Increasing pipe size and then decreasing

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dadthedestroyer
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Seen many videos on YouTube of a guy who increases the size of a pipe and then he decreases it back to the original. It seems like the water is flowing faster or he’s getting increased pressure per se. How does this work does the pipe is a tank and explanation would be nice.
Seen a lot of videos of a guy increasing and decreasing the pipe size on YouTube and changing the flow of water or the pressure. It seems an explanation of how this works would be nice. I understand a little bit about flowing pressure. Is there any other things that involved in this?
 
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  • #2
A link to an example video would be helpful.

Pressure and cross-sectional area are factors, as well as the viscocity of the liquid and the inner surface of the pipe.
 
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dadthedestroyer said:
Seen a lot of videos of a guy increasing and decreasing the pipe size on YouTube and changing the flow of water or the pressure. It seems an explanation of how this works would be nice. I understand a little bit about flowing pressure. Is there any other things that involved in this?
Welcome! :smile:

Pumps increase the internal energy of a mass of water, while friction decreases it.
That internal energy of the moving mass of water manifests itself in three forms: flow velocity, internal pressure or height.

For a short run of pipe, we can consider that the energy inside the flow remains constant along the pipe.
Because of that, the summation of those three forms of energy must remain the same.

For smaller diameters of a horizontal pipe, the velocity increases, but the internal pressure decreases, and vice-verse.

Please, see:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-osuniversityphysics/chapter/14-6-bernoullis-equation/
 

1. Why would you increase and then decrease pipe size in a piping system?

Increasing and then decreasing pipe size in a piping system is often done to manage the velocity and pressure of the fluid flow. Enlarging the pipe can reduce the flow velocity and pressure drops over long distances, which is beneficial for reducing energy usage and minimizing wear on the pipes. Conversely, reducing the pipe size can help in increasing the fluid velocity when needed, for example, to ensure effective delivery at the point of use or to maintain a required pressure level for certain equipment.

2. How does changing pipe size affect fluid flow?

Changing the pipe size affects both the velocity and the pressure of the fluid flow. When the diameter of a pipe is increased, the velocity of the fluid decreases, assuming the flow rate remains constant. This is due to the larger cross-sectional area for the fluid to flow through. Conversely, decreasing the pipe size increases the fluid velocity. These changes can impact the overall fluid dynamics, including turbulence and pressure drops within the system.

3. What are the potential drawbacks of increasing and then decreasing pipe size?

One of the main drawbacks of increasing and then decreasing pipe size is the potential for increased turbulence at the points where the pipe size changes. This can lead to inefficiencies and increased wear on the piping system over time. Additionally, each transition needs to be properly designed and installed to avoid leaks and ensure structural integrity, which can increase the complexity and cost of the system.

4. What considerations should be taken when designing a piping system with varying diameters?

When designing a piping system with varying diameters, it is crucial to consider factors such as the type of fluid being transported, the required flow rate, pressure, temperature, and the overall system layout. Proper calculation of the Reynolds number, which indicates whether the flow is laminar or turbulent, is essential. Additionally, the placement of transitions between different pipe sizes should be strategically planned to minimize disruption in flow and ensure efficient operation of the system.

5. Are there specific applications where increasing and then decreasing pipe size is particularly beneficial?

Yes, there are specific applications where this practice is particularly beneficial. For example, in water supply systems, increasing the pipe size can help in reducing pressure losses over long distances, which is critical for maintaining adequate water pressure in high-rise buildings. In industrial applications involving gases, varying the pipe size can help in controlling the velocity and pressure of gases to meet process requirements or to ensure safe delivery to storage vessels or equipment.

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