Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
(OP)
This question might have been asked before but still can someone please answer it.There is a main header pipe from which two lines emerge and along each line there are three reactors.My question is that how to get equal flow of water to all the reactors.Attached is a simple schematic.
Cheers!!
Cheers!!





RE: Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
In practice, this may mean using only one standard pipe size larger than what you normally would because the friction pressure drop is inversely proportional to the 5th power of the diameter - for example a 4" pipe will have only 25% of the friction drop that a 3" pipe would.
Alternatively you could put a flow meter and control valve in each line and control it exactly.
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RE: Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
But I forgot to specify one thing that this system is already in place and i cant change the pipe diameter.What i was thinking of is that putting pipes at an angle across two reactors as shown in the attachment.But i do not know at what angle to place them so as to enable equal flow to all the pipes.
Cheers!!
RE: Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
Even with control valves and orifices they will never be equal. They shouldn't be. A reasonable goal would be to set control valves to give you an equal (or constant) process outlet temp, but each heat exchange is going to require different flow rates to extract the same heat from the process. Trying to match flow is just pointless.
David
RE: Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
I do wonder about the economic justification to remedy the current maldistribution issue though. Can you give us some insight on this?
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
Feed the first header through a T between 4 and 5 and the second with a T between 2 and 3.
What line diameters are we talking about and what's the target flowrate through one reactor?
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RE: Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
It would be helpful to know the line sizes and some more information on the water, temperature, pressure, is the upstream pump a constant speed pump, etc.
Any hydronic pump rep can point you to a good source for these valves.
RE: Way to equalize pressure in parallel pipes
If there is a big difference in flow, you will know which pipe needs to be adjusted. Use appropriate valve, restriction oriface etc...