Module 10: Pipes in Series and

Parallel, Reservoir Problems

Table of Contents
Introduction
Lesson 1: Pipes in Series and Parallel
Lesson 2: Reservoir Problems

Module Objectives
• To understand the difference between pipes connected in series and parallel
• To solve problems involving reservoirs

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Lesson 1: Pipes in Series and Parallel
Pipes Connected in Series
For pipes of different diameters connected in series as shown in the figure below,
the discharge in all pipes are all equal and the total head lost is equal to the sum of the
individual head losses.

For this system,

𝑄 = 𝑄1 = 𝑄2 = 𝑄3

𝐻𝐿 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2 + ℎ𝑓3 + ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑟

Pipes Connected in Parallel

For this system,

𝑄 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3

𝐻𝐿 = ℎ𝐿1 = ℎ𝐿2 = ℎ𝐿3

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For this system,
𝑄1 = 𝑄4

𝑄1 = 𝑄2 + 𝑄3

ℎ𝑓2 = ℎ𝑓3

𝐻𝐿𝐴𝐵 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2 + ℎ𝑓4

Note: The number of equations needed to solve the problem must be equal to the number of pipes.

Equivalent Pipe
If a pipe system (O) is to be replaced with an equivalent single pipe (E), the
equivalent pipe must have the same discharge and head loss as the original pipe system.

𝑄𝐸 = 𝑄𝑂

𝐻𝐿𝐸 = 𝐻𝐿𝑂

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Example 1. A pump draws 0.02 cms of water from reservoir A to reservoir B. Assuming
𝑓 = 0.02 for all pipes, compute the a.) power (kW) delivered by the pump and the
pressures (kPa) at points b.) 1 and c.) 2.

Solution:

a.)

𝑄1 = 𝑄2 = 0.02 𝑚3 ⁄𝑠

0.0826(0.02)(500)(0.02)2
ℎ𝑓1 = = 1.033 𝑚
(0.2)5

0.0826(0.02)(1200)(0.02)2
ℎ𝑓2 = = 10.442 𝑚
(0.15)5

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BEE between A and B,

𝑣𝐴 2 𝑝𝐴 𝑣𝐵 2 𝑝𝐵
+ + 𝑧𝐴 − ℎ𝑓1 + 𝐻𝐴 − ℎ𝑓2 = + + 𝑧𝐵
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾

0 + 0 + 10 − 1.033 + 𝐻𝐴 − 10.442 = 0 + 0 + 60

𝐻𝐴 = 61.475 𝑚

𝑃 = 𝑄𝛾𝐻𝐴

= (0.02)(9810)(61.475)

𝑃 = 12061 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠

𝑷 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟎𝟔 𝒌𝑾

b.)
BEE between A and 1,
𝐸𝐴 − ℎ𝑓1 = 𝐸1

𝑣𝐴 2 𝑝𝐴 𝑣1 2 𝑝1
+ + 𝑧𝐴 − ℎ𝑓1 = + + 𝑧1
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾

8(0.02)2 𝑝1
0 + 0 + 10 − 1.033 = 2 4
+ +0
𝜋 (9.81)(0.2) 9.81

𝑷𝟏 = 𝟖𝟕. 𝟕𝟔 𝒌𝑷𝒂

c.)
BEE between 2 and B,
𝐸2 − ℎ𝑓2 = 𝐸𝐵

𝑣2 2 𝑝2 𝑣𝐵 2 𝑝𝐵
+ + 𝑧2 − ℎ𝑓2 = + + 𝑧𝐵
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾

