BRANCHING

PIPES IN
PARALLEL
PIPES CONNECTED IN PARALLEL

• When two or more pipes are connected, so that the

flow divides and subsequently comes together again,
the pipes are said to be in parallel
• 𝑄 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + ⋯ + 𝑄𝑛
• 𝐻𝐿 = ℎ𝑓1 = ℎ𝑓2 = ⋯ = ℎ𝑓𝑛
• The flow system can be described by an equivalent
electrical circuit as shown
• Suppose a main pipe branched at section 1-1 into two pipes of
lengths l1 and l2 and diameters d1 and d2 and unite again at a section
2-2 to form a single pipe.

• Then the two branch pipes are said to be connected in parallel.

• In this arrangement the total discharge Q divides into
components Q1 and Q2 along the branch pipes such that

𝑄 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2

• In this arrangement the loss of head from section 1-1 to

section 2-2 is equal to the loss of head in any one of the
branch pipes

𝐻𝐿 = ℎ𝑓1 = ℎ𝑓2
• We can also say that

• Hence the total discharge Q divides into components Q1 and

Q2 satisfying the above equation
• Similarly when a number of pipes be connected in parallel,
then also, the total loss of head in the system is equal to
the loss of head in any one of the pipes.
• For example in the arrangement shown in Fig. 13.39, the
total loss of head in the system
SAMPLE PROBLEM
• Two pipes connect two reservoirs (A and B) which have a height
difference of 10 m. Pipe 1 has diameter 50 mm and length 100 m.
Pipe 2 has diameter 100 mm and length 100 m. Both have entry
loss 𝑘 𝐿 = 0.5 and exit loss 𝑘 𝐿 = 1.0 and Darcy f of 0.008

• Calculate for the:

• A.) rate of flow for each pipe
• B.) the diameter D of a pipe 100 m long that could replace the two
pipes and provide the same flow
SOLUTION:
• A.) Rate for each pipe
Apply Bernoulli’s to each pipe separately
For pipe 1:
For pipe 2:

Remember that 𝑃𝑎 and 𝑃𝑏 are atmospheric and as the reservoir surface moves
slowly 𝑢𝑎 and 𝑢𝑏 are negligible, so
• B.) Replacing the pipe
We need Q = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 = 0.0034 + 0.0190 = 0.0224 𝑚3 /s
For this pipe, diameter D, velocity u, and making the same
assumptions about entry/exit losses, we have
The velocity can be obtained from Q

Which must be solved iteratively

D = 0.1058 m
REFERENCES:

• https://www.slideshare.net/pptmaste/flow-in-pipe-series-and-parallel
• https://nptel.ac.in/courses/112104118/lecture-36/36-2_flow_through_parallel_pipe.htm
• http://www.engineeringenotes.com/fluids/pipes/flow-through-pipes-in-series-and-parallel-
difference-diameters-equations-and-solved-problems/47568
 PREPARED BY:

GROUP 5
PEÑA, MARIA GELINA
NAVARRO, ANGELICA JOYCE
PANTALLA, MHELTON
REYES, MICKO
SALVACION, DANIEL