Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Pipes in Series and Parallel

(Section 9)
Mike Jesson

[email protected]

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 1
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Learning Outcomes

 In this lecture we will introduce some of the

methods used to analyse more complex pipe
systems.

 These methods are the basis for pipe network

analysis software.

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 2
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Flows in pipes and pipe networks

 Pipes in series
 Pipes in parallel
 Pipe networks

Oman gas network (Getty Images)

http://www.utilities-me.com/article-2210-oman-gas-plans-775m-network investment/

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 3
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Multiple Pipes
 So far we have only looked at individual pipes but, in
practice, water is distributed through pipe networks of
different sizes and ages.
 Most engineering consultants use computer models to
design networks; however, it is important that engineers
understand the hydraulic principles underpinning these
models.
 We explore the principles through a number of examples

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 4
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Pipes in Series
 Water flows from one pipe into the next (and into the
next…).

 A streamline through the system will pass through all

pipes.

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 5
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Pipes in Series
 The total head loss is given by:
𝑛 𝑛 𝑚
𝐻 = ෍ ℎ𝑖 = ෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 + ෍ ℎ𝐿𝑗
𝑖=1 𝑖=1 𝑗=1
where 𝑛 is the number of pipes and 𝑚 is the number of
fittings.

 Continuity tells us that:

𝑄 = 𝑄1 = 𝑄2 = ⋯ = 𝑄𝑛

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 6
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Pipes in Parallel
 Water through one of a row of pipes, with all flows
recombining:

 A streamline through the system will pass through only

one of the pipes.

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 7
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Pipes in Parallel
 The total discharge is given by:
𝑛
𝑄 = ෍ 𝑄𝑖
𝑖=1
where 𝑛 is the number of pipes.

 All pipes start at 𝐴, with head 𝐻𝐴 , and finish at 𝐵, with

head 𝐻𝐵 , and so:
𝐻 = 𝐻𝐴 − 𝐻𝐵 = ℎ1 = ℎ2 = ⋯ = ℎ𝑛

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 8
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
 A 35km length of water supply pipe is mainly of 600mm diameter but
contains a 5km section of 500mm diameter.

Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

 What is the percentage increase in discharge if:

a) an additional 5km length of 500mm pipe is added in parallel with
the existing pipe?
b) a 5km length of 600mm pipe is added in parallel and then the old
500mm section closed for maintenance?

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 9
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
 For simplicity we will:
• Assume that the overall head loss is fixed by the end
conditions;
• Assume that the friction factor, 𝑓, is the same in all
pipes;
• Ignore any fittings losses.

10

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 10
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
 Use Darcy-Weisbach Equation. In general:
𝑓𝐿𝑈 2 𝑄 4𝑄
ℎ𝑓 = 2𝑔𝐷
𝑈 = 𝐴 = 𝜋𝐷2
2
4𝑄
𝑓𝐿 8𝑓𝐿𝑄2
𝜋𝐷2
⇒ ℎ𝑓 = = = 𝐾𝑄2
2𝑔𝐷 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷5
 Total Head loss 𝐻 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2

Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

11

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 11
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
8𝑓𝐿𝑄2
ℎ𝑓 = 𝑔𝜋2𝐷5 𝐻 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2

 Existing Situation, 𝑄 = 𝑄1. For Pipe 1:

8𝑓𝐿1𝑎 𝑄12 8𝑓𝑄12
ℎ𝑓1𝑎 = 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷15
= 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷15
𝐿1 − 𝑥 𝐿1𝑎 = 𝐿1 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚

8𝑓𝐿1𝑏 𝑄12 8𝑓𝑄12

ℎ𝑓1𝑏 = 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷15
= 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷15
𝑥 𝐿1𝑏 = 𝑥 𝑘𝑚
8𝑓𝑄12 8𝑓𝐿1 𝑄12
ℎ𝑓1𝑎 + ℎ𝑓1𝑏 = 𝐿1 − 𝑥 + 𝑥 = = ℎ𝑓1 Doesn’t
𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷15 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷15
matter
Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm what 𝑥 is.

