ENGINEERING FACULTY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Hydraulic Machines Project

BALOYI. NT 219333998

CONCO. SB 220526869

GUMBI. Z 218331975

MAKAKA. E 220326061

MOSTERT. J 215162595

NELWAMONDO. AA 221002596

NKADIMENG H.M 220615292

NOGWEBELA. B 220145733

Subject: HDM360S
Date: 23 November 2023

I (We) swear that this is the original work of the author(s). All information obtained directly
or indirectly from other sources has been fully acknowledged.

1
Contents
Introduction and Background................................................................................................................4
Estimating water requirements..............................................................................................................5
Piping and irrigation layout Design........................................................................................................5
Pipe selection........................................................................................................................................6
Valve Selection......................................................................................................................................6
Obtaining the manometric head:..........................................................................................................8
Pump selection....................................................................................................................................10
Cavitation of the pump........................................................................................................................12
System costs........................................................................................................................................13
Running costs (yearly).........................................................................................................................13
Maintenance schedule........................................................................................................................14
ANNEXURE...........................................................................................................................................15
References...........................................................................................................................................16

2
Figure 1: Visual representation of r/d ratio..........................................................................................6
Figure 2: Friction Coefficient table for 90` Elbows..............................................................................6
Figure 3: Foot Check Valve..................................................................................................................7
Figure 4: Sectioned Globe Type Check Valve.......................................................................................7
Figure 5: Plug Valve Sectional representation......................................................................................8
Figure 6 System Curve.........................................................................................................................10
Figure 7 System Curve (Final)..............................................................................................................12

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Introduction and Background

The two sports fields on the north-eastern side (rugby and soccer fields only) of the CPUT
campus need an improved irrigation system. There is a pond in the northern corner (next to
Horticulture) of the campus that could be used as a water source for irrigating the fields. The
objective is to design a piping and pump system to transport the water from the pond to the
fields' area. This report covers various aspects of the project, including estimating water
requirements, designing an irrigation network, selecting appropriate pumps, assessing
cavitation risks, costing the system, determining operating costs, and developing a
maintenance plan.

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Estimating water requirements
Firstly, the fields irrigation network has been drawn up to determine the water requirements.
To do this, the field area will need to be mapped out and divided into irrigation zones
according to the demands of the turf. The amount of water required will vary depending on
evapotranspiration rates, plant water needs and other environmental factors. We determined
the volume and timing requirements for the irrigation network on a weekly basis through
precise evaluation. It was concluded the total amount of water required for both fields based
on the field sizes is about 250 l/min. However, this will vary depending on different seasons.

Piping and irrigation layout Design

A piping and irrigation layout should be designed to transport water from the pond to the
fields once the amount of water required has been determined. To efficiently distribute water
across the fields, a detailed irrigation system was designed, and the old design was improved
to ensure even water distribution and reduce water loss in this design. To ensure efficient and
uniform irrigation, this design considers variables like water pressure, flow rate, and coverage
area.

Pipe selection
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has a higher tensile strength than High Density Polythene Pipe
(HDPE) pipe, but stronger does not always mean tougher. While PVC’s tensile strength is
higher than HDPE pipe, it is also a much more brittle product that is susceptible to fatigue
cracking and failures.

HDPE is a more flexible and ductile pipe material. Below is a comparison of the physical
properties of the two types of pipes and their reactions to various conditions.

•Compared to PVC, HDPE is 2,500 times more resistant to damage from water hammer and
fatigue, so the thermoplastic is far less susceptible to cracking and failure over time.
•With a bend radius of 25 times the pipe’s outer diameter, HDPE pipes can form sharper
curves.

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•HDPE pipes are joined using heat fusion, whereby pipes are thermally fused to form a
seamless, monolithic, leak-free system that can withstand changing water levels, earthquakes,
frost, and other ground movement. Because the fusion joints are self-restrained, they do not
create the same vulnerabilities as bell and spigot joints, which are susceptible to leakage,
over-deflection, over-insertion, and thrust blocking issues.
•Narrow trench widths: Compared to other pipe systems, HDPE pipes allow narrower
trenches, which result in easier and more cost-effective below-ground installation. This is
because the pipes can be joined outside the trench and then lowered into it.
Pipe sizes start larger near the water source and get smaller towards the end of the irrigation
system. Calculating the right pipe size will ensure the application of the right amount of
irrigation water.

Valve Selection
For 90° Pipe Bends That Are Flanged

The resistance coefficient depends not only on the pipe size, but also on the r/d of the bend. It
can also be noted, this is because the length of pipe required to make 90° Elbowsincreases
with higher r/d, which adds more resistance to the flow.

Figure 1: Visual representation of r/d ratio

Figure 2: Friction Coefficient table for 90` Elbow

Foot Check Valves

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Are typically installed in the suction line of a pump to prevent it from losing its prime when
the pump is turned off and the fluid flows back into the supply tank.

Figure 3: Foot Check Valve

K=420 f T

Stop Check Valves

This valve fulfils valve fulfils two functions in a single valve in that it is an isolation valve
and a check valve combined in one valve body.

Figure 4: Sectioned Globe Type Check Valve

When fully open, the disc can drop to the closed position automatically in the event of a
reversal flow.

Globe type stop checker K=400 f T

Plug Valves

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Figure 5: Plug Valve Sectional representation.

Are a quarter turn rotary valve in which the plug rotates 90° from closed to fully open. Plug
valves can be used as on/off isolation valves.

