Parallel Flow Exercise Homework: Find QB Value

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving fluid flow in parallel pipes, specifically focusing on calculating the flow rate QB in relation to the total flow rate Q1. Participants explore the application of fluid dynamics equations, particularly in turbulent flow conditions, and the use of the Moody chart for determining friction factors.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests hints for solving a specific part of the homework problem related to flow rates in parallel pipes.
  • Another participant discusses the limiting values of the Fanning friction factor at high Reynolds numbers for different surface roughnesses and their implications for pressure drop calculations.
  • Some participants clarify that the equation for flow rate Q provided is applicable only for laminar flow, while others assert that the correct equation for turbulent flow is used.
  • Several participants express the need to calculate the pressure drop (ΔP) as a function of flow rate (Q) for each pipe in parallel, using the appropriate friction factors derived from the Moody chart.
  • There is a discussion about expressing ΔP/ρ in terms of Q for each pipe, with specific calculations provided for each pipe's parameters.
  • Participants engage in algebraic manipulations to relate the flow rates of the pipes to the total flow rate, with some expressing uncertainty about how to demonstrate that QB is approximately 0.3Q1 without numerical values for head loss.
  • One participant suggests eliminating the variable h between two equations to show the relationship between QB and Q1, indicating that numerical values for head loss are not necessary for this step.
  • A later reply provides a calculation showing that QB is approximately 0.38Q, based on the derived equations and parameters.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the equations and methods to use for calculating flow rates and pressure drops, but there is some uncertainty regarding the specific numerical values needed to demonstrate the relationship between QB and Q1. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved as participants navigate through the calculations and interpretations of the results.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific numerical values for head loss, which are not provided, and the reliance on assumptions about flow conditions (turbulent vs. laminar). The discussion also highlights the need for clarity in the application of fluid dynamics principles to homework problems.

williamcarter
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Homework Statement


I would really appreciate if you could give me some hints regarding what exactly to iii)
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Homework Equations


we know they are in parallel
so Q=Q1+Q2+...+Qn
delta hloss=delta hloss1+deltahloss2+...
delta P=delta P1=delta P2=...

The Attempt at a Solution


We know flow is turbulent hence
delta h loss=32*f*L*Q^2/pi^2*g*D^5
where f=fanning friction factor
L=length
Q=vol flowrate
g=gravit accel
D=diameter

We have 3 pipes in parallel
so Q1=QA+QB+QC

I need to show that QB~0.3Q1
 
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What are the limiting value of the fanning friction factor at high Reynolds numbers for surface roughnesses of 0.001, 0.007, and 0.035? Using these values, what is the ##\Delta P## for each pipe as a function of Q for that pipe?
 
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Chestermiller said:
What are the limiting value of the fanning friction factor at high Reynolds numbers for surface roughnesses of 0.001, 0.007, and 0.035? Using these values, what is the ##\Delta P## for each pipe as a function of Q for that pipe?
Well, we know that Q=pi*R^4/8Mew * deltaP/L but I guess that was for laminar flow , so it won't work here.
 
williamcarter said:
Well, we know that Q=pi*R^4/8Mew * deltaP/L
That's only for laminar flow.
 
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Chestermiller said:
That's only for laminar flow.
for Turbulent we know delta h loss=32*f*L*Q^2/pi^2*g*D^5
delta h loss=K*Q^2
 
williamcarter said:
for Turbulent we know delta h loss=32*f*L*Q^2/pi^2*g*D^5
delta h loss=K*Q^2
We will be working with the first formula. So, please answer my questions in post #2.
 
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Chestermiller said:
We will be working with the first formula. So, please answer my questions in post #2.
I will be using the moody chart to get the fanning friction factors:
for relative rougnhess of 0.001 we have f=0.005
for relative roughness of 0.007 we have f=0.009
for relative roughness of 0.035 we have f=0.015

Now delta P as a function of Q for each pipe
Because it is in parallel delta PA=delta PB=delta PC

delta P=32*ro*f*L*Q^2/pi^2*D^5
 
williamcarter said:
I will be using the moody chart to get the fanning friction factors:
for relative rougnhess of 0.001 we have f=0.005
for relative roughness of 0.007 we have f=0.009
for relative roughness of 0.035 we have f=0.015

Now delta P as a function of Q for each pipe
Because it is in parallel delta PA=delta PB=delta PC

delta P=32*ro*f*L*Q^2/pi^2*D^5
OK, now, for the friction factors of the 3 pipes and the given dimensions of the three pipes, express ##\Delta P/\rho## in terms of Q for each of the three pipes.
 
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Chestermiller said:
OK, now, for the friction factors of the 3 pipes and the given dimensions of the three pipes, express ##\Delta P/\rho## in terms of Q for each of the three pipes.

delta P/ro=(32*f*L/pi^2*D^5)*Q^2

and deltaPA=deltaPB=deltaPC because in parallel

for pipe A
delta PA/ro=(32*0.005*L/pi^2*D)*Q^2
 
  • #10
williamcarter said:
delta P/ro=(32*f*L/pi^2*D^5)*Q^2

and deltaPA=deltaPB=deltaPC because in parallel
I need you to plug in the numbers.
 
