DIFFUSER_SHARP

Overview

Calculate the loss coefficient (K) for a sudden pipe expansion (diffuser).

Excel Usage

=DIFFUSER_SHARP(Di_small, Di_large, diff_sharp_method)

• Di_small (float, required): Inside diameter of original (smaller) pipe [m]
• Di_large (float, required): Inside diameter of following (larger) pipe [m]
• diff_sharp_method (str, optional, default: “Rennels”): Calculation method

Returns (float): Loss coefficient K for the sudden expansion [-]

Examples

Example 1: Basic sudden expansion (0.5m to 1m)

Inputs:

Di_small	Di_large
0.5	1

Excel formula:

=DIFFUSER_SHARP(0.5, 1)

Expected output:

0.5625

Example 2: Small expansion ratio

Inputs:

Di_small	Di_large
0.08	0.1

Excel formula:

=DIFFUSER_SHARP(0.08, 0.1)

Expected output:

0.1296

Example 3: Large expansion ratio

Inputs:

Di_small	Di_large
0.1	0.5

Excel formula:

=DIFFUSER_SHARP(0.1, 0.5)

Expected output:

0.9216

Example 4: Medium expansion ratio

Inputs:

Di_small	Di_large
0.2	0.3

Excel formula:

=DIFFUSER_SHARP(0.2, 0.3)

Expected output:

0.30864

Python Code

from fluids.fittings import diffuser_sharp as fluids_diffuser_sharp

def diffuser_sharp(Di_small, Di_large, diff_sharp_method='Rennels'):
    """
    Calculate the loss coefficient (K) for a sudden pipe expansion (diffuser).

    See: https://fluids.readthedocs.io/fluids.fittings.html#fluids.fittings.diffuser_sharp

    This example function is provided as-is without any representation of accuracy.

    Args:
        Di_small (float): Inside diameter of original (smaller) pipe [m]
        Di_large (float): Inside diameter of following (larger) pipe [m]
        diff_sharp_method (str, optional): Calculation method Valid options: Rennels, Hooper. Default is 'Rennels'.

    Returns:
        float: Loss coefficient K for the sudden expansion [-]
    """
    try:
      try:
        Di1 = float(Di_small)
        Di2 = float(Di_large)
      except (ValueError, TypeError):
        return "Error: Di_small and Di_large must be numbers."

      if Di1 <= 0 or Di2 <= 0:
        return "Error: Diameters must be positive."
      if Di1 >= Di2:
        return "Error: Di_small must be less than Di_large."

      result = fluids_diffuser_sharp(Di1=Di1, Di2=Di2, method=diff_sharp_method)
      return float(result)
    except Exception as e:
      return f"Error: {str(e)}"

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