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

12

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 12
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
8𝑓𝐿𝑄2
ℎ𝑓 = 𝑔𝜋2𝐷5 𝐻 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2

 Existing Situation, 𝑄 = 𝑄1:

8𝑓𝐿1 𝑄12 8𝑓 30000
ℎ𝑓1 = 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷15
= 𝑔𝜋 2 0.65
𝑄12 𝐿1 = 30𝑘𝑚, 𝐷1 = 600𝑚𝑚

8𝑓𝐿2 𝑄12 8𝑓 5000

ℎ𝑓2 = 𝑔𝜋 2 𝐷25
= 𝑔𝜋 2 0.55
𝑄12 L2 = 5𝑘𝑚, 𝐷2 = 500𝑚𝑚

Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

13

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 13
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
𝐻 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2

8𝑓 30000 2 8𝑓 5000 2
𝐻= 𝑄1 + 𝑄1
𝑔𝜋 2 0.65 𝑔𝜋 2 0.55

8𝑓 30000 5000 8𝑓
= 𝑄12 + = 𝑄2 × 545802.5
𝑔𝜋 2 0.65 0.55 𝑔𝜋 2 1

Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

14

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 14
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
a) “an additional 5km length of 500mm pipe is added in parallel with
the existing pipe”:

Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

As the new pipe has the same diameter as the old pipe, symmetry
tells us that each will carry the same discharge (ignoring any fitting
losses from the connection of the new pipe). If the total discharge is
𝟏
𝑄2 , each section of Pipe 2 will carry 𝟐 𝑸𝟐 .

15

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 15
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
a) “an additional 5km length of 500mm pipe is added in parallel with
the existing pipe”:
Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

A parcel of fluid will either travel through the old pipe or the new pipe,
and so will only experience head loss due to one of these lengths of
pipe.
The head loss must be the same whether the fluid has travelled
through the old pipe or the new pipe, and, in each case, must equal
𝐻 (remember that this is fixed by the end conditions).

16

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 16
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
a) “an additional 5km length of 500mm pipe is added in parallel with
the existing pipe”:
Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

𝐻 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2
2
8𝑓 30000 2 8𝑓 5000 𝑄2
𝐻= 𝑄2 +
𝑔𝜋 2 0.65 𝑔𝜋 2 0.55 2

8𝑓 30000 1 5000 8𝑓
= 𝑄22 + 2 = 𝑄 2 × 425803
𝑔𝜋 2 0.65 2 0.55 𝑔𝜋 2 2

17

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 17
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
a) “an additional 5km length of 500mm pipe is added in parallel with
the existing pipe”:
Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

8𝑓 8𝑓
𝐻= 𝑔𝜋 2
𝑄12 × 545803 𝐻= 𝑔𝜋 2
𝑄22 × 425803
8𝑓 8𝑓
⇒ 𝑄12 × 545803 = 𝑄2 × 425803
𝑔𝜋 2 𝑔𝜋 2 2

𝑄2 545803
⇒ 𝑄12 × 545803 = 𝑄22 × 425803 ⇒ = = 1.13
𝑄1 425803

18

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 18
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
b) “a 5km length of 600mm pipe is added in parallel and then the old
500mm section closed for maintenance”:
Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm
600mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

The discharge changes to 𝑄3 , but now occurs through a pipe which

is all of 𝐷 = 600𝑚𝑚 = 0.6𝑚. Simply apply Darcy-Weisbach equation
directly:

8𝑓𝑙𝑄32 8𝑓 35000 2 8𝑓
𝐻= 2 5
= 2 × 5
𝑄3 = 2 𝑄32 × 450103
𝑔𝜋 𝐷 𝑔𝜋 0.6 𝑔𝜋

19

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 19
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Example 9.1
b) “a 5km length of 600mm pipe is added in parallel and then the old
500mm section closed for maintenance”:
Pipe 1a, D = 600mm Pipe 2, D = 500mm Pipe 1b, D = 600mm

30 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑚 5𝑘𝑚 𝑥

8𝑓
𝐻= 𝑄2 × 450103
𝑔𝜋 2 3
8𝑓 2
8𝑓
⇒ 𝑄 × 545803 = 𝑄2 × 450103
𝑔𝜋 2 1 𝑔𝜋 2 3

𝑄3 545803
⇒ = = 1.10
𝑄1 450103

20

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 20
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Examples 9.2 & 9.3

 These follow the ideas discussed previously and are left
for you to attempt yourselves.
A

Image adapted from: Hamill, L. (2001) Understanding Hydraulics

53m
Pipe 1

Pipe 2

21

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 21
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Simple Pipe Networks

(Section 10)
Mike Jesson

[email protected]

22

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 22
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Pipe Networks - Small Changes

𝑓𝐿 𝑈2
ℎ = ℎ𝑓 + ℎ𝐿 = +𝑘
𝐷 2𝑔𝐷
 𝑈 = 𝑄/𝐴:
𝑄2
𝑓𝐿 𝐴2 𝑓𝐿 8
⇒ℎ= +𝑘 = +𝑘 𝑄 2 = 𝐾𝑄 2
𝐷 2𝑔𝐷 𝐷 g𝜋 2 𝐷4
where:
𝑓𝐿 8
𝐾= +𝑘
𝐷 g𝜋 2 𝐷4
 𝐾 is a constant.