8(0.02)2 𝑝2
2 4
+ + 0 − 10.442 = 0 + 0 + 60
𝜋 (9.81)(0.15 ) 9.81

𝑷𝟐 = 𝟔𝟗𝟎. 𝟒 𝒌𝑷𝒂

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Example 2. A pipe network consists of pipeline 1 from A to B, then at B it is connected to
pipelines 2 and 3, where it merges again at joint C to form a single pipeline 4 up to point
D. Pipelines 1, 2 and 4 are in series connection whereas pipelines 2 and 3 are parallel to
each other. If the rate of flow from A to B is 0.01 m3/s and assuming 𝑓 = 0.02 for all pipes,
determine the a.) flow (m3/s) for pipes 2,3 and the b.) total head lost from A to D.
Solution:

Pipelines Length (m) Diameter (mm)

1 3 000 200
2 2 200 300
3 3 200 200
4 2 800 400

Solution:
a.)
𝑄𝟏 = 𝑄4 = 0.01 𝑐𝑚𝑠

0.0826𝑓𝐿𝑄2
ℎ𝑓 =
𝐷5
0.0826(0.02)(3000)(0.01)2
ℎ𝑓1 = = 1.549 𝑚
(0.2)5

0.0826(0.02)(2200)(𝑄𝟐 )2
ℎ𝑓2 = = 1495.64𝑄𝟐 𝟐
(0.3)5

0.0826(0.02)(3200)(𝑄𝟑 )2
ℎ𝑓3 = 5
= 16520𝑄𝟑 𝟐
(0.2)

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 0.0826(0.02)(2800)(0.01)2
ℎ𝑓4 = = 0.0452 𝑚
(0.4)5

ℎ𝑓2 = ℎ𝑓3 ,

1495.64𝑄𝟐 𝟐 = 16520𝑄𝟑 𝟐

𝑄2 = 3.323𝑄3

𝑄2 + 𝑄3 = 0.01,

3.323𝑄3 + 𝑄3 = 0.01

𝑸𝟑 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟏 𝒎𝟑 ⁄𝒔

𝑄2 = 3.323𝑄3 ,

𝑄2 = 3.323(0.00231)

𝑸𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟔𝟖𝟕 𝒎𝟑 ⁄𝒔

b.)
𝐻𝐿 = ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑓2 + ℎ𝑓4

= 1.549 + 1495.64(0.07687)𝟐 + 0.0452

𝑯𝑳 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟖𝟑 𝒎

Self-Assessment Questions 1

1.) Two pipes 1 and 2 having the same length and diameter are in parallel. If the flow
in pipe 1 is 0.750 m3/s, what is the flow (m3/s) in pipe 2 of the friction factor 𝑓 of
the second pipe is twice that of the first pipe?
2.) A hydroelectric power generating system is shown in the figure. Water flows from
an upper reservoir to a lower one passing through a turbine at the rate of 0.15
m3/s. The total length of pipe connecting the two reservoirs is 100 m. The pipe
diameter is 250 mm and the Hazen-Williams coefficient is 120. The water surface
elevations of reservoirs 1 and 2 are 197 m and 50 m, respectively. Determine the
power (kW) generated by the turbine if it is 85% efficient? Neglect minor losses.

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Answers to Self-Assessment Questions 1
1.) Two pipes 1 and 2 having the same length and diameter are in parallel. If the flow
in pipe 1 is 0.750 m3/s, what is the flow (m3/s) in pipe 2 of the friction factor 𝑓 of
the second pipe is twice that of the first pipe? Ans. 0.53 m3/s
2.) A hydroelectric power generating system is shown in the figure. Water flows from
an upper reservoir to a lower one passing through a turbine at the rate of 0.15
m3/s. The total length of pipe connecting the two reservoirs is 100 m. The pipe
diameter is 250 mm and the Hazen-Williams coefficient is 120. The water surface
elevations of reservoirs 1 and 2 are 197 m and 50 m, respectively. Determine the
power (kW) generated by the turbine if it is 85% efficient? Neglect minor losses.

