Head losses in parallel pipes 1

[Jimmypacific]

How to calulate friction losses in pipes which flow in parallel but don't converge again..? please see attatchment for clarification.
A water reservoir is on a hill and a main dispersal pipe splits into several paprallel secondary pipes which have Are the total head losses in all the pipes equal to the head loss in one of the secondary pipes? I need to work out the minimum height of the reservoir to provide a flow rate at each tap..?

 

[stanier]

Download this freeware and model the scenario.

http://www.pumpsystemsmatter.org/content_detail.aspx?id=110

 

[cvg]

if they never "converge" again, than the headloss in each pipe is different, depending on the length, fittings and flow rate. try epanet, also free and available online

 

[BigInch]

There's nothing "classically parallel" there.
Take your flowrates in each segment starting with the far right one, calculate head loss and add them up all the way back to the reservoir. You'll have different discharge pressures at the end of each "parallel" segment required to hold the flowrate you want at each outlet.

"We have a leadership style that is too directive and doesn't listen sufficiently well. The top of the organisation doesn't listen sufficiently to what the bottom is saying." Tony Hayward CEO BP
"Being GREEN isn't easy." Kermit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpiIWMWWVco

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.liv

 

[Jimmypacific]

I have downloaded both PSIM and epanet. PSIM is simple but won't allow more than 12 pipes? and epanet ..well how does one put taps on the pipes ? thanks for your help!

 

[stanier]

Suggest you invest in AFT's Fathom. This is the software that PSIM was derived from. Or you employ a consultant to do the analysis for you.

 

[hydrae]

In epanet;
to have taps on pipes, each tap is a node.
But typically you would group all the nearby demands together (if the demands are small compared to the main).

Hydrae

 

[waterpipe]

Epanet is quite capable to meet your needs. As hydrae suggested, sum up the nearby tap consumptions and put it on a node. you can also assign customized headlosses if needed. Do nor forget to put the maximum demands all together to properly calculate the reservoir level.

 

[coloeng]

Why not just set it up in a spreadsheet and calculate the sum of the headlosses. If you know the flow for each pipe you just need to calculate the headloss for each segment and then sum the headlosses to get the required height of the reservoir.

 

[BigInch]

A full circle in 6 months 4 days. 16 July 19:52

 

[cvg]

good thing the OP checks back often for new developments, (September was his last login)

 

[Jimmypacific]

Thanks cvg, I have email alert so when people post I can read it without logging in. thanks everyone for all your great advice..I have managed to work it out and trying to teach myself epanet for future projects and to upskill etc.