Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Brayden Benedetti, Sophomore Jaden Turobiner, Gedaliah Dimbert
Lead Presenter's Name
Brayden Benedetti
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
gDr. Jorge Gonzalez
Abstract
Accurate prediction of pressure losses in propellant and fluid feed systems is essential for reliable design and operation of aerospace and industrial flow networks. This project presents a systematic derivation of a practical pressure drop calculator for a feed system using isopropyl alcohol, beginning from the fundamental conservation laws and culminating in an engineering-level computational model. Starting with the differential form of the Navier–Stokes equations for incompressible flow, the governing equations are simplified through a series of physically justified assumptions, including steady-state flow, negligible body forces, and fully developed internal flow within circular piping. The resulting momentum balance is reduced to the classical pressure–velocity relationship described by the Darcy–Weisbach formulation. Frictional losses are incorporated through the Reynolds number and relative roughness dependent friction factor, with regime determination based on laminar and turbulent flow correlations. Additional minor losses from fittings, valves, and geometric transitions are included through empirical loss coefficients. The derived formulation is then implemented as a pressure drop calculator tailored to the feed system developed by the rocket club on campus, ERPL. It accounts for the fluid’s density and viscosity at the operating conditions of the MOE bipropellant engine. The model enables rapid estimation of pressure losses across complex feed architectures and supports component sizing, selection, and system performance analysis. Results demonstrate how the analytical reduction from the Navier–Stokes framework provides both physical transparency and practical accuracy for engineering design applications involving the ERPL feed system DRACO.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Commons, Fluid Dynamics Commons, Propulsion and Power Commons
Navier Stokes Pressure Drop Derivation
Accurate prediction of pressure losses in propellant and fluid feed systems is essential for reliable design and operation of aerospace and industrial flow networks. This project presents a systematic derivation of a practical pressure drop calculator for a feed system using isopropyl alcohol, beginning from the fundamental conservation laws and culminating in an engineering-level computational model. Starting with the differential form of the Navier–Stokes equations for incompressible flow, the governing equations are simplified through a series of physically justified assumptions, including steady-state flow, negligible body forces, and fully developed internal flow within circular piping. The resulting momentum balance is reduced to the classical pressure–velocity relationship described by the Darcy–Weisbach formulation. Frictional losses are incorporated through the Reynolds number and relative roughness dependent friction factor, with regime determination based on laminar and turbulent flow correlations. Additional minor losses from fittings, valves, and geometric transitions are included through empirical loss coefficients. The derived formulation is then implemented as a pressure drop calculator tailored to the feed system developed by the rocket club on campus, ERPL. It accounts for the fluid’s density and viscosity at the operating conditions of the MOE bipropellant engine. The model enables rapid estimation of pressure losses across complex feed architectures and supports component sizing, selection, and system performance analysis. Results demonstrate how the analytical reduction from the Navier–Stokes framework provides both physical transparency and practical accuracy for engineering design applications involving the ERPL feed system DRACO.