1.

0 ABSTRACT
Fluid flow in circular and noncircular pipes is commonly encountered
in practice. The hot and cold water that we use in our homes is
pumped through pipes. Water in a city is distributed by extensive
piping networks. Oil and natural gas are transported hundreds of
miles by large pipelines. Blood is carried throughout our bodies by
arteries and veins. The cooling water in an engine is transported by
hoses to the pipes in the radiator where it is cooled as it flows.
Thermal energy in a hydronic space heating system is transferred to
the circulating water in the boiler, and then it is transported to the
desired locations through pipes. Fluid flow is classified as external
and internal, depending on whether the fluid is forced to flow over a
surface or in a conduit. Internal and external flows exhibit very
different characteristics. In this case, we consider internal flow
where the conduit is completely filled with the fluid, and flow is
driven primarily by a pressure difference. This should not be
confused with open-channel flow where the conduit is partially filled
by the fluid and thus the flow is partially bounded by solid surfaces,
as in an irrigation ditch, and flow is driven by gravity alone.
Typically, new buildings in areas with mains water supply will have
mains pressure systems. Existing buildings, and buildings that are
not connected to mains water, may have low pressure systems or
unequal pressure systems.

2.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0

ABSTRACT........................................................................................... i

2.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................ii

3.0

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 1

4.0

PROBLEM STATEMENT........................................................................2

5.0

SOLUTION........................................................................................... 3
5.1 Data Collected................................................................................ 3
5.2 Assumptions................................................................................... 3
5.3 Properties........................................................................................ 3
5.4 Analysis........................................................................................... 4

6.0

CONCLUSION...................................................................................... 7

7.0

REFERENCES...................................................................................... 7

3.0 INTRODUCTION
A flow rate can be associated with the movement of a liquid or gas
through some type of channel or pipe. Besides measuring the speed
of the liquid or gas movement, flow rates often include analysis of
the amount of energy or work that is created as the substance
moves forward in the pipe. Measuring flow rates can aid in
determining how effective different systems are in terms of
controlling the flow of a substance through a given channel or
system.
Water flow rates are important in many settings, especially to the
engineering world. Municipal water systems utilize measurements
of this type to make sure the pumps that move water through the
network of channels are maintaining an acceptable level of flow rate
pressure. Water pressure in this term means that it is a measure of
the force that pushes water through the mains and into the pipes. It
is measured in bars one bar is the force needed to raise water to
a height of 10 metres.
This way, it helps to ensure that each connection along the system
receives a steady flow that is adequate enough but not so high that
excess wear and tear occur within the pipes of the channel or at the
various points where the water is dispersed. By routinely checking
the flow rates at strategic points along the system, it is possible to
adjust the equipment used to maintain the flow when and as
needed.
Through the brief introduction, it is thoroughly discussed about the
importance of a steady flow rate within a household. Thus, in this
report, there will be a thorough discussion on the improvement of
the piping system that could boost the flow rate by doubling the
original amount. A proper pump would later be chosen to help
improve the flow rate.

4.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

A bathroom of a house on the second floor as shown in Figure 6.1,
have a slow flowrate of 1.62 x 10 -4 m3/s. Calculate and choose an
appropriate pump to double the flowrate and determine the
operation point.

5.0 SOLUTION
We are required to double the initial volume flowrate of an upstairs
bathroom by plotting the system curve and choosing a suitable
pump to be installed. We are then required to estimate the
operating point for the chosen pump.

5.1 Data Collected

Diameter of pipe:
3.8cm
Pipe material:
Roughness, : 0.007mm

Length of pipe:
37ft 1128cm
Initial volume flowrate: 1.62 x 10-4m3/s
Volume flowrate required:
3.24 x 10-4m3/s

Loss coefficient (Cengel, 2009, Table 8-4, 367-368)

Pipe inlets:

Bends:

5.2 Assumptions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Flow is steady throughout system

Water is at room temperature, 25C
Water is incompressible
Friction is constant throughout system
No leaks in pipe

5.3 Properties
Water at 25C, = 997 kg/m3, = 0.891 x 10-3 kg/ms, = 8.94 x
10-7 m2/s

5.4 Analysis
By applying the steady energy equation in head form from point 1
to point 2,
(1)
In Eq. 1, we may neglect the speed of point 1 as it is too small. At
point 1, P1 and P2 is equal to Patm. Thus, the pressure terms cancel
out and Eq. 1 reduces to
(2)
The total head loss in Eq. 2 is a combination of major and minor
losses and depends on the volume flowrate. Since the pipe diameter
is constant,
(3)
The dimensionless relative roughness is /D = (0.007mm)/(3.8cm) =
1.84 x 10-4. The Reynolds number of the system is
(4)
The Reynolds number varies with volume flowrate. When flowrate VV
= 3.24 x 10-4m3/s, then the Reynolds number is
(5)

From the Moody chart and the roughness factor, the friction factor is
f = 0.028. The sum of all the losses in the system are

(6)

Substituting these values into Eq. 2, the required net head for the
system is

(7)

From the Eq. 7, the system curve can be plotted.

Based on the system curve the suitable pump for the system is a Pumpmaster Stainless Steel Jets Pump Model JSL60.

From the performance curve, we can estimate the operating point of the piping system by intercepting the pump
performance curve and system curve.
35

30

25

20
System Curve

Hpump, m

Polynomial (System Curve)

15

Pump Performance Curve

Polynomial (Pump Performance Curve)

10

Flowrate Q, m3/s

6.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the operating point of the system is estimated as
0.000845 m3/s, 38% more than the required flowrate. The practical
considerations for pump suction piping design and installation
presented in this course is the optimum length of full-size straight
pipe, devoid of any obstruction to flow, immediately upstream of
the pump suction connection, should be lower than the original. The
minimum length of full-size straight pipe, devoid of any obstructions
to flow, immediately upstream of the pump suction connection is
important in choosing a pipe. From the points that we stated before
this, the suction line should be as short as possible. The number of
valves and fittings in the suction line should be minimized. Special
examination and flow testing may be warranted for items such as
strainers and suction diffusers. Suction piping should be designed
and installed to minimize entrapped air.

This consists of positive

sloped lines, avoidance of horizontal plane concentric reducers,

proper orientation of eccentric reducers, and rotation of valve stems
to oppose the axis of the pump shaft plane. Directly connected
elbows should be avoided and when absolutely necessary, should
be of the long radius style oriented to minimize unbalanced flow to
the pump impeller.

If both a line size reduction and a piping

direction change are required, consideration should be given to the

reducing long radius elbow. Suction line pipe joint designs should be
air-tight.

This is particularly true in long suction lines and in

situations in which the suction lift is large. The adherence to certain

tried and true critical dimensions and relational geometries in
suction intake structures are extremely important to suppress
vortices, provide evenly distributed flow. Reservoir design cannot be
considered as a simple intuitive process of creating a hole in the
ground, but rather, must be given due diligence. If all of the above
important thing is complete, then the pump is perfect to use.

7.0 REFERENCES
1. engel, Y. A., Cimbala, J. M., & Cengel, Y. A. (2009). Fluid
mechanics

(Si

units):

Fundamentals

and

applications:

units (2nd ed.). United States: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

SI