Title:

Chapter 9- Series, parallel pipes and Reynolds number

Overview/Introduction
The Reynolds number (Re) of a flowing fluid is calculated by multiplying the fluid velocity by the
internal pipe diameter (to obtain the inertia force of the fluid) and then dividing the result by the kinematic
viscosity (viscous force per unit length).

Learning Outcome/Objectives
To solve problems about Series, parallel pipes and Reynolds number

Learning Content/Topic
Lesson 9- Series, parallel pipes and Reynolds number
Lesson 9:
SERIES, PARALLEL PIPES &
REYNOLD’S NUMBER
A. SERIES PIPES

Q1 = Q 2 = Q 3 = Q
𝐐 𝐐
1 2 3
HL = hf1 + hf2 + hf3
ΔP
hf =
γ

B. SERIES AND PARALLEL PIPES

Qa Q1 = Q a + Q b + Q c
a
Q2 = Qa + Qb + Qc
Q1 Qb Q2
1 b 2 HL = hf1 + hfa + hf2
HL = hf1 + hfb + hf2
Qc
c HL = hf1 + hfc + hf2
hfa = hfb = hfc
C. SERIES AND PARALLEL PIPES
Q1 = Q 5
Q1 = Q 2 + Q 3
Q3 = Q4
HL = hf1 + hf2 + hf5
hf2 = hf3 + hf4

D. SERIES AND PARALLEL PIPES

Q1 = Q 6
Q1 = Q 2 + Q 3 + Q 4
Q5 + Q2 = Q6
Q5 = Q3 + Q4
HL = hf1 + hf3 + hf5 + hf6
hf3 = hf4
hf2 = hf3 + hf5
EQUIVALENT LENGTH OF PIPES

𝒇 𝟐 𝑳𝟐 𝑫 𝟏 𝟓
𝐋𝟐 =
𝒇𝟏 𝑫 𝟐 𝟓

𝐋𝟐 = 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞

𝐋𝟏 = 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞

𝒇𝟏 = 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞

𝒇𝟐 = 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞

𝑫𝟏
= 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞
𝑫𝟐 = 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞
E. SERIES − PARALLEL PIPES
Q1 = Q 5
Q1 = Q 2 + Q 3
Q3 = Q4
HL = hf1 + hf2 + hf5
hf2 = hf3 + hf4

F. TWO RESERVOIRS WITH PARALLEL

PIPE CONNECTIONS
Q = Q1 + Q 2
H = hf1 + hf2
G. TWO RESERVOIRS WITH SERIES − PARALLEL
PIPE CONNECTIONS
Q1 = Q 2 + Q 3

H= hf1 + hf2
hf2 = hf3

H. TWO RESERVOIRS WITH SERIES − PARALLEL

PIPE CONNECTIONS WITH A PUMP Q1 = Q 2 + Q 3 𝐻𝑃 =
𝑄𝛾𝑊 (𝐻𝐴)
746
H = hf1 + hf2
hf2 = hf3

VA 2 𝑃𝐴 VB 2 𝑃𝐵
+ + 𝑍𝐴 + 𝐻𝐴 = + + 𝑍𝐵 + 𝐻𝐿
2𝑔 𝛾𝑊 2𝑔 𝛾𝑊
I. TWO RESERVOIRS WITH SERIES
PIPE CONNECTIONS
Q1 = Q 2 = Q 3

H= hf1 + hf2 + hf3

J. RESERVOIR WITH SERIES − PARALLEL

CONNECTIONS
Q1 = Q 2 + Q 3

H = hf1 + hf2

hf2 = hf3
Problem No. 1
m3
Three concrete pipes are connected in series as shown. If the rate of flow in the pipe is 0.10 .
s
1. Determine the total headloss of the pipe .
2. Determine the length of a 200 mm diameter equivalent pipe.
3. Determine the diameter of a 1260 m. long equivalent pipe with f = 0.0255.

