Red Seal Steamfitter/Pipefitter Practice Exam

The term 'pressure drop' specifically refers to the decrease in pressure as fluid flows through a pipe. As fluid moves through a piping system, it encounters resistance due to friction with the pipe walls and fittings, changes in the pipe diameter, and other components, leading to a reduction in pressure. This phenomenon is crucial to understand, as it affects the efficiency of fluid transport systems. Engineers need to account for pressure drops when designing systems to ensure that sufficient pressure is maintained to deliver fluids effectively at all points within the system.

Other definitions do not align with the concept of pressure drop. The increase in pressure within a pipe pertains to situations where additional pressure is applied, such as during pump operation or in closed systems under pressure. The pressure needed to start fluid flow relates to the minimum pressure required to overcome static friction and initiate movement, which is quite different from the ongoing changes in pressure during flow. The maximum pressure a pipe can handle is a measure of the pipe's structural integrity and is often referred to as its pressure rating, which does not directly involve the concept of pressure drop during fluid flow.