4.

Hydraulics of Storage and Pumps

4.1 Introduction
• Reservoirs and pumps are constructed to maintain the energy
levels needed for water to reach the discharge points.
• Factors that directly influence the position, capacity and
operation of these components are:
– topographical conditions,
– location of supply and demand points,
– patterns of demand variation,
– conveyance capacity of the network.

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4.2 System Characteristics

Pipe characteristics
• The conveyance capacity of a pipe with a known length,
diameter, roughness factor and slope is described by the pipe
characteristics.
• This a diagram shows the required heads at the upstream side of
the pipe, which enable the supply of a range of flows while
maintaining constant pressure at the pipe end.
• The total head required for flow Q, in particular, consists of a
dynamic and static component (see Figure 3.26).

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4.2 System Characteristics

Dynamic head
• The dynamic head covers the head-losses i.e. the pipe resistance:
• Hdyn = ∆E = ∆H = hf + hm

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4.2 System Characteristics

Static Head
• The static head is independent of the flow
pend
H st   Z
g

• where pend stands for the remaining pressure at the pipe end. In
design problems where the required head is to be determined for
the maximum flow expected in the pipe, the pressure at the end
will be fixed at a critical value, i.e. pend = pmin.
• Maintaining the specified minimum pressure at any flow Q =
Qmax will result in the least energy input required for water
conveyance at given pipe characteristics.

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4.2 System Characteristics

Gravity Systems
• In the case of gravity systems, the entire energy needed for water
flow is provided from the elevation difference ∆Z. The pressure
variation in the system is influenced exclusively by the demand
variation.

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Capacity Reduction of the System
4.2 System Characteristics

Gravity Systems…cont
• The static head used for design purposes is always fixed based
on the minimum pressure that is to be maintained in the system
during the maximum consumption hour.
• When an area that is to be supplied from a single source starts to
grow considerably, demand increases.
• In theory, this problem can be solved by enlarging the pipes
and/or elevating the reservoir. Additional head will probably
have to be provided by pumping.
pend
Z  H dyn  H st  H 
6 g May 31, 2021
4.2 System Characteristics
Zero line
• If the system is supplied from more than one side, the storage
that is at the higher elevation will normally provide more water
i.e. the coverage of the larger part of the distribution area.
• The intersection between the hydraulic grade lines shows the
line of separation between the areas covered by different
reservoirs, the so-called zero-line.
Hydraulic conditions in the vicinity of the zero-line are
unfavorable:
i. the pressure is lower than in other parts of the network,
ii. the flow velocities are also low, leading to water stagnation and
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potential water quality problems. May 31, 2021
4.2 System Characteristics
Zero line

Figure 3.30. Gravity system: - network extension.

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4.2 System Characteristics
Zero line

Figure 3.31. System characteristics: network extension.

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4.2 System Characteristics

Figure 3.32. Gravity system: supply from two sides.

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4.2 System Characteristics

Problem 3.13 For the gravity system shown in the figure, find the
diameter of the pipe L = 2000 m that can deliver a flow of 6000
m3/h with a pressure of 40 m at the entrance of the city. Absolute
roughness of the pipe can be assumed at k = 1 mm and the water
temperature equals 10C.
What will the increase in capacity of the system be if the pressure at
the entrance of the city drops to 30 m?

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4.2 System Characteristics

Problem 3.13….Cont

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4.2 System Characteristics

Solution.
Z  10 msl
p
Pressure of = 40m
g
The piezometric head of the reseivoir = 10m
This can be used as friction loss
10
Hydraulic Gradient S  h f / L   0.005
2000
From Hydraulic Tables, for k=1 and T = 10C

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4.2 System Characteristics

Solution….cont

p
If Pressure drops to = 30m
g
The piezometric head of the reseivoir = 10m
Friction loss increase to h f  20m
20
Then Hydraulic Gradient S  h f / L  0.01
2000
From Hydraulic Tables,
D  1000mm
For given hydraulic gradient the flow increases to Q  8911.1m3 / h

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4.3 System Characteristics
Pump lift Suction and Discharge pipe
• In pumped systems, the energy needed for water conveyance is
obtained from the pump operation.
• This energy, generated by the pump impeller, is usually
expressed as a head of water column (in m) and is called the
pumping head (or pump lift), hp.
• It represents the difference between the energy levels at the
pump entrance i.e. at the suction pipe and at the pump exit, i.e. at
the discharge (or pressure) pipe (Figure 3.33).

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4.3 System Characteristics
Pump Discharge
where Q (m3 / s) is the pump discharge.
The power to drive the pump will be higher,
due to energy losses in the pump:
 gQhp
Np 
p
 p is the pump efficiency dependant on the pump model and
working regime.
Finally, the power required for the pump motor will be:
Np
Nm 
m
Where m indicates the motor efficiency.
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4.3 System Characteristics
Pump Discharge

Figure 3.33. Pumping head.

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4.3 System Characteristics
Pump Head
• Pump manufacturers regularly supply pump characteristics
diagrams for each model; a typical format showing a range of
impeller diameters and efficiencies p, is given in Figure 3.35.
• The pumping head required at the supply side of the system to
maintain certain minimum pressure at its end will be:

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