FLOW IN PIPES- SAMPLE PROBLEMS AND TUTORIALS

Sample Problem 1

A 300 mm diameter pipe with a friction factor of 0.02 conducts fluid between two tanks at 3.04 m/s. The
ends of the pipe are flush with the tank walls. Find the ratio of the minor losses to the pipe friction loss if the
length of the pipe is:

a. 3 meters
b. 75 meters
c. 450 meters

Solution

a. L =3 meters

( )

( )

( )
( )

( )

b. L = 75 meters

( )
( )
 c. When L= 450 m.

( )
( )

Sample Problem 2

A new cast iron pipe must carry 1.2 at a head loss of 5 m. per km. length of pipe. Calculate the
diameter of the pipe using:

a. Hazen Williams Formula with C=120.

b. Mannings Formula with n=0.012.
c. Darcy Weishback Formula with f = 0.021.

Solution
a. Hazen William’s Formula:
 ( )( ) ( )

b. Mannings Formula:

( ) ( )

c. Darcy Weishback Formula:

( )( )( )

Sample Problem 3
Four thousand cu.m of water flows at a rate of 0.028 . against a static head of 30 m.
through a new 150 mm cast iron pipe 430 m. long. Pump efficiency is 80 % and motor
efficiency is 70%. Use Hazen Williams formula with C=130.
a. Calculate the total head loss.
b. Calculate the horsepower needed for the flow.
 c. Calculate the total pumping cost if electric cost is K3.40 per kW-hour.

Solution

a. Total head loss

( )( )
( ) ( )

b. Horsepower needed for the flow:

( )( )

( )( )
( )( )

c. Pumping cost:
( )( )

( )( )
( )
( )

Sample Problem 4

A pipeline system from a water reservoir is designed for filling tank trucks as shown. The 250 mm
line has an overall length of 30 m. The 150 mm line is 3 m long discharging at A while the one
discharging at B is 15 m long. Use f=0.020 for all pipes.
a. Calculate the discharge flowing through the 250 m diam.
b. Calculate the discharge flowing through the 150 mm diam. pipe at A.
c. Calculate the discharge flowing through the 150 mm diam. pipe at B.

Solution
a. Discharge through 250 mm :

( )

( )( )( ) ( )( )( )
( ) ( )

Headloss from reservoir to B:

( )( )( ) ( )( )( )
( ) ( )
 √

√ √

Solving for

b. Discharge through A:
√ ( )

c. Discharge through B:

Sample Problem 5
Two pipes A and B which are connected in series have diameters and lengths equal to 400 mm 200 m., 600
mm 300 m. respectively. Water flows in the pipe 300 liters/s. The difference of elevation between the
entrance and exit of the pipe is 5 m. Assume f = 0.02 for all pipes.
a. Calculate the headloss due to friction.
b. Calculate the change in pressure between A and B.
c. Calculate the equivalent length for a 300 mm pipe (made of the same material)

Solution

1. Headloss due to friction:

( )( )( )
( )
 ( )( )( )
( )

b. Change in pressure between A and B

( )

( )

( ) ( )
( ) ( )

( )

c. Equivalent length for a 300 mm

( )

4.24 m/s
 ( )
( )( )

Sample Problem 6
A concrete culvert 0.90 m. in diameter and also 60 m. long is laid on a slope of 0.005. It has an apron
type inlet and outlet. The maximum allowable headwater is 1.20 m. above the inlet invert. For apron
type outlet and inlet,
a. Calculate the velocity of flow.
b. Calculate the friction loss due to friction only.
c. Calculate the capacity of the concrete culvert.

Solution

a. Velocity of flow.
Apply BET. From 1 to 2:

( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )

b. Friction loss due to friction only.

 ( ) ( )( )
( )

c. Capacity of the concrete culvert.

( )

( )

Sample Problem 7
From a reservoir whose surface is at elevation 225 m., water is pumped through 1200 m. of 300 mm
pipe across a valley to a second reservoir whose level is at elevation 240 m. If during pumping, the
pressure is 550 kPa at a point on the pipe, midway of its length and at elevation 195 m. Use friction
factor f = 0.02.

a. Calculate the rate of discharge in liters/sec.

b. Calculate the head added by the pump to the flow of water.
c. Calculate the input horsepower of the pump if it has an efficiency of 82 %.
Solution
a. Rate of discharge:

( )
( )( )
 ( ) ( )

b. Head added by the pump to the flow of water:

( )( )
( )( )

c. Input horsepower:
( )

( )( )

Sample Problem 8
An engineer contractor is examining the feasibility of using equipment for hydraulic sluicing.
Assume lost of entry E due to suction pipe (strainer or foot valve) is three times the velocity
head in the 250 mm pipe. The pipes are fairly smooth and the several special fittings in the
discharge pipe total a loss of head four times the velocity head in the 200 mm pipe and the
loss in the nozzle is 0.08 times velocity head at the jet. The eff. of pump is 60 %, f = 0.019. To
maintain a flow of 142 liters/sec. through the system
a. Calculate the pressure at B.
b. Calculate the pressure at C.
c. Calculate the input horsepower of the pump.

