TOPIC 1 :

PIPE FLOW ANALYSIS

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. To apply energy equation in pipes
2. To analyse of flow and piping systems including pipe in series and
pipes in parallel by applying energy equations
3. To analyse pipe systems consist numerous pipes connected in a
complex manner with general entry and withdrawal points by using
Quantity Balance Method
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TOPIC 1 : PIPE FLOW ANALYSIS

1.8 Introduction and general approach
1.9 Incompressible flow through pipes
1.10 Flow through pipes in series
1.11 Flow through pipes in parallel
1.12 Flow through branching pipes
1.13 Pipe networks
1.14 Quantity Balance Method

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LECTURE 1. 9

Incompressible flow through pipes

(density of fluid constant)

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GENERAL APPROACH
Concerned with analysis of steady flow of water in pipes and

pipe network
Only deals with flow in circular pipes flowing full under steady
conditions and flowing under gravity
Problems analysed are typically flow of water
From a reservoir discharging to the atmosphere
From a reservoir of higher elevation to another of lower
elevation

Case 1

Case 2

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DARCY-WEISBACH EQN.
The head loss due to friction, hf is used same as explained in

Chapter 1.

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 Pipe fittings generally cause flow separation which will result in

head loss
General expression for this type of head loss due to separation

where K = loss coefficient (dimensionless)

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1) Energy equation

+ hT

hT = hf + h s
2) Continuity equation

QA = Q B
The Bernoulli theorem states that the total energy of the fluid anywhere in
the system is composed of three components: the pressure head, the
velocity head, and the elevation head. Since all real piping systems have
losses, so a system energy loss will be counted

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EXAMPLE 1

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SOLUTION FOR EXAMPLE 1

Use the steady flow energy equation between points A and C

+ hT
Where hT = hf + hs

hs

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QC=Q,
, thus,

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12

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13

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14

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EXERCISE 1
A pipeline connecting 2 reservoirs having a difference in
elevation of 10.5m is 2km long and 1.2m diameter. The
highest point in the pipeline is 5m above the upper reservoir
and is located at 600m from the entrance. If f=0.012, what is
the discharge in the pipeline? What is the pressure at the
highest point in the pipeline? The exit and entry are sharp.
C
5m

10.5m

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Answer: v= 1.59m/s
Pc = -81.3kPa

B
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EXERCISE 2
Two reservoirs connected by a single pipeline, which is
400mm in diameter and 5km long. The difference in water
level elevations between the two reservoirs is 10m. Point B is
the highest point in the pipeline where it is 5m above the
water level in the upper reservoir. The length of the pipeline
from the entrance to point B is 2.0km. The exit and the entry
are sharp edges. Assume f =0.01.
i.
Describe all losses in this pipeline
ii. Calculate the discharge in the pipeline. (Q=0.0786m3/s)
iii. What is the pressure at point B? (PB=-88.468Pa)
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