A glossary of commonly used terms.
Branch A pipe or channel carrying flow
Channel Conduct open at the top.
TXT TAB Separated Value file - a text file format used by Pumpsim™ when saving uncompressed files. This format can also be read into Spreadsheets, Word Processors and databases.
DXF Drawing Exchange Format - An AutoCAD graphics file format that can be imported and exported by most CAD and Mining Software packages. Pumpsim™ can also import or export data in this format.
Endpoint / Start point The start or end of a pipe, defined by an x, y and z coordinate, which gives its position in space in three dimensions.
Flow behaviour index Variable of the power law.
Friction cost Similar to friction power, with the kilowatt value converted to a dollar cost per annum, based on the default power cost.
Friction factor or k factor Atkinson’s friction factor, describing the roughness or unevenness of a wall. It directly affects the resistance of a pipe. Friction factors are measured to a specific density, normally normalised to 998kg/m3
Friction loss A component of pressure drop along a pipe caused by the pipe resistance.
Friction power Derived from the friction loss, this estimates (in kilowatts), the amount of energy lost due to the resistance of a pipe on the flow.
Hardy-Cross Method The simulation method used by Pumpsim™ to perform the calculation of flow in a model. It uses an iterative estimation method that adjusts the flows through a model until the estimation errors lie within acceptable limits. Pumpsim™ uses a modified method which takes into account density changes and mass flow balances.
Junction A point defining where two or more pipe ends share the same position. Flow at this point can split or join, depending on flow direction.
Load (Pressure) Estimation of how much load or weight a pipe pressure loss would develop across a resistance.
Network An interconnected series of objects that together form the model of a flow design.
Node A point defining the end or junction of a pipe(s).
Pan The action of sliding the model graphics to a new screen position by using the right mouse button.
Pressure loss The loss of pressure along a length of pipe due to friction loss, pumps, fixed pressures or fixed quantities etc.
Resistance A value describing the difficulty fluid will have moving down a pipe. It is derived from a combination of pipe size, friction factor, length, density and viscosity.
Shock Loss A factor that estimates the effect a change in drive direction or size has on flow. Any such change will increase turbulence in an flow, and hence develop energy losses that can be equated to an increase in pipe resistance. Pumpsim™ uses shock loss as an extra length added on to the original drive length (i.e. the higher the shock loss, the greater the equivalent length), which in turn increases the overall pipe resistance.
Thermal Conductivity Thermal conductivity, k, is the property of a material that indicates its ability to conduct heat. It appears primarily in Fourier's Law for heat conduction.
Density The density of a material is defined as its mass per unit volume. The density influences many psychometric properties.
Viscosity The viscosity is the fluid resistance to sheer stress.
Yield stress The minimum amount of stress required for Bingham plastic to start deforming.