Chapter 6

Flow of Fluids
6_001

Water at 68 F flows from a lake through 500 ft of 4-inch i.d. cast-iron pipe to a water turbine located 250 ft
below the surface of the lake. After flowing through the turbine, the water is discharged into the atmosphere
through a horizontal 50-ft section of the same pipe. The turbine power output is 10 hp when the water in the
discharge pipe is flowing at 5 ft/sec. What is the turbine efficiency, defined as the actual power output of the
turbine divided by the power output that would be withdrawn if there were no friction within the turbine?

Solution:
D = 4 inch = 1/3 ft
-4
@ 68 F, = 2.43 lb/hr-ft = 6.75 x 10 lb/sec-ft
m = 0.016056 cu ft / lb
p1 at the lake = 0 gauge pressure
p2 before turbine
p3 after turbine
p4 at discharge = 0 gauge pressure

p1 p 2 =

fmG 2 m (L 1 ) g z 2 z1
+
2gc rh
gc m

where:
z2 - z1 = -250 ft
L1 = 500 ft
g = 32.17 ft/(sec)(sec)
gc = 32.2 ft x pounds matter/(sec)(sec)(pounds force)
G = V / m = 5 / 0.016056 = 311.41 lb/sec-sq ft
Solving for fm:

DG ( 13 )(311.41)
=
= 153,783

6.75 10 4
Equation 6-8e.
NRe =

1
f
1

= 3.2log10 NRe f + 1.2

= 3.2log10 153,783 f + 1.2

f
f = 0.00502
0 p2 =

(0.00502)(311.41)2 (0.016056)(500) + (32.17) (500)

2(32.2 )( 112 )
(32.2) (0.016056)

p2 = 14,828 lb/sq ft
fmG 2 m (L 2 ) (0.00502)(311.41)2 (0.016056)(50 )
=
= p3
2gc rh
2(32.2)( 112 )
p3 = 73 lb/sq ft
p3 p 4 =

p2 - p3 = 14,828 - 73 = 14,755 lb/sq ft

Page 1 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids
Volumetric rate of flow = q
2

q = AV = (/4)(1/3) (5) = 0.43633 cu ft/sec

hp =

(p 2 p 3 )q = (14,755)(0.4363)

550
hp = 11.70 hp

550

Turbine Efficiency = (10 hp / 11.70 hp) (100 %)

Turbine Efficiency = 85.5 % . . . Ans.
6_002

If the turbine in Prob. 1 were by-passed, what would be the mass flow rate of water through the 550 ft of 4inch pipe?
Solution:
If the turbine is by-passed:
p1 p 4 =

fmG 2 m (L 1 + L 2 ) g z 2 z 1
+
=0
2gc rh
gc m

(0.00502)G 2 (0.016056)(550) + (32.17) (- 250) = 0

(32.2) (0.016056)
2(32.2)( 112 )
G = 1,372.3 lb/sec-ft
w = GA
w = (1,372.3)(/4)(1/3)2
w = 119.76 lb/sec . . Ans.
6_003

Air is to be delivered from a compressor to a distribution line by means of standard 1-1/2-in. steel pipe, 300 ft
long. The maximum rate of consumption by the equipment connected to this distribution system is 600 cu ft
of free air (measured at 68 F) per minute. In order for the pressure in the distribution line to be always 70
lb/sq in. gauge or higher, what must be the pressure rating of the compressor? Assume that the air flow is
isothermal.
Solution:
Air at 600 cu ft per minute at 68 F
gc = 32.2 ft x pounds matter/(sec)(sec)(pounds force)
L = 300 ft
D = 1 1/2 in = 1/8 ft
R T
= G
p
T = 68 F + 460 F = 528 F
RG = 53.34
rh = D/4 = 1/32 ft
p2 = 70 lb/sq in gauge = 84.696 lb/sq in abs.
p2 = 12,196 lb/sq ft abs.
A = (/4)D2 = (/4)(1/8)2
A = 0.012272 sq ft