23

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 23
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Small Changes
ℎ = 𝐾𝑄 2

 We can differentiate this, remembering that 𝐾 is a constant:

𝑑ℎ 𝑑 𝐾𝑄 2 𝑑 𝑄2
= =𝐾 = 2𝐾𝑄
𝑑𝑄 𝑑𝑄 𝑑𝑄

 A small change in discharge, 𝛿𝑄, will result in a change in head loss, 𝛿ℎ:
𝑑ℎ
𝛿ℎ ≅ 𝛿𝑄 = 2𝐾𝑄𝛿𝑄
𝑑𝑄
or:
ℎ ℎ
𝛿ℎ ≅ 2 2
𝑄𝛿𝑄 = 2 𝛿𝑄
𝑄 𝑄

24

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 24
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Small Changes

ℎ
𝛿ℎ ≅ 2 𝛿𝑄
𝑄

or:

1𝑄
𝛿𝑄 ≅ 𝛿ℎ
2ℎ

25

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 25
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
 What happens in a pipe system where we have junctions, such as
this?
1
𝑄1
3

𝑄3

𝑄2
2

 The flow depends on the relative elevation of the reservoirs. Unlike

the parallel pipe example from the last lecture, we can’t say that the
head loss across certain pipes is equal.

26

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 26
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
 We are going to develop a method to calculate the discharge in the
pipes.
1
𝑄1
3

𝑄3

𝑄2
2

 This method is easy to generalise for a larger network and can be

implemented in computer software or (for simple cases) a
spreadsheet.

27

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 27
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
 Labelling the pipes 1, 2 and 3. We 𝑄1 ℎ𝑗
may write general equations using
subscript 𝑖 (where 𝑖 = 1,2,3).
𝑧1 𝑧3
𝑄3

 The junction has a head, which 𝑄2

we will call ℎ𝑗 . 𝑧2

 ℎ𝑗 is unknown (we are unlikely to be able to measure it).

 We can, however, relate the head loss in each pipe, ℎ𝑓𝑖 , to ℎ𝑗

28

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 28
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
The water level in reservoir 1 is 𝑧1 .
The water level in reservoir 2 is 𝑧2 . 𝑄1
ℎ𝑗
The water level in reservoir 3 is 𝑧3 .
𝑧1
𝑄3 𝑧3
If the head at the junction is ℎ𝑗 then the
head loss in each pipe (assuming no 𝑄2
fittings losses) is the change in head 𝑧2
between the reservoir surface and the
junction:
ℎ𝑓1 = 𝑧1 − ℎ𝑗 ℎ𝑓2 = 𝑧2 − ℎ𝑗 ℎ𝑓3 = 𝑧3 − ℎ𝑗

Note that we are defining head loss as positive if it is towards the junction. This is
arbitrary, but you must be consistent (i.e. either towards the junction is positive for
all pipes, or away from the junction is positive for all pipes).

29

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 29
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
𝑄1
ℎ𝑗
ℎ𝑓1 = 𝑧1 − ℎ𝑗
𝑧1
𝑄3 𝑧3
ℎ𝑓2 = 𝑧2 − ℎ𝑗
𝑄2
𝑧2
ℎ𝑓3 = 𝑧3 − ℎ𝑗

 We don’t know for sure which direction the flow is in each pipe. We
have defined a flow from a reservoir to the junction as positive, and a
flow from the junction to a reservoir as negative.
 A negative ℎ𝑓𝑖 indicates that the flow in that pipe is negative.

30

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 30
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
 We guess that ℎ𝑗 = ℎ𝑗0 . 𝑄1 ℎ𝑗
 We calculate the ℎ𝑓𝑖 s, the 𝑄𝑖 s, and the
𝑧1 𝑧3
sum: 𝑄3

𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3 = ෍ 𝑄𝑖 𝑄2
𝑧2

 This sum should be zero, but is unlikely to be from our first estimate.
 There will be an error, 𝛿𝑄i , for each pipe :
Subscript 𝑎 indicates the
𝑄𝑖 = 𝑄𝑖𝑎 + 𝛿𝑄𝑖
actual flows.
and so:

