Q2.

The pipe system shown below transports water with density of

1000 kg/m3 between two large tanks which are elevated by 6 m. The
pipe is of circular cross section with an internal diameter of 100 mm and
has a total length of 200 m. The flow is driven by a centrifugal pump,
which is situated 100 m from the pipe entrance. The inlet and outlet
head loss coefficients for the pipe system are Ki = 0.5 and Ko = 1,
respectively. The fluid is pumped around two 90o elbows which each
have a loss coefficient of Ke = 0.95, and through a partially closed valve
which has a loss coefficient of Kv = 3. The pipe friction factor is
f = 0.00515. Assume acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.805 m/s2.

(a) To avoid “cavitation” (i.e. vapourisation of the water at sub-

atmospheric pressure) the gauge static pressure at the pump inlet
must not be less than -70 kN/m2. The inlet to the pump is located 3 m
below the inlet tank water level. Calculate the maximum allowable
flow rate through the pipe.
(8 marks)

(b) Calculate the pumping power required to drive the fluid through the
pipe system at a bulk velocity of 3 m/s. Assume that the overall
efficiency of the pump is 80%.
(10 marks)

(c) Sketch the Energy Line and the Hydraulic Grade Line from the inlet
tank to the pump. Use this diagram to determine the distance from
the pipe entrance where the static pressure in the pipe first falls
below atmospheric pressure.
(7 marks)