Page 2 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids
2 =

(53.34 )(528)

12196
2 = 2.309 cu ft /lb
Air viscosity at 68 F
-5
= 0.0440 lb/hr-ft = 1.2222 x 10 lb/sec-ft

( 18 )(353)
DG
=

1.2222 10 5
= 3,610,293

NRe =
NRe

Therefore, = 1
Steel pipe:
1
= 3.2log10 NRe f + 1.2
f
1
= 3.2log10 3,610,293 f + 1.2
f
f = 0.003036
R T (53.34 )(528) 28,164
1 = G =
=
p1
p1
p1

m =

1
2

(1 + 2 )

28,164
14,082
m = 21
+ 2.309 =
+ 1.1545
p
p1
1

Use Equation (6-9d) assuming 2/1 > 2.

p12 p 2 2 G 2 2 fmLG 2
=
ln
+
2R G Tm
g c 1 2gc rh

2
p1
2.309
=
=
1 28,164 12,196

p1
p12 (12,196)2
(353)2 ln p1 + (0.003036)(300)(353)2
=
2(53.34 )(528) (1)(32.2) 12,196
2(32.2)( 132 )
p12 (12,196)2
p
= 3,870ln 1 + 56,395
56,327
12,196
By Trial and Error:
p1 = 60,621 lb/sq ft abs.
p1 = 406.31 lb/sq in gauge. . . Ans.

6_004

Glycerol at 68 F, specific gravity 1.26, is pumped at a rate of 28,000 cu ft/hr by a single pump through two
horizontal pipes connected in parallel. Both pipes have a length of 100 ft. One is a standard 4-in. steel pipe,
the other a standard 9-in. steel pipe. It is agreed to neglect pressure drop due to fittings. What is the velocity
in the smaller pipe? What is the pressure drop through the lines? If the lines discharge into an open tank,
what head must be developed by the pump?
Solution:

Page 3 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids
Use Line a for 4 in pipe and line b for 9 in pipe
-3

Glycerol at 68 F, = 7 cp = 4.704 x 10 lb/sec-ft

q = volumetric flow rate = 28,000 cu ft/hr = 7.777778 cu ft/sec
q = qa + qb
= (1.26)(62.4) = 78.624 lb/cu ft
Line a:
p1 p 2 =

fa G a 2 m L f a G a 2 L
=
2gc rh
2gc rha

rha = Da/4
For 4 in dia. pipe, D = 4.026 in = 0.3355 ft
rha = Da/ 4 = 0.083875 ft
gc = 32.2 ft x pounds matter/(sec)(sec)(pounds force)
p1 p 2 =

fa G a 2 (100)
2(32.2)(0.083875)(78.624 )

p1 p 2 = 0.235465fa G a 2
Line b:
p1 p 2 =

fb G b 2 mL fb G b 2L
=
2gc rh
2gc rhb

rhb = Db/4
For 9 in dia. pipe, D = 8.941 in = 0.7451 ft
rhb = Db/ 4 = 0.186275 ft
gc = 32.2 ft x pounds matter/(sec)(sec)(pounds force)
p1 p 2 =

fb G b 2 (100)
2(32.2)(0.186275)(78.624 )

p1 p 2 = 0.106024fb G b 2
Then:
0.235465fa G a 2 = 0.106024fb G b 2
fb G b 2 = 2.220865fa G a 2
q 4q
=
A D 2
4(78.624 )q a
Ga =
(0.3355)2
Ga = 889.4qa
G=

Gb =

4(78.624 )q b

(0.7451)2
Gb = 180.3qb

Page 4 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids
Then:
fb (180.3q b )2 = 2.220865fa (889.4q a )2
q b = 7.351272qa

fa
fb

Equation 6-8e.
1
= 3.2log10 N Re f + 1.2
f

Then:

