this course are not sufficient for these advanced systems. This lesson is key to knowing the limits of your skills and when to consult an expert.
Keywords: two-phase flow, multiphase flow, slug flow, advanced topic, course conclusion

Requirements

A basic understanding of algebra is required to follow the formula calculations.
Access to a scientific calculator
No prior experience in fluid dynamics or engineering is necessary. We will build your knowledge from the ground up!

Description

Are you an engineering student or a junior engineer struggling to bridge the gap between textbook theory and real-world hydraulic calculations? Do you need to confidently size a pipe for a project but don't know where to start? This course is your definitive, step-by-step guide to mastering the fundamentals of single-phase pipe sizing and pressure drop.

“This course contains the use of artificial intelligence.”

We will take you on a logical journey, starting with the seven essential parameters you need for any calculation. You will learn the simple yet powerful velocity method to get a quick, preliminary pipe size. Then, we dive deep into the core of pressure drop theory, mastering the Darcy-Weisbach equation for friction (major) losses and both the K-Value and Equivalent Length methods for fittings and valves (minor losses).

But this course is more than just formulas. We make it practical. You will learn:

How to read a Moody Diagram to find an accurate friction factor.
Why choosing a Gate Valve over a Globe Valve can save enormous amounts of energy.
How to apply these skills in a complete, start-to-finish worked example for a modern HDPE pipe system.

By the end of this course, you won't just "know" the formulas—you will have the practical skills and confidence to tackle real-world single-phase hydraulic problems, design efficient piping systems, and justify your engineering decisions.

Enroll now and master this essential engineering skill!

Who this course is for:

Engineering Students (Mechanical, Chemical, Process, Civil).
Junior Mechanical and Process Engineers who want to strengthen their practical hydraulic calculation skills
Plant Engineers and Operators who need to understand the design behind their piping systems.
CAD Designers and Technicians who want to learn the engineering principles behind the drawings they create.
Any technical professional looking for a clear, practical guide to pipe sizing and pressure drop.

Pipe Sizing & Pressure Drop Engineering

What you'll learn

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Course content

The Foundations of Pipe Sizing3 lectures • 13min

Calculating Pressure Drop3 lectures • 16min

Practical Application and Advanced Concepts4 lectures • 22min

Advanced Topics and Course Conclusion1 lecture • 6min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: