User Guide

PipeFlow is a trading name of Daxesoft Ltd.

www.pipeflow.com www.pipeflow.co.uk
2 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

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Daxesoft Ltd.
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Printed in the United Kingdom - November 2016
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The software described in this document is furnished under a
license agreement. The software may be used only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to
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 Table of Contents 3

Table of Contents

Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 13
Pipe Flow Expert Software..................................................................................................................... 13
Pipe Flow Expert Software Overview .................................................................................................... 13
Minimum Operating System Requirements ........................................................................................... 15
Registration and Licensing Information ................................................................................................. 16
Contacting Pipe Flow Software .............................................................................................................. 19
Additional Pipe Flow Software Programs .............................................................................................. 19
Interface and Menus ................................................................................................................................... 20
Menu Bar................................................................................................................................................ 20
File Menu .......................................................................................................................................... 21
Edit Menu .......................................................................................................................................... 23
Units Menu ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Fluid Menu ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Drawing Menu ................................................................................................................................... 26
Tools Menu ....................................................................................................................................... 27
License Menu ................................................................................................................................... 27
Documentation Menu........................................................................................................................ 28
Help Menu ........................................................................................................................................ 29
Tool Bar.................................................................................................................................................. 30
Tool Bar Buttons ............................................................................................................................... 30
Keyboard Shortcuts .......................................................................................................................... 34
Node Pane ............................................................................................................................................. 34
Node Types ...................................................................................................................................... 34
Tank Node Data ................................................................................................................................ 35
End Pressure Data ........................................................................................................................... 36
Join Point Data ................................................................................................................................. 37
Flow Demands .................................................................................................................................. 38
Pipe Pane .............................................................................................................................................. 39
Pipe Features ................................................................................................................................... 39
Pipe Material Data ............................................................................................................................ 41
Pipe Diameter Data .......................................................................................................................... 43
Pipe Fittings Database ...................................................................................................................... 45
Component Pressure Loss ............................................................................................................... 47
Control Valve Data ............................................................................................................................ 48
4 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Pump Data ........................................................................................................................................ 49

Drawing Pane ................................................................................................................................... 51
Configuration Options Screen ................................................................................................................ 53
Labels Tab ........................................................................................................................................ 53
Units Tab .......................................................................................................................................... 55
Pipe Settings Tab ............................................................................................................................. 57
Node Updates Tab............................................................................................................................ 59
Results Colors Tab ........................................................................................................................... 60
Calculations Tab ............................................................................................................................... 61
Editor Tab ......................................................................................................................................... 62
Results Tables .................................................................................................................................. 64
Viewing Individual Results ................................................................................................................ 66
File and Design Operations......................................................................................................................... 67
Tabbed Design Sheets .......................................................................................................................... 67
Creating a New Pipe System ................................................................................................................. 67
Isometric System Options ...................................................................................................................... 68
Designing a Pipe System ....................................................................................................................... 68
Saving a System .................................................................................................................................... 69
Change the System View - Isometric Mode Toggle .............................................................................. 70
Sending a System via E-mail ................................................................................................................. 70
Printing a System ................................................................................................................................... 70
Saving a Screen Image .......................................................................................................................... 73
Saving a Drawing to an EMF Image ...................................................................................................... 73
Emailing a Screen Image ....................................................................................................................... 73
System Options ........................................................................................................................................... 74
Choosing Units (imperial / metric) .......................................................................................................... 74
Choosing Item Labelling ........................................................................................................................ 75
Choosing the System Units.................................................................................................................... 76
Choosing Pipe Drawing Defaults ........................................................................................................... 79
Change attributes of more than one pipe .............................................................................................. 83
Node Updates ........................................................................................................................................ 85
Results Colors ........................................................................................................................................ 86
Configuring the Calculation Parameters ................................................................................................ 87
Default Options ...................................................................................................................................... 88
Fluid Zones.................................................................................................................................................. 89
Defining Fluid Zones .............................................................................................................................. 89
Properties of Mixed Fluids ..................................................................................................................... 90
Two Phase Flow – Additional Pressure Drop ........................................................................................ 90
Fluids Database .......................................................................................................................................... 91
 Table of Contents 5

Adding Fluids to the Fluid Database ...................................................................................................... 92

Adding Gas Data to the Fluid Database ................................................................................................ 93
Note on gas compressibility: ....................................................................................................................... 94
Tanks........................................................................................................................................................... 95
Add a Tank ............................................................................................................................................. 95
Nodes (Join Points) ..................................................................................................................................... 97
Adding a Node ....................................................................................................................................... 97
Pipes ........................................................................................................................................................... 99
Adding a Pipe ......................................................................................................................................... 99
Adding a Pipe Material to the Database .............................................................................................. 102
Adding Pipe Size Data to the Database .............................................................................................. 102
Reversing the Pipe Flow ...................................................................................................................... 103
Closing a Pipe in the System ............................................................................................................... 103
Using the Pipe Pop-up menu while drawing ........................................................................................ 104
Preventing Backflow in a pipe .............................................................................................................. 109
Using the Default Pipe feature while drawing ...................................................................................... 109
Fittings and Valves .................................................................................................................................... 110
Adding a Fitting to a pipe ..................................................................................................................... 110
Adding a Fitting to the Database ......................................................................................................... 112
Components .............................................................................................................................................. 115
Adding a Component with a pressure loss .......................................................................................... 116
Cv and Kv Flow Coefficients ..................................................................................................................... 119
Adding a component/valve with a Cv or Kv value ............................................................................... 119
Sprinkler K factors ..................................................................................................................................... 122
Modeling a Spray Nozzle with a Sprinkler K Factor ............................................................................ 123
Orifices ...................................................................................................................................................... 124
Adding a Sharp Edged Orifice ............................................................................................................. 125
Adding a Round-Edged Orifice ............................................................................................................ 125
Adding a Bevel-Edged Orifice .............................................................................................................. 126
Adding a Thick-Edged Orifice .............................................................................................................. 126
Control Valves (FCV, PRV, BPV) ............................................................................................................. 127
Adding a Flow Control Valve................................................................................................................ 128
Adding a Pressure Reducing Valve ..................................................................................................... 129
Adding a Back Pressure Valve ............................................................................................................ 130
Pumps ....................................................................................................................................................... 132
Adding a Pump .................................................................................................................................... 132
Adding a Fixed Flow Rate Pump ......................................................................................................... 134
Note about Fixed Flow Rate Pumps .................................................................................................... 135
Adding a Fixed Head Increase Pump .................................................................................................. 135
6 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Adding a Fixed Speed Pump Curve .................................................................................................... 136

Working with Pump Curve Graph ........................................................................................................ 139
Import Pump Curve Image ................................................................................................................... 141
Variable Speed and Change to Impeller Size ...................................................................................... 145
Predicted Performance Data................................................................................................................ 147
Search Pump Database ....................................................................................................................... 151
Browse Pump Database ...................................................................................................................... 152
Example Pumps (with Flow versus Head curve) ................................................................................. 153
Demand Flows .......................................................................................................................................... 154
Adding a Demand Flow at a join point ................................................................................................. 154
Demand Pressures ................................................................................................................................... 156
Adding a Demand Pressure at an end node........................................................................................ 156
Text Items.................................................................................................................................................. 158
Adding Text to the drawing .................................................................................................................. 158
Images....................................................................................................................................................... 160
Importing Images on to the drawing .................................................................................................... 160
Adjusting image properties .................................................................................................................. 162
Viewing, Modifying, and Deleting Items .................................................................................................... 163
Zooming in or Out in the Drawing Pane ............................................................................................... 163
Zooming in to a Selected Area ............................................................................................................ 163
Viewing the whole System in the Drawing Pane ................................................................................. 164
Panning a System in the Drawing Pane .............................................................................................. 164
Finding a Pipe or a Node ..................................................................................................................... 165
Mirror View of the Pipe System ........................................................................................................... 165
Inverted View of the Pipe System ........................................................................................................ 165
System Amendments and Group Updates ............................................................................................... 166
Using the Edit Grid ............................................................................................................................... 166
Individual Item Viewing and Modifying ................................................................................................. 168
Group Updates on the Drawing ........................................................................................................... 168
Moving Components in a System ........................................................................................................ 170
Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Nodes & Pipes .................................................................................... 171
Attaching Nodes ................................................................................................................................... 172
Copying Between Drawings ................................................................................................................. 173
Opening Additional Systems ................................................................................................................ 173
Rotating Selected Items ....................................................................................................................... 174
Moving a Pipe to link at a new position ................................................................................................ 174
Using the Undo and Redo Functions ................................................................................................... 174
Deleting Components in a System ...................................................................................................... 175
Deleting a Node or Pipe ....................................................................................................................... 175
 Table of Contents 7

Deleting a Group of Components ........................................................................................................ 176

Deleting a Demand Flow...................................................................................................................... 176
Deleting Fittings ................................................................................................................................... 177
Deleting a Component Pressure Loss ................................................................................................. 177
Deleting a Control Valve ...................................................................................................................... 178
Deleting a Pump .................................................................................................................................. 178
Calculations and Results........................................................................................................................... 179
Automatic Checks and Updates .......................................................................................................... 180
Calculating and Solving a System ....................................................................................................... 181
Configuring the System Results .......................................................................................................... 185
Viewing the System Results ................................................................................................................ 187
Saving the System Results .................................................................................................................. 188
Exporting the System Results .............................................................................................................. 189
Redesigning the System ...................................................................................................................... 190
Amending the System .......................................................................................................................... 190
Create a PDF Report of the System Results ....................................................................................... 191
Calculation Theory and Method of Solution .............................................................................................. 193
Fluid Flow States ................................................................................................................................. 193
Fluid Viscosity ...................................................................................................................................... 193
Reynolds Numbers .............................................................................................................................. 194
Friction Factors .................................................................................................................................... 194
Colebrook-White Formula .................................................................................................................... 194
Friction Losses (resistance to flow) ..................................................................................................... 194
Darcy-Weisbach Formula .................................................................................................................... 195
Compressible Gas Flow Equations ...................................................................................................... 195
Fitting Head Loss ................................................................................................................................. 196
’K’ Factor fitting head loss calculation .................................................................................................. 196
Calculate Total Pressure Loss ............................................................................................................. 196
Energy and Hydraulic Grade Lines ...................................................................................................... 197
Balanced Flow State ............................................................................................................................ 197
Loops, Nodes and Pipes ...................................................................................................................... 198
Solving the Flow versus Pressure Loss Balance ................................................................................. 199
System Calculation Tolerances ........................................................................................................... 200
System Components ............................................................................................................................ 200
Cv and Kv Flow Coefficients ................................................................................................................ 200
Sprinkler K Value Coefficients ............................................................................................................. 206
Orifices Loss Coefficient ...................................................................................................................... 207
Flow Control Valves ............................................................................................................................. 219
Pressure Reducing Valves................................................................................................................... 219
8 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Back Pressure Valves .......................................................................................................................... 221