(0.10)2
hf2 = 0.0826 (0.0242) (300)
(0.15)5

hf2 = 78.97 𝑚

(0.10)2
hf2 = 0.0826 (0.0255) (600)
𝑄2 (0.25)5
hf = 0.0826 f L 5
D
hf3 = 12.94 𝑚
HL = hf1 + hf2 + hf3
HL = hf1 + hf2 + hf3
(0.10)2
hf1 = 0.0826 (0.0248) (360)
(0.20)5 HL = 23.05 + 78.97 + 12.94

hf1 = 23.05 𝑚 HL = 114.96 m.

Problem No. 1
m3
Three concrete pipes are connected in series as shown. If the rate of flow in the pipe is 0.10 .
s
1. Determine the total headloss of the pipe .
2. Determine the length of a 200 mm diameter equivalent pipe.
3. Determine the diameter of a 1260 m. long equivalent pipe with f = 0.0255.

𝑓1 𝐿1 𝐷1 5 L = 360+1233.61+202.16
Le1 =
𝑓1 𝐷1 5

Le1 = 360 L = 1795.77 m.

𝑓3 𝐿3 𝐷1 5
Le3 =
𝑓2 𝐿2 𝐷1 5 𝑓1 𝐷3 5
Le2 =
𝑓1 𝐷2 5 (0.0255)(600)(0.2)5
Le3 =
0.0248(0.25)5
(0.0242)(300)(0.2)5
Le2 =
0.0248(0.15)5 Le3 = 202.16 𝑚.

Le2 = 1233.61 𝑚.
Total equivalent length = Le1 + Le2 + Le3
Problem No. 1
m3
Three concrete pipes are connected in series as shown. If the rate of flow in the pipe is 0.10 .
s
1. Determine the total headloss of the pipe .
2. Determine the length of a 200 mm diameter equivalent pipe.
3. Determine the diameter of a 1260 m. long equivalent pipe with f = 0.0255.

D = 0.187 m

D = 187 mm.

𝐻𝐿 = 114.96 𝑚.
0.0826𝑓𝐿𝑄 2
𝐻𝐿 =
𝐷5
0.0826(0.0255)(1260)(0.10)2
114.96 =
𝐷5

𝐷 5 = 2.31 𝑥(10−4 )
Problem No. 2
Water flows at a rate of 0.020 m 3Τs from reservoir A to reservoir B through three concrete pipes connected in
series, as shown in the figure. Find the difference in water surface elevations in the reservoirs. Neglect minor losses.
f=0.02

0.022
hf1 = 0.0826 (0.02) (1000)
𝐀 0.165
hf1 = 6.30 𝑚
H
1
0.022
hf2 = 0.0826 (0.02) (1600)
2
0.205
hf2 = 3.30 𝑚
3 𝐁
0.022
hf3 = 0.0826 (0.02) (850)
0.185
hf3 = 2.97 𝑚
vA2 PA vB2 PB
+ + zA = + + zB + HL
2g γ 2g γ
H = HL = hf1 + hf2 + hf3
H = HL = hf1 + hf2 + hf3
H = HL = 6.30 + 3.30 + 2.97
H = HL = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓𝟕 𝒎
Problem No. 3
A pipe 977m long branches into 3 pipes at junction A. The three pipes span 1046m, 885m and 796m. They come
together at a junction B and continue as a single pipe for 1224m. All pipes are 300mm size except the shortest one
which is 250mm. The pressure drop between the junctions is 260kPa. Friction factor “f” can be assumed 0.02 of the
entire system. Calculate the rates of flow in the branching pipes.

Q22
1046m 300mm∅ hf2 = 0.0826 f L 5
D
2 Q22
26.5 = 0.0826 (0.02) (1046)
Q2 0.305
977m 1224m Q 2 = 0.193m 3Τs
Q1 300mm∅ 796m 250mm∅ 300mm∅ Q1
3
A B Q32
Q3 hf3 = 0.0826 f L 5
D
Q32
885m 300mm∅ 26.5 = 0.0826 (0.02) (796)
0.255
4
Q 3 = 0.140m 3Τs
Q4
ΔP 260
HL = = = 26.50 m
γ 9.81
Problem No. 3
A pipe 977m long branches into 3 pipes at junction A. The three pipes span 1046m, 885m and 796m. They come
together at a junction B and continue as a single pipe for 1224m. All pipes are 300mm size except the shortest one
which is 250mm. The pressure drop between the junctions is 260kPa. Friction factor “f” can be assumed 0.02 of the
entire system. Calculate the rates of flow in the branching pipes.