෍ 𝑄𝑖 = ෍(𝑄𝑖 𝑎 + 𝛿𝑄𝑖 ) = ෍ 𝑄𝑖 𝑎 + ෍ 𝛿𝑄𝑖 = 0 + ෍ 𝛿𝑄𝑖 = ෍ 𝛿𝑄𝑖

31

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 31
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
𝑄1 ℎ𝑗
In one of the pipes:
𝑧1 𝑧3
ℎ𝑓𝑖 1 𝑄𝑖 𝑄3
δℎ𝑓𝑖 = 2 𝑄𝑖
δ𝑄𝑖 or δ𝑄𝑖 = 2 ℎ𝑓𝑖
δℎ𝑓𝑖
𝑄2
𝑧2

 We want to use the errors in our flows to estimate the error in ℎ𝑗0 . We know:

෍ 𝑄𝑖 = ෍ 𝛿𝑄𝑖 = δ𝑄1 + δ𝑄2 + δ𝑄3

1 𝑄1 1 𝑄2 1 𝑄3
⇒ ෍ 𝑄𝑖 = δℎ𝑓1 + δℎ𝑓2 + δℎ
2 ℎ𝑓1 2 ℎ𝑓2 2 ℎ𝑓3 𝑓3

32

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 32
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
1 𝑄1 1 𝑄2 1 𝑄3 𝑄1
෍ 𝑄𝑖 = δℎ𝑓1 + δℎ𝑓2 + δℎ ℎ𝑗
2 ℎ𝑓1 2 ℎ𝑓2 2 ℎ𝑓3 𝑓3
𝑧1 𝑧3
𝑄3
δℎ𝑓𝑖 must be the same for all pipes:
𝑄2
𝑧2
δℎ𝑓1 = δℎ𝑓2 = δℎ𝑓3 = δℎ

1 𝑄1 1 𝑄2 1 𝑄3 δℎ 𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑄3 δℎ 𝑄𝑖
⇒ ෍ 𝑄𝑖 = δℎ + δℎ + δℎ = + + = ෍
2 ℎ𝑓1 2 ℎ𝑓2 2 ℎ𝑓3 2 ℎ𝑓1 ℎ𝑓2 ℎ𝑓3 2 ℎ𝑓𝑖

Rearranging for δℎ:

σ 𝑄𝑖
𝛿ℎ = 2
𝑄
σ 𝑖
ℎ𝑓𝑖

33

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 33
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
𝑄1 ℎ𝑗
σ 𝑄𝑖 𝑧1
𝛿ℎ = 2 𝑄3 𝑧3
𝑄
σ 𝑖
ℎ𝑓𝑖 𝑄2
𝑧2

 What does this mean?

o If we guess ℎ𝑗 , we can estimate the head loss, ℎ𝑓𝑖 , and
discharge, 𝑄𝑖 , in each pipe.
o If σ 𝑄𝑖 ≠ 0, we can calculate a correction for ℎ𝑗 .
o We can then improve our guess for ℎ𝑗 in a rational
way, rather than guessing.

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Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 34
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
𝑄1 ℎ𝑗
 If our guess for ℎ𝑗 was too small
then we have overestimated our 𝑧1
𝑄3 𝑧3
head losses (𝛿ℎ is positive. Adding it
to ℎ𝑗 will increase ℎ𝑗 , as required). 𝑄2
𝑧2

 If our guess for ℎ𝑗 was too large then we have underestimated our
head losses (𝛿ℎ is negative. Adding it to ℎ𝑗 will reduce ℎ𝑗 , as
required).
 𝛿ℎ is therefore the correction we need to apply to our first guess (ℎ𝑗0 )
to get our next guess (ℎ𝑗1 ) for ℎ𝑗 :

ℎ𝑗1 = ℎ𝑗0 + 𝛿ℎ

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Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 35
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Junction Networks
𝑄1 ℎ𝑗
1. Guess that ℎ𝑗 = ℎ𝑗0 .
𝑧1 𝑧3
2. Calculate the discharge in each 𝑄3
pipe. 𝑄2
𝑧2
3. If σ 𝑄𝑖 ≈ 0 then these are correct
and we stop.

4. If σ 𝑄𝑖 ≠ 0 then we correct our guess for ℎ𝑗 :

σ 𝑄𝑖
ℎ𝑗1 = ℎ𝑗0 + 𝛿ℎ = ℎ𝑗0 + 2
𝑄
σ 𝑖
ℎ𝑓𝑖
5. Repeat from (2) using our new guess for ℎ𝑗 .

