Calculating Water Pressure: Hazen-Willams Formula for 24' Tank & 650' Distance

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating water pressure at the bottom of a 24-foot tall water tank using the Hazen-Williams formula for a flow rate of 20 gallons per minute through an 8-inch plastic pipe over a distance of 650 feet with a 70-foot elevation drop. The Hazen-Williams formula is confirmed as suitable for determining velocity and pressure loss due to pipe friction. The pressure at the bottom of the tank is calculated to be 10.4 psi, and the pressure loss per foot of pipe is derived from the formula, emphasizing the need to account for elevation changes using Bernoulli's equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Hazen-Williams formula for water flow
  • Basic knowledge of Bernoulli's equation
  • Familiarity with pressure calculations in fluid dynamics
  • Ability to perform unit conversions (e.g., lb/sf to psi)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Darcy-Weisbach equation for pressure loss calculations
  • Learn about Bernoulli's equation and its applications in fluid mechanics
  • Explore the impact of pipe diameter on flow rates and pressure loss
  • Investigate the effects of elevation changes on water pressure in piping systems
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, hydrologists, and anyone involved in water distribution system design or optimization will benefit from this discussion.

Steve E
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I have a water tank that is 24' tall. Water flows from the bottom of the tank thru a 8" plastic pipe for a distance of 650' down a hill for a elevation drop of 70'. What would be the expected water pressure at the bottom of the pipe given a flow of 20 gallons per minute? I've researched several books and they say to use the Hazen-Willams formula. Can somebody help me work thru this? Thanks!
 
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Hazen williams will give you the velocity in the pipe due to pipe friction and head loss. You can rearrange it to give a pressure drop per length of pipe (so psi/ft for example)

More accurately you can also use the darcy weisbach equation but hazen williams seems to be the right match for the question you're asking.

Here is some relatively good info on Hazen williams http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazen-Williams_equation and here http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/hazen-williams-water-d_797.html

Remember that your answer for pressure loss or head loss will be per foot of pipe length, so you'll have to multiply your answer by you total pipe length.
 
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If you show me a couple of attempts or steps, I'll help you through the rest
 
Thanks redargon,

To figure the pressure at the bottom of the tank: Pressure = 62.4lb/cf x 24ft = 1497.6 lb/sf
To convert to square inches: 1497.6 lb/sf / 144 = 10.4 psi

Then to figure the pressure at the end of the 8" plastic water line for 20 gpm:

(4.52 x 20 (raised to 1.85 power)) divided by (130 raised to the 1.85 power x 8 raised to the 4.87 power)

That equals 0.000005665.

Is that how much pressure is lost per foot of pipe under that level of flow just based on the pipe fricton itself?

How do I account for the lower elevation at the end of the line and how much pressure that adds.

Thanks again for your help redargon.
 
You can use this pressure loss and Bernoulli's equation.

\left( p + \frac{\rho v^2}{2} + \rho gz \right)_1 = \left( p + \frac{\rho v^2}{2} + \rho g z+ h_l \right)_2
Where h_l is your pressure loss you just calculated. You should have everything here except outlet pressure p_2
 

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