CHAPTER TWO: SOLUTION OF SIMPLE PIPE FLOW PROBLEMS

The 3 simple pipe flow cases that are basic to solutions of the more complex problems
are:
(i) Given: Discharge, Diameter, Length, Coefficient of dynamic/absolute of
Kinematics’ Viscosity, and absolute rough ness and required to find
Head loss due to friction. (i.e. given Q, D, L, μ , υ , ε and required to
find hf)
(ii) Given: h f , L , D , μ , or υ , ε required to find Q

(iii) Given: h f , Q, L, μ , or , υ , ε required to find D

CASE 1: EXAMPLE 1
(i) Calculate the loss head due to friction and the power required to
maintain flow in a horizontal circular pipe 40mm diameter and 750m long
N .s
when water with coefficient of dynamic viscosity equals 1.14 x10 −3 ,
m2
flows at (a) 4liter/minute (b) 30Liter/minute. Assume that for the pipe the
absolute roughness is 8 x10 −5 m .

SOLUTION
• Establish whether the flow is Laminar or Turbulent:
ρdv vd
Re = =
μ υ
μ
Note : υ =
ρ
4 x10 −3
Q= = 6.67 x10 −5 m 3 / s
60
πD 2
A= = 1.26 x10 −3 m 2
4
Q
V = = 0.053m / s
A
ρvd 10 3 x0.053x0.04
Re = = = 1862
μ 1.14 x10 −3
 • The flow is Lamina Re<2000
• For Laminar flow the friction factor can be calculated thus:
64
f '= = 0.03436
Re
LV 2
• Head loss due to friction, h f = f ' normally referred to as Darcy
D2 g
Weisbach formula/equation
LV 2
• ∴hf = f ' = 0.092m
D2 g

• Power required to maintain flow

30 x10 −3
Q= = 5 x10 − 4 m 3 / s
60
Q
V = = 0.4m / s
(ii) A
ρVD
Re = = 14,035 = 1.4 x10 4
μ
Re > 2000
The flow is Turbulent
ε 8 x10 −5
Calculate the relative roughness = = 0.02
D 0.04
ε
Use Moody’s Chart for Re = 1.4 x10 4 and = 0.02
D
f ' = 0.032
h f = 4.89m
Power = 24.0Watts
CASE 2 EXAMPE 2
2. Water at 150C flows through a 30cm diameter riveted steel pipe, absolute roughness
of 3mm, with head loss of 6m in 300m. Determine the flow.

SOLUTION

ε 0.003
= = 0.01
D 0.3

Assume f ' = 0.04

f ' LV 2
hf =
d 2g
300 V 2
6 = 0.04
0.3 19.62
V = 1.715m / s
From table of physical properties of water ( in any standard text book SI units) at 150C ,
Kinematic Viscosity is 1.139 x10 −6 m 2 / s.
Vd
∴ Re = = 451712 ≅ 4.5 x10 5
υ
ε
from Mood’s Chart for = 0.01 and Re = 4.5 x10 5
D
f ' = 0.038 (this value is close enough to the assumed value) it is okay.

Q = AV = πr 2
h f d 2g
f 'L
=π r2( ) 6 x0.3x19.62
0.038 x300
= 0.1245m 3 / s
CASE 3 EXAMPLE 3
In the third case with Diameter unknown:
(i) There are 2 unknowns in the Darcy-Weisbsch equation f’, V and D.
f ' LV 2
hf = , f ' , V , d unknown
d 2g
(ii) There are 2 unknowns in the continuity equation V and d.
(iii) There are 3 unknowns in Reynolds Number equation V, D, Re
(iv) The relative roughness is also unknown
SOLUTION
Using the continuity equation to eliminate the velocity in darcy-Weisbach equation and
in the expression for Re the problem will be simplified.
Q
V=
A
L Q2
hf = f ' 2
LLLL1
D ⎛ πD 2 ⎞
2 g ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 4 ⎠
8 LQ 2
D =
5
f ' = C1 f '
h f gπ 2

8 LQ 2
Where C1 = the known quantities =
h f gπ 2

4Q
But VD 2 = LLL continuity equation
π
VD 4Q C 2
Re = = = LLLL 2
υ πυD D
4Q
C 2 = knownquantities =
πυ
The solution is now effected by the following procedure:
(i) Assume a value of f’
(ii) Solve equation 1 for D
(iii) Solve equation 2 for Re
(iv) Find the relative roughness
⎛ ε⎞
(v) Find new f’ from moody’s chart with the ⎜ Re, ⎟
⎝ D⎠
(vi) Use the new f’ and repeat procedure
(vii) When the value of f’ does not change in the first two significant figures
all equations are satisfied and the problem is solved.
EXAMPLE 3
1. Determine the size of clean wrought iron pipe required to convey 260L/s of oil of
kinematic viscosity of 9.26x10-6m2/s, and 3048m length, with head loss of 22.8m.
Absolute roughness is 0.046mm.
SOLUTION
8LQ 2 f '
D5 = = 0.745 f '
h f gπ 2
4Q 35634
Re = =
πυD D
Assume f’=0.02
D = 0.431m
ε
= 1.067 x10 − 4
d
Re = 8.268 x10 4
From Moody’s chart f’=0.019
ε
= 0.00011
D
Re = 83,451
f ' = 0.019
f’ doesn’t change significantly
2nd trial for f’=0.019