Minor Loss - Head or Pressure Loss in Air Duct Components - can be expressed as

hminor_loss = ξ v2/ 2 g (1)

where

hminor_loss = minor head loss (m, ft)

ξ = minor loss coefficient

v = flow velocity (m/s, ft/s)

g = acceleration of gravity (m/s2, ft/s2)

Minor loss can also be expressed as pressure loss instead of head loss.

Minor loss coefficients for different components common in air duct distribution systems

Minor Loss
Component or Fitting Coefficient
-ξ-

90o bend, sharp 1.3

90o bend, with vanes 0.7

90o bend, rounded

0.5
radius/diameter duct <1

90o bend, rounded

0.25
radius/diameter duct >1

45o bend, sharp 0.5

45o bend, rounded

0.2
radius/diameter duct <1

45o bend, rounded

0.05
radius/diameter duct >1

T, flow to branch
0.3
(applied to velocity in branch)
 Flow from duct to room 1.0

Flow from room to duct 0.35

Reduction, tapered 0

Enlargement, abrupt
(due to speed before reduction)
(1 - v2 / v1)2
(v1= velocity before enlargement and
v2 = velocity after enlargement)

Enlargement, tapered angle < 8o

(due to speed before reduction) 0.15 (1 - v2 /
(v1= velocity before enlargement and v1)2
v2 = velocity after enlargement)

Enlargement, tapered angle > 8o

(due to speed before reduction)
(1 - v2 / v1)2
(v1= velocity before enlargement and
v2 = velocity after enlargement)

Grilles, 0.7 ratio free area to total

3
surface

Grilles, 0.6 ratio free area to total

4
surface

Grilles, 0.5 ratio free area to total

6
surface

Grilles, 0.4 ratio free area to total

10
surface

Grilles, 0.3 ratio free area to total

20
surface

Grilles, 0.2 ratio free area to total

50
surface