Ans. 179 kW

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Lesson 2: Reservoir
Pipe Discharging from a Reservoir
The figure shown shows the conditions of flow in a pipe of uniform diameter
discharging from a reservoir into open air. The velocity head and the pressure head in the
liquid surface of the reservoir are zero. If there will be no head lost, the velocity head
could have been equal to 𝐻, which is the distance between the water surface in the tank
and the exit end of the pipe and the velocity of flow could have been 𝑣 = √2𝑔𝐻, but such
is not the case due to losses.

If the pipe is horizontal and with uniform size, the difference in pressure head
measures the head lost between the two points.

If the pipe is very large such that the velocity head is very small, the total head lost
𝐻 can be taken as equal to 𝐻.

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Pipe Connecting Two Reservoirs

When one or more pipes connects two reservoirs as in the figure shown, the total
head lost in all pipes is equal to the difference in elevation of the liquid surfaces of the
reservoir.

𝐻𝐿 = 𝐻 = ℎ𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑟 + ℎ𝑓

Reservoir Problems
In the figure shown below, the three pipes 1, 2, and 3 connects the three reservoirs
A, B, and C respectively and with all pipes meeting at a common junction D.

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Types of Reservoir Problems
Type 1: Given the discharge in one of the pipes, or given the pressure at the junction 𝑃,
and the required is the elevation one of the reservoirs or the diameter or length of the one
of the pipes.
Type 2: Given all the pipe properties and elevation of all reservoirs, find the flow in each
pipe, which can be solved by trial and error.
In any of these types, the main objective is to locate the position (elevation) of the
energy at the junction 𝑃. This position represents the water surface of an imaginary
reservoir at 𝑃. The difference in elevation between this surface and the surface of another
reservoir is the head lost in the pipe leading to that reservoir.
Procedure in Solving Reservoir Problems:
Type 1:
1. With known flow in one pipe leading to or flowing out from a reservoir of known
elevation, solve for its head lost ℎ𝑓 .

2. Determine the elevation of the energy grade line at the junction of the pipes (𝑃) by
adding or subtracting (depending on the direction of flow) the head lost in the pipe
from the elevation of the water surface in the reservoir.
3. If the known value is the pressure at 𝑃, the elevation of 𝑃′ is the elevation of 𝑃 +
𝑝𝑝 ⁄𝛾.

4. Draw a line from 𝑃′ to the surface of the other reservoir. These lines represent the
EGL’s of each pipe. The difference in elevation between 𝑃′ and the surface of the
reservoir is the head lost in the pipe.
Solve for the discharge.
Type 2:
1. Given all elevation and pipe properties, determine the direction of flow in each pipe.
Of course, the highest reservoir always has an outflow and the lowest always have
an inflow, but the middle reservoir (𝐵) may have an inflow or outflow.

2. To find out the direction of flow in pipe 2, assume that 𝑄2 = 0 such that 𝑃′ is at
elevation 𝐵, then the values of ℎ𝑓1 and ℎ𝑓3 can be solved. (In the figure shown,
ℎ𝑓1 = 20 m and ℎ𝑓3 = 30 m). With ℎ𝑓1 and ℎ𝑓3 known, solve for 𝑄1 and 𝑄3 . If 𝑄1 > 𝑄3 ,
then 𝑄2 is towards 𝐵 and 𝑃′ is above reservoir 𝐵. If 𝑄1 < 𝑄3 , then 𝑄2 is away from
𝐵 and 𝑃′ is below reservoir 𝐵.

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 3. After determining the direction of 𝑄2 (say towards reservoir 𝐵), express all the head
lost in terms of the other, say in terms of ℎ𝑓1 . Let ℎ𝑓1 = 𝑥.

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With all head lost ℎ𝑓 expressed in terms of 𝑥, all flow 𝑄 can also be expressed in terms of
𝑥 (usually in the form 𝑎√𝑥 + 𝑏).

Simplify the equation and solve for 𝑥. We may also use trial and error solution.