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  • #11
Chestermiller said:
I need you to plug in the numbers.
for pipe A
delta PA/ro=(32*0.005*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.16*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2

for pipe B
delta PB/ro=(32*0.009*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.288*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2

for pipe C
delta PC/ro=(32*0.015*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.48*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2
 
  • #12
williamcarter said:
for pipe A
delta PA/ro=(32*0.005*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.16*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2

for pipe B
delta PB/ro=(32*0.009*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.288*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2

for pipe C
delta PC/ro=(32*0.015*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.48*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2
The figure gives a value of L and D for each pipe. Plug those in.
 
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  • #13
Chestermiller said:
The figure gives a value of L and D for each pipe. Plug those in.
for pipe A
delta PA/ro=(32*0.005*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.16*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2
delta PA/ro=(0.16*10/9.86*(4*10^-2)^2)*Q^2=101.32*QA^2

=101.32*QA^2

for pipe B
delta PB/ro=(32*0.009*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.288*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2
delta PB/ro=(0.288*4/9.86*(6*10^-2)^2)*Q^2=32.42*QB^2

=32.42*QB^2

for pipe C
delta PC/ro=(0.48*6/9.86*(10*10^-2)^2)*Q^2=29.18*QC^2

=29.18*QC^2
 
  • #14
williamcarter said:
for pipe A
delta PA/ro=(32*0.005*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.16*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2
delta PA/ro=(0.16*10/9.86*(4*10^-2)^2)*Q^2=101.32*QA^2

=101.32*QA^2

for pipe B
delta PB/ro=(32*0.009*L/3.14^2*D)*Q^2=(0.288*L/9.86*D^2)*Q^2
delta PB/ro=(0.288*4/9.86*(6*10^-2)^2)*Q^2=32.42*QB^2

=32.42*QB^2

for pipe C
delta PC/ro=(0.48*6/9.86*(10*10^-2)^2)*Q^2=29.18*QC^2

=29.18*QC^2
OK. So
$$h_A=h=K_AQ_A^2$$
$$h_B=h=K_BQ_B^2$$
$$h_C=h=K_CQ_C^2$$where $$K_A=101.32$$$$K_B=32.42$$$$K_C=29.18$$
Now you just repeat what you did in the previous part of the problem.
 
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  • #15
Chestermiller said:
Now you just repeat what you did in the previous part of the problem.
Thank you, what exactly do you mean by this?
 
  • #16
Chestermiller said:
OK. So
$$h_A=h=K_AQ_A^2$$
$$h_B=h=K_BQ_B^2$$
$$h_C=h=K_CQ_C^2$$where $$K_A=101.32$$$$K_B=32.42$$$$K_C=29.18$$
Now you just repeat what you did in the previous part of the problem.
$$Q_A=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_A}}$$$$Q_B=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_B}}\tag{1}$$$$Q_C=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_C}}$$
$$Q=Q_A+Q_B+Q_C=Q=\sqrt{h}\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_A}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_B}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_C}}\right]$$
$$\sqrt{h}=\frac{Q}{\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_A}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_B}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_C}}\right]}\tag{2}$$
 
Last edited:
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  • #17
Chestermiller said:
$$Q_A=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_A}}$$$$Q_B=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_B}}$$$$Q_C=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_C}}$$
$$Q=Q_A+Q_B+Q_C=Q=\sqrt{h}\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_A}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_B}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_C}}\right]$$
$$\sqrt{h}=\frac{Q}{\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_A}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_B}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_C}}\right]}$$
Thank you
 
  • #18
Chestermiller said:
$$Q_A=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_A}}$$$$Q_B=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_B}}$$$$Q_C=\frac{\sqrt{h}}{\sqrt{K_C}}$$
$$Q=Q_A+Q_B+Q_C=Q=\sqrt{h}\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_A}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_B}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_C}}\right]$$
$$\sqrt{h}=\frac{Q}{\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_A}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_B}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{K_C}}\right]}$$

sqrt(h)=sqrt(delta h loss)
what exactly it is sqrt(h)?.I do not have value for it
Have everything except Q and sqrt(h)
Problem told me to show that QB~0.3Qtotal
 
  • #19
williamcarter said:
sqrt(h)=sqrt(delta h loss)
what exactly it is sqrt(h)?.I do not have value for it
Have everything except Q and sqrt(h)
Problem told me to show that QB~0.3Qtotal
##\sqrt{h}## is exactly what you said, the square root of the head loss. What do you get if you eliminate ##\sqrt{h}## between Eqns. 1 and 2 in post #16. C'mon man, it's just algebra. How were you able to solve part ii if you didn't do this?
 
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  • #20
Chestermiller said:
##\sqrt{h}## is exactly what you said, the square root of the head loss. What do you get if you eliminate ##\sqrt{h}## between Eqns. 1 and 2 in post #16. C'mon man, it's just algebra. How were you able to solve part ii if you didn't do this?
Yes, I understood this.However I do not understand how I am supposed to show that QB=0.3Q1 as I don't have numerical values for delta h.
 
  • #21
williamcarter said:
Yes, I understood this.However I do not understand how I am supposed to show that QB=0.3Q1 as I don't have numerical values for delta h.
Eliminate h between the two equations. So you don't need to know h.
 
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  • #22
Chestermiller said:
Eliminate h between the two equations. So you don't need to know h.
I did it like this

Data:
KA=101.31
KB=32.42
KC=29.18

equating (1) and (2) to get rid of sqrt(h)
gives QB=Q/(1/sqrtKA+1/sqrtKB+1/sqrtKC)*sqrt(KB))

QB=Q/(1/sqrt(101.31)+1/sqrt(32.42)+1/sqrt(29.18)*sqrt(32.42))
QB= Q /2.61
QB=0.38Q
 

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