Typical test questions:

Laminar and Turbulent Flow

Question 1

Heated air at 101.325 kPa and 37.78 °C is to be transported in a 121.92 m long circular plastic duct at
a rate of 0.34 m3/s. If the head loss in the pipe is not to exceed 15.24 m, determine the minimum
diameter of the duct.

Answer: 0.27 m

Question 2

A 3-m-diameter tank is initially filled with water 2 m above the centre of a sharp-edged 10-cm-
diameter orifice. The tank water surface is open to the atmosphere, and the orifice drains to the
atmosphere. Neglecting the effect of the kinetic energy correction factor, calculate (a) the initial
velocity from the tank and (b) the time required to empty the tank. Does the loss coefficient of the
orifice cause a significant increase in the draining time of the tank?

Answer: 38.9 minutes

Also do the following from the book:

8-90

8-92

8-97

8-139

And all book examples

UNSTEADY STATE

Question 1

You are assigned by your line manager to do a time study on one particular tank, this information is
needed so to start planning for an upcoming preventative maintenance schedule. A 1 m diameter
and 0.6 km long straight pipe with a Darcy friction factor of 0.025 connects to a reservoir carrying oil
at 80 degrees Celsius. The inlet leading from the tank is sharp and a 25 m constant level is
maintained above the pipe outlet which is initially closed by a globe valve. Report back to your line
manager. Hint: A steady state discharge can be can be assumed from 90% and above.

Answer: 15.5 seconds if V = 90% if steady state velocity.

Question 2

A globe valve installed at the outlet of a circular pipe 1 m diameter and 0.6 km long with a Darcy
friction factor of 0.02 is suddenly opened. The pipe discharges to the atmosphere and the
piezometric head at the inlet end of the pipe is 23 m (relative to the outlet level). You are assigned
to provide an estimated fluid velocity after 12 seconds if all head losses (minor and major) account
for 12 m.

Answer: 3.37 m/s

Question 3

A pipeline is used to transport benzene (E = 1.035 MPa, SG = 0.88) is 600 mm in dia., 450 m long is
made of steel (E = 270 MPa and t= 12.5 mm). Estimate t if the flow is restricted to 0.85 m 3/s and t=
2l/C

Answer: tmax = 0.924 seconds

Question 4

Your employer needs you to select a suitable pipe thickness for pipe to be used to transport water.
Water has to flow steadily at 0.2 m3/s in a 200 mm pipe diameter and if the flow is suddenly stopped
the stress in the pipe must not exceed 5 x 104 kN/m2. Modulus of elasticity for both water and pipe
material are given as 2 x 106 kN/m2 and 120 x 106 kN/m2 respectively.

Answer: 16 mm