Reference:  Piping Calculations Manual, 2005, McGraw-Hill, E. Shashi Menon, P.E., Page 337, Example 6.17


Pipe Flow Expert File: Case_02_Gasoline_Transport_Over_15km.pfe


Problem Description: 

A DN500 (10mm wall thickness) steel pipe is used to transport gasoline over a 15km distance. The delivery point is 200 m above the start of the pipeline. 

A delivery pressure of 4 kPa has to be maintained at the delivery point. 


Calculate the pump pressure needed to deliver a flow rate of 990 m³/h.


A screen shot of a computer??Description automatically generated


Fluid Data: Gasoline with a 0.736 specific gravity and 0.6 cSt viscosity.


Result Comparison: 


Data Item

Published data

Pipe Flow Expert

Pump Pressure Required (kPa)

1792

1800.492

Reynolds Number

1215768

1215767

Fluid Velocity (m/s)

Not stated

1.520

Friction factor

0.013

0.01329


Commentary: 

The published data and the calculated results compare well.

The published text uses a friction factor value of 0.013 read from the Moody diagram.

The Pipe Flow Expert program uses a friction factor calculated to more decimal places which accounts for the slight difference in the pump pressure required.