Search
 
 

FLUID MECHANICS - EXAMPLE

    Questions


Water Tower

 

(a) Water towers in municipal distribution systems are often 100-125 ft in height. What pressure (psig) does this correspond to in the water pipes?

(b) How far can the water level in the tank drop before the pressure in the water main drops below 35 psig? (Note, this is often the minimum design pressure.)

   
    Solution


Problem Diagram for Part (a)
 

(a) Assume static conditions (reasonable since water in the tanks moves very slowly). Also, assume the water mains are buried 5 ft below grade.

For hydrostatic conditions,

     p = γH

where γ = 62.4 lb/ft3 for water at 20 oC with H in ft, and p is in lb/ft2.

Divide by 144 to get p in lb/in2 and the reference pressure is 0 atm (gage pressure), so

     p = (62.4 lb/ft3)(H ft)(1 ft2/144 in2)

For H = 100 + 5 = 105 ft: p = 45.5 psig

For H = 125 + 5 = 130 ft: p = 56.3 psig

Hence, the pressure range is

      45.5 psig p 56.3 psig

     

Problem Diagram for Part (b)
 

(b) Find H if p = 35 psig.

     H = (35 psig)(144 in2/ft2) / 62.4 lb/ft3 = 80.8 ft

Hence, the minimum water level in the tank is

     Hmin = 80.8 - 5 = 75.8 ft

Note: 2.31 ft static water = 1 psig pressure, which is a good conversion factor to remember.

     
   
 
Practice Homework and Test problems now available in the 'Eng Fluids' mobile app
Includes over 250 free problems with complete detailed solutions.
Available at the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.