Pumps (with Flow versus Head Curve) ............................................................................................... 222
Fixed Flow Rate Pumps ....................................................................................................................... 222
Fixed Head / Pressure Rise Pumps ..................................................................................................... 223
Net Positive Suction Head available .................................................................................................... 223
Two Phase Flow .................................................................................................................................. 223
Slurries ................................................................................................................................................. 223
Working with Compressible Fluids ............................................................................................................ 224
Using Compressible Flow Equations ................................................................................................... 225
Using Non-Compressible Darcy-Weisbach Equation .......................................................................... 226
Glossary .................................................................................................................................................... 229
Index.......................................................................................................................................................... 230
 Table of Figures 9

Table of Figures
Figure 1 Pipe Flow Expert License Software ............................................................................................. 16
Figure 2 Pipe Flow Expert interface ........................................................................................................... 20
Figure 3 Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 4 File Menu ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 5 Edit Menu ..................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 6 Units Menu ................................................................................................................................... 24
Figure 7 Fluid Menu ................................................................................................................................... 24
Figure 8 Drawing Menu .............................................................................................................................. 26
Figure 9 Tools Menu .................................................................................................................................. 27
Figure 10 License Menu ............................................................................................................................. 27
Figure 11 Documentation Menu ................................................................................................................. 28
Figure 12 Help Menu .................................................................................................................................. 29
Figure 13 Tank Node Pane ........................................................................................................................ 35
Figure 14 End Pressure Node Pane .......................................................................................................... 36
Figure 15 Join Point Node Pane ................................................................................................................ 37
Figure 16 Flow Demands ........................................................................................................................... 38
Figure 17 Pipe Pane and Pipe Pop-up menu ............................................................................................ 39
Figure 18 Pipe Material Data ..................................................................................................................... 41
Figure 19 Pipe Diameter Data ................................................................................................................... 43
Figure 20 Pipe Fittings Database ............................................................................................................... 45
Figure 21 Component Pressure Loss ........................................................................................................ 47
Figure 22 Control Valve Data ..................................................................................................................... 48
Figure 23 Pump Data ................................................................................................................................. 49
Figure 24 Drawing Panes Standard or Isometric ....................................................................................... 51
Figure 25 Configuration Options - Labels Tab ........................................................................................... 53
Figure 26 Configuration Options - Units Tab ............................................................................................. 55
Figure 27 Configuration Options - Pipe Settings Tab ................................................................................ 57
Figure 28 Configuration Options - Node Updates Tab .............................................................................. 59
Figure 29 Configuration Options - Results Colors tab ............................................................................... 60
Figure 30 Configuration Options - Calculations Tab .................................................................................. 61
Figure 31 Configuration Options - Editor Tab ............................................................................................ 62
Figure 32 Results tables ............................................................................................................................ 64
Figure 33 View Individual Results .............................................................................................................. 66
Figure 34 Save As dialog ........................................................................................................................... 69
Figure 35 Printing Information dialog ......................................................................................................... 71
Figure 36 Configuration Options – Labelling tab ....................................................................................... 75
10 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 37 Configuration Options – Units tab .............................................................................................. 76

Figure 38 Configuration Options – Decimal Places .................................................................................. 77
Figure 39 Configuration Options – Pipe Settings tab ................................................................................. 79
Figure 40 Pipe diameter data - materials list ............................................................................................. 80
Figure 41 Pipe Diameter Data - Pipe Sizes ............................................................................................. 81
Figure 42 Pipe fitting friction coefficients ................................................................................................... 82
Figure 43 Configuration Options – Pipe Settings Tab ............................................................................... 83
Figure 44 Configuration Options – Node Updates Tab .............................................................................. 85
Figure 45 Configuration Options – Results Colors Tab ............................................................................. 86
Figure 46 Calculation settings .................................................................................................................... 87
Figure 47 Fluid Zone Menu ......................................................................................................................... 89
Figure 48 Fluid Database ........................................................................................................................... 91
Figure 49 Properties of Gases .................................................................................................................... 93
Figure 50 Node Pane for Tanks ................................................................................................................. 95
Figure 51 Node Pane for Join Points ........................................................................................................ 97
Figure 52 Set Flow Demands..................................................................................................................... 98
Figure 53 Pipe diameter data - materials list ........................................................................................... 100
Figure 54 Pipe diameter data - pipe sizes ............................................................................................... 101
Figure 55 Pipe Pop-up Menu ................................................................................................................... 104
Figure 56 Pipe Pop-up Fittings sub-menu ................................................................................................ 105
Figure 57 Pipe Pop-up Component sub-menu ......................................................................................... 106
Figure 58 Pipe Pop-up Control Valve sub-menu ...................................................................................... 107
Figure 59 Pipe Pop-up Pump sub-menu................................................................................................... 108
Figure 60 Pipe fitting friction coefficients database ................................................................................. 111
Figure 61 Add a fitting in the Pipe fitting friction coefficients listings ....................................................... 112
Figure 62 Choose fitting symbol ............................................................................................................... 113
Figure 63 Sudden Contraction K value ..................................................................................................... 114
Figure 64 Set Component Pressure Loss ................................................................................................ 117
Figure 65 Adding a Cv / Kv flow coefficient value ..................................................................................... 119
Figure 66 Helper to calculate a Cv value .................................................................................................. 120
Figure 67 Calculate Sprinkler K value ....................................................................................................... 122
Figure 68 Modeling a Spray Nozzle .......................................................................................................... 123
Figure 69 Set Control Valve Data ............................................................................................................ 128
Figure 70 Add Pump Confirm dialog ........................................................................................................ 133
Figure 71 Pump Icons ............................................................................................................................... 133
Figure 72 Fixed Flow Rate Pump ............................................................................................................ 134
Figure 73 Fixed Head / Pressure Pump .................................................................................................. 136
Figure 74 Pump Data screen ................................................................................................................... 137
Figure 75 Pump Graph with NPSHr and Power....................................................................................... 139
 Table of Figures 11

Figure 76 Import Curve Image Step 1 ....................................................................................................... 141

Figure 77 Import Curve Image Step 2 ....................................................................................................... 141
Figure 78 Import Curve Image Step 3 ....................................................................................................... 141
Figure 79 Import Curve Image Step 4 ....................................................................................................... 142
Figure 80 Import Curve Image Step 5 ....................................................................................................... 142
Figure 81 Import Curve Image Step 6 ....................................................................................................... 143
Figure 82 Pump Data for Saving ............................................................................................................... 143
Figure 83 Simple Pump Graph from imported points .............................................................................. 144
Figure 84 Pump Speed and Impeller Data ................................................................................................ 145
Figure 85 Pump Graph Options ................................................................................................................ 146
Figure 86 Pump Initial Affinity Predictions ............................................................................................... 147
Figure 87 Pump Performance Curve ........................................................................................................ 148
Figure 88 Adjust Predicted Efficiencies .................................................................................................... 148
Figure 89 Adjust Individual Efficiency Points ............................................................................................ 149
Figure 90 Pump Options ........................................................................................................................... 149
Figure 91 Adjusted Pump Model .............................................................................................................. 150
Figure 92 Pump Database ........................................................................................................................ 151
Figure 93 Pump Database Browser .......................................................................................................... 152
Figure 94 Changing Units of Pump Performance Graph .......................................................................... 152
Figure 95 Pump Database - Example Pumps........................................................................................... 153
Figure 96 Pump Database - New Folders ................................................................................................. 153
Figure 97 Set Flow Demands dialog ........................................................................................................ 155
Figure 98 Node pane for end pressures .................................................................................................. 156
Figure 99 Add Free Text Label Dialog ..................................................................................................... 158
Figure 100 Importing an image on to the drawing ................................................................................... 161
Figure 101 Image Properties .................................................................................................................... 162
Figure 102 Pipe and Node Panes ............................................................................................................. 165
Figure 103 The Edit Grid (in filter mode) .................................................................................................. 166
Figure 104 Isometric Selection Menu ....................................................................................................... 169
Figure 105 Selection Amendment Toolbar ............................................................................................... 169
Figure 106 Pipe data Group Updates ...................................................................................................... 169
Figure 107 Pipe & Node Adjustment Toolbar ........................................................................................... 170
Figure 108 Tabs ........................................................................................................................................ 173
Figure 109 Pipe Attribute Inconsistency ................................................................................................... 180
Figure 110 Fitting Size Inconsistency ....................................................................................................... 180
Figure 111 Pipe Length & Elevation Inconsistency .................................................................................. 181
Figure 112 Result Log dialog ................................................................................................................... 182
Figure 113 Pipe Flow Expert interface in Results mode .......................................................................... 183
Figure 114 Results Tables ....................................................................................................................... 183
12 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 115 PDF Report Options Dialog .................................................................................................... 184

