Calculating Pipe Diameter for Desired Pressure in Inclined Fluid Flow

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the necessary diameter of a PVC pipe to maintain a specific pressure at the top end of a 650m long inclined tube, given a volumetric flow rate of 750 g/min for water. Participants explore the effects of friction, viscosity, and pressure drop in fluid flow within the context of inclined pipe systems.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that an empirical formula for pipe diameter may not be applicable due to the incline and length of the tube, raising concerns about accounting for friction and viscosity.
  • Another participant suggests that if the pump delivers constant head and flow without losses, pressure differences could arise from varying pipe cross-sections, affecting kinetic energy density.
  • A later reply emphasizes the need to consider friction and viscosity in the calculation of pressure drop and flow rate relationship.
  • Participants discuss the relationship between pressure drop, shear stress, and the friction factor, introducing relevant equations related to turbulent flow and Reynolds Number.
  • There is a reiteration of the goal to determine the diameter of the pipe based on the pressure-drop/flow-rate relationship.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to account for friction and viscosity in their calculations, but there is no consensus on the best approach to determine the pipe diameter or the specific relationships involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the applicability of empirical formulas due to the specific conditions of the inclined pipe and the influence of various factors such as friction and viscosity on pressure drop.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in fluid dynamics, engineering applications involving pipe flow, and those seeking to understand the complexities of pressure drop calculations in inclined systems may find this discussion relevant.

Mario Carcamo
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The question:
There is a 650m long tube on a 1 degree incline. At one end of the tube is a pump that alone has a volumetric flow rate of 750 g/min. The fluid in question is water and its a PVC pipe. What diameter does this tube need to be in order to have 25 psi on the top end of the tube? (Water is at room temperature)

So far:
There is an empirical formula that is only an approximation but i realized that it can't be used in this situation cause the pipe is on an incline and its so long that the mass of the pumped out water will push down on the flow rate. How do you take into consideration friction and the water viscosity? Is this even possible?
 
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If the pump delivers constant head and flow and conditions are smooth no viscosity or friction then difference in pressure can be caused in homogeneous condition by varying pipe cross section thus varying kinetic energy density. Otherwise only losses will contribute to difference in pressure. With no loss, multiply with conversion 750 g with velocity and divide area A this gives pressure which is same as long as A is same.
 
Here's the thing... That's the flow without the pipping and inwant to take into account friction and viscosity
 
Is the question, "How do I determine the pressure-drop/flow-rate relationship for water flowing through a pipe?"
 
Yeah that's the question and with that relationship hopefully determine the diameter of the pipe
 
Mario Carcamo said:
Yeah that's the question and with that relationship hopefully determine the diameter of the pipe
The pressure drop is related to the shear stress at the wall τ by$$\Delta P=\frac{4L}{D}τ$$
The shear stress at the wall is related to the "friction factor" f by:$$τ=\frac{1}{2}\rho v^2f$$
In turbulent flow, the friction factor f is related to the "Reynolds Number" Re for the flow by:$$f=\frac{0.0791}{Re^{0.25}}$$
The Reynolds Number is given in terms of the viscosity μ by:$$Re=\frac{\rho vD}{\mu}$$
For more details, see Chapter 6 of Transport Phenomena by Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot
 

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