36

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 36
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Loop Networks
 What happens in a pipe system where we have
junctions, such as this?
𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

𝑄4 𝑄2

𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶

37

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 37
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Loop Networks
 We apply a similar method to that used for
junctions, except that we estimate 𝑄1 , not ℎ𝑗 .
𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

𝑄4 𝑄2

𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶

38

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 38
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶
 Define an inflow as positive, and an outflow as
negative.
 Define a positive direction around the loop.
 We can then apply continuity in two ways:
1. The sum of the inflows must be zero:
𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄𝐵 + 𝑄𝐶 + 𝑄𝐷 = 0
2. At any corner, what flows in must flow out, e.g.:
𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄4 = 𝑄1

39

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 39
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶

 In the (simple) problems we will look at, at least three

of the inflows/outflows are known.

 The unknown inflow/outflow is given by:

𝑄𝐷 = − 𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄𝐵 + 𝑄𝐶

40

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 40
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶

 For a junction, we estimated (guessed) the junction head, ℎ𝑗 .

 Here, we estimate the flow in one of the pipes, say 𝑄1 .

 We can then calculate the other 𝑄𝑖 from the corner continuity,

e.g.:
𝑄2 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄𝐵

41

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 41
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶
 There will be a head loss in each pipe:
ℎ𝑓𝑖 = 𝐾𝑄𝑖2

 Depending on the flow direction in each section of pipe, ℎ𝑓𝑖

may be negative.

 If we start at any corner and work around the loop:

෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2 + ℎ𝑓3 + ℎ𝑓4 =0

𝑎 𝑎

42

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 42
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶

෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2 + ℎ𝑓3 + ℎ𝑓4 =0

𝑎 𝑎

 We can use this to check whether we have the correct

discharges. (Alternatively, we can see when our discharge
corrections are small.)
 If the discharges are incorrect, then:

෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 ≠ 0

43

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 43
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶

ℎ𝑓𝑖 1 𝑄𝑖
δℎ𝑓𝑖 = 2 δ𝑄𝑖 δ𝑄𝑖 = δℎ𝑓𝑖
𝑄𝑖 2 ℎ𝑓𝑖

෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = ෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 + 𝛿ℎ𝑓𝑖 = ෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 + ෍ 𝛿ℎ𝑓𝑖 = δℎ𝑓1 + δℎ𝑓2 + δℎ𝑓3 + δℎ𝑓4

𝑎 𝑎

0
ℎ𝑓1 ℎ𝑓2 ℎ𝑓3 ℎ𝑓4
⇒ ෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = 2 δ𝑄1 + 2 δ𝑄2 + 2 δ𝑄3 + 2 δ𝑄4
𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑄3 𝑄4

44

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 44
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶
ℎ𝑓1 ℎ𝑓2 ℎ𝑓3 ℎ𝑓4
⇒ ෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = 2 δ𝑄1 + 2 δ𝑄2 + 2 δ𝑄3 + 2 δ𝑄4
𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑄3 𝑄4

 δ𝑄𝑖 must be the same for all pipes:

δ𝑄1 = δ𝑄2 = δ𝑄3 = 𝛿𝑄4 = δ𝑄

ℎ𝑓1 ℎ𝑓2 ℎ𝑓3 ℎ𝑓4 ℎ𝑓𝑖

⇒ ෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = 2 + + + δ𝑄 = 2𝛿𝑄 ෍
𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑄3 𝑄4 𝑄𝑖

ℎ𝑓𝑖 1 σ ℎ𝑓𝑖
⇒ ෍ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = 2𝛿𝑄 ෍ ⇒ 𝛿𝑄 =
𝑄𝑖 2 ℎ
σ 𝑓𝑖
𝑄𝑖

45

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 45
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

𝑄𝐴 𝑄1
𝑄𝐵

Loop Networks 𝑄4 𝑄2
𝑄𝐷 𝑄3
𝑄𝐶
 In our junction network example we calculated the error in
the head loss. If this was positive then our junction head
ℎ𝑗 estimation was too small, and so we added the error.

 In this case, 𝛿𝑄 is the error in our discharges, which we

are dealing with directly. If 𝛿𝑄 is positive then the
discharges are too large, so we subtract 𝛿𝑄 from our
original guess.
𝑄𝑖 1 = 𝑄𝑖 0 − 𝛿𝑄

46

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 46
 Water Transmission and Treatment Lecture 4 – Pipes in Series and Parallel

Method
1. Define positive flow direction.
2. Calculate the fourth inflow/outflow.
3. Calculate 𝐾𝑖 for each pipe.
4. Guess one of the pipe flows.
5. Continuity allows us to calculate the flows in the other
pipes
6. Calculate the head loss in each pipe, and so σ ℎ𝑓𝑖 around
the loop.
7. If σ ℎ𝑓𝑖 = 0, or our discharge correction is small, then
stop, otherwise correct our discharges, go back to (4).

47

Dr Mike Jesson
University of Birmingham 47