Figure 116 PDF Report Pages .................................................................................................................. 185
Figure 117 Configuration Options dialog – Labelling tab ......................................................................... 186
Figure 118 Configuration Options Screen – Units tab ............................................................................. 187
Figure 119 Results Tables – All Results tab ............................................................................................ 188
Figure 120 Save Results as Excel File dialog.......................................................................................... 189
Figure 121 pipe system results in Microsoft Excel ................................................................................... 190
Figure 122 Create PDF Report Options .................................................................................................... 191
Figure 123 PDF Results Report Pages ..................................................................................................... 192
Figure 124 Hydraulic Grade Line ............................................................................................................. 197
Figure 125 Flow balance at a join point ................................................................................................... 198
Figure 126 Pressure balance around a loop ............................................................................................ 198
Figure 127 Pseudo Loop .......................................................................................................................... 198
Figure 128 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe .................................................................................. 208
Figure 129 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction) .................................................... 208
Figure 130 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion) ..................................................... 209
Figure 131 Sharp Edge Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere ..................................................................... 209
Figure 132 Round Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe ................................................................................. 210
Figure 133 Round Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction) ................................................... 211
Figure 134 Round Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion) .................................................... 211
Figure 135 Round Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere .................................................................. 212
Figure 136 Bevel Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe .................................................................................. 213
Figure 137 Bevel Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction) .................................................... 214
Figure 138 Bevel Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion) ...................................................... 214
Figure 139 Bevel Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere ................................................................... 215
Figure 140 Thick Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe ................................................................................... 216
Figure 141 Thick Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction) ..................................................... 217
Figure 142 Thick Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion) ...................................................... 217
Figure 143 Thick Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere .................................................................... 218
Figure 144 Flow Control Valve replacement ............................................................................................ 219
Figure 145 Pressure Reducing Valve replacement ................................................................................. 220
Figure 146 Back Pressure Valve replacement......................................................................................... 221
Figure 147 Fixed Flow Rate Pump replacement...................................................................................... 222
Figure 148 Compressible Flow Calculation Options ................................................................................. 225
 Introduction 13

Introduction
Pipe Flow Expert is a software application that runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system.

It is used by engineers in over 100 countries worldwide, to model pipe systems where the flow rates,
pressure losses, and pumping requirements of the system need to be calculated.

The Pipe Flow Expert software has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to start working
on their pipe designs, which can be drawn out on a 2D or 3D isometric grid.

The software comes with an unrivalled support service that provides help to users when they need it.

Pipe Flow Expert Software

Pipe Flow Expert is designed to help today’s engineers analyze and solve a wide range of hydraulic
problems where the flow rates, pressure losses and pumping requirements throughout a pipe
network must be determined.

The Pipe Flow Expert software will allow you to easily draw out a pipeline system and analyze the
performance of the system when flow is occurring. Pipe Flow Expert calculates the balanced steady
flow and pressure conditions of the system.

The software will allow you to perform analysis of alternate systems under various operating
conditions.

The reported results include:

• flow rates for each pipe

• fluid velocities for each pipe
• Reynolds numbers
• friction factors
• friction pressure losses
• fitting pressures losses
• component pressure losses
• pressures at each node
• pump head
• pump operating point
• NPSHa at pump inlet

The input and display of system information on the Pipe Flow Expert drawing and in the results
tables can be shown in metric or imperial units to suit your preference and specific units for each
item (such as flow rate) can also be configured and set on an individual basis as required.

The Pipe Flow Expert software has been designed for the professional engineer who needs a
powerful tool that has a class leading, easy to use and robust interface that makes it simple to design
and analyze pipe networks.

Pipe Flow Expert Software Overview

Pipeline systems range from very simple ones with a single pipe to very large and complex networks
with hundreds of interconnecting pipes. They may be as simple as a single pipe carrying water from
one reservoir to another reservoir, or they may be more complex with many pipelines interconnecting
14 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

to distribute fluid over a large area, or they could fall somewhere in-between such as a system that
transfers a chemical from a supply container to various process points.

The pipelines may vary in size and nature and will usually involve changes in elevation from one
point to another. These pipeline systems may include reservoirs, pressurized tanks, pumps, valves,
flow control devices, heat exchangers and other components that affect flow in the pipelines.

The pipeline system is modeled by drawing the join points and the connecting pipes on a drawing
pane. Horizontal, vertical or sloping lines can be used to connect one node to another node.
The physical data describing the system is entered by the user and typically includes:

• The internal size, internal roughness and length of each connecting pipe
• The elevation of each join point (node)
• The In-flow and the Out-flow at each join point (if applicable)
• The elevation, liquid level and surface pressure data for each tank
• The performance data for each pump

Data input boxes are located at the left hand side of the drawing pane. These input boxes will display
the data for the currently selected node or pipe and may be used to amend the current data. The
data for a node, pipe, pump, etc. can be amended at any point during the design process.

Once the design has been completed, the system can be analyzed and the flow and pressure results
can be calculated. For liquid systems, the pressure losses within the system are calculated using
friction factors obtained from the Colebrook-White equation, and the pressure loss due to friction in
each pipe is obtained from the Darcy-Weisbach equation. For gas systems, the pressure losses are
calculated using a compressible isothermal flow equations such as the General Flow Equation.

An initial approximate solution is obtained using Linear Theory methods and an iterative approach
that adjusts the flow rates until an approximate pressure balance is achieved. The solution is then
converged to an accurate solution using sophisticated matrix techniques and other iterative
algorithms.

Pipe Flow Expert defines the elements of the pipeline system in a series of mathematical equations.
Pipe systems can produce a highly non-linear set of equations that are difficult to solve. The Pipe
Flow Expert software uses the Newton method and other proprietary algorithms to solve the
equations, to determine the flow rate and pressure loss in each pipe that provides a balanced
solution.

The results of the flow rates for each pipe, the fluid velocities for each pipe, Reynolds numbers,
friction factors, friction pressure losses for each pipe, fittings pressure losses, pressure at join points
(nodes), head pressure at nodes, pump operating points and more, can be viewed on the results
drawing and on the results grid.
 Introduction 15

Minimum Operating System Requirements

Pipe Flow Expert has been designed to work on the following operating systems:

• Microsoft® Windows 10 (All Versions)

• Microsoft® Windows 8 (all versions except RT [used on ARM based tablets] )
• Microsoft® Windows 7 (all versions)

We recommended using one of the above operating systems, however the software will also run on:

• Microsoft® Windows Vista (all versions)

• Microsoft® Windows XP (all versions)

It is recommended that your computer system has at least the following minimum specification:

• Processor: 1.00 GHz or faster CPU

• Memory (RAM): 2Gb or higher
• Screen Display: 1024 x 768 pixels (minimum resolution)
1920 x 1080 pixels (or higher recommended)
• Graphics (RAM): 128 Mb or higher
• Hard Disk: 75 Mb install (250 Mb free space recommended)

Microsoft® Excel is required if the user wishes to export the results tables to a spreadsheet format.

Adobe® Acrobat Reader is required if the user wishes to generate and view customized PDF
Reports based on the calculated results data.

Note:

If your computer will run Windows 7 (or later) then Pipe Flow Expert should work without any issues.
16 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Registration and Licensing Information

Pipe Flow Expert is a software package that is provided for use on personal computer systems.

Installation

When the software is installed, it generates a unique product number that is shown on the Software
License screen when you run the program. A matching license code must be entered to fully enable
and license the software.

Figure 1 Pipe Flow Expert License Software

Purchasing a License

Each installation of the Pipe Flow Expert software requires a license code to be entered in order to
fully activate the program. Until the license code is entered the software can only be used in trial
mode.

License codes can be purchased from www.PipeFlow.com

Standard licensing and pricing options are shown on the web site at www.pipeflow.com.

You do not require an internet connection when licensing and enabling the software. The software
does not need an internet connection to operate.
 Introduction 17

Moving a License

We allow a user to move the license to another machine. The old license is de-activated which
generates a License Removal Confirmation Number. We then provide a new license code for a new
installation of the software. This service is provided at no further cost as part of the Annual License
fee which also includes support.

Network Licensing

The software can be operated over a network and used by a number of concurrent users. Network
installation is simple and only requires that the software is installed to a shared network drive. Each
user then runs the program as normal from the shared drive. When licensing the program you will
need to purchase a software license that supports the maximum number of concurrent users that
you require.

Please email [email protected] with your network licensing requirements to obtain a competitive
quote for your specific needs.

Software Distribution Note

All of our software is provided via download from our web sites at www.pipeflow.com and
www.pipeflow.co.uk

We do not provide the software on CD, since it would be exactly the same as the program that can
be downloaded from our web site. This helps to reduce our costs, which allows us to offer lower
prices for our customers and also guarantees that the user is always installing the latest version of
the software. Users are free to make their own CD copy of the software, however every installation of
the program will generate a new product code and a new license code will still be required.

New Customers

Those of you who have previously purchased software from us will already be assured of our
reputation and will not be concerned about receiving the software via download. However we
understand that as a new customer you may be concerned that you do not get a CD with the
software on.

If we provided the software on CD it would be the exact same program that you can download from
our web site (in fact the web site will always carry the very latest version of the software). Having a
CD would not allow you to install and enable the software on multiple computers, since each
installation would still generate a unique product number and would require a matching license code.

When you purchase a program from our web site, you will automatically be emailed with a unique
purchase token and an invoice/receipt that confirms your purchase. This is all you need for proof of
purchase and we will always be able to confirm your purchase in our database.

We have sold software via download for over 15 years. We are not one of those companies who you
will not be able to contact or get a response from. As our existing customers know, our service and
assistance with any issues you may have is worth far more than just having the software on CD.

We do sell a license to use a copy of the Pipe Flow Expert software on a USB drive. When this
option is purchased, we send you a ‘Pipe Flow’ branded USB drive and allow you to license this.
This provides a completely portable copy of the software. There is nothing to install. The USB drive
can be plugged in to any Windows based computer and the Pipe Flow Expert software can then be
run directly from the USB drive, up into the memory of the local computer.
18 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Summary

• The Pipe Flow Expert software can be downloaded and installed for a free trial.

• A license code can be purchased from our web site at www.pipeflow.com that will enable
use of the software for an initial period of time (normally 12 months).

• A user can be up and running with a licensed version of the software within a few minutes.

• An Annual License fee must be paid to extend the license to use the software for a further 12
months, once the initial 12 month license period ends. The Annual License fee can be paid
at www.pipeflow.com and is usually about 15% of the cost of the initial 12 month license fee.

