Water Velocity Question: Impact of Pipe Length on Flow Rate

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the impact of pipe length on water velocity in a vertical pipe system. It is established that if a pump maintains a constant flow rate, the velocity of water at the exit remains consistent regardless of pipe length. However, if the pump operates at a constant pressure, increased pipe length can diminish the flow rate due to gravitational forces and friction. The pressure difference between the top and bottom of the water column is the driving force for upward movement, while the effects of atmospheric pressure and pump limitations also play significant roles in determining flow dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles, specifically Bernoulli's equation.
  • Knowledge of pressure gradients and their effects on fluid flow.
  • Familiarity with pump operation characteristics, including flow rate and head height ratings.
  • Basic concepts of laminar and turbulent flow in pipes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Bernoulli's equation and its applications in fluid dynamics.
  • Study the effects of friction in pipe flow and how it influences velocity.
  • Explore the relationship between pump pressure and flow rate in vertical systems.
  • Investigate laminar versus turbulent flow and their implications for pipe design.
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, fluid dynamics researchers, and anyone involved in designing or analyzing fluid transport systems will benefit from this discussion.

  • #31
jbriggs444 said:
The question that I'd heard and answered was whether the length of the tube affected the difference between inlet velocity and outlet velocity. It does not. That's not the same as asking whether it affects velocity.
I do not understand that. So velocity will change with length then?
(sorry if I didn't make sense earlier)
 
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  • #32
russ_watters said:
In general longer pipes will have more friction loss, but which pipe are you referring to? For example, if you lower tank C, the flow rate will increase.
Lowering tank C will affect the water heights - that is why flow rate will increase.But will increasing the tube from B to A or C to A affect the velocity of the water at the top of the tube from B to A where the water comes out.
 
  • #33
Physicist1011 said:
Lowering tank C will affect the water heights - that is why flow rate will increase.But will increasing the tube from B to A or C to A affect the velocity of the water at the top of the tube from B to A where the water comes out.
Increasing tube lengths without increasing the height? That will reduce flow rates due to added friction loss
 
  • #34
Ok, so this will happen to tubes B to A and C to A but not from B to C right? (why)
 
  • #35
Physicist1011 said:
Ok, so this will happen to tubes B to A and C to A but not from B to C right? (why)
The air tubes are generally considered unrestricted here so their length doesn't introduce added loss.
 
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  • #36
Have the answers put your mind at ease, that this scenario as flawed, and won't sustain the desired action?
 
  • #37
Physicist1011 said:
Lowering tank C will affect the water heights - that is why flow rate will increase.But will increasing the tube from B to A or C to A affect the velocity of the water at the top of the tube from B to A where the water comes out.
Initially assume the system is in equilibrium. So nothing's happening. Now you want to experiment by changing the length of the tubes. So you have telescopic water carrying tubes (I don't know whether such a thing is available). I don't see any way you can control the length of the tubes independently. Assume you found some way to do that too.
When you increase the length from A to C, the length of the water column would increase. This would pump out water as in the diagram. When you decrease this length, it will not only cause the spurting to slow and reverse direction, the spurting will occur underwater from the other pipe in tank A.
When you control only the length from A to B, increasing the height would decrease the velocity and vice versa.
If both the lengths are changed simultaneously, it isn't an easy answer.
 
  • #38
russ_watters said:
The air tubes are generally considered unrestricted here so their length doesn't introduce added loss.
How does decreasing the height between A and B increase the speed of the water coming out of the fountain in A.
 
  • #39
Physicist1011 said:
How does decreasing the height between A and B increase the speed of the water coming out of the fountain in A.
If you raise B without touching A, you increase the static head between B & C; and that's the driving force for the flow.
 
  • #40
The length of the pipe will of course effect the velocity of water at the bottom. let the point from where water is coming be a and from where it is going out be b. then for streamline flow of water apply bernoulli's theorem at a and b. That is Pressure + 0.5 (rho)( v^2) + h (rho) g = constant
here rho= density
v=velocity
h=height (length in your case)
After applying bernoulli's theorem you will find that velocity of waste at bottom is dependent on length
 

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