Find the gauge pressure at the pipe input

In summary, we have a straight horizontal pipe with a diameter of 1.0 cm and a length of 50 m carrying oil with a coefficient of viscosity of 0.12 N · s/m2. At the output of the pipe, the flow rate is 9.0 x 10^-5 m3/s and the pressure is 1.0 atmosphere. Using the Hagen-Poiseuille equation for laminar flow, we can calculate the gauge pressure at the pipe input to be 2.2 MPa.
  • #1
solo
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A straight horizontal pipe with a diameter of 1.0 cm and a length of 50 m carries oil with a coefficient of viscosity of 0.12 N · s/m2. At the output of the pipe, the flow rate is 9.0 10-5 m3/s and the pressure is 1.0 atmosphere. Find the gauge pressure at the pipe input

I used the formula for flow rate: which is

Q = (pi)r^4(delta Pressure) / 8(coefficient of viscosity)(length)

I converted the diameter of 1.0 cm to .005 Meters radius, and the rest of the information is given

9.0 x 10^-5 = pi(6.25 x 10^-10)(Change in pressure) / 8(0.12)(50)

When i solve for pressure i get 21.7192 atm, and final pressure is 1,

so initial pressure is 1 + 21.7192 atm, which is 22.7192 ATM which is 2.30145 x 10^6 pascals

do you guys see anything wrong? thanks
 
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  • #2
First, there is not enough information to calculate the Reynolds number, but the diameter of the pipe is very small and the viscosity of oil is high, so we can safely assume laminar flow. (However, we could look at viscosity tables for different oils to check which ones coincide with our given value, then check the temperature where the values match, and then we can get the density, but that's probably not expected for this problem, and as I mentioned earlier, laminar flow is a good assumption.)

So, we have laminar flow in a pipe, so we can use the Hagen-Poiseuille equation
[tex]w = \frac{ \pi (p_0 - p_L) R^4 \rho}{8 \mu L}[/tex]
[tex]Q = \frac{ \pi (p_0 - p_L) R^4}{8 \mu L}[/tex]
Calculating pressure drop
[tex]p_0 - p_L = \frac{8 \mu L Q}{\pi R^4} = \frac{8 \left(0.12 \ \frac{kg}{m \cdot s} \right) (50 \ m) \left( 9 \times 10^{-5} \ \frac{m^3}{s} \right)}{\pi (0.005 m)^4} = 2.2 \ MPa[/tex]
We're interested in gauge pressure, so at the end of the pipe, if the pressure is atmospheric, [itex]p_L = 0[/itex], then
[tex]p_0 = 2.2 \ MPa[/tex]
Absolute pressures would be [itex]P_0 = 2.3013 \ MPa[/itex] and [itex]P_L = 101.3 \ kPa[/itex].
 

1. What is gauge pressure?

Gauge pressure is the pressure measured relative to the atmospheric pressure. It does not take into account the atmospheric pressure, only the pressure exerted by the fluid or gas in the system.

2. How is gauge pressure different from absolute pressure?

Absolute pressure is the total pressure, including the atmospheric pressure. It is measured relative to a perfect vacuum, while gauge pressure is measured relative to the atmospheric pressure.

3. How is gauge pressure measured?

Gauge pressure is typically measured using a pressure gauge, which contains a spring that expands or contracts based on the pressure exerted on it. This movement is converted into a reading on a scale.

4. Why is it important to find the gauge pressure at the pipe input?

The gauge pressure at the pipe input is important because it determines the amount of force that the fluid or gas will exert on the pipe walls. This information is crucial for designing and maintaining safe and efficient piping systems.

5. How can the gauge pressure at the pipe input affect the flow of fluid or gas?

The gauge pressure at the pipe input can affect the flow of fluid or gas by determining the direction and rate of flow. Higher gauge pressure at the input will result in a greater force pushing the fluid or gas through the pipe, while lower gauge pressure may result in slower or even reverse flow.

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