Piping elbows are essential components which dictate the way fluids, gases and most other material is to be conveyed through pipelines. It is customary to employ the following two elbows in many industries: the 90 Deg elbow and the 180 Deg elbow. Both help in altering the flow direction though they are applied in different ways, designed differently and they have a different level of influence on the piping system in question. This blog will look at these differences so that you can learn about some of the instances where each of the elbows is most appropriate.
Understanding the 90 Deg Elbow
The 90 Deg Elbow is one of the piping system’s most used pieces of equipment that has many applications. Like the name suggests this elbow reverses the direction of flow by 90 degrees. They are often employed whenever the pipeline requires bending at a 90-degree angle, & such bends are very frequent in almost all industries and domestic usage.
Key Features of the 90 Deg Elbow:
- Directional Change: A 90-degree elbow is used to alter the flow direction by 90 degrees thus useful where the pipeline has to bend sharply.
- Common Applications: This elbow is employed in plumbing, HVAC systems, and industrial piping applications, which needs a turn in a right angle but has restricted space.
- Installation: The overall design of the 90 Deg Elbow is quite simple, and the pipes take very little space and hence it is well used in the overall piping systems.
Understanding the 180 Deg Elbow
The 180 Deg Elbow is a fitting that inverts the flow after it in by 180 degrees. This elbow is commonly used where there is need for the piping system to reverse its direction through provision of a U-turn to enable the flow of the fluid or the gas to reverse its direction.
Key Features of the 180 Deg Elbow:
- Directional Change: A 180 Deg Elbow is a fitting that reduces or brings the change in the direction of flow by 1800 or in other words, just turns the flow back.
- Common Applications: This elbow is fitted in heat exchangers, radiators, and in other systems where the fluid or the gas has to flow back for re-circulation or cooling.
- Installation: More so, the 180 Deg Elbow is U-shape and, therefore, requires more installation space than the 90 Deg Elbow. But it is useful where redirection of the flow is required, that is, in a special type of system.
Comparing 90 Deg and 180 Deg Elbows
Consequently, although both elbows are intended to alter the flow direction, how they are used and how they affect the overall pipeline, are strikingly different.
1. Flow Direction:
90 Deg Elbow: Flexible in one plane only; they are suitable for the redirection of flow by 90°, thus being useful in right-angle pipe bends.
180 Deg Elbow: Flips around the direction of the flow by half turn and let the flow of fluid or gas revert back in the opposite direction.
2. Space Requirements:
90 Deg Elbow: This takes up less space; hence is useful where the piping arrangement will occupy little space.
180 Deg Elbow: Is larger than the S-shaped trap due to its U-shape, although it is useful where a system change-over is needed.
3. Pressure Drop:
90 Deg Elbow: Generate moderate pressure loss because of the change in direction in this pipe, and hence impacts the flow rate.
180 Deg Elbow: This can result in even higher pressure drop across the system because the fluid has to travel a long distance and make a U-turn; hence should be properly designed in a system.
4. Applications:
90 Deg Elbow: Finding application in residential water supply systems, industrial piping, and HVAC systems where bend is required in right angle.
180 Deg Elbow: Typically used in cars, in heat exchangers, radiators or back flow systems where the fluid has to loop back.
Which Elbow Should You Choose?
Which one between the 90 Deg elbow and the 180 Deg elbow to opt for is worthy of note and this depends on the current piping system. When having to alter the flow direction & at 90 Deg with little room, then a 90 Deg Elbow is the right piece to use. But if your system requires the flow to be reversed, such as in heat exchangers, then the 180 Deg Elbow must be used despite its larger space requirement and the tendency to produce a higher pressure drop on the same.
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Summary
First and foremost, 90 Deg Elbows & 180 Deg Elbows provide critical roles in piping systems despite the fact that they are employed in different conditions. The 90 Deg Elbow is used where there is a need for speed turn in limited space, and the 180 Deg Elbow is used where there is need to reverse the flow of a system. This contribution examines the various types of elbows so that the right part can be used in a particular application, hence improving the performance of the piping system.