Mec3101: Flow Losses in Pipe Due to Friction

Abdu Yearwood
November 19, 2023

In this handout you are provided with solutions and explanations for problems of flow losses in pipes due to friction.
You also have some you will work on your own. All typo errors, if any, can be reported to: abdu.yearwood@uog.edu.gy.

Example 7.1
Determine the head loss to friction when water flows through 300 m of 150 mm diameter galvanized steel pipe at
50 L · s−1 .

Solution
For water at, say, 15 degree celcius, ν = 1.14 mm2 · s−1 .

u = 50 × 10−3 m3 · s−1 = 2.83 m · s−1

2.83 m · s−1 × 0.15 m

Re = = 3.72 × 105
1.14 × 10−6 m2 · s−1
k
For galvanized steel, k = 0.15 mm, say. Therefore, d = 0.001.
Using Moody’s diagram, f = 0.00515, so

4f Lu2
hf =
2gD (1)
2
g = 9.81 m/s
2
4 × 0.00515 × 300 m (2.83 m/s) 1
hf = · 2 = 16.81 m, say 17 m
0.15 m 19.62 m/s

Example 7.2
Calculate the steady rate at which oil (ν = 10−5 m2 · s−1 ) will flow through a cast-iron pipe with a diameter of 100
mm and length of 120 m under a head difference of 5 m.

Solution
For now, Re is unknown since the velocity is unknown. For cast iron (in new condition) k = 0.25 mm, say. Hence
k/d = 0.0025 and the Moody’s chart suggests f = 0.0065 as a first trial. Then from equation 2:

4f Lu2 2
hf = , where g = 9.81 m/s (2)
2gD

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 (u2 )4 × 0.0065 × 120 m
5m = 2
(0.10 m · 19.62 m/s )
whence u = 1.773 m/s. Therefore
1.773 m/s × 0.10 m
Re = = 1.773 × 104
10−5 m2 · s−1
These values of Re and k/d give f = 0.0079 from the Moody’s chart. A recalculation of u gives 1.608 m/s, hence
Re = 1.608 × 104 . The corresponding change of f is insignificant. The value u = 1.608 m/s is accepted and
π
Q = 1.608 m/s × (0.10)2 m2 = 0.01263 m3 · s−1
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Alternatively, we could made use of the expression:
 
5/2
 0.5
πd 2ghf  k 2.51ν
Q=− √ log  +

0.5 
2 3.71d

l 2gh
d3/2 × √lf

Colebrook measured values of f for new commercial pipes and found a relationship of the plots described by the
following equation:  
−1/2 1.26 3.71d
f = −4 log10 √ + √
k Re f
on which the Moody’s chart is based. In this example

 
5/2
 0.5 − 2 −
π(0.10 m) 19.62 × 5 m  0.0025 2.51 × 10 5 m · s 1 
Q=− × log  + 0.5  = 0.01262 m3 · s−1
2 120 s2 3.71d

0.103/2 × 19.62×5
√
120

Further Problem 7.1

Calculate the power required to pump sulphuric acid (dynamic viscosity 0.04 Pa · s, relative density 1.83) at 45 L · s−1
from a supply tank through a glass-lined 150 mm diameter pipe, 18 m long, into a storage tank. The liquid level
16
in the storage tank is 6 m above that in the supply tank. For laminar flow f = Re ; for turbulent flow f =
−1/3 7
0.0014(1 + 100Re ) if Re < 10 . Take all losses into account.

Solution
0.045 m3 s−1
u= π 2
= 2.546 m/s
4 · (0.15 m)

3
2.546 m/s × 0.15 m × 1830 kg/m
Re = = 17480 ← Turbulent flow, thus
0.04 Pa s

f = 0.0014(1 + 100 Re−1/3 ) = 0.00679

u2 2.5462 4 × 0.00679 × 18
   
4f l
hf = + 1.5 = + 1.5 m = 1.574 m
2g d 19.62 0.15

3
Power = 0.045 m3 s−1 × 1830 kg/m × 9.81 N/kg × (6 + 1.574) m = 6120 W

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Further Problem 7.2
In a heat exchanger, there are 200 tubes, each with a length of 3.65 m, an outside diameter of 30 mm, and a bore of
25 mm. These tubes are arranged axially in a cylinder with a diameter of 750 mm, equally spaced from each other.
A liquid with a relative density of 0.9 flows through the tubes at a mean velocity of 2.5 m/s, while water flows at
2.5 m/s between the tubes in the opposite direction. The friction factor (f) for all surfaces is assumed to be 0.01.
Neglecting entry and exit losses, the goal is to calculate (a) the total power required to overcome fluid friction in the
exchanger and (b) the potential power savings if the two liquids exchanged places while keeping the system otherwise
unaltered.

Solution
The wetted area of a cylinder is the total area of its surface that is in contact with a fluid. The wetted area can be
calculated by adding the areas of the top and bottom end caps and the lateral surface area. The wetted area inside
one tube is equal to the area of the base multiplied by its heigh.

Ai = πDh
= π(0.025 m)2 (3.65 m)
= 0.09125π m2

The wetted area outside one tube is the area of its exterior surface that is in contact with the fluid.