Solution

a. Pressure at B.

( )

( ) ( )( )
( ) ( )
 ( )

b. Pressure at C.

( )

( )

( )( ) ( )
( )( ) ( )

( ) ( )

c. Input horsepower of the pump.

( ) ( )
 ( )( )

TUTORIAL PROBLEMS

Problem 1
A liquid with a sp.gr. of 1.26 is being pumped in a pipeline from A to B. At A the pipe diameter is 600
mm and the pressure is 300 kPa. At B the pipe diam. is 300 mm and the pressure is 330 kPa. Point B is
1 m. lower than A. If the pump puts 16 kW into the flow and neglecting head losses.

a. Calculate the flow rate in liters/sec. (Ans: Q = 0.4175 )

b. Calculate the head added by the pump to the flow. (Ans: HA =3.09 m)
c. Calculate the horsepower input if the pump has an efficiency of 80 %. (Ans: Input hp = 26.73 hp)

Problem 2
The water system in a suburban area consists of an old 20 cm. pipe line 750 m. long which conveys
water from a pump to a reservoir whose water surface is 105 m. higher than the pump. Water is
pumped at the rate of 70 liters/sec. Neglecting minor losses.
a. Determine the head added by the pump using the 20 cm. pipeline. Assume f = 0.033. (Ans: HA
=136.58 m.)
b. If the old pipe is replaced with a new 25 cm pipe, calculate the energy supplied by the pump.
Assume f = 0.022. (Ans: HA = 111.94 m)
c. Determine the horsepower saved by replacing the old pipe with a new 25 cm. pipe. (Ans: Power
saved = 22.68 hp or 16.82 kW)

Problem 3
A square concrete conduit having a side of 0.788 m. carries water at a rate of 4 . Using Hazen
Williams Formula with C = 120,
a. Calculate the hydraulic radius. (Ans: R =0.197 m)
b. Calculate the hydraulic slope. (Ans: S = 0.04)
 c. Calculate the headloss if the length of the conduit is 45 m. (Ans: HL = 1.8 m)

Problem 4

Points A and B are 5 km apart along a new 60 cm. cast iron pipe carrying water. A is 9 m. higher than
B. If the pressure at B is 140 kPa greater than at A. f = 0.019.

a. Determine the head loss. (Ans: HL = -5.27 m)

b. Determine the direction of flow. (Ans: The flow is from B to A)
c. Determine the amount of flow. (Ans: Q = 0.228 cu.m/sec)

Problem 5

Oil (Sp.gr. = 0.80) flows through pipe A 200 liters/s at elev. 20 m. 200 mm 200 m. long with a
pressure of 100 kPa to pipe B at elev. 10 m. 100 mm 100 m. long with a pressure of 50 kPa.
Calculate the following if pipes A and B are connected in series.

a. Total energy at A.(Ans: )

b. Total Energy at B. (Ans: )
c. Head loss of the pipe. (Ans: HL = 14.6 m.)

Problem 6
A 600 mm pipeline, 1500 m. long is to take water from a reservoir at elevation 150 m. and discharge
it through a 150 mm nozzle (C = ) at elevation 30 m. The pipeline is to be constructed so
that at a point A, 1350 m. from the reservoir, the pipe shall be 3 m. below the hydraulic gradeline.
Assume f = 0.025 and no loss at the entrance to the pipe.
a. What is the rate of discharge. (Ans: )
b. What would be the elevation of pipe at point A. (Ans: )
c. What horsepower will be available in the jet from the nozzle. (Ans: HP = 860.60 hp)

Problem 7

To provide fire flow, and max. daily discharge of 320 liters/sec. at 140 kPa at point B, calculate the following
assuming Hazen’s Coefficient C = 100.

Use 9.81 kN/ as unit weight of water.

 a. Discharge supply from the pump to B. (Ans: )
b. Discharge supply from the tank to B. (Ans: )
c. Pump discharged pressure required at A. (Ans: )

Problem 8

A swimming pool deep. The maximum water level in the pool is at elevation 7.8 m. The
pool is to be supplied with water by means of a feeding pipeline 180 m. long and 100 mm in diameter. The
100 mm feeding pipe is straight and takes off from the 600 mm main pipeline in a direction perpendicular to
the axis of the main pipeline. The point of take off (connection between the 600 mm main pipeline and the
100 mm feeding pipeline) is at elevation 10 m. and the discharge end of the feeding pipeline is at 8 m. The
take-off is a sharp edge flush connection . At a point of take off, the energy gradient of the 600 mm
main pipeline is at elevation 50 m. It is sufficient to fill the swimming pool in 30 minutes when empty.

a. Calculate the pressure at the take off point. (Ans: )(Pressure at take off point )
b. Determine the rate of discharge of the feeding pipeline. (Ans: )
c. Determine the time to fill the swimming pool through the feeding line if the friction factor for the
feeding pipeline is 0.022. (Ans: )