An Overview of Colebrook Based Friction Factor Equations for Industrial Pipeline Design: Availability and Applicability

Abstract

In the design of industrial pipeline systems, the accurate estimation of the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is fundamental for determining head loss and ensuring operational efficiency. While the implicit Colebrook-White equation remains the industry standard for turbulent flow, its iterative nature poses computational challenges, leading to the development of numerous explicit approximations. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of Colebrook-based friction factor equations, examining their availability and applicability across modern engineering practices. Firstly, the study synthesizes findings from recent comparative reviews to identify the most accurate explicit approximations, highlighting equations such as those by Romeo, Royo, and Monzon (2002) and Zigrang and Sylvester (1982) as high-precision alternatives. Secondly, the practical application of these equations is categorized across diverse industries, including hydropower, oil and gas, nuclear engineering, and water distribution, referencing specific industry standards. Finally, the paper critically analyzes the integration of these equations into widely used hydraulic software such as EPANET, OpenFOAM, and WaterGEMS, clarifying the default algorithms and user options available in computational tools. This overview aims to serve as a practical guide for engineers and decision-makers in selecting the most appropriate friction factor correlations for specific industrial scenarios and software environments.