New correction factors for friction losses in pipelines

This paper derives two correction factors for friction loss, F_m and G_m, by using an analytical method to calculate friction losses in pipelines with multiple outlets along their length. The factor F_m is for conditions of zero outflow at the downstream end of the pipeline and G_m is for a pipeline with equally spaced multiple outlets and outflow at the downstream end. If the outflow at the downstream end is set to zero then the factor G_m will reduce to factor F_m. The factor G_m can be used in designing pipelines with more than one diameter. Using both factors in a numerical example and comparison with the step-to-step method shows that one can estimate friction losses in a length of pipeline with relatively good precision when these factors are substituted in the friction loss equation.