• Software support and maintenance, including technical assistance, help with modeling
issues and free upgrades to new releases, are provided for free while you are running a
licensed copy of the Pipe Flow Expert software. This ensures that you will always be able to
use the latest version of the software.
 Introduction 19

Contacting Pipe Flow Software

Email: [email protected]
Internet: http://www.pipeflow.com

UK Telephone: +44 (0)1625 509142

USA Telephone: +1 650-276-3569
+1 650-276-FLOW

PipeFlow.com and PipeFlow.co.uk are trading names of Daxesoft Ltd, a U.K. Registered
Company)

Additional Pipe Flow Software Programs

Pipe Flow Wizard - "What if?" Calculations on a Single Pipe for Liquids and Gases

Pipe Flow Wizard is able to perform four different calculations depending on the known information.
It can calculate:

• Pressure Drops
• Flow Rates
• Size of Internal Diameters
• Pipe Lengths

Pipe Flow Wizard will perform calculations for individual pipes.

Pipe Flow Wizard will calculate results for LIQUIDS or COMPRESSED GASES
A Fluid Database is included with viscosity and density of common fluids.

Flow Advisor - for Channels and Tanks

Flow Advisor may be used to estimate water flow rate from various shaped channels and tanks. It
can calculate:

• Open Channel Flow

• Water Flow Rates
• Time taken to empty tanks
• Volume, Capacity, Weight and Expansion

A Materials Database is included with density and coefficient of expansion of common materials.

All of our software can be downloaded for a free trial by visiting www.pipeflow.com

Once you have installed a trial version of one of our software products it can be fully enabled and
licensed by buying a license code from our web site. You can be up and running with a fully licensed
program within just a couple of minutes
20 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Interface and Menus

This section details the different features of the Pipe Flow Expert interface. For each feature, there is
an explanation, a screen shot and a table providing descriptions for each element of the feature. The
sections following this section provide instructions for using the Pipe Flow Expert application.

Figure 2 Pipe Flow Expert interface

Menu Bar
The menu bar has nine different menu selections to help you navigate and work in Pipe Flow Expert.

Figure 3 Menu Bar

 Interface and Menus 21

File Menu

Figure 4 File Menu

Menu Items Description

New Opens a new drawing grid in the Drawing pane.
New Tab Opens a new drawing grid in a new tab. Tabbed Design Sheets let you
work on multiple systems simultaneously. Up to 4 different systems
may be worked on concurrently using the ‘Tabbed’ system feature.
Open Opens the Open dialog. Select a .pfe file and click the Open button to
open a pipe system drawing in Pipe Flow Expert.
Open Examples Opens the Example Systems screen. Select an example and click the
Load This Example System button to open an example system
drawing in Pipe Flow Expert.
Save Saves your changes to the pipe system drawing.
22 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Save As Opens the Save As dialog. Browse to where you want to save the pipe
system, name the .pfe file, and click Save.
Save Screen Image Save an image of the visible drawing area as a jpeg file.
Save Screen as EMF Metafile Save the drawing as an Enhanced Metafile.
Email System Opens a new email message with a .pfe file of your current design
attached to an email.
Email Screen Image Opens a new e-mail message with a jpeg of the screen image attached
to the e-mail.
Create PDF – System Drawing Create a PDF document of the system drawing.
Create PDF – Customized Create a PDF customized report, including cover sheet with logo image,
Report system drawing and results tables. Including a high resolution pump
graph with performance curves.
Print Opens the Printing Information dialog. Type the page title and click
the Print button to print the image currently visible in the Drawing pane.
Page Setup Opens the Print Setup dialog. Define your printing preferences and
click OK
Import Image Opens the Import Image dialog. Allows browse of folders and files, to
select import of image file on to the system drawing.
Recover from AutoSave Files Pipe Flow Expert will automatically save a backup of your current
design at approximately 5 minute intervals. In the event of a problem
you can try to load the most recent backup file to try and recover your
system.
Purge Auto Saved Files Delete the files created by the auto save feature.
Exit Closes the application.
 Interface and Menus 23

Edit Menu

Figure 5 Edit Menu

Menu Items Description

Undo The last node or pipe action performed in the Drawing pane is
undone.
Redo The last undo action is redone.
Cut Selected items are cut to the clipboard.
Copy Selected items are copied to the clipboard.
Paste Items on the clipboard are pasted in the Drawing pane.
Delete Selected item(s) are deleted.
Selection: Rotate +90 Degrees Selected items are rotated 90 degrees clockwise
Selection: Rotate -90 Degrees Selected items are rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise
Selection: Mirror Items Left/Right Selected items are mirrored left to right
Selection: Invert Items Up/Down Selected items are inverted up to down
Edit Grid – Sheet View Opens an edit grid allowing details of pipes, nodes and valves etc.
to be amended.
24 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Units Menu

Figure 6 Units Menu

Menu Items Description

Imperial Units Converts all values to imperial units.
Metric Units Converts all values to metric units.
Specify Units Opens the Units tab of the Configurations Options dialog. Use the
Units tab to define the units for each element of the pipe system
drawing.

Fluid Menu

Figure 7 Fluid Menu

 Interface and Menus 25

Menu Items Description

Change Fluid Opens the Fluid data dialog. Use the Fluid data dialog to define the fluid
for the selected fluid zone.
Create New Fluid Zone Opens the Fluid Manager to select a fluid for a new Fluid Zone
Delete Current Fluid Zone Delete the current fluid zone from the system. All pipes that previously
contained this fluid will now contain the fluid from zone 1.
Change Color for this Fluid Select a background highlight color for this fluid zone.
Zone
Select / Add Pipes to this Display the fluid zone selection rectangle. Click and drag the rectangle to
Fluid Zone enclose the pipes to be set to the current fluid zone
On / Off Show Colors for Toggle the fluid zone background highlight colors on or off.
Fluid Zones
Reset Fluid Zones to Default Reset all fluid zone colors to the default color for each fluid zone.
Colors
26 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Drawing Menu

Figure 8 Drawing Menu

Menu Items Description

Set Standard Drawing Mode Set rectangular grid drawing mode
Set Isometric Drawing Mode Set isometric grid drawing mode
Isometric Tank View From Left Show isometric tanks viewed from left
Isometric Tank View From Right Show isometric tanks viewed from right
Add Pipes with Continuous Rubber Banding Enable / disable drawing pipes using continuous rubber
banding.
Mirror View (Switch Left/Right) Mirror the complete drawing
Invert View (Switch Top/Bottom) Invert the complete drawing
Change Default Pipe Values Opens the Default Values tab of the Configurations
Options dialog. Use the Default Values tab to define
default values for the next pipe to be drawn in the pipe
system.
Choose Labelling Options Opens the Labelling tab of the Configurations Options
dialog. Use the Labelling tab to define how the pipe
system drawing is labelled.
Zoom to Fit on Screen Resize the drawing and center in the visible drawing
area
 Interface and Menus 27

Tools Menu

Figure 9 Tools Menu

Menu Items Description

Edit Grid – Sheet View Amend data for Pipes, Tanks, End Pressures, Nodes, FCVs, PRVs,
BPVs, Cv Values, Kv Values, Fixed Losses, Pumps (Fixed Flow),
Pumps (Fixed Head) and Pumps (Curve).
The data in the grid may be over typed with new data – changes will be
made immediately as each item of data is amended.
Options Opens the Configuration Options screen. Use the Configuration
Options to configure the pipe system.

License Menu

Figure 10 License Menu

Menu Items Description

License Status Displays the current license status and registration information.
View License Agreement View agreement between Licensor and Licensee
Move this License Displays instructions that explain how to deactivate the current license
and obtain a license removal confirmation code. How to create a new
installation (which will require a new license code).
28 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Documentation Menu

Figure 11 Documentation Menu

Menu Items Description

Open Quick Start Guide PDF Open the Quick Start Guide PDF document.
Open User Guide PDF Open the full User Guide PDF document.
Open Non-Compressible Open the Non-Compressible (Liquids) Calculation Results Verification
Results Verification PDF PDF document.
Open Compressible Results Open the Compressible (Gases) Calculations Results Verification PDF
Verification PDF document.
Open Compressible Flow Open the Compressible Flow Equations & formula descriptions PDF.
Equations PDF
Open Pipe Flow Brochure PDF Open the Pipe Flow Expert PDF Brochure.
 Interface and Menus 29

Help Menu

Figure 12 Help Menu

Menu Items Description

Open Quick Start Guide PDF Open the Quick Start Guide PDF document.
Open User Guide PDF Open the full User Guide PDF document.
Load Example Systems Lists the examples systems that can be loaded, viewed, and the results
calculated.
Create a System – Step by Displays the Help information starting at the page that describes how to
Step create a system using a step by step walkthrough of each operation.
License Status Displays the current license status and registration information.
Move This License Displays instructions that explain how to deactivate the current license
and obtain a license removal confirmation code. How to create a new
installation (which will require a new license code).
Go to www.pipeflow.com Launches an internet browser window to view the Pipe Flow web site.
About Pipe Flow Expert Displays a pop-up window that shows details about the software.
30 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Tool Bar
Most of the Pipe Flow Expert functions can be performed by using a button on the tool bar. The Re-
Design, Results Sheet, Results PDF and Show Log buttons are only available on the tool bar after
you click the Calculate button on the tool bar.
The tool bar also contains a field for determining whether the unit values displayed in Pipe Flow
Expert and the pipe system are imperial or metric. The first step in creating a pipe system is to select
the Imperial or Metric option. You can define whether imperial or metric values are used from the tool
bar, the Units menu, or from the Units tab in the Configuration Options dialog. Inches, feet, and
gallons are examples of imperial units. Centimeters, meters, and liters are examples of metric units.

Tool Bar Buttons

Button Name and Description

New Grid – Opens a new drawing grid.

Open File – Opens the Open dialog. Select a .pfe file and click the Open button to open an
existing pipe system drawing in Pipe Flow Expert.
Save File – Saves your changes to the pipe system drawing.

