Problem Set [Computer applications in ChE]

1. We need to feed tanks T2 and T3 from the storage tank T1. The total flow rate from Tank 1 is 0.042 m3/s. The
characteristics of the pipes, diameter and equivalent length are given in Table 1. We need to determine the
power of the pump to be bought for this operation and the flow rates that reach each of the tanks. We
assume that the liquid that is transported has a density of 1000 kg/m3 and the tanks are open to atmosphere.
The layout of the tanks can be seen in Figure 1.

Table 1

Figure 1

Approximate answers:
power of the pump of 47.7 m of column of water
40% of the flow goes to Tank 3 while 60% goes to Tank 2.

Other questions:
a. How does the pipe diameter affect the power?
b. What if we need to fill in a fourth or a fifth tank?
c. What would have been the energy consumption if the splitter would have been located at 5 m from the
ground?
d. Suppose that we now have a pump with 35 m of power. How much flow rate can you send?
2. Solve the following system of linear equation using Gauss-Siedel method in Octave software.

Note that for the solution to converge, equations are to be expressed as follows:
3. Ergun proposed the following general equation applicable for low, medium and high Reynolds number for
pressure drop across a packed bed:

Problem: Solid particles having a diameter of 0.12 mm, shape factor = 0.88 and a density of 1000 kg/m3 are
to be fluidized using air at 2.0 atm and 25C. The voidage at minimum fluidization is 0.42. The viscosity of air
under these conditions is 1.845 x 10-5 kg/ms. The molecular weight of air is 28.97 g/mol. Calculate the
minimum fluidization velocity.
4. Terminal velocity.