PressureDrop/Pressure/Volumetric flow rate calculation (in a Pipe)

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the pressure and volumetric flow rates in a pipe with given parameters, additional information about the system's configuration is essential. The pressure at the end of the pipe can be assumed to be atmospheric if it is open-ended, but this assumption may change depending on any restrictions present. Using Bernoulli's equation is recommended for calculating exit velocity, especially when considering the effects of restrictions. The flow rate entering the pipe (Q1) is crucial for determining the flow rate at the end (Q2), as conservation of mass dictates that these rates must be equal in a closed system. A complete understanding of the entire system layout is necessary for accurate calculations.
knight92
Messages
100
Reaction score
0
Hello,

If I have the following known variables:

- P1, Pressure of fluid entering the pipe = 50 psi
- L, Length of pipe = 10 in
- D, Diameter of pipe = 0.5 in

I want to learn how to calculate:
- P2, Pressure of fluid at the end of pipe.
- Q1, Volumetric flow rate of fluid entering pipe.
- Q2, Volumetric flow rate of fluid at the end of the pipe.

Fluid is water.

How can I calculate the pressure and volumetric flow rate at the end of the pipe? What assumptions can I use to get a basic value? The pipe diameter does not change. If I differentiate the volume of pipe over one second does this mean that my Q2 will be 1.96 in^3/s ?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You need more information. Either the flow rate, or the conditions at the end of the pipe.

Does the pipe dead-end at a plug? Does it go into a tank at some known pressure? Does it just open-end to atmosphere?

Look up bernoulli equation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli's_principle
 
If the pipe is open to atmosphere, the pressure at the end is atmospheric.

In that case, for such a short length of pipe, I'd probably assume the pipe is a low efficiency nozzle (maybe 25%?) and use Bernoulli's equation to calculate the exit velocity.
 
Thank you for the replies.

The pipe is connected to another restriction at the end and I do know the restriction size but I do not know what the pressure or flow rate is at the end of the pipe. The purpose is to create a mathematical computer model, so what if I assumed the initial pressure at the end was atmospheric for the first iteration? Can I then use bernoulli's equation to compute the velocity at the end of the pipe and then feed that back into the Bernoulli equation assuming no height change therefore pgh =0?

Edit: I have just realized that I still do not know the initial flow rate Q1
 
knight92 said:
The pipe is connected to another restriction at the end and I do know the restriction size but I do not know what the pressure or flow rate is at the end of the pipe.
"Another restriction"? Besides just the pipe or is there more you haven't told us? Can you draw us a picture? Knowing what the entire system looks like is pretty critical for finding the flow through it!
The purpose is to create a mathematical computer model, so what if I assumed the initial pressure at the end was atmospheric for the first iteration?
After the restriction or before it? Is there anything else after the restriction you haven't told us about?
- Q1, Volumetric flow rate of fluid entering pipe.
- Q2, Volumetric flow rate of fluid at the end of the pipe.
[separate post]
Edit: I have just realized that I still do not know the initial flow rate Q1
Unless there is a receptacle or additional opening somewhere in your system, conservation of mass demands the flow in and flow out be the same.
 
Is the fluid compressible or incompressible?
 
I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...
Back
Top