Moving fluids can be used to create beautiful, relaxing water fountains. On the other hand, moving fluids can also save lives and property when industrial sprinkler systems operate as designed.
Those options demonstrate the wide range of possible applications for moving fluids. We must also be concerned with the kind of fluid flowing, its weight, and the rate of flow desired.
Adding to the already growing list of complexity, moving fluids requires significant investments in energy input. However, to get the desired end result, you must expect, and account for, energy losses in your system. Knowing the amount of energy your system will lose is as important as what you want your system to accomplish.
Research the differences between Series, Branching, and Parallel Pipeline Systems. Think about REAL examples of each system and consider their purpose.
Chose a system.
Analyze the system you chose and suggest ways to decrease losses in the system.
Embed at least one illustration or video in your discussion.
In most practical applications there will be more than one conduit or a single conduit of varying size.
Pipeline System Types
Pipes in Series – Connected end to end so that fluid flows in a continuous line without any branching.
The volume rate of flow through pipes in series is constant.
These types of problems can be solved using an equivalent pipe that has the same flow rate and head loss.
Pipes in Parallel – Pipes connected so that flow branches into two of more separate pipers then comes together again downstream.
Total flow entering and leaving a joint must be the same.
Head loss between two joins is the same for each branch connecting the joints.
The percentage of total flow passing through each branch will be constant, regardless of head loss between joints.
Branching Pipe – One or more popes that separate into two or more popes (or combine into one) and do not come together again downstream.
Total flow into a join must equal flow out of a joint
How would the effectiveness of a sprinkler system change based on pipe configuration (series, parallel, branching)?