4. Once 𝑥 is determined, substitute its value to head lost ℎ𝑓 equations to solve for 𝑄1 , 𝑄2 ,
and 𝑄3 respectively.

Example 1. A 1,200 mm diameter concrete pipe 1,800 m long carries 1.35 m3/s from
reservoir A, whose water surface is at elevation 50 m, and discharges into two concrete
pipes, each 1,350 m long and 750 mm in diameter. One of the 750 mm diameter pipe
discharges into reservoir B in which the water surface is at elevation 44 m. Determine the
elevation of the water surface of reservoir C into which the other 750 mm diameter pipe
is flowing. Assume 𝑓 = 0.02 for all pipes.
Solution:

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 0.0826(0.02)(1800)(1.35)2
ℎ𝑓1 =
1.25
ℎ𝑓1 = 2.18 𝑚

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝑃′ = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝐴 − ℎ𝑓1 = 50 − 2.18

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝑃′ = 47.82 𝑚

ℎ𝑓1 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝑃′ − 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝐵 = 47.82 − 44

ℎ𝑓2 = 3.82 𝑚

0.0826(0.02)(1350)(𝑄2 )2
ℎ𝑓1 = = 3.82
0.755
𝑄2 = 0.6375 𝑚3 ⁄𝑠
At junction P:
𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤

𝑄1 = 𝑄2 + 𝑄3

1.35 = 0.6375 + 𝑄3

𝑄3 = 0.7125 𝑚3 ⁄𝑠

0.0826(0.02)(1350)(0.7125)2
ℎ𝑓3 = = 4.77 𝑚
0.755
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝐶 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝑃′ − ℎ𝑓3

= 47.82 − 4.77

𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗 𝑪 = 𝟒𝟑. 𝟎𝟓 𝒎

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Example 2. Three reservoirs A, B, and C are connected respectively with pipes 1,2, and
3 joining at a common junction P, whose elevation is 366 m. Reservoir A is at elevation
933 m and reservoir B is at elevation 844 m. The properties of each pipe are as follows:
𝐿1 = 1500 𝑚, 𝐷1 = 600 𝑚𝑚, 𝑓1 = 0.02; 𝐿2 = 1000 𝑚, 𝐷2 = 450 𝑚𝑚, 𝑓2 = 0.025; 𝐿3 =
900 𝑚, 𝐷3 = 500 𝑚𝑚, 𝑓3 = 0.0018. A pressure gage at junction P reads 4950 kPa. What is
the flow (m3/s) in pipe 3?
Solution:

ℎ𝑓1 = 62.4 𝑚

0.0826(0.02)(1500)(𝑄1 )2
= 62.4
0.65
𝑄1 = 1.399 𝑚3 ⁄𝑠

0.0826(0.025)(1000)(𝑄2 )2
ℎ𝑓2 = = 26.6
0.455
𝑄2 = 0.488 𝑚3 ⁄𝑠

𝑄1 = 𝑄2 + 𝑄3

𝑸𝟑 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟏𝟏 𝒎𝟑 ⁄𝒔

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Self-Assessment Questions 2

1. Determine the flow (m3/s) in each pipe.

2. The turbine shown is located in the 350 mm-diameter line. If the turbine efficiency
is 90%, determine its output power in kilowatts.

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Answers to Self-Assessment Questions 2

1. Determine the flow (m3/s) in each pipe. Ans. 𝑸𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟏𝟔 𝒎𝟑 ⁄𝒔 , 𝑸𝟐 =

𝟎. 𝟑𝟗𝟐 𝒎𝟑 ⁄𝒔 , 𝑸𝟑 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟎𝟖 𝒎𝟑 ⁄𝒔

2. The turbine shown is located in the 350 mm-diameter line. If the turbine efficiency
is 90%, determine its output power in kilowatts. Ans. 13.347 kW

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References
1. DIT Gillesania (2015) Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics (4th ed.)
2. Three Regimes in Pipe Flow retrieved from https://www.chegg.com/homework-
help/questions-and-answers/1-three-regimes-pipe-flow-laminar-transition-
turbulent-flow-dimensionless-group-reynolds-n-q38187973

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