View Full Version : Tube: 1/2" versus parallel 1/4"
grudgelord
02-10-2007, 10:46 PM
How many parallel 1/4" tubes would it take to equal the flow of a single 1/2" tube?
By my calculations, which do not account for friction values, it would take approximately 4.7 1/4" tubes to equate to a single 1/2" tube (no doubt the number would be higher with friction calculated). Anyone with more knowledge of flow dynamics want to check this, and perhaps clue me in on the proper way to calculate this kind of thing?
BGP Spook
02-10-2007, 10:55 PM
Is there a really good reason why you are inclined to use 1/4" instead of 1/2"?
grudgelord
02-11-2007, 12:19 AM
I never claimed I was inclined to use 1/4". ;)
However, if one were forced to step down to 1/4" in the midst of a 1/2" loop they might consider using multiple parallel 1/4" lines in order to offset the increased restriction (let's leave out the impact of "Y's" and "T's" for this exercise, please). Situations where this could be the case might be RAM cooling or some unusual custom applications or configurations.
It's largely an academic question, the answer to which might be useful. It certainly isn't a proposal to debate the comparisons between serial 1/4" loops versus serial 1/2" loops, a topic that has been done to death.
:horse:
It's a math question, or maybe a physics question. Either way it's just something that I'm hoping someone else might have considered. :shrug:
Fairydust
02-11-2007, 12:55 AM
Pressure drop calculators will even include friction losses, there is some shareware versions like this (http://emka.xs4all.nl/dP/index.htm) or even online calculators like this. (http://www.pressure-drop.com/)
It gave me results putting pressure drop of 6-7 1/4 tubes at that of 1 1/2 tube depending on flowrate.
grudgelord
02-11-2007, 11:35 PM
Pressure drop calculators will even include friction losses, there is some shareware versions like this (http://emka.xs4all.nl/dP/index.htm) or even online calculators like this. (http://www.pressure-drop.com/)
It gave me results putting pressure drop of 6-7 1/4 tubes at that of 1 1/2 tube depending on flowrate.
Thanks for the link and the info. Very useful applet there.