Hydraulics I Lecture: Pressure and Velocity Changes

September 14th, 2022

THEORY AND DEFINITIONS:

In the lecture of September 13th we studied pressure variation due to changes in
elevation. In that case, the pipe diameter did not changed and the velocity remains
constant assuming the pipeline flow full. However, in some projects, the diameter
does changes, causing changes in velocity and in pressure.

If we combine changes in diameters and changes in elevation, we can study the

changes in pressure using the Energy Equation in combination with the Continuity
Equation (Figure 1).

Figure 1
EXAMPLE: A pipeline carrying a discharge of 0.12 m3/s changes from 150 mm
diameter to 300 mm diameter and rises 7 m in elevation (Figure 2). Calculate the
pressure in the 300 mm pipe when the pressure in the 150 mm pipe is 350 kN/m 2.

Figure 2

This problem involves changes in pressure, kinetic and potential energy and its
solution requires both the energy and continuity equations. Between points 1 and 2,
assuming no energy losses, the energy equation is:

Here p1, z1 and z2 are known values but p2 is unknown and so are v1 and v2.
First determine v1 and v2, using the continuity equation:
Putting all the known values into the energy equation:

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
 If not energy losses are considered, then the total energy between two
points is the same
 In this case of problems, all the components of the energy equations have a
value and need to be given o determined, in combination with the continuity
equation.
 Pressure changes due to friction losses are not considered in this case
EXCERCISES (Homework) Due: Today, by midnight (24 hrs)
1. A pipeline carrying a discharge of 0.20 m3/s changes from 200 mm diameter
to 450 mm diameter and rises from 5 to 10 m in elevation (Figure 3). Calculate
the pressure in Pipe 2, if the pressure in Pipe 1 is 250 kN/m2.

Figure 3

2. In Figure 4, there is change in elevation from h1=2 m to h2=10 m.

Figure 4
According to the following information:
d1= 10 inches
d2= 5 inches
v1 = 1.5 m/s
P1= 250 kN/m2
Determine the pressure at the smaller pipe P2.
Use the equations provided