Ao = πDh
= π(0.03 m)(3.65 m)
= 0.1095π m2

The total wetted area of the cylinder

At = πDh
= π(0.75 m)(3.65 m)
= 2.7375π m2

The wall shear stress on a cylinder is the force that the fluid is exerting on the surface of the cylinder. It is
calculated using the following equation:

1 2 1
2
τ0 for liquid = ρu f = 900 kg · m−3 2.5 m · s−1 × 0.01 = 28.125P a
2 2

1 2 1
τ0 for water = ρu f = · 1000 kg · m−3 · (2.5 m · s−1 )2 · 0.01 = 31.25 Pa
2 2
where:
* τ is the wall shear stress (Pa) * ρ is the density of the fluid (kg/m³) * u is the velocity of the fluid (m/s) * f
is the friction coefficient. The friction coefficient is a dimensionless number that depends on the surface roughness
and the flow conditions.
For a smooth cylinder in laminar flow, the friction coefficient is approximately 0.01.

Case 1: Area wetted by liquid = 18.25π m2

Area wetted by water = (200 × 0.1095π + 2.7375π) m2 = 24.64π m2

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 Therefore:
Power = 2.5 m/s × (25.125 × 18.25π + 31.25 × 24.64π) N = 10.08 kW

Case II: Power = 2.5 m/s × (28.125 × 24.64π + 31.25 × 18.25π) N = 9.92 kW
Therefore
Saving = 2.5 m/s × (−28.125 × 6.39π + 31.25 × 6.39π) N = 157 W
Overview: The solution involves calculating the wetted area inside and outside the tubes, determining the wall
shear stress on the tubes, and finally, computing the power required and potential savings. In the provided solution,
the equations for wetted areas, wall shear stress, and power calculations were presented step by step for your
understanding of the solution. The result indicates a potential power saving of 157 W if the two liquids were to
exchange places. You are directed to chapter 7 in the Massay text for further readings.

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Further Problem 7.3
A hose pipe of 75 mm bore and length 450 m is supplied with water at 1.4 MPa. A nozzle at the outlet end of the
pipe is 3 m above the level of the inlet end. If the jet from the nozzle is to reach a height of 35 m, calculate the
maximum diameter of the nozzle assuming that f = 0.01 and that losses at the inlet and in the nozzle are negligible.
If the efficiency of the supply pump is 70%, determine the power required to drive it.

Solution
p
Jet velocity = 2g × 35 m = 26.20 m/s

1.4 × 106
1.4 MPa = m = 142.7 m(head)
1000 × 9.81

Therefore, hf = (142.7 − 35 − 3) m = 104.7 m

4 × 0.01 × 450 u2
=
0.075 2g

whence u in pipe = 2.926 m/s

2.926
d2jet = × 0.0752 m2 ⇒ djet = 25.06 mm
26.20

π
Q= (0.02506)2 × 26.20 m3 · s−1 = 0.01293 m3 · s−1
4

1
Power = 0.01293 m3 · s−1 × 14 × 106 N · m−2 ×
0.7
= 25.85 kW

This given problem involved the hydraulic analysis of a hose pipe supplied with water from a pump that terminates
in a nozzle at the outlet. Main objectives were to determine the maximum diameter of the nozzle and the power
needed to drive the pump. The solution entails calculating the jet velocity, converting pressure to head, considering
friction losses in the pipe, and ensuring negligible losses in the nozzle. The resulting parameters, including jet
diameter, d2jet , flow rate, Q, and power requirements, were then determined.

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Homework - Further Problem 7.4
A straight smooth pipe 100 mm in diameter and 60 m long is inclined at 10◦ to the horizontal. A liquid of relative
density 0.9 and kinematic viscosity 120 mm2 · s−1 is to be pumped through it into a reservoir at the upper end where
the gauge pressure is 120 kPa. The pipe friction factor f is given by 16/Re for laminar flow and by 0.08(Re)−1/4 for
turbulent flow when Re < 105 . Determine:
(a) The maximum pressure at the lower, inlet, end of the pipe if the mean shear stress at the pipe wall is not to
exceed 200 Pa.
(b) The corresponding rate of flow, Q.

Homework - Further Problem 7.5

A trailer pump is intended to provide water through a hose that is 40 m in length and equipped with a 50 mm
diameter nozzle, capable of projecting a water jet to a height of 40 m above the pump level. To ensure that the
power lost due to friction in the hose does not exceed 15% of the available hydraulic power, it is necessary to determine
the required diameter of the hose. Friction in the nozzle can be neglected, and the friction factor (f) for the hose is
assumed to fall within the range of 0.007 to 0.01.

Homework - Further Problem 7.6

A pipe 900 m long and 200 mm in diameter discharges water to the atmosphere at a point 10 m below the level of
the inlet. With a pressure at the inlet of 40 kPa above atmospheric, the steady discharge from the end of the pipe is
49 L/s. At a point halfway along the pipe, a tapping is then made from which water is to be drawn off at a rate of
18 L/s. If conditions are such that the pipe is always full, to what value must the inlet pressure be raised so as to
provide an unaltered discharge from the end of the pipe? (The friction factor may be assumed unaltered.)

Homework - Further Problem 7.7

Two water reservoirs, the surface levels of which differ by 1.5 m, are connected by a pipe system consisting of a
sloping pipe at each end, 7.5 m long and 75 mm diameter, joined by a horizontal pipe 300 mm in diameter and 60 m
2
long. Taking entry head losses as 0.5u 25
2g and f = 0.005(1 + d ) where d mm is the pipe diameter, calculate the steady
rate of flow through the pipe.

Homework - Further Problem 7.8

Kerosene of relative density 0.82 and kinematic viscosity 2.3 mm2 · s−1 is to be pumped through 185 m of galvanized
iron pipe (k = 0.15 mm) at 40 L · s−1 into a storage tank. The pressure at the inlet end of the pipe is 370 kPa, and
the liquid level in the storage tank is 20 m above that of the pump. Neglecting losses other than those due to pipe
friction, determine the size of the pipe necessary.

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Appendix:

Figure 1: Moody diagram.