1046m 300mm∅
Q42
2 hf4 = 0.0826 f L 5
D
Q2 Q42
977m 1224m 26.5 = 0.0826 (0.02) (885)
Q1 0.305
Q1 300mm∅ 796m 250mm∅ 300mm∅
Q 4 = 0.210m 3Τs
3
A B
Q3

885m 300mm∅
4
Q4
ΔP 260
HL = = = 26.50 m
γ 9.81
Reynold′ s Number

𝑣𝐷 𝜇
𝑁𝑅 = 𝜈=
𝜈 𝜌

𝑁𝑅 = 𝑅𝑒𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑑 ′ 𝑠 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝜇 = 𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 "mu" (Pa,s)

m 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑣 = velocity of flow ( )
s 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝜈 = kinematic viscosity "nu" (𝑚 2ൗ𝑠) 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝜀 = 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 (𝑚)

𝜀ൗ = 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠
𝐷

𝜌𝑣𝐷 𝐷𝑣𝜌
𝑁𝑅 = 𝑁𝑅 =
𝜇 𝜇
If: NR < 2000 (laminar flow) If: NR > 2000 (turbulent flow)

Use: Use: Colebrook formula

64 1 ε 2.51
f = = −2 log +
NR f 3.7D NR f
Problem No. 3
Oil with ρ = 950 kgΤm3 and ν (nu)= 0.00002 m2 Τs flows through a 30cm dia. Pipe 100 m long at 5 m/s, ε= 0.00194
a. What is the Reynold’s Number?
b. What is the friction factor?
c. What is the total headloss?

vD Q2
NR = hf = 0.0826 f L 5
ν D
5(0.3) v2
NR = hf = f L
0.00002 D2g

NR = 75000 (turbulent flow) 52

hf = (0.034) (100)
(0.3)(19.62)

1 ε 2.51 hf = 14.44 m
= −2 log +
f 3.7D NR f

1 0.00194 2.51
= −2 log +
f 3.7(0.3) 75000 f

f = 0.034
Problem No. 4
Glycerin, sg = 1.26 and μ = 1.49 Pa.s, flows through a 600mm dia. Pipe at 85 liters per second.
a. What is the Reynold’s Number
b. What is the friction factor?
c. What is the critical velocity?

Dvρ
NR = NR = 2000 ∶ critical flow
μ
0.085 0.6(vc )
0.6( π 2
) 2000 = (1260)
4 0.6 1.49
NR = (1260)
1.49

vc =3.94 m/s
NR = 152.53 (Laminar flow)

64 64
f= =
NR 152.53

f = 0.42
Teaching and learning activities
To solve problems about Series, parallel pipes and Reynolds number
Flexible Teaching Modality (FTLM) adapted
Google classroom, Module, Recorded Lecture, Google Meet
Assessment Task
Quiz about Series, parallel pipes and Reynolds number
Reference:
1. Mays, Larry W. 2004. Water Resources Engineering, 2005 Edition, USA
2. Robert L. Daugherty, Joseph B. Franzini and E. John Finnemore. 2002 Fluid Mechanics with Engineering Applications SI Metric
Edition, USA
3. Linsley, Ray K.: Franzini, Joseph B. Freynerg, David L. Tchobanoglous, David L. 1992. Water Resources Engineering, Fourth Edition.
McGraw-Hill.
4. John J. Cassidy & M. Hanif Chaudhry. 1988. Hydraulic Engineering Second Edition, USA
5. H.W. King, J. O. Wisler and J.G. Woodburn. 1980. Hydraulics, 5th Edition R.E. Krieger Publishing Compay.