Pressure drop in a water manifold

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the pressure drop in a water manifold system designed to split a 2 GPM flow rate into eight smaller lines. The manifold in question has a 3/8" ID inlet and .17" ID outlet lines. Key concerns include achieving uniform flow rates across all lines, which is influenced by the length, elevation, and bends of each line. Calculations should consider the total restriction for each line to ensure equal flow distribution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles
  • Familiarity with pressure drop calculations in piping systems
  • Knowledge of manifold design and flow distribution
  • Basic mathematical skills for flow analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of fluid dynamics and pressure drop calculations
  • Learn about manifold design and flow distribution techniques
  • Explore experimental verification methods for flow uniformity
  • Review the paper on pipe flow analysis linked in the discussion
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, fluid dynamics specialists, and anyone involved in designing or analyzing water cooling systems will benefit from this discussion.

dschlaud
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Hi all,

This is what I currently have.
Water chiller with a flowrate of 2GPM (Choked to 2GPM)
Ti= 50F
H20
Pi=55-60psi

It is a closed loop system. I am looking to split 1 line at 2 GPM (55-60psi) into 8 smaller lines that will run into my cooling jacket. All 8 lines are same length and size. The manifold I am thinking of using is this one, (http://www.mcmaster.com/#5469k171/=8j52d0). My main concern is that the pressure drop along the manifold is going to create nonuniform flow rates between the 8 lines.

Manifold Inlet line is 3/8" ID and the manifold outlet lines are .17" ID.

Thanks in advance,

David Schlaud
 
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Yes, that's a real possibility. What are you looking for?
 
Q_Goest said:
Yes, that's a real possibility. What are you looking for?

I am hoping to get some help or direction so that I can say mathematically that I have uniform flow. Or is it not even possible to have uniform flow in a manifold like the one I have noted without putting a valve in each line. Fluids is not my strong point.

I plan on verifying experimentally but I would like to do calculations first to back up my theory/game plan.
 
If the length of your 8 lines is large compared to the length of the manifold (say more than 10 times) and assuming the 8 lines are identical in length and number of bends, and assuming the flow area of the manifold is at least 8 times larger than one of the tubes, then the flow through each of the tubes will be roughly the same.

If the lines are different lengths, different elevations or number of bends, or if there is anything different about them at all, then they might have different flow through each. Basically, you want to add up the total restriction for each line and make sure they are equal.

It's not easy to do the flow analysis without having some background in it. If you really want to try, you could go through the paper found on this link:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=179830&

... but honestly, I wouldn't waste my time if unless you're really interested in learning how to do pipe flow analysis.
 

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