Email System Information – Opens a new e-mail message with the pipe system .pfe file
attached to the e-mail.
Email Screen Image – Opens a new e-mail message with a jpeg of the screen image
attached to the e-mail.
Print – Opens the Printing Information dialog. Type the page title and click the Print button
to print the image currently visible in the Drawing pane.
Create PDF of System Drawing – Produces a high resolution PDF of the system drawing
including items which may be currently off-screen.
Import Image – Opens the Open dialog. Select an image file to import on to the pipe
system drawing. Images can be resized and repositioned as required.
Toggle Isometric Grid – Switch to Isometric Drawing Grid, or back to Standard Grid.

Network Grid View – Opens a grid to display details of pipes, tanks, end pressures and
nodes. The data displayed in the grid may be edited to change the network data. Any
changes are applied immediately to the drawing.
Set Pipe Default Drawing Values – Opens the Pipe Settings tab of the Configurations
Options dialog. Use the Pipe Settings tab to define the pipe default values for drawing or to
copy some of the pipe attributes to selected pipes in the system.
Choose Labelling – Opens the Labelling tab of the Configurations Options dialog. Use
the Labelling tab to define how the pipe system is labelled in the Drawing pane.
Choose Units – Opens the Units tab of the Configurations Options dialog. Use the Units
tab to define the units for each element of the pipe system.
Calculation Settings – Opens the Calculations tab of the Configurations Options dialog.
Use the Calculations tab to select method of solution and method of calculation, and set
calculation parameters.
 Interface and Menus 31

The Hint pane displays tips for using the button currently selected on the tool bar. The Hint
pane displays tips for the following buttons:

In Results mode the Hint pane is used to display information about the flow rates in pipes,
velocities in pipes, pressure drop in pipes, pressures at join points, head pressure (grade
line), elevations of tanks and nodes, and fluid heads in the pipeline system. Items are
highlighted by clicking on an item in the drawing pane. Data for the highlighted item is
displayed in the hint pane.

Fluid – Opens the Fluid menu, select change fluid to open the Fluid data dialog. Use the
Fluid data dialog to define the fluid for the currently selected fluid zone. Select other fluid
menu options to change the fluid zone color or to create a new fluid zone or to delete a
fluid zone.

Zoom Out – Moves the focus of the pipe system out to see more of the drawing at a
reduced size in the Drawing pane.

Zoom In – Moves the focus of the pipe system in to get a close-up view in the Drawing
pane.

Move to Centre of Grid – Centers the pipe system on the drawing grid.

Show Item Info – Select the show information cursor. Click an item in the Drawing pane to
display its details in the Node pane, Pipe pane, or dialog associated with the selected
component.

Pan the Drawing – Select the move grid cursor. Click in the Drawing pane, and while
holding down the left mouse button, move the mouse to pan the drawing.

Drag and Move Items – Highlights all items on the drawing. Select a highlighted object, and
while holding down the left mouse button, drag the object to its new position.

Add Tank – Select the tank cursor. Click where you want to add a tank in the Drawing pane.
Use the Node pane to enter the Elevation, Liquid level and Fluid surface pressure for the
tank.

Add Demand (Pressure) – Select the end pressure cursor. Click where you want to add a
fixed pressure demand in the Drawing pane. Use the Node pane to enter the pressure and
elevation for this fixed pressure demand.

Add Join Point – Select the join point (node) cursor. Click where you want to add a pipe join
point in the Drawing pane.

Add Pipes – Select the draw pipes cursor. Click on a node in the Drawing pane where you
want to add a pipe, and then click where you want the pipe to end. Right-click to turn off the
rubber banding.

Add Fittings – Select the valve and fittings cursor. Click on the pipe on which you want to
add valves or fittings. Use the Pipe fittings friction coefficients dialog to select the valves
or fitting to be added.

Add Component Pressure Loss – Select the component cursor. Click on the pipe on which
you want to add a component. Use the Component pressure loss dialog to enter the
pressure loss characteristics of the component.
32 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Add Control Valve – Select the control valve cursor. Click on the pipe on which you want to
add a control valve. Use the Control data dialog to choose a flow valve type. Choose a
Flow Control Valve (FCV) to set the flow rate required in the pipe, or a Pressure Reducing
Valve (PRV) to set the pressure required at the end of the pipe, or a Back Pressure Valve
(BPV) to set the pressure required at the start of the pipe.

Add Pump – Select the pump cursor. Click on the pipe on which you want to add a pump.
Use the Pump data dialog to enter the pump performance characteristics.

Add Demand (Flow) – Select the add demand flow cursor. Click on a node in the Drawing
pane where you want to set a demand flow. Use the Flow demands dialog to set the In-
flows or Out-flows at the selected node.

Toggle to Open/Close a Pipe – Select the open/close pipe cursor. Click on a pipe in the
Drawing pane where you want to close a pipe or to re-open a pipe that has been closed
previously.

Add Text – Add Free text labels to the drawing.

Selection Tool – Select the selection rectangle cursor. Click in the Drawing pane, and while
holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to create a rectangle around the item(s)
you want to select for cutting, copying, pasting, deleting or moving. You can select multiple
items to cut, copy, paste, delete or move as a group. Click the right mouse button to exit
from selection mode.

Cut – Selected items are cut to the clipboard.

Copy – Selected items are copied to the clipboard.

Paste – Items on the clipboard are pasted in the Drawing pane.

Mirror – Selected items are mirrored left / right.

Invert – Selected items are inverted up / down.

Zoom Selected Area – Displays the selection area in a close-up view in the centre of the
Drawing pane.

Select Individual Pipes and Nodes – Use the Adjust attributes of Selected Pipes tool
button to display the Pipe Settings tab to make changes to all selected pipes.
Use the Adjust attributes of Selected Nodes tool button to display the Node Settings tab to
make changes to all selected nodes.

Adjust Attributes of Selected Pipes – Opens the Pipe Settings tab of the Configurations
Options dialog. Use the Pipe Settings tab to copy various attributes of the default pipe to
each of the pipes selected. The Selection Tool may be used to Select a group of pipes prior
to opening the Pipe Settings tab. Individual pipes can be added or removed from the
selected list by checking or un-checking the box adjacent to the pipe description.

Adjust Attributes of Selected Nodes – Opens the Node Updates tab of the
Configurations Options dialog. Use the Node Updates tab to copy node elevation and
images to each of the nodes selected. The Selection Tool may be used to Select a group of
nodes prior to opening the Node Updates tab. Individual nodes can be added or removed
from the selected list by checking or un-checking the box adjacent to the node description.

Delete – Selected item(s) are deleted. If a selected item is a node then all pipes which
connect to the node will also be deleted.

Undo last action – The last add pipe or node action performed in the Drawing pane is
undone.
 Interface and Menus 33

Redo last undo action – The last undo action is redone.

Calculate – Calculates the flow and pressure at each node of the pipe system drawing. The
calculation results are displayed on the Results window.

Re Design – Changes the view back to the design mode. The pipe system is displayed in
drawing mode again. This button is only visible on the tool bar after clicking the Calculate
button.

Results – Opens the Results window. This button is only visible on the tool bar after clicking
the Calculate button.

Results PDF – Opens the Results PDF dialog. Add a logo, chose the options required and
produce a PDF of the results, including a system image and pump graphs. This button is
only visible on the tool bar after clicking the Calculate button.

Show Log – Opens the Results Log dialog. The Results Log dialog indicates whether the
pipe system was solved. This button is only visible on the tool bar after clicking the
Calculate button.

Example Systems – Opens the Example Systems dialog. Over 40 examples systems are
provided to illustrate usage of the Pipe Flow Expert software. This button is only visible on
the tool bar if design mode is selected.

Next Example – Loads the Next Example System from the examples systems dialog. This
button is only visible on the tool bar if design mode is selected.

New Tab – Opens a new design sheet allowing users to work on multiple systems
simultaneously. Tabbed Sheets work in both Design View and Results Mode. Switch
between different system models with a single click
34 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Keyboard Shortcuts
Various keyboard shortcuts are provided which duplicate the actions of some Menu system options
and some of the Tool Bar buttons.

• CTRL+N, for New Tab

• CTRL+X, for Cut
• CTRL-C, for Copy
• CTRL-V for Paste
• CTRL-DEL key for delete operations.
• CTRL+O for Open.
• CTRL+S for Save.
• CTRL+P for Print.
• CTRL+ALT+O for Open Examples.
• CTRL+R for Rotate +90 Degrees
• CTRL+ALT+R for Rotate -90 Degrees
• CTRL+M for Mirror Items Left/Right.
• CTRL+I for Invert Items Up/Down.
• CTRL+Z for Zoom to fit on screen

Node Pane
The Node pane displays the properties of the node selected on the pipe system in the Drawing pane.
The type of node selected in the Type field determines which features are available in the Node
pane.

Node Types

A node can be a join point, tank, or demand pressure–referred to as End Pressure in the Node pane.
The type of node selected is shown in the Type field. The type of node can be changed by selecting
from the options shown in drop down type list.

Nodes are located at the beginning and end of a pipe and at the junction of pipes in a pipe system.
You can use the drop down Node Id list next to the Node name field to select an individual node or to
scroll through each of the nodes in the pipe system.

Click the zoom button next to the drop down Node Id list to redisplay the drawing with the
selected node at the center of the visible drawing area.

