Hydraulics I Lecture: Application of Energy Equation for Pressure

and Elevation Changes

March 22nd, 2022

THEORY AND DEFINITIONS:

Pipelines tend to follow the natural surface and as a result, pressure changes simply
because of differences in ground levels.

The pressure increases proportionally as the elevation decreases and the pressure
decreases proportionally as the elevation increases. In other words, for every meter
the elevation decreases, the pressure increases in 1 m equivalent of a column of
water, and viceversa.
The Energy Equation can be used to explain this. Assuming no energy losses
between points 1 and 2, the total energy in the pipeline at point 1 is equal to the total
energy at point 2 (Figure 1):

Figure 1. Components of the energy equation in a pipeline with changes in elevation

For a pipeline with the same diameter, the velocity does not change, so, it is the
same at point 1 and at point 2. This means that the kinetic energy at points 1 and 2
are also the same and the energy equation simplifies to:

And if we rearrange

Putting this into words: changes in pressure (m) = changes in ground level (m)
Please consider that we do not include pressure changes due to friction, but only
due to elevation changes.

EXAMPLE:
A pipeline is constructed across undulating ground (Figure 1). Calculate the pressure
at point 2 knowing that the pressure at point 1 is 150 kN/m2, and point 2 is 7.5 m
above point 1.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
 The pressure increases proportionally as the elevation decreases and the
pressure decreases proportionally as the elevation increases
 Velocity is the same if the diameter does not change since the pipe flows full
 Changes in diameter need to consider changes in velocity
 Pressure changes due to friction losses are not considered in this case, only
due to changes in elevation.
 The total energy is the same between points, so the energy equation
explains this phenomenon.
EXCERSISES (Homework) Due: Today March 22nd, 2022, by midnight (24 hrs)

1. In the following Figure 1, determine the pressure at point 2, knowing that the
pressure at point 1 is 175 kN/m2. The elevation at point 1 is 1800 meters
above sea level (m.a.s.l.) and at point 2 is 1820 m.a.s.l.

Figure 1

2. A siphon pipe between two reservoirs (A and B) has a diameter of 20 cm.

The difference between the two reservoir levels is 20 m (Figure 2). For a
discharge of 0.10 m3/s, determine the pressure at the highest point (point S)
in the siphon pipe. Assume no fiction losses.

Figure 2
3. A microhydropower is planned in a place where a water tank is located 50
meters above the entrance of the turbine machine room (Figure 3). The
diameter of the pipeline is 10 inches and the discharge is 0.15 m3/s.
Determine the pressure at the entrance of the turbine (point B).