Branching Applications

Ch.E. 412: Topic 2d

References: Geankoplis (Chap. 2 and Handbook)

© UST ChE Department

Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of this topic, you should be able to:
L1.11: To set up Material Balance and Overall
Mechanical Balance system of equations for
branching pipeline cases;
L2.7 To apply solution procedures for the system
of equations to solve cases involving:
• Unknown Flow Rates
• Unknown Pressure Drops
• Unknown Diameter
 Branching Pipelines

u2 g
F  VP   z  Ws MEB Equation for Liquids
2gc gc
2G2
RT  2fL P1  MEB Equation for Gases
P1  P2 
2 2
  ln  (Ws =Δz= 0 T and S
gcM  D P2 
constant)

The MEB may be applied only to two reference points and for the
same mass rate in the pipeline. In case branching is present,
separate MEBs must be applied for each branch having the same
mass rate. In addition, material balances must be applied to account
for changes in the mass rates. Unknown rates and pressures in the
piping system are determined by the simultaneous solution of the
MEBs and Material Balance equations.
 Branching Pipelines
General Solution Procedure

1. Represent the problem with a diagram,

choosing reference points that involve change
in mass rates and will need separate MEBs.
2. Assign mass rate and pressure symbols for all
the branches.
3. Setup material balances where there are
changes in the mass rates. Express the balance
in terms of velocity (for liquids) and mass
velocity (for gases). In cases where flow
direction is not clear, assume its direction and
check the results later.
 Branching Pipelines
General Solution Procedure

4. Setup the MEB for each branch, taking note

of common mass rates and pressures.
5. Solve the material balance and MEB
equations simultaneously, usually by
eliminating common pressures in the
branches and solving the resulting equation
by trial and error.
6. The working equation must be expressed in
terms of only one missing flow rate. For first
trial, equal friction factors for the branches
may be assumed.
 Branching Pipeline Example 1

T
0 1
Main Branch Branch A

Fluid: Water at 30oC

Flow at Main Branch: 400 L/min 2
All Pipes 1” Sch. 40 steel Branch B
Straight Pipe Lengths:
Main Branch: 30 m
Branch A: 30 m Find: a) Vol Rate (L/min) in the Branches
Branch B: 50 m b) Pressures at 0 and T
NO ELEVATION CHANGE
P1 = P2 = 150 kPa
Direct Solution
 Branching Pipeline Example 2

T
0 1
Main Branch Branch A

Fluid: Air at 30oC

Flow at Main Branch: 100 mols/min 2
All Pipes 1” Sch. 40 steel Branch B
Straight Pipe Lengths:
Main Branch: 250 m
Branch A: 250 m Find: a) Molal Rate (mols/min) in the Branches
Branch B: 350 m b) Pressures at 0 and T
NO ELEVATION CHANGE
P1 = P2 = 150 kPa
More Exercises

1. Repeat Examples 1 and 2 if P2 is 200 kPa.

2. Repeat Examples 1 and 2 if PT = 600 kPa and
the flow rate in the main branch is now
unknown.
3. Repeat Examples 1 and 2 if PT = 600 and the
diameter of the pipeline is now unknown.
Choose from standard sizes only.
 Answers to Exercise 1
For Example 1 (P2 = 200 kPa)
vA = 6.9024 m/s; qA = 231 L/min;
PT = 778.658 ; P0 = 2713.247

For Example 2 (P2 = 200 kPa)

GA = 51.444 kg/s-m2; nA = 59.377 mols/min
PT = 277.537 kPa; P0 = 476.156 kPa
 Answers to Exercise 2
For Example 1 (PT = 600 kPa)
vA = 5.8193 m/s; qA = 194.748 L/min;
vB=4.43676 qB =148.507 L/min
qM = 343.292 L/min; P0 = 2030.723

For Example 2 (P2 = 600 kPa)

GA = 131.3381 kg/s-m2; nA = 151.5914 mols/min
GB = 110.6068 kg/s-m2; nB= 127.6632 mols/min
GM = 241.9449 kg/s-m2; nM= 279.2546 mols/min
P0 = 1236.6327 kPa
 Answers to Exercise 3
For Example 1 (PT = 600 kPa, qM = 400 L/min)
D = 1.11149” -still 1” Sch 40
vA = 6.05054 m/s; qA = 226.996 L/min;
vB= 4.21556 m/s; qB = 173.004 L/min
P0 = 1938.438 kPa

For Example 2 (P2 = 600 kPa, nM = 100 mols/min)

D = 0.71156” (1/2” Sch 40)
GA = 102.273 kg/s-m2; nA = 54.3152 mols/min
GB = 86.0224 kg/s-m2; nB=45.6848 mols/min
GM = 188.2954 kg/s-m2; nM= 100 mols/min
P0 = 1222 kPa