The Node pane is also used to enter and edit the specific details for the selected node. The values
and units displayed in the node pane are determined by the units selected on the Units tab in the
Configuration Options dialog. The selected units can also be switched on mass between a
predefined set of imperial and metric units.
 Interface and Menus 35

Tank Node Data

Figure 13 Tank Node Pane

Feature Description
Node The name of the node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the
Node field to edit the node name.
Node Id List Use the Node Drop Down List to select a node or to scroll through each
of the nodes in the pipe system.
Type (Tank) The type of node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the Type
field to modify the node type. There are three types of nodes – join point,
tank, or fixed pressure demand (End Pressure).
Type (Tank Icon) Displays the image representing the selected tank in the Drawing pane.
Use the Icon button to select the tank image you want displayed on the
pipe system drawing.
The icon size can be selected from a range of scales.
The image you select does not affect any of the tank’s
properties or values.
Surface Pressure The surface pressure of the fluid in the tank expressed in the units
displayed.
Liquid Level The amount of fluid above the tank exit point expressed in the units
displayed.
Elevation (Exit from tank) The elevation at the exit point of the tank expressed in the units
displayed.
Notes Notes about the node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Notes can
be up to 200 characters.
36 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

End Pressure Data

Figure 14 End Pressure Node Pane

Feature Description
Node The name of the node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the
Node field to edit the node name.
Node Id List Use the Node Drop Down List to select a node or to scroll through each
of the nodes in the pipe system.
Type (End Pressure) The type of node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the Type
field to modify the node type. There are three types of nodes – join point,
tank, or demand pressure (End Pressure).
Type (End Pressure Icon) Displays the image representing the selected demand pressure in the
Drawing pane. Use the Icon button to select the end pressure image you
want displayed on the pipe system drawing.
The icon size can be selected from a range of scales.
The image you select does not affect any of the demand
pressure’s properties or values.
Pressure The required pressure for the end pressure expressed in the units
displayed.
Elevation (of Pressure Point) The elevation of the end pressure expressed in the units displayed.
Notes Notes about the node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Notes can
be up to 200 characters.
 Interface and Menus 37

Join Point Data

Figure 15 Join Point Node Pane

Feature Description
Node Identification Use the Node Drop Down List to select a node or to scroll through each of
Number the nodes in the pipe system.
Node The name of the node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the
Node field to edit the node name.
Type (Join Point) The type of node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the Type
field to modify the node type. There are three types of nodes – join point,
tank, or demand pressure (End Pressure).
Type (Join Point) Icon Displays the image representing the join point in the Drawing pane. Use the
Icon button to select the join point image you want displayed on the pipe
system drawing.
The icon size can be selected from a range of scales. The
image you select does not affect any of the joint point
properties or values.
Elevation of Join Point The elevation of the join point expressed in the units displayed.
Demands In (at Join Point) View the In Flow to the system at this node. Click edit to change.
Demands Out (at Join Point) View the Out Flow from the system at this node. Click edit to change.
Edit buttons (Join Point) Opens the Set Flow Demands dialog. This dialog is used to set a demand
flow on the join point.
Notes Notes about the node currently selected in the Drawing pane. Notes can be
up to 200 characters.
38 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Flow Demands
Flow demands can only be added at a node if the type selected is a Join Point.

Figure 16 Flow Demands

Feature Description
In Flow Rate Entering The The flow rate entering the system at this node expressed in the units
System displayed.
Out Flow Rate Leaving The The flow rate leaving the system at this node expressed in the units
System displayed.
OK Confirm any changes that have been made.
Cancel Close the dialog without making any changes.
 Interface and Menus 39

Pipe Pane
A pipe can have many features, such as name, length, internal diameter, roughness, nominal size,
material, schedule or class reference, internal volume and surface area.

The data for some of these features, such as name, length, internal diameter and roughness can be
entered directly into the pipe pane input boxes (other features would be left unchanged and may
have to be amended at a later time).

To set all the features of a pipe use the Diameter and Material buttons to access the selection
dialogs.

Pipe Flow Expert allows fittings and valves, components, flow control valves and pumps to be added
to a pipe. The selection dialogs to add or change the data for these items can be accessed by
clicking on the appropriate button in the pipe pane.

Pipe Features

Figure 17 Pipe Pane and Pipe Pop-up menu

Feature Description
Pipe Identification Number Use the Pipe Drop Down List to select a pipe or to scroll through each
of the pipes in the pipe system.
Name The name of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the
Name field to edit the pipe name.
Length The length of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane. Use the
length field to change the length of the pipe.
Internal Diameter The internal diameter of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane.
Use the internal diameter field to change the internal size of the pipe.
Click the Diam? button to display the Pipe Diameter Database sizes.
40 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Roughness The internal roughness of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing
pane. Use the roughness field to change the internal roughness of the
pipe. Click the Material button to display the Pipe Material Database.
Notes Notes about the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane. Notes can
be up to 200 characters.
Pipe Color and Line Width Set the color and line width of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing
pane.
Add/Change Fittings button Opens the Pipe fitting friction coefficients database. Use the
database to add and maintain fittings on a pipe. The number of fittings
on the pipe is displayed next to the fitting image on the Add/Change
Fitting button.
Add/Change Component Add a component to the pipe currently selected in the drawing pane.
Pressure Loss button Change the Pressure Loss characteristics for the component. A number
is displayed next to the Component image to indicate if the component
is active.
Add/Change Control Valve Add a control valve to the pipe currently selected in the drawing pane.
button Set the maximum flow rate in the pipe by using a flow Control Valve
(FCV), or set the pressure at the end of the pipe by using a Pressure
Reducing Valve (PRV), or set the pressure at the start of the pipe by
using a Back Pressure Valve (BPV). A number is displayed next to the
Control Valve image to indicate if the Control Valve is active.
Add/Change Pump button Add a pump to the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane. Enter
the flow rate and head characteristics for various points on the pump
performance curve. A number is displayed next to the Pump image to
indicate if the Pump is active.
Include check boxes Include/Exclude status for various items added to the pipe currently
selected in the Drawing pane.
i.e. Fittings & Valves, Components, Control Valves, Pumps.
Diam? Display the Pipe Diameter Size Database. A Double Click on a pipe will
also display the Pipe Diameter Size Database.
Material Display the Pipe Material Database.
More…. Opens the pipe sub menu which provides further options to:
• Change Pipe Diameter
• Change Pipe Material
• Edit, Copy, Paste & Delete Fittings, Components, Control
Valves, and Pumps
• Re-Open / Close Pipe
• Reverse Pipe Direction
• Prevent Backflow – On / Off
• Move / Unlink end of Pipe
• Use Pipe Values for as default for the next pipe to be drawn
• Change Fluid Zone (for pipe)
• Close sub menu

A Right Click on a pipe will also display the pipe sub menu.
 Interface and Menus 41

Pipe Material Data

Figure 18 Pipe Material Data

Feature Description
Material The material description of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane.
Schedule/Class The Schedule/Class description of the pipe currently selected in the
Drawing pane.
Internal Roughness The internal roughness of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane.
Nominal Size The Nominal Size description of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing
pane.
Internal Diam. The internal diameter of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane.
Wall Thick The wall thickness of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane.
Outside Diam The outside diameter of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane.
Weight The weight per unit length of the pipe currently selected in the Drawing
pane.
Internal Vol. The internal volume (ft³/100 ft or m³/100m) of the pipe currently selected in
the Drawing pane.
Surface Area The external surface area (ft²/100 ft or m²/100m) of the pipe currently
selected in the Drawing pane.
Save Pipe This button is not available during pipe material selection.
Cancel (Changes) This button is not available during pipe material selection.
Change Material Show Listing of available pipe data materials.
42 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Select Show size data for selected material.

Cancel Revert to previously selected size listing.
Add New Material Create a new material category to which new pipe sizes can be added.
Remove Material Remove a material category.
 Interface and Menus 43

Pipe Diameter Data

Figure 19 Pipe Diameter Data

Feature Description
Material The material description of the pipe currently selected in the drawing
pane.
Schedule/Class The Schedule/Class description of the pipe currently selected in the
drawing pane.
Internal Roughness The internal roughness of the pipe currently selected in the drawing
pane.
Nominal Size The Nominal Size description of the pipe currently selected in the
drawing pane.
Internal Diam. The internal diameter of the pipe currently selected in the drawing pane.
Wall Thick The wall thickness of the pipe currently selected in the drawing pane.
Outside Diam The outside diameter of the pipe currently selected in the drawing pane.
Weight The weight per unit length of the pipe currently selected in the drawing
pane
Internal Vol. The internal volume (ft³/100 ft or m³/100m) of the pipe currently selected
in the drawing pane.
Surface Area The external surface area (ft²/100 ft or m²/100m) of the pipe currently
selected in the drawing pane.
Save Pipe Save the selected data to the pipe currently selected in the drawing
pane.
44 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Cancel Close the Pipe Diameter database without making any changes.
Transfer Selected Size Copy size data from data listing to entry boxes (at top of the screen).
Size data listing Listing of pipe sizes.
Metric or Imperial Display size data in metric or imperial units.
Change Material Display data dialog for pipe material.
Add new size Display input boxes for new pipe size data.
Remove entry Remove a pipe size.
 Interface and Menus 45

Pipe Fittings Database

Figure 20 Pipe Fittings Database

Feature Description
Symbol Fitting type symbol.
Type Fitting type short code.
Metric Nominal metric fitting size.
Imperial Nominal imperial fitting size.
Description Fitting description.
K value Local loss coefficient of fitting.
Qty Quantity of fittings.
Position Fitting position. Define to be at Start or End of pipe.
Save Save the fitting selections to the pipe currently selected in the drawing
pane.
Clear Clear the fitting selections.
Cancel Close the Pipe Fittings Database without making any changes.
Pipe Size Click to display fittings to match the current pipe size.
46 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Metric Pipe Sizes (mm) Drop down list of metric pipe sizes, click to display matching fitting sizes.
Imperial Pipe Sizes (inch) Drop down list of imperial pipe sizes, click to display matching fitting
sizes.
Fitting Database Listing of fittings and friction coefficients.
Add Selected Item On To Pipe Copy fitting data from listing to the list on the currently selected pipe.
Calculate K value Calculate local loss coefficient for: entrance rounded, gradual
enlargement, gradual contraction, sudden enlargement, sudden
contraction or long pipe bend.
Create new fitting Create data for non standard fittings.
Remove entry Remove data from fittings database.
 Interface and Menus 47

Component Pressure Loss

Figure 21 Component Pressure Loss

Feature Description
Component Name Name of the component.
Symbol Scroll buttons Choose symbol for the component.
Component Type Choose the type of pressure loss component (Fixed Loss, Curve Loss,
Cv Value, Kv Value, Sprinkler K (metric), Sprinkler K (imperial), Orifice).
Inputs applicable for defining the chosen component type are displayed.
See later section about COMPONENTS for further details.
OK Add the component to the pipe currently selected in the Drawing pane.
Cancel Close the dialog without making any changes.
Clear Clear the pressure loss data.
Delete Remove the component from the pipe currently selected in the drawing
pane.
Save To File Save the component details to a file.
Load From File Load the component details from a file.
48 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Control Valve Data

Figure 22 Control Valve Data

Feature Description
Control Name Name of the control valve or P&ID number.
Flow Control Valve Set control flow rate in the units displayed.
Pressure Reducing Valve Set pressure required at the end of the pipe.
Back Pressure Valve Set back pressure required at the start of the pipe.
Specify Allowable dP Range Set allowable dP Range, a warning will be issued if the actual dP is
outside the lower and upper values.
OK Add the control valve type to the pipe currently selected in the Drawing
pane.
Cancel Close the dialog without making any changes.
Delete Remove the control valve from the pipe currently selected in the
Drawing pane.
 Interface and Menus 49

Pump Data

Figure 23 Pump Data

The main features of the pump data dialog are listed in the table below. The pump section later in
this document provides further details of the Graph Options, the Pump Data Menu options and
the options for opening the Pump Database, adding a pump to the Pump Database, Import of a
Curve Image and creating a Pump Data Sheet.

