FLOW OF INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUIDS IN PIPELINES

Resistance in circular pipelines flowing full

Continuous resistance is exerted on fluid by pipe walls due to formation of boundary layer in which velocity
decreases from center of pipe to zero at the boundary.
In steady flow in a uniform pipeline, the boundary shear stress τo is constant along pipe (because boundary
layer has a constant thickness). Thus, this resistance results in a unform rate of energy/head loss along the
pipeline (Sf = hf/L is constant )
Hydraulic grade line shows the elevation of pressure head along pipe.
In uniform pipe velocity head αV2/2g is constant. Thus, energy grade line is parallel with hydraulic grade
line.
αV2/g
Sf

Energy Grade Line

hf= Head loss due
to friction
P1/ρg
Hydraulic Grade Line

L P2/ρg

Z1
Z2 Datum
Bernoulli equation:

(1)

P
In steady flow, driving and resisting forces are balanced
A
P1
L
W= ρ g
ALsin
τ0 θ θ P2

𝑍 −𝑍2 Z1
Z2
Given 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃= 1 W=ρgAL
𝐿

(2)

(1) and (2)

where
For steady uniform flow--Darcy-Weisbach relationship:

For turbulent flow:

λ=f (k/D, Re=VD/ν)

k: effective roughness size of pipe wall

For laminar flow Re2000, Hagen-Poiseuille equation:

Thus:
For turbulent flow, Colebrook and White (1939)—plotted by Moody
(1944):

Combining Colebrook and White and Darcy-Weisbach equations:

Yields:
Resistance to flow in non-circular sections

𝑫
For circular pipes: 𝑹=
𝟒
Darcy-Weisbach equation:

and, Colebrook & White equation:

Local losses

In addition to spatially continuous head loss due to friction, local head losses occur at changes of cross-
section, at valves and bends. These losses are referred to as minor losses.
Friction loss is called major loss.

Entry loss (from

tank into pipeline)

D1

D2
Example 1

Crude oil of density 925 kg/m3 and absolute viscosity 0.065Ns/m2 at 20 oC is pumped through a horizontal
pipeline 100 mm in diameter at a rate of 10 l/s. Determine the head loss in each kilometer of pipeline and the
shear stress at the pipe wall. What power is supplied by the pumps per kilometer length?
Example 2

A uniform pipeline is 5000 long and 200 mm in diameter and roughness size of 0.03 mm. The pipeline
conveys water at 15 oC between two reservoirs. The difference in water level between the two reservoir is 50
m. In addition to the energy loss of 0.5V2/2g, a valve produces a head loss of 10V2/2g.

Determine the steady discharge between the reservoirs using:

(a) The Colebrook-White equation

(b) The Moody diagram

A
H

Valve

B
Example 3

Reservoir A delivers to reservoir B through two uniform pipelines AJ:JB of diameters 300 mm and 200 mm,
respectively. Just upstream of the change of section (assumed gradually: no energy loss), a controlled
discharge of 30 l/s is taken off.
Length of AJ is 3000 m and length of JB is 4000 m. Effective roughness size of both pipes is 0.015 mm.
Gross head is 25 m. Determine the discharge to Reservoir B.

A H

B
Example 4

Determine the total head loss due to friction over a 100 m length of a 200 mm diameter pipeline with a
roughness size of 0.03 mm which receives inflow of 150 l/s and releases a unform lateral flow of 1 l/s per
meter.

L
Q1 Q2

q= 1 l/s.m
Example 5

A constant head tank delivers water through a uniform pipeline to a tank at a lower level, from which the
water discharges over a rectangular spillway. The pipeline length is 20 m, diameter 100 mm and roughness
0.2 mm. The length of the spillway crest is 0.25 m, and its crest is 2.5 m below water level in the header
tank. Calculate the steady discharge and the head of the water over the spillway crest.

A
H
2.5 m

B
Example 6

A uniform pipeline of length 20 km is to be designed to convey water at a minimum rate of 250 l/s from an
impounding reservoir to a service reservoir. The minimum difference in water level between the two
reservoirs is 160 m. Local losses including entry loss and velocity head loss total 10V 2/2g.

a) Determine the diameter of standard commercially available lined spun iron pipeline which will provide
the required flow when in new condition (k=0.03 mm).
b) Calculate also the additional head loss to be provided by a control valve such that with the selected pipe
size installed, the discharge will be regulated exactly to 250 l/s.
c) An existing pipeline in a neighboring scheme conveying water of the same quality has been found to
lose 5% of its discharge capacity annually, due to wall deposits (which are removed annually).
i. Check the capacity of the proposed pipeline after one year of use assuming the same percentage
reduction; and
ii. Determine the corresponding effective roughness size.