CVE 466 HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING II

References:
Fluid Mechanics (Seventh Edition), Frank M. White
Fundamentals and Fluid Mechanics (Seventh Edition)
Hydraulics in Civil Engineering, Christoph Rapp
PIPE FLOW SYSTEMS
The main idea involved is to apply the energy equation between appropriate locations within the
flow system, with the head loss written in terms of the friction factor and the minor loss coefficients.
We will consider two classes of pipe systems: those containing a single pipe (whose length may be
interrupted by various components), and those containing multiple pipes in parallel, series, or
network configurations.
• Single Pipes
The nature of the solution process for pipe flow problems can depend strongly on which of the
various parameters are independent parameters (the “given”) and which is the dependent parameter
(the “determine”). The three most common types of problems are shown in Table in terms of the
parameters involved. We assume the pipe system is defined in terms of the length of pipe sections
used and the number of elbows, bends, and valves needed to convey the fluid between the desired
locations. In all instances we assume the fluid properties are given.
• In a Type I problem we specify the desired flowrate or average velocity and determine the
necessary pressure difference or head loss. For example, if a flowrate of 2.0 gal/min is required
for a dishwasher that is connected to the water heater by a given pipe system as shown by the
figure in the margin, what pressure is needed in the water heater?

• In a Type II problem we specify the applied driving pressure

(or, alternatively, the head loss) and determine the flowrate.

For example, how many gal/min of hot water are supplied

to the dishwasher if the pressure within the water heater is 60 psi

and the pipe system details (length, diameter, roughness of the pipe;

number of elbows; etc.) are specified?

• In a Type III problem we specify the pressure drop and the flowrate and determine the diameter of
the pipe needed. For example, what diameter of pipe is needed between the water heater and
dishwasher if the pressure in the water heater is 60 psi (determined by the city water system) and
the flowrate is to be not less than 2.0 gal/min (determined by the manufacturer)?
• Multiple Pipe Systems
In many pipe systems there is more than one pipe involved. The complex system of tubes in our
lungs and the maze of pipes in a city’s water distribution system are typical of such systems. The
governing mechanisms for the flow in multiple pipe systems are the same as for the single pipe
systems discussed in this chapter. However, because of the numerous unknowns involved, additional
complexities may arise in solving for the flow in multiple pipe systems.
• The simplest multiple pipe systems can be classified into series or parallel flows, as are shown in
Fig. In a fluid circuit there is a balance between the pressure drop (Δp) the flowrate or velocity (Q
or V), and the flow resistance as given in terms of the friction factor and minor loss coefficients (f
and KL) . For a simple flow it follows that where , a
measure of the resistance to the flow, is proportional to f.
• One of the simplest multiple pipe systems is that containing pipes in series, as is shown in Fig. a.
Every fluid particle that passes through the system passes through each of the pipes. Thus, the
flowrate (but not the velocity) is the same in each pipe, and the head loss from point A to point B
is the sum of the head losses in each of the pipes. The governing equations can be written as
follows:

where the subscripts refer to each of the pipes. In general, the friction factors will be different for each
pipe because the Reynolds numbers and the relative roughnesses will be
different.
• If the flowrate is given, it is a straightforward calculation to determine the head loss or pressure
drop (Type I problem). If the pressure drop is given and the flowrate is to be calculated (Type II
problem), an iteration scheme is needed. In this situation none of the friction factors, are known,
so the calculations may involve more trial-and-error attempts than for corresponding single pipe
systems. The same is true for problems in which the pipe diameter (or diameters) is to be
determined (Type III problems).
• Another common multiple pipe system contains pipes in parallel, as is shown in Fig.b. In this
system a fluid particle traveling from A to B may take any of the paths available, with the total
flowrate equal to the sum of the flowrates in each pipe. However, by writing the energy equation
between points A and B it is found that the head loss experienced by any fluid particle traveling
between these locations is the same, independent of the path taken. Thus, the governing equations
for parallel pipes are
• Another type of multiple pipe system called a loop is shown in Fig. In this case the flowrate
through pipe (1) equals the sum of the flowrates through pipes (2) and (3), or Q1 = Q2 + Q3

• As can be seen by writing the energy equation between the surfaces of each reservoir, the head
loss for pipe (2) must equal that for pipe (3), even though the pipe sizes and flowrates may be
different for each. That is

for a fluid particle traveling through pipes (1) and (2),

while for fluid that travels through pipes (1) and (3).
• These can be combined to give . This is a statement of the fact that fluid particles that
travel through pipe (2) and particles that travel through pipe (3) all originate from common
conditions at the junction (or node, N) of the pipes and all end up at the same final conditions.
• The flow in a relatively simple looking multiple pipe system may be more complex than it appears
initially. The branching system termed the three-reservoir problem shown in Fig. is such a system.
Three reservoirs at known elevations are connected together with three pipes of known properties
(length, diameter, and roughness). The problem is to determine the flowrates into or out of the
reservoirs. If valve (1) were closed, the fluid would flow from reservoir B to C, and the flowrate
could be easily calculated. Similar calculations could be carried out if valves (2) or (3) were closed
with the others open.
• With all valves open, however, it is not necessarily obvious which direction the fluid flows. For
the conditions indicated in Fig., it is clear that fluid flows from reservoir A because the other two
reservoir levels are lower. Whether the fluid flows into or out of reservoir B depends on the
elevation of reservoirs B and C and the properties (length, diameter, roughness) of the three pipes.
In general, the flow direction is not obvious, and the solution process must include the
determination of this direction.
• EXAMPLE

The water surface levels at the A and C reservoirs are respectively z A=100 m and zC= 70 for the

given three-reservoir system. Reservoirs A and B are feeding reservoir C and Q A = QB. Calculate the
water surface level of the reservoir B. Draw the energy line of the system. The physical
characteristics of the pipes are,
 EXAMPLE
• A 300 mm pipeline 1500 m long is laid between two reservoirs having a difference of surface
elevation of 24. The maximum discharge obtainable through this line is 0.15m 3 /sec. When this
pipe is looped with a 600 m pipe of the same size and material laid parallel and connected to it,
what increase of discharge may be expected?
• EXAMPLE:

Three pipes have been connected between the points A and B. Total discharge between A and B is
200 lt/sec. Physical characteristics of the pipes are,

Calculate the discharges of each pipe and calculate the head loss between the points A and B.
Draw the energy line of the system.