Question

When a pipeline branches into two parallel pipes, we have seen how the flow can divide unevenly, depending upon the lengths and diameters of the two branches. Consider a parallel pipe system made up of two branches. For simplicity, assume that the friction factors are the same in the two branches. Pipe A has a diameter of 1.5 inches. Pipe B has a diameter of 1 inch and a length of 10 feet. So, if the pipes were the same lengths, we would expect pipe A to carry more of the flow. I would like you to figure out what length pipe A would have to be so that the flow is equally divided between the two branches. Hint: what do you know is always equal between branches in a parallel system?

Answer 1