(
(

)
)

fa 3.2log10 NReb fb + 1.2

=
fb 3.2log10 NRea fa + 1.2
D a G a (0.3355)(889.4q a )
=
= 63,434qa

4.704 10 3
DG
(0.7451)(180.3qa ) = 28,559q
= b b =
b

4.704 10 3

NRea =
NReb

(
)
(
)
3.2log (209,945q f ) + 1.2
=
3.2log (63,474q f ) + 1.2

fa 3.2log10 28,559qb fb + 1.2

=
fb 3.2log10 63,474q a fa + 1.2
fa
fb

10

10

By trial and error, try

fa
= 1.13
fb
qb = (7.351272)(1.13)qa
qb = 8.306937qa
7.777778 = qa + 8.306937qb
qa = 0.8357 cu ft/sec
NRea = 63,434(0.8357) = 53,012
1
fa

= 3.2log10 53,012 fa + 1.2

fa = 0.07826
fa = 0.006125
fa 3.2log10 [(209,945 )(0.8357)(0.07826)] + 1.2
=
= 1.13
fb
3.2log10 [(63,434 )(0.8357)(0.07826 )] + 1.2
Therefore trial value is okay.
fa
= 1.13
fb
0.006125
= 1.13
fb

Page 5 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids
fb = 0.004797
a.

Velocity of the smaler pipe.

Ga = Va
Ga = 889.4qa
Ga = Va = 889.4qa
Va(78.624) =(889.4)(0.8357)
Va = 9.4535 ft/sec . . . Ans.
b.

Pressure drop thru line a or b.

p1 p 2 = 0.235465fa G a 2
p1 p 2 = 0.235465fa (889.4q a )2
p1 p 2 = 0.235465(0.006125 )[(889.4 )(0.8357)]2
p1 - p2 = 796.76 lb/sq ft . . . Ans.
c.

Head developed by pump.

Head = (796.76 lb/sq ft) / (78.624 lb/cu ft)

Head = 10.134 ft . . . Ans.
6_005

It is desired to heat 27 lb/min of dry air from 40 to 1040 F (moving-stream temperatures) by passing it
through a heated horizontal section of smooth pipe, having an i.d. of 2 inches. The heat is to be supplied by
electrical wires wrapped around the outside of the pipe, and these wires will supply 4.0 kw of electrical
power/ft of heated pipe, distributed uniformly over the heated length. The air is to leave the heated section at
a pressure of 1 atm. abs. What must be the length of the heated section and the pressure of the air entering
the section?
Solution:
wa

cp
t1
t2

= 27 lb/min
= 1,620 lb/hr
= 0.45 lb/sec
= 0.24
= 40 F
= 1040 F

a.

Heated Length

Q = wacp(t1 - t2)
Q = (1,620)(0.24)(1040 - 40)
Q = 388,000 Btu/hr = 113.95 kw
L = heated length = 113.95 kw / 4 kw/ft
L = 28.5 ft . . . Ans.
b.

Pressure entering the section, p1.

p2 = 1 atm abs. = 2116.8 lb/sq ft abs.

Page 6 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids
D = 2 inches = 0.166667 ft
rh = D/4 = 0.041667 ft
gc = 32.2 ft x pound matter / (sec)(sec)(pound force)
4w a

G=

4(0.45 )

D
(0.041667)2
G = 330 lb/(sec)(sq ft)
1 =

R G T1 (53.34 )(40 + 460)

=
p1
p1

1 =

26,670
p1

2 =

R G T2 (53.34 )(1040 + 460)

=
p2
2116.8

2 = 37.8
m =

m
m

(1 + 2 )

2
26,670

+ 37.8
p1

=
2
13,335
=
+ 18.9
p1

Viscosity of air at average temperature.

