GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.

ENERGY LOSS IN PIPELINES

6.4 PIPELINE PROBLEMS

All pipeline problems should be solved by applying Bernoulli’s theorem

between points for which the total energy is known and including expressions
for any loss of energy due to shock or to friction, thus

2 2
p1 v1 p v
  z1  2  2 z 2  shock loss  frictional loss
 g 2g  g 2g

6.4.1 Discharge to atmosphere

4 fL v 2
Friction in pipe 
d 2g
1 v2
Loss at entry 
2 2g
Figure 6.6
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

To understand the discharge to atmosphere, let’s look at Example 6.4.

Example 6.4

Water from a large reservoir is discharged to atmosphere through a 100 mm

diameter pipe 450 m long. The entry from the reservoir to the pipe is sharp and
the outlet is 12 m below the surface level in the reservoir. Taking f = 0.01 in
the Darcy formula, calculate the discharge.(refer to Figure 6.6)

Solution to Example 6.4

Apply Bernoulli’s theorem to A and B, assuming velocity at A is zero and that

pA = pB = atmospheric pressure

Total energy at A = Total energy at B + loss at entry + frictional loss

v 2 1 v 2 4 fL v 2
H  
2g 2 2g d 2g

Putting H = 12 m, f = 0.01, L = 450 m, d = 100 mm = 0.1 m

v 2  1 4 fL 
H 1   
2g  2 d 

v2  4  0.01  450 
12  1.5  
2g  0.1 
v2
 181.5
2g
v  1.14 m / s

d 2
Discharge  v
4

 0.12
 1.14
4
 8.96  10 3 m 3 / s
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

6.4.2 Pipe in series

v1  v2 2
Loss at enl arg ement 
2g
Figure 6.7

To understand the pipe in series, let’s look at Example 6.5.

Example 6.5

Water is discharged from a reservoir into the atmosphere through a pipe 39 m

long. There is a sharp entrance to the pipe and the diameter is 50 mm for the
first 15 m from the entrance. The pipe then enlarges suddenly to 75 mm in
diameter for the remainder of its length. Taking into account the loss of head at
entry and at the enlargement, calculate the difference of level between the
surface of the reservoir and the pipe exit which will maintain a flow of 2.8
dm3/s. Take f as 0.0048 for the 50 mm pipe and 0.0058 for the 75 mm pipe.
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

Solution to Example 6.5

1 1
Q  d1 v1  d 2 v2
2 2

4 4

4Q
v1 
d1 2
4  2.8  10 3

 0.052
 1.426 m / s

4Q
v2 
d 2 2
4  2.8  10 3

 0.0752
 0.634 m / s

Applying Bernoulli’s equation to A and B at which pA = pB = atmospheric

pressure and vA = 0, for unit weight

Total energy at A  total energy at D  shock loss at B  frictional loss in BC

 shock loss at C  frictional loss in CD

There is no shock loss at D as discharge is to atmosphere.

2
v
Total energy at D  2
2g


0.6342
29.81

 0.020 m
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

2
1 v1
Loss at entry , B 
2 2g

1 1.426
2

2 29.81

 0.052 m

2
4 fL1 v1
Frictional loss in BC 
d1 2 g
40.004815 1.426
2

0.050 29.81
 0.597 m

v1  v2 2
Shock loss at C 
2g


1.426  0.6342
29.81

 0.032 m

2
4 fL2 v2
Frictional loss in CD 
d 2 2g
40.005824 0.634
2

0.075 29.81
 0.152 m

Difference of level = H = 0.02 + 0.052 + 0.597 + 0.032 + 0.152

= 0.853 m of water
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

6.4.3 Hydraulic Gradient

Figure 6.8

To understand the hydraulic gradient, let’s look at Example 6.6.