K=18 f T

Obtaining the manometric head:

2
H m =H static +k Q
2 2
K .V fl v
H m =H static + +
2g 2g

Desired flow rate = 250 l/min = 0.004166m3 /s

3
v 1=1.3 m /s

l=500 m

d 1= (
√ Qw 4
)( )
v π

d 1= (
√ 0.004166 4
1.3
)( )
π

d 1=0.0639 m=64 mm

d 2=32 mm

Q=v . A

(4 )(0.004166)
v 2=
π (0.032)2

v 2=5.1808 m/s

8
 v D1 2
m
R 1= v water=0.000001003( )
v water s

(1.3)(0.064)
=
0.000001003
3
R1=82.951×10

64
f 1= [ Hagen-Poisseulle equation]
R1

f 1=0.000772

v 2 D2
R 2=
v

( 5.1808 ) ( 0.032 )
R 2=
0.000001003
3
R2=165.29 × 10

64
f 2= 3
165.29 × 10

f 2 = 0.000387

Σ f =0.000387

Σ k=Σ k bend + k foot ˇ¿+k + k stopchecker ¿

plug

¿ 12(6)f T +420 f T + 400 f T +18 f T

¿ 910 f T

¿(910) ( 0.000387 )

Σ k=0.35217

2
lQ
H m =H static +(Σ k + Σ f ) 2
2g A
2
H m =H static +(0.000387+0.35217)Q ¿ ¿
2
H m= H +614 638.05 Q
static

H m=¿ 2+614 638.05Q ¿ 2

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 m
3
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
Q( )
h

Hm 2 2.43 3.71 5.84 8.83 12.67 17.37 22.91 29.32 36.57 44.68

Flow Rate vs Head

50
45
40
35
30
Head

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
Flow Rate

Figure 6 System Curve

Pump selection

The pump that corresponds with the system requirements is a Speroni Centrifugal Pump
CBM 150 230V. (Product catalogue attached to document)

This pump is suitable to pump clean water or non-aggressive liquids with small solid
impurities. The only difference between design requirements and actual pump requirements is
in diameters. The selected pump requires constant inlet and outlet diameters of 50.8mm.

Changing the system to:

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 d 1=d 2=50.8 mm

Q=vA

(4 )(0.004166)
v=
π ¿¿

v=5.18 m/s

v D1 m
2
R 1= v water=0.000001003( )
v water s

(5.18)(0.0508)
=
0.000001003
3
R1=R 2=262.357 ×10

2× 64
Σf = 3
262.357 × 10

Σ f =0.000489

Σk ¿ 910 f T

¿(910) ( 0.000489 )

Σ k=0.44499

2
lQ
H m =H static +(Σ k + Σ f ) 2
2g A
2
H m =H static +(0.000489+0.44499)Q ¿ ¿
2
H m= H +690 881.61 Q
static

H m=¿ 2+690881.61 Q ¿ 2

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 m
3
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
Q( )
h

Hm 2 2.48 3.92 6.32 9.68 13.99 19.27 25.51 32.71 40.86 49.98

Flow Rate vs Head

60

50

40
Head

30

20

10

0
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
Flow Rate

Figure 7 System Curve (Final)

Cavitation of the pump

To determine whether a pump cavitate

NPS H NET =0

Po P v
NPSH NET = −
ρg pg

Pv
@room temp = 25° C ; = 0.33 m
ρg

NPSH NET =2−0.33

NPSH NET =1.67 m

∴ Cavitationis avoided as NPSH NET ≥1

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System costs
Material Quantity/size Costs

Pipes 600 m R10170

Plug Valves 1 R2100

Stop Check Valves 1 R1600

Foot Check Valves 1 R1900

Pump, motor and accessories 1 R16500

Sprinklers 5 R1200

Elbows 6 R300

Filters 1 R500

Total R34270

Running costs (yearly)

Components Costs

Filter R500

Pipes R1500

labor R3000

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Maintenance schedule
TASK PURPOSE FREQUENCE TIME OF LEVEL OF
YEAR EXPECTISE

Pump Test Asses Pump Every 1 – 3 End of Season Service

Efficiency Year Profession
Required

Vibration Test Identify Every 1 – 3 End of Season Service

Misalignment Year Profession
Required

Inspect Motor Maintain Once a Year Beginning of Service

Winding Longevity of Season Profession
Motor Recommended

Replaces Fuses To Ensure a Once a Year Beginning of In- House

Proper Power Season
Input

Inspect for Indicate Wear At Minimum Throughout In- House

Leaks Monthly Season

Inspect & Clean Clear of Dust Once a Year Beginning of In- House
Power Contacts and Oxidation Season

Inspect Wire Replace Any Once a Year Beginning of In- House

Housing Heat Damage Season

Inspect Wire Tighten Loose Once a Year Beginning of In- House

connection Connections Season

Clean Out Prep For Start Once a Year Beginning of In- House
Rodents , Insects Up Season
or Debris

Remove Any Prep For Start Once a Year Beginning of In- House
Winterization Up Season
Covering

14
ANNEXURE

15
References
A Field Perspective on Engineering Commissioning Resources (no date a). Available at:
https://www.av8rdas.com/.

Langston, D. (2023a) “HDPE vs. PVC Pipes,” WL Plastics [Preprint]. Available at:
https://wlplastics.com/hdpe-vs-pvc-pipes/.

Overstrand Municipality (no date a). Available at: https://www.overstrand.gov.za/.

Powers, J.P. et al. (2007a) “Appendix A: Friction Losses for Water Flow Through Pipe,” in
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. eBooks, pp. 597–602. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470168103.app1.

SABI (no date a). Available at: https://www.sabi.co.za/.

Selecting an irrigation pump (no date a). Available at:

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/water/irrigation/systems/selecting.

Solorio, J. and Solorio, J. (2019a) “FRICTION LOSS IMPACTS PIPING SYSTEM

PERFORMANCE,” Corzan [Preprint]. Available at: https://www.corzan.com/blog/friction-
loss-impacts-piping-system-performance

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