Feature Description
Name Name of the pump.
at Elevation Elevation of the pump.
Pump Scroll buttons Choose symbol for the pump.
Set Flow Rate Enter flow rate to model a pump with a fixed flow rate
Set Head Increase Enter a head or pressure to model the additional motive force from a
pump
Set Speed (rpm) Operating speed of a pump with a performance curve.
Set Impeller Diameter Set impeller diameter size & units
Flow Flow rate values for operating range of pump. Displayed in units
selected from drop down list.
Head Head generated for each of the flow rate entries. Displayed in units
selected from drop down list.
50 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Efficiency Efficiency of the pump at each of the operating data points.

NPSHr The Net Positive Suction Head requirement at the inlet of the pump for
the flow rate value.
From (% of BEP) Start of preferred operating region.
To (% of BEP) End of preferred operating region.
Clear Pump Curve Clear the pump data.
Delete Pump Remove the pump from the pipe currently selected in the drawing pane.
Cancel and Close Close the dialog without saving any changes
Graph Options Opens additional graph options customization dialog. Allows creation of
additional data curves and adjustment of Iso efficiency lines.
See later section about Pumps for further details.
Draw Graph Draw a pump graph based on entered data points.
Save Pump to Pipe Add the pump to the pipe currently selected in the drawing pane.
Pump Catalog The name of the pump catalog.
Manufacturer The name of the pump manufacturer.
Type The type of pump.
Motor rpm The motor speed.
Pump Size The pump size reference.
Stages The number of pump stages.
Notes Notes about the pump. Notes can be up to 200 characters.
Min Speed The minimum operating speed of the pump.
Max Speed The maximum operating speed of the pump.
Min Impeller The minimum impeller diameter for the pump.
Max Impeller The maximum impeller diameter for the pump.
Speed (rpm) Operating speed of the pump impellor diameter for the duty curve.
Diam The diameter of the pump impeller, in the units shown.
Flow The flow rate of the pump duty point, in the units shown.
Head The head produced by the pump at the duty point, in the units shown.
NPSHr The Net Positive Suction Head requirement at the inlet of the pump for
the flow rate at the duty point.
Effic. % The pump efficiency at the duty point.
Power The shaft power required at the duty point.
Calculate (Button) Click to calculate the duty point details for an entered flow rate or head
requirement.
Logo (Button) Add a logo to the pump graph image
Expand (Button) Expand graph to show in full window
 Interface and Menus 51

Drawing Pane

Figure 24 Drawing Panes Standard or Isometric

52 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Feature Description
Drawing Grid The drawing grid shows details of the pipeline system. The information
to be displayed, such as size, length, elevation, flow rate etc. can be
selected from the configuration options labelling tab.
Hint Feature The Hint pane, located above the tool bar, displays tips for using the
button currently selected on the tool bar.
Zoom Feature If your mouse is suitable the drawing size can be zoomed larger or
smaller using the mouse scroll wheel.
Drawing Size Display The drawing size can be selected from the drop down listing between
the Zoom Out and the Zoom In buttons.
Zoom Out Button Click to make the drawing size smaller by one step.
Zoom In Button Click to make the drawing size larger by one step.
Zoom drawing to fit on screen Click to fit all of the drawing on the screen.

Pipe Flow Expert offers a choice of a drawing grid with square increments for standard designs or an
isometric grid for use where it is desirable to create an isometric view.

It is possible to toggle between standard / isometric design grids.

Moving from a standard grid to an isometric grid transposes the standard drawing on to a flat
isometric plane. A user can then adjust/move the nodes as necessary to produce a drawing that
looks 3D.

Moving from an isometric grid to a standard grid transposes the isometric drawing to a flattened view
that produces a near plan view (except that PipeFlow Expert does not allow nodes to appear at the
same point on the grid and therefore nodes directly above or below each other on the isometric grid
are offset at a diagonal angle when transposed to the flat view).

The system design can be amended in either drawing mode.

 Interface and Menus 53

Configuration Options Screen

Pipe Flow Expert can be configured to suit your requirements.

• Labels: The labels that are shown on the drawing can be chosen.
• Units: The units in which to display lengths, diameters, head loss, velocity etc. can be
chosen.
• Pipe Data: The default pipe data can be chosen. These details are used to draw any new
pipes.
• Pipe Data: Various default pipe attributes may be copied to a range of selected pipes.
• Node Data: An elevation value and a node image may be copied to a range of selected
nodes. Demand In / Out Flow values can be set or adjusted.
• Results Colors: The results screen drawing can be displayed using a color gradient, to
indicate the range of flow rates, fluid velocities, friction loss, hydraulic gradient line and
elevations etc.
• Calculations: The calculation parameters and tolerances can be changed (if necessary).
• Editor: The editor preferences can be configured.

Labels Tab

Figure 25 Configuration Options - Labels Tab

54 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Feature Description
Show Name (Pipes) Show name of the pipe on the drawing.
Show Diameter Show diameter of the pipe on the drawing.
Show Length Show length of the pipe on the drawing.
Show Pipe # Show the pipe number on the drawing.
Component Name Show component name on the drawing.
Flow Control Name Show flow control name on the drawing.
Show Values Show valve symbol on the drawing, if valve is present on pipe.
Show Total K Value Show total K value on the drawing, for all fittings on the pipe.
Show Bends Show bend symbol on the drawing, if bend is present on pipe.
Show Pump Name Show pump name on the drawing.
Show Name (Node) Show the name of node on the drawing.
Show Elevation (Node) Show the node elevation on the drawing.
Show Tank Info Show the Tank Information on the drawing.
Show Node # Show the pipe number on the drawing.
Pipe Results Show the volume flow rate on drawing.
Show Flow Rate
Show Mass Flow Show the mass flow rate on drawing.
Show Velocity Show the fluid velocity on the drawing.
Show Total Pressure Drop Show the total pressure drop of the pipe, the fittings and the component
on the drawing.
Fitting Results
Do Not Show on drawing Do not show the total pressure drop of the fittings on the drawing.
Show Pressure Loss through
fittings Show the pressure drop of the fittings on the drawing.
Pump Results
Do Not Show on drawing Do not show the pump results data on the drawing.
Show Pump Head Show the pump head on the drawing.
Show NPSH available Show the net positive suction head available at the pump inlet on the
drawing.
Node Results
Do Not Show on drawing Do not show the pressure at the nodes.
Show Pressure at Node Show the pressure at the nodes on the drawing.
Save As Default Options Save the current Labels, Units, Pipe Data, Results Colors & Editor
options as defaults for a new system. See System Options – Default
Options for further information.
OK Confirm changes to configuration options.
Cancel Close the labelling tab without making any changes.
 Interface and Menus 55

Units Tab

Figure 26 Configuration Options - Units Tab

Feature Description
Length Select the units for display of the pipe lengths.
Diameter Select the units for display of the pipe internal diameters.
Roughness Select the units for display of the pipe internal roughness.
Head Losses Select the units for display of the head losses
Flow Rate Select the units for display of the flow rates.
Mass Flow Select the units for display of the mass flow rates
Gas Flow Select the units for display of the gas flow rates.
@Standard Select the standard conditions to calculate standard gas flow at.
Velocity Select the units for display of the fluid velocities.
Weight Select the units for display of the pipe weights.
Volume Select the units for display of the internal pipe volumes.
Surface Area Select the units for display of the surface areas of the pipes.
Energy Select the units for display of the energy usage
Tanks, Nodes, Control &
Components:
Pressure Select the units for display of pressure.
56 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Liquid Level Select the units for display of the fluid liquid level.
System Results: Select the units for display of the elevations of the nodes.
Elevation
Atmosphere Value of standard atmosphere in absolute pressure units.
Pressure Ref. Select Gage or Absolute pressure units.
Pressure Select the units for display of the pressures at join points (nodes).
Temperature Select option for display of the fluid temperatures.
Density Select the units for display of the fluid density
Imperial or Metric Select general option for Imperial or Metric displays.
Decimal Places Define the number of post decimal places used to display values on the
system drawing, results sheet and PDF report.
Save As Default Options Save the current Labels, Units, Pipe Data, Results Colors & Editor
options as defaults for a new system. See System Options – Save As
Default Values for further information.
OK Confirm changes to configuration options.
Cancel Close the dialog without making any changes.
 Interface and Menus 57

Pipe Settings Tab

If you will be using the same type of pipe throughout the pipe system, you can define the default pipe
type using the Pipe Settings tab in the Configuration Options dialog. When the default pipe values
are set, each time you add a pipe to the system, the pipe type and values are automatically defined
for the pipe. You can customize the values for an individual pipe in the system by editing its values in
the Pipe pane or in the Pipe diameter data dialog. The Pipe diameter data dialog contains a list of
the pipe materials and sizes available in the pipe database and additional properties specific to a
pipe in the system.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the value for the pipe’s properties in the units displayed next to the field. For
example, if you are using metric units, and m for meter is displayed next to the Length field, enter the
pipe length value in meters.

Various attributes of the default pipe may be copied to the list of selected pipes.

