A 2inch diameter pipe has been chosen to pass 65 GPM. Can this diameter be used for the suction line? If not , what line diameter should be specified?
To determine if a 2-inch diameter pipe can be used for the suction line, we need to calculate the velocity of the fluid in the pipe and compare it to the recommended velocity limits.
Step 1: Convert the flow rate from gallons per minute (GPM) to cubic feet per second (CFS).
To do this, divide the flow rate (65 GPM) by 448.8, which is the conversion factor.
65 GPM ÷ 448.8 = 0.145 CFS
Step 2: Calculate the cross-sectional area of a 2-inch diameter pipe.
The formula to calculate the cross-sectional area of a circle is A = π * r², where A is the area and r is the radius. Since the diameter is given, we need to divide it by 2 to get the radius.
Radius = 2 inches ÷ 2 = 1 inch = 0.0833 feet
Area = π * (0.0833 feet)² = 0.0218 square feet
Step 3: Calculate the velocity of the fluid in the pipe.
To get the velocity, divide the flow rate by the cross-sectional area.
Velocity = Flow rate ÷ Area
Velocity = 0.145 CFS ÷ 0.0218 square feet = 6.65 feet per second
Step 4: Compare the velocity to the recommended velocity limits.
The recommended velocity for a suction line typically ranges from 2 to 6 feet per second, depending on the specific application and industry guidelines.
In this case, since the velocity (6.65 feet per second) exceeds the recommended range, a larger diameter should be specified for the suction line.
To determine the appropriate line diameter, you would need to recalculate using larger pipe diameters and repeat the steps until you find a diameter that falls within the recommended velocity range.