Energy Grade Line (EGL) and

Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL)

The line joining the total head at all points is known as
the Energy Grade Line (EGL).

If a piezometer (stand pipe) is insert at the pipe, the

liquid would rise to a height P/ρg and the line obtained
by the drawing the variation of piezometer level of is
called the Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL).

P1/ρg +z1 = piezometric head

HGL is positioned below the EGL by an amount of

velocity head v 2/2g.
EGL AND HGL
Energy Grade Line (EGL)

v1/ρg hL
Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL)
v2/ρg

P2/ρg
P1/ρg

z2
z1

Datum
EGL AND HGL
In real fluid system,
The total energy per unit weight (total head) gradually
decreases in the direction of motion due to losses resulting
from friction and from the disturbances of flow.

For steady flow in a pipe that has uniform physical

characteristic along its length, the head loss per unit
length will be constant. The slope of EGL and HGL will be
constant and parallel along the length of the pipe.

3
EGL AND HGL

4
EGL and HGL
If energy is supplied at some point, by means of pump, there
will be an abrupt rise in the EGL and HGL
EGL and HGL
Similarly, if the energy is abruptly taken out of the flow,
then the EGL and HGL will drop abruptly.
EGL and HGL
If the area of flow changes (pipe diameter changes), the
velocity will also change. Hence HGL and EGL do not
parallel to each other.
EGL and HGL
If the HGP falls below the pipe the p/ρg will be negative
(below atmospheric pressure)