Example 6.6

Two reservoirs are connected by a pipeline which is 150 mm in diameter for

the first 6 m and 225 mm in diameter for the remaining 15 m. The entrance and
exit are sharp and the change of section is sudden. The water surface in the
upper reservoir is 6 m above that in the lower. Tabulate the losses of head
which occur and calculate the rate of flow in m3/s. Friction coefficient f is 0.01
for both pipes.

Solution to Example 6.6

Since d1 = 150 mm and d2 = 225 mm

2
 225  9
v1    v2   v2
 150  4
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

The losses are

2
1 v1
Loss at entry 
2 2g

2 2
19 v
   2
2  4  2g

2
v
 2.53 2
2g

2
4 fL1 v1
Frictional loss in 6 m pipe 
d1 2 g
40.016 v1
2


0.15 2 g
2
v1
 1.6
2g
2 2
9 v
 1.6  2
 4  2g
2
v
 8.1 2
2g

v1  v2 2
Shock loss at enl arg ement 
2g

2 2
v 9 
 2   1
2g  4 

2
v2
 1.56
2g
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

2
4 fL2 v2
Frictional loss in 15 m pipe 
d 2 2g
40.0115 v 2
2


0.225 2 g
2
v
 2.67 2
2g

2
v
Shock loss at exit  2
2g

2
v2
 1.00
2g

2 2 2 2 2
v v v v v
Total loss of head = 2.53 2  8.1 2  1.56 2  2.67 2  1.00 2
2g 2g 2g 2g 2g

2
v2
 15.86
2g

Applying Bernoulli’s Equation to A and B for unit weight

Total energy at A  total energy at B  losses

Pressures at A and B are equal and if the reservoirs are large the velocities will be
zero. Taking datum level at B,

H = 0 + losses

2
v2
6  15.86
2g
so
6  2g
v2 
15.86

 2.72 m / s
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

d 2
Discharge  v
4

 0.2252
 2.72
4

 0.185 m 3 / s
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

ACTIVITY 6B

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEFORE YOU CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT

INPUT…!

6.2 According to the figure below, list out the losses of head which occur, giving
an expression for each.
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

FEEDBACK ON ACTIVITY 6B

Answers:

6.1 The losses of head which will occur are as follows:

2
1 v1
1. Loss at entry 
2 2g

2
4 fL1 v1
2. Friction loss 
d1 2 g

3. Loss at sudden enlargement 

v1  v2 2
2g

2
4 fL 2 v 2
4. Friction loss 
d 2 2g

2
v
5. Loss at exit  2
2g
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

SELF-ASSESSMENT

You are approaching success. Try all the questions in this self-assessment section
and check your answers with those given in the Feedback on Self-Assessment If you
face any problems, discuss it with your lecturer. Good luck.

6.1 Water is discharged from a reservoir into the atmosphere through a pipe 80 m
long. There is a sharp entrance to the pipe and the diameter is 250 mm for the
first 50 m. The outlet is 35 m below the surface level in the reservoir. The pipe
then enlarges suddenly to 450 mm in diameter for the reminder of its length.
Take f = 0.004 for both pipes. Calculate the discharge.

6.2 Two reservoirs have a difference in level of 9 m and are connected by a pipe
line, which is 38 mm in diameter for the first 13 m and 23 mm for the
remaining 6 m. Take f = 0.01 for both pipes and CC = 0.66. Calculate the
discharge.

6.3 A pipe carrying 0.056 m3/s suddenly changes diameter from;

a) 200 mm to 150 mm
b) 300 mm to 150 mm
c) 450 mm to 150 mm
Find the loss of head and the pressure difference across the contraction in each
case, given CC = 0.62.
 GP505 FLUID MECHANICS/UNIT 5.0

FEEDBACK ON SELF-ASSESSMENT

Answers:

6.1 Q = 0.623 m3/s

6.2 Q = 0.00345 m3/s

6.3 (a) 0.19 m, 0.54 m

(b) 0.19 m, 0.673 m
(c) 0.19 m, 0.699 m