Incompressible flow in Pipe Networks

Introduction

Analyses and design of pipe networks create a relatively complex problem, particularly if the
network consists of a large number of pipes as frequently occurs in the water distribution
systems of large metropolitan areas, or natural gas pipe networks.

Compound Pipe flow

The system is called compound pipe flow: When two or more pipes with different diameters are
connected together head to tail (in series) or connected to two common nodes (in parallel)

Series Pipes

The method for reducing two or more pipes of different size in series will be explained by
reference to the diagram below. The same flow must pass through each pipe in series. An
equivalent pipe is a pipe which will carry this flow rate and produce the same head loss as two or
more pipes.

Parallel Pipes
An equivalent pipe can also be used to replace two or more pipes in parallel. The head loss in
each pipe between junctions where parallel pipes part and join again must be equal, or

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Branching Pipes
In a branching system a number of pipes are connected to the main to form of a tree. Assuming
that the flow is from the main into the smaller laterals it is possible to calculate the flow rate in
any pipe as the sum of the downstream consumptions or demands.

Definition:When three or more resorviors are connected by means of pipes, having one ore
junctions, then this arrangment is called branching of pipe.

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Pipe flow Problems

1. How does a gravity system work on pipe flow?

Let’s consider the example of the diagram shown below:

o Tap 1: water does not run out because the tap is on a higher level than the water level in
the tank.

o Tap 2: water runs out from the tap but with low pressure (i.e. low power) because the tap
is close to water level in tank.

o Tap 3: water does not run out because part of the pipes is found in the top of water level
in the tank.

o Tap 4: water runs out from the tap with a good pressure.

2. How to avoid having air in pipes?

Practice Problems

1. Water flows through two tubes. The tubes are made of the same material and have the same
diameter but, they have different lengths (L1 = 2L2). The pressure gages read the same value.
Which tube has a greater flow rate?
a. Tube 1
b. Tube 2
c. They are the same

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2. A 30.48 cm cast iron pipe (ε = 0.26 mm) which is 30.48 m long is attached in series to a
25.4 cm cast iron pipe which is 91.44 m long to carry a flow rate of 0.142 m3/s of water at
20°C. Find the length of 25.4 cm pipe which is equivalent to the series system? Properties of
water at 20°C, density is 998.2 kg/m3 and dynamic viscosity is 1.002 (m Pa. s). Ans. 103 m

3. For three pipes in series, the total pressure drop is 150 kPa, and the elevation drop is 5 m the
pipe data are;
Pipe Length, m Diameter, cm Friction factor
1 100 8 0.0288
2 150 6 0.026
3 80 4 0.0314

Calculate the flow rate (in m3/h) through the system. Ans. 10.2 m3/h

4. Two reservoirs are connected by three galvanized iron pipes in series. The first pipe is 600
m long, 20 cm in diameter; the second pipe is 800 m long, 30 cm in diameter; and the third
pipe is 1200 m long, 40 cm in diameter. For a flow of 0.15 m3/s of water, determine the
elevation difference between the reservoirs (in m)? Ans. 79.6 m

5. A 225 m long, 300 mm diameter concrete pipe and 400 m long, 500 mm diameter concrete
pipe are connected in series, find the diameter of a 625 m long equivalent pipe? Assume the
rate of flow is 0.1 m3/s Ans. 360 mm

6. A pipe 6-cm in diameter, 1000 m long and with f = 0.018 is connected in parallel between
two points M and N with another pipe 8-cm in diameter, 800-m long and having f = 0.020.
A total discharge of 20 L/s enters the parallel pipe through division at A and rejoins at B.
Estimate the discharge in each of the pipe?

7. Water flows at a rate of 0.02 m3/s from reservoir A to reservoir B through three concrete
pipes connected in series as shown in the figure below, find the difference in water surface
elevations in the reservoirs . Neglect minor losses. Ans. 16.59 m

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8. If the flow rate of water through the pipe system shown in the figure below is 0.05 m3/ s
under total head loss of 9 m. Determine the diameter of pipe C? Ans. 180 mm

9. Four pipes connected in parallel as shown. The following details are given:
If ZA= 150 m, ZB= 144 m, determine the discharge in each pipe (assume PA=PB= Patm,)

Pipe L(m) D(mm) f

Ans. Q = 0.0762 + 0.1146 + 0.28 + 0.1078 = 0.579 m3/s

10. The circular water pipes shown in the sketch are flowing full. What is the velocity of flow
(in m/s) in the branch pipe “R”? Ans. 4 m/s

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11. Water flows through a horizontal branching pipe as shown in Figure. Determine the pressure
at section (3)? Ans. 10.78, 2.63 m/s and 404.5 kPa

12. Water flows through the branching pipe shown in figure. If viscous effects are negligible,
determine the pressure at section (2) and the pressure at section (3)? Ans. 252, 123.6 kPa.

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