What does the term 'pressure drop' indicate?

The term 'pressure drop' refers to the decrease in pressure as a fluid flows through a pipeline. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the frictional forces between the fluid and the internal surfaces of the pipe and other factors such as changes in pipe diameter, bends, valves, and fittings within the system. As fluid moves through these obstacles, energy is lost due to turbulence and viscosity, translating into a reduction in pressure.

Understanding pressure drop is essential in engineering applications because it impacts the efficiency of fluid transport systems. Engineers must account for this drop when designing piping systems to ensure that pumps can generate sufficient pressure to overcome the losses and deliver the desired flow rates.

Other concepts such as pressure increases during fluid movement or variations based on fluid temperature and pump speed relate to different principles and do not describe the fundamental nature of pressure drop within a fluid flow context.