Reference:  Flow of Fluids – Technical Paper No 410, 1988, Crane Co. Page 4-4, Example 4-7


Pipe Flow Expert File: Case_32_SAE_10_Lube_Oil_Laminar_Flow_In_Valves.pfe


Problem Description: 

A 200 foot long 3” diameter steel pipe (schedule 40) carries SAE 10 Lube Oil at 60°F. 

The head of fluid in the supply tank is 22 ft.

The piping includes 6 standard 90° elbows and a flanged ball valve with a conical seat.


Find the fluid velocity in the pipe and the rate of discharge.


A screenshot of a computer??Description automatically generated


Fluid Data: SAE 10 Lube Oil at 60°F


Result Comparison: 


Data Item

Published data

Pipe Flow Expert

Fluid Velocity in Pipe (ft/s)

5.13

5.271

Rate of Discharge (gpm )

118

121.46

Reynolds Number

1040 (1st Iteration)

1096

Friction factor

0.062 (1st Iteration)

0.05840


Commentary: 

The published data and the calculated results differ by around 3%.

The published text acknowledges that the problem has two unknowns and requires a trial and error solution.

The published data results are for the first initial assumption of velocity.

Pipe Flow Expert performs numerous iterations to find a solution which is accurate to within 0.0004 ft head 

pressure loss.

A new valve fitting was created in Pipe Flow Expert to model the flanged ball valve as this item is not included in the database of standard valves and fittings.