A Study of the Effect of Pipe Diameter Reduction on the Flow Velocity and Pressure Drop in the Drakhovein Water Pipeline Using the WaterGEMS

Abstract

The Darkhovein Water System was commissioned in 1969 for supplying water to the port of Bandar-e Imam Knomeini and the Mahshahr Petrochemical Complex via the Kut-e Amir Pumping Station in Ahvaz. In addition, it has been the sole source of drinking water for Shadegan County, including villages. In this research, using the Water Gems software, the flow pattern in the Darkhoin water transition line was modeled and the change in the diameter of the pipes and pumping and its effect on the pressure, velocity and losses were investigated. Based on the results, a 33.3% decrease in the pipe diameter resulted in pressure losses of less than 3 m throughout the pipeline. This low pressure drop was due to the normal flow velocity. Furthermore, a reduction in the pump propeller diameter from 500 mm to 460 mm in addition to the mentioned decrease in the pipe diameter led to a significant reduction in pressure. Moreover, the average pressure in Scenario 1 was found to be 75 m, while those in Scenarios 2-6 were 72 m, 65 m, 60 m, 55 m, and 40 m, respectively, indicating pressure drops of 3.3 m, 12.4 m, 19.7 m, 25.7 m, and 46.2 m, respectively, across the pipeline.

Keywords

• pipe diameter reduction
• flow velocity
• pressure drop
• watergems
• darkhovein water system