Research on head losses in Escher Wyss type distribution pipes @ by Dr. A. ChristDuring recent years the design of the Escher Wyss branch pieces of distribution pipes has ‘boon so far developed that head losses are smaller than for classical branch pieces with ‘external reinforcements. By using models tested with air as the tlow medium, the head losses of each stage of development could be checked and at the same time basic data for calculating head losses in actual distribution pipes evaluated. Field measurements on such pipe conlirmed the good flow qualities of the new distribution piaces. ‘About ten years ago, when the first internally reinforced distribution pieces were devel- ‘oped, subsequent model tests with air were ‘aarried out in order to determine their pres sure losses. These trials already showed that in the region of hydraulic symmetry (i.e. in “he zone where actual distribution closely proaches design distribution), the pressure losses were somewhat lower than those of a congruent distribution piece with outer rain forcement. In unsymmetric ranges, however, the pressure losses of the internally rein- forced branch pieces were clearly higher Since then new branch piece designs nave been developed with lower head losses in Fig. Diagram Jef: Hro +1 = tg (head of wate faa = 8052 Diagram right: {low MY = maximum inlet mass the main or even in all distributing ranges. Near the economically most important hy- draulic symmetrical ranges, in particular, head losses are considerably lower as against the classical design. Fig. 1a and 1b show the success of this de- velopment. Comparison with the classical design is given in the form of head loss coefficients & (1a) and in the form of a power loss coetticient vs (1b. A noteworthy feature of the latest design ‘J Reauetion of the woight ana iss of energy in bution pipes for hydraulle power plants. (A. Sis, 1M. Hassan) EW Nows 1057/8 and 1958/1, [A Frat stage of development with intemal reinforcement B Second stage of de nal reinforcement © Design of tho latest branch pieces 1D Branching with extemal reinforcement lopment with intr- v= HEN lacy cone. ponding to Fig. 1B fess ¢ and powes Fetes vy of a lopment stages. of inte i iforced branch pieces Compared oth an eteraly feinlorced branch pace Sion tribution macs Rows: 3< The “fi {oreed branch pieces wo superar to the conventional nos only nvr rest Setibung ange. With the late dosgn, the goa! of Geer all How ‘eSimen i wel tained Theva of M at Fig. 1 for the 3 fbranch found by means of the fo Towing easations: = im art fig; the z higher valuo being the actual(Fig. 2), firstly, the enlarged diameter in the Inlet region which enables strongly conical sections to be provided at the outlet. And this permits the reinforcement to be kept smaller, 50 that there is less protrusion into the actual branching zone without concessions having ity or maximum stresses. Starting from point A in Fig. 2, therefore, the water flow will only be accelerated, which helps to avoid eddies and nead losses. At first glance it may be appear (Fig. 2) that the flow cross sections at point B are larger than at point A. But an accurate calculation de- ‘monstrates that, owing to the pronounced conieity between A and 8 the cross section is in fact reduced between these two points. Secondly, sharp defections’ in the outer contour of the new design, often sources of eddies and losses, are carefully avoided ‘and, thirdly, the velocity of flow in the actual branch piece is considerably reduced (by the square of the diameter ratio). The velocity head and the losses are again reduced in proportion to the square of the velocity itself ‘As a result of these three factors the losses in the new branch pipes are very !ow, provid ‘ed that the diffuser at the entry works effi ciently. Since the latter has to be built steeper than is normally admitted, there were al first some doubts as to this new design. But air trials on the models soon proved that the advantages by far outweighed the draw- backs. ‘Common to all branch pipes are the nega~ tive head loss coefficients (Fig. 1a) of the straight sections in the region approaching hydraulic symmetry. This means that the energy of the water flowing through the straight section is higher than the m energy in the entry section. This fact, al though somewhat difficult to understand, has been known since 1928? and repeatedly con- firmed in the meantime. Fig. 3 may help to clarify the reasons for the phenomenon. ‘Sketched into Fig. 9, entry section, is a nor- mal velocity distribution conforming to the Reynolds’ Numbers in penstocks. Whereas TF, Potermann: Report trom the Hydraulic Institute ‘tthe Munich Techoleal High Sehoat, 1028. Fig, 2 Design of the latest branch plece type. Tho fol ‘owing Components contib- io "Towards Keeping the losses low: Enlargement of Cross section atthe antrance (thevelociy mead 2 bee comes very smal). 23 The strongly conical shape of the exit regions permits the reinforcement sickle. to be kept very small, resulting im only small low isturo- ance. even at quite unsym= imotres! detebution Simooth deviation oft ‘owatds the tatral branching causing no eddies. Fig. Development of the elecly protien in 2 branch love (represented schema Neal). The pressure tosses ff the straight brane may bacome negative because i Now stom mally om the tentral zane, whieh moves Sorplus or kinetic anergy. The fateral branening isd mainly by flow panicles ‘rom the boundary layer with low velocity head. Its loss {a moreore relatively high