Analysis of Fluid Flow in

Complex Piping System

Analysis of Fluid Flow in

Complex Piping System
Consider the system that consists of pumping liquid from a reservoir into a pipe
that subsequently divides into two branches in order to feed two elevated tanks.
General approach:
• Subdivide the system into a number of discrete elements or units as tanks,
pipes, and pumps. Each such element lies between two junction points or
nodes, at each of which it is connected to one or more adjoining elements.
• A system of simultaneous equations based on the following principles is then
developed:
General approach:
• A system of simultaneous equations based on the following principles is then
developed:
Continuity of mass
– At any node, the sum of incoming flow rates must equal the sum of the outgoing flow
rates.
– For incompressible fluid flow, the flow rate may either by mass flow rate or volumetric
flow rate.
– For example: If pipe 1 leads into a node, and pipes 2 and 3 leave from it, then:

1m
m  2 m
3
or
Q1  Q 2  Q 3
Energy balance
– At every segment of pipe between any two nodes, an energy balance is performed.
– The solution simplifies when the mean velocity (u) is replaced with the volumetric flow
rate:

 2
Q D u
4

– The mechanical energy balance, likewise, simplifies to:

P g 32fQ 2L
 z  2 5  0
 gc  D gc
• If any two of the following variables were specified: (a) pump inlet pressure;
(b) pump discharge pressure; and (c) the work performed per unit mass
flowing; then the following balance can be made around the pump.

P
w0

• The system of simultaneous equations will be nonlinear because of the Q2
terms appearing in the pipe equation. These equations can be solved for the
unknown pressures and flow rates by trial-and-error or by an appropriate
numerical method.
Other complex piping systems
• Pipes in series
• Pipes are in series if they are connected end to end so that a fluid flows in a
continuous line without any branching. The Q through pipes in series is
constant throughout.
Schematic of pipes in series

Q  Q1  Q 2  Q 3

FAB  F1  F2  F3
• Pipes in parallel
• Pipes are in parallel if they are connected in such a way that the flow branches
into two or more separate pipes and then mix again downstream.
• In solving problems involving pipes in parallel, three important principles are
applicable:
– The total flow entering each joint must equal the total flow leaving that joint.

Q  Q1  Q 2  Q 3
– The head loss between two joints is the same for each branch connecting these joints.

FAB  F1  F2  F3
– Within the range of velocities normally encountered, the % total flow passing through
each branch will be constant regardless of the head loss between the joints.
• Pipe junction
• A pipe junction consists of one or more pipes that separate into 2 or more
branches (or converge to a single pipe). The general problem associated with
branching pipes is to find the Q in each pipe when other data (P, z, D, and
fluid properties) are known.
• At junction J:

Q  Q1  Q 2  Q 3

• Total head at J is common to all pipes.