CE123-1

HYDRAULICS

Energy and Hydraulic Grade Lines

ENGR. ROGELIO FRETTEN C. DELA CRUZ, CE

INSTRUCTOR
HYDRAULIC GRADE LINE, HGL
Also known as pressure gradient, hydraulic grade line is the graphical
representation of the total potential energy of flow. It is the line that connects
the water levels in successive piezometer tubes placed at intervals along the
𝑝
pipe. Its distance from the datum plane is + z.
𝛾
Characteristics of HGL
▪ HGL slopes downward in the direction of flow but it may rise or fall due to
changes in velocity or pressure.
▪ For uniform pipe cross-section, HGL is parallel to the Energy Grade Line,
EGL.
▪ For horizontal pipes with uniform diameter, the drop in pressure heads
between any two points is also equal to the head loss between these points.
ENERGY GRADE LINE, EGL
Energy grade line is a graphical representation of the total energy of flow (the
sum of kinetic and potential energies). Its distance from the datum plane is
𝑣2 𝑝
+ + z.
2𝑔 𝛾

Characteristics of EGL
▪ EGL always slopes downward in the direction of flow, and it will only rise
with the presence of a pump.
▪ The drop of the EGL between any two points is the head lost between those
points.
▪ For uniform pipe cross-section, EGL is parallel to the HGL.
𝑣2
▪ EGL is always above the HGL by an amount equal to velocity head, .
2𝑔
▪ Neglecting head loss, EGL is horizontal.
Problem:
A pipeline with a pump leads to a nozzle as shown. Find the flow rate when pump
develops a 24.4 m head. Assume head loss in the 152-mm pipe to be five times its
velocity head while the head loss in the 102-mm pipe to be twelve times its velocity
head. (a) Compute the flow rate, (b) sketch the energy grade line and hydraulic grade
line, and (c) find the pressure head at the suction side (S).

S D
Solution:
(a) Discharge or flow rate
𝑄1 = 𝑄2 = 𝑄𝐵 = 𝑄
Energy Equation between A and B:
𝐸𝐴 − 𝐻𝐿1 + 𝐻𝐴 − 𝐻𝐿2 = 𝐸𝐵
𝑣𝐴 2 𝑝𝐴 𝑣𝐵 2 𝑝𝐵
+ + 𝑧𝐴 − 𝐻𝐿1 + 𝐻𝐴 − 𝐻𝐿2 = + + 𝑧𝐵
2g 𝛾 2g 𝛾
𝐻𝐴 = 24.4 m
𝑣1 2 8𝑄1 2
𝐻𝐿1 = 5 =5 But 𝑄1 = 𝑄
2g 𝜋 2 g𝐷1 4
8𝑄2
𝐻𝐿1 = 5
𝜋 2 9.81 0.152 4

𝐻𝐿1 = 773.96 𝑄2
𝑣2 2 8𝑄2 2
𝐻𝐿2 = 12 = 12 But 𝑄2 = 𝑄
2g 𝜋 2 g𝐷2 4
8𝑄2
𝐻𝐿2 = 12
𝜋 2 9.81 0.102 4

𝐻𝐿2 = 9,160.13 𝑄2
𝑣𝐵 2 8𝑄𝐵 2
= 2 But 𝑄𝐵 = 𝑄
2g 𝜋 g𝐷𝐵 4

𝑣𝐵 2 8𝑄2
= 2 4 = 2,450.8 𝑄2
2g 𝜋 9.81 0.0762

Energy Equation between A and B:

𝑣𝐴 2 𝑝𝐴 𝑣𝐵 2 𝑝𝐵
+ + 𝑧𝐴 − 𝐻𝐿1 + 𝐻𝐴 − 𝐻𝐿2 = + + 𝑧𝐵
2g 𝛾 2g 𝛾

0 + 0 + 21.3 − 773.96 𝑄2 + 24.4 − 9,160.13 𝑄2 = 2,450.8 𝑄2 + 0 + 24.4

𝑄 = 0.0415 m3 /sec Flow rate or discharge.

(b) Energy and Hydraulic grade lines:
𝑣1 2 8 0.0415 2
= 2 4 = 0.266 m
2g 𝜋 9.81 0.152
𝑣2 2 8 0.0415 2
= 2 4
= 1.31 m
2g 𝜋 9.81 0.102
𝑣𝐵 2 8 0.0415 2
= 2 4 = 4.22 m
2g 𝜋 9.81 0.0762
2
𝐻𝐿1 = 773.96 0.0415 = 1.33 m

𝐻𝐿2 = 9,160.13 0.0415 2 = 15.78 m

(c) Pressure head at the suction side (S):
Energy Equation between A and S:
𝑣𝐴 2 𝑝𝐴 𝑣𝑆 2 𝑝𝑆
+ + 𝑧𝐴 − 𝐻𝐿1 = + + 𝑧𝑆
2g 𝛾 2g 𝛾

𝑣𝑆 2 𝑣1 2
But = = 0.266 m
2g 2g

Hence,
𝑝𝑆
0 + 0 + 21.30 − 1.33 = 0.266 + + 15.2
𝛾

𝑝𝑆 Pressure head at
= 4.504 m
𝛾 the suction side.
Another way of solving the pressure
head at S, it is the vertical distance
from the pipe (Line 1) to the HGL.

𝑝𝑆 𝑣1 2
= (𝑧𝐴 − 𝑧𝑆 ) − 𝐻𝐿1 −
𝛾 2g

𝑝𝑆
= 21.3 − 15.2 − 1.33 − 0.266
𝛾

𝑝𝑆
= 4.504 m
𝛾
References:
▪ Fluid Mechanics 7th Edition
by Frank M. White
▪ Fluid Mechanics: Fundamental and Applications
by Yunus A. Cengel & John M. Cimbala
▪ Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Machines
by S K Som & G Bis was