tave = (1/2)(40 + 1040) = 540 F
-5

= 0.06978 lb/hr-ft = 1.93833 x 10 lb/sec-ft

DG (0.166667)(330)
NRe =
=
= 2,837,496

1.93833 10 5
=1
Smooth pipe:
Equation 6-8.
0.125
f = 0.00140 +
NRe 0.32
0.125
f = 0.00140 +
= 0.002476
(2,837,496)0.32
Use Equation 6-9d, Tm = 540 F + 460 F = 1000 R
p12 p 2 2 G 2 2 fmLG 2
=
ln +
2R G Tm
g c 1 2gc rh

p12 (2116.8)2
(
330)2 37.8 (0.002476)(28.5)(330)2
=
ln
+
2(53.34 )(1000) (1)(32.2) 26,670
2(32.2 )(.041667)
p1

p12 (2116.8)2
p
= 3382ln 1 + 2864
106,680
705.56
By trial and error:

Page 7 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids

p1 = 42,269 lb/sq ft abs.

p1 = 20 atm abs. . . . Ans
6_006

Water is pumped over a high pass in mountain country from a lake in the valley. The pump is located 10 ft
above the lake surface. From the pump, the pipe line extends 2000 ft to the top of the pass, which has an
altitude of 1010 ft above the lake surface. The pipe line then runs 1000 ft down the other side of the pass,
losing 500 ft in altitude. The pipe line next travels another 1000 ft horizontally and empties into a reservoir.
Neglecting end losses and assuming that the lengths of pipe are reported as equivalent lengths
(thus containing allowance for bends, etc.), compute the shaft horsepower which must be delivered to the
pump to move water through this system at a rate of 120 gal/sec. The pipe line has an i.d. of 1.5 ft and is
made of steel. the over-all pump efficiency is 75 per cent. The discharge end of the pipe is several feet above
the surface of the reservoir.
Solution:

D = 1.5 ft steel
q = 120 gal/sec
Pimp-Efficiency = 0.75
Equation 6-9a.
f G 2 mL g z 2 z 1
p1 p 2 = m
+
2gc rh
gc m
z2 - z1 = 1010 ft - 500 ft - 10 ft = 500 ft
L = 2000 ft + 1000 ft + 1000 ft = 4000 ft
q = 120 gal/sec x 231 cu n/gal x 1 cu ft / 1728 cu in
q = 16.042 cu ft/sec
w = q = (62.4)(16.042) = 1001 lb/sec
w
4w
4(1001)
G= =
=
2
A D
(1.5)2
G = 566.45 lb/sec-ft
rh = D/4 = 0.375 ft
g = 32.17
gc = 32.2
m = 1/62.4 = 0.01603 cu ft/lb
-4

viscosity at 68 F, = 2.43 lb/hr-ft = 6.75 x 10 lb/sec-ft

(1.5)(566.45) = 1,258,778
NRe =
6.75 10 4
Equation 6-8

Page 8 of 9

Chapter 6
Flow of Fluids
1
f
1

= 3.2log10 NRe f + 1.2

= 3.2log10 1,258,778 f + 1.2

f
f = 0.00354
p1 p 2 =

(0.00354)(566.45)2 (0.01603)(4000) + (32.17) (500)

(32.2) (0.01603)
2(32.2)(0.375)

p1 - p2 = 34,178.3 lb/sq ft
hp =

(p1 p 2 )q = (34,178.3)(16.042)

550
hp = 996.9 hp

550

Checking if height 1000 ft is reached.

If L = 2000 ft
z2 - z1 = 1010 ft - 10 ft = 1000 ft
p1 p 2' =

(0.00354)(566.45)2 (0.01603)(2000) + (32.17) (1000)

(32.2) (0.01603)
2(32.2 )(0.375)

p1 - p2 = 63,832.9 lb/sq ft
hp =

(p1 p 2' )q = (63,832.9)(16.042)

550
550
hp = 1,861.8 hp > 996.9 jp
Therefore:

Shaft hp = 1,861.8 hp / 0.75 = 2,482 hp Ans.

- end -

Page 9 of 9