The Selection Tool or the Individual Pipe Selection Tool may be used to select
which pipes are to selected prior to opening the Pipe Settings tab. Individual pipes can
be added or removed from the selected list by checking or un-checking the box adjacent to the pipe
description.

Figure 27 Configuration Options - Pipe Settings Tab

58 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Feature Description
Internal Diameter Set the default internal diameter for the next pipe to be added to the
drawing.
Diam? Display the Pipe Diameter Database.
Roughness Set the default internal roughness for the next pipe to be added to the
drawing.
Material Display the Pipe Material Database.
Length Set the default pipe length for the next pipe to be added to the drawing.
Add/Change Fittings Select the default fittings for the next pipe to be added to the drawing.
Add/Edit Component Set the default data for a component to be added to the drawing.
Pipe Color Select the pipe color and line width for the default pipe.
Copy Internal Diameter Only Copy the internal diameter data to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy All Diameter Data Copy the internal and outer diameter data to pipes selected in the listing.
Copy Roughness Only Copy the internal roughness to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy All Material Data Copy the pipe material, schedule/class and internal roughness to the
pipes selected in the listing.
Copy Length Only Copy the default pipe length to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy Fittings Only Copy the default pipe fittings to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy Components Only Copy the default component to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy Controls Only Copy the default flow control to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy Pumps Only Copy the default pump to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy Color and Style Copy the line color and line width to the pipes selected in the listing.
Copy All Pipe Data Copy the default pipe values, including fittings and valves, component
and pumps to the pipes selected in the listing.
Open Pipes Open the pipes selected in the listing. Pipes which are currently closed
will be shown at the end of the listing.
Close Pipes Close the pipes selected in the listing.
Save As Default Options Save the current Labels, Units, Pipe Data, Results Colors & Editor
options as defaults for a new system. See System Options – Default
Options for further information.
OK Close the configuration options pipe updates tab.
 Interface and Menus 59

Node Updates Tab

Figure 28 Configuration Options - Node Updates Tab

Feature Description
Copy Node Elevation Copy the elevation to the nodes selected in the listing.
Copy Node Image Copy the node image to the nodes selected in the listing.
Copy Image and Elevation Copy the node image and the elevation to the nodes selected in the
listing.
Copy Demand – Flow In Copy the additional flow in values entering the system at the node points
selected in the listing.
Copy Demand – Flow Out Copy the additional flow out values leaving the system at the node points
selected in the listing.
Multiply Demand In Multiply the in flow demand values by the specified amount for the nodes
selected in the listing.
Multiply Demand Out Multiply the out flow demand values by the specified amount for the
nodes selected in the listing.
OK Close the configuration options node updates tab.
60 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Results Colors Tab

Figure 29 Configuration Options - Results Colors tab

Feature Description
Use Design Colors / Select option to display results according to the chosen color gradient.
Use Color Gradient
Determine Results Colors Select a results category to be displayed using the chosen color
based on a Chosen Category. gradient.
Sample Gradients Select a color gradient to be used on the results screen.
Low Color / Middle Color / Select customized colors to generate a user defined color gradient.
High Color
Save As Default Options Save the current Labels, Units, Pipe Data, Results Colors & Editor
options as defaults for a new system. See System Options – Default
Options for further information.
OK Close the results colors tab.
Cancel Close the results colors tab and revert to the previous selection
 Interface and Menus 61

Calculations Tab

Figure 30 Configuration Options - Calculations Tab

Feature Description
Method of Solution Non-Compressible or Compressible flow calculation engine
Method of Calculation Equation used to calculate friction loss.
Final Node Balance Balance pressure at all nodes to this accuracy
Calculation Parameters A set of values that are used during convergence to determine a
solution. The actual parameters vary depending on the Method of
Solution selected and the Method of Calculation equation that is
selected.
Reset All entries to the Restore the standard settings for the calculation parameters.
Default Values
OK Confirm changes to system calculation options.
Cancel Close the Calculations Tab without making any changes.

Note: We recommend that you do not change these values, unless it becomes necessary to solve a
very finely balanced system.
62 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Editor Tab

Figure 31 Configuration Options - Editor Tab

Feature Description
Drawing Grid Set system drawing to standard or isometric view.
Drawing Options: Add Pipes – Draw pipes using continuous rubber banding.
Continuous Rubber Banding
Drawing Options: Performance Draw pipes using performance rubber banding; provides more
Rubber Banding responsive rubber banding when working with large systems.
Drawing Options: Add Pipes – Display reminder about the default pipe when drawing the first pipe of
First Reminder a new system.
Edit Grid: Dock Position Position the edit grid at the bottom or right-hand side of the application
window.
Edit Grid: Zoom to Item Set whether the selected item on the edit grid is zoomed to with a
single or double mouse click.
Results Grid: Dock Position Position the results grid at the bottom or right-hand side of the
application window.
Results Grid: Zoom to Item Set whether the selected item on the results grid is zoomed to with a
single or double mouse click.
Save As Default Options Save the current Labels, Units, Pipe Data, Results Colors & Editor
options as defaults for a new system. See System Options –
Default Options for further information.
 Interface and Menus 63

OK Confirm changes to editor options.

Cancel Close the editor options without making any changes.
64 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Results Tables
The results of a pipeline system analysis are displayed in the Results tables. Data for flow rates in
pipes, velocities in pipes, pressures at join points, tank elevations, hydraulic grade lines, pump
operating points and many more calculated results, can all be viewed in the results tables.

The results table interacts with the drawing pane in a two-way manner. If a pipe or a node is selected
in the results tables then the pipe or node is selected on the drawing.

To zoom to the highlighted item in the Drawing Pane:

When the Results Grid: Zoom To configuration option is set to Single Click, selecting a cell or row in
the results grid will automatically zoom to the highlighted item.

When the Results Grid: Zoom To configuration option is set to Double Click:

1. Select a cell or row in the results grid and click the Zoom to Highlighted item button, , on
the tool bar, or

2. Double click in a cell or the row header (the ‘Pipe id’ column) in the edit grid.

If a pipe or node is selected on the drawing then the results table will also change to show the
selected item.

The results display units can be altered by choosing the units required from the configuration options
units tab. The system results data can also be saved to an Excel spreadsheet file or exported to a
new Excel spreadsheet.

Use the tool buttons to carry out the following actions:

• Save the results shown on the active tab to a file.
• Export the active tab results to an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel is required)
• Paste the active tab results to the Windows clipboard.
• Choose new Unit options.
• Dock the results grid to the base of the drawing window.
• Dock the results grid to the right of the drawing window
• Zoom to the selected pipe or node.

Figure 32 Results tables

 Interface and Menus 65

Feature Description
File menu Select an option to save results in Excel format or to export the results to
a new Excel spreadsheet.
Units menu Select option to display the results in Imperial, Metric or selected units.
Save button Save the results data in Excel format.
Export to Excel button Start Excel and display the results data in a new Excel spreadsheet.
Copy to Clipboard Copy the information from the current sheet to the clipboard.
Choose Units Select option to display the results in Imperial, Metric or selected units.
Dock Results Sheet Bottom Dock, auto size and move the Result Sheet to the bottom of the
drawing.
Dock Results Sheet Right Dock, auto size and move the Result Sheet to the right of the drawing.
Zoom to selected item Zoom the drawing in the background to show the selected item.
Pipes tab Display the information about the pipes in the system.
Fittings tab Display the information about the valves and fittings in the system.
Pumps tab Display the information about the pumps in the system.
Nodes tab Display the information about the nodes in the system.
Fluids tab Display the information about the fluids in the system.
Pipe Materials tab Display the information about the pipe materials in the system.
Energy tab Display the information about the energy usage in the system.
All Results tab Display the information about the elements in the system.
66 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Viewing Individual Results

Items are highlighted by a left clicking with the mouse while hovering over an item on the drawing
pane. Data for the highlighted item is displayed in the Hint pane.
In Results mode, when an item is selected the Hint pane is used to display information about the
item, which can include flow rates, velocities, pressure drops, pressures at join points, head pressure
(grade line), elevations of tanks and nodes, and fluid heads at specific points within the system.
Also in Results mode, when the cursor is moved over an item on the drawing, a pop-up panel
appears that displays information about the item. When the cursor is moved away from the item the
popup panel automatically disappears. This allows a user to inspect a large number of results for
different parts of the system without having to continually click the mouse button.
The Results Popup Panel displays a variety of important results data, including:
• Volumetric Flow Rate
• Mass Flow Rate
• Velocity
• Pressure Loss
• Friction Loss
• Fitting Loss

Figure 33 View Individual Results

The Results drawing can be configured to display the pipes in various colors based on the value of a
chosen category such as Flow Rate, Velocity, Friction Loss, Internal Diameter etc. The color gradient
start and end point values may be adjusted to narrow the band over which the colors are displayed.
 File and Design Operations 67

File and Design Operations

Pipe Flow Expert works with a number of different file types, for example, pump files, component
files, and the main system design file (a .pfe file).

Once a system has been created it can then be saved to a system design file which stores all of the
information about the system, including the node and pipe data, the fittings and valve information,
the components information, and the pump data.

Individual items in the system such as components and pumps can also be saved to their own file,
so that they can be re-used and re-loaded as required (perhaps for use in future systems or to
duplicate and copy these items within an existing system). The pump file extension is .pfpm and the
component file extension is .pfco.

Images of the drawing screen can be saved and/or attached to an email as a convenient way of
sharing a quick snapshot of a system or set of results.

Tabbed Design Sheets

Tabbed Design Sheets let you work on multiple systems simultaneously. Up to 4 different systems
may be opened and worked on concurrently using the ‘Tabbed’ system feature.

• Tabbed Sheets work just like Tabs in an Internet Browser.

• Tabbed Sheets work in both Design View and Results Mode.
• Switch between different system models with a single click.
• Easy to design, view, and compare results across multiple models.
• Easy to copy sections of drawings between different system models.
• Easy to demonstrate and review results for altered designs

Creating a New Pipe System

To create a new pipe system:

1. Define whether imperial or metric units are used throughout the pipe system.

2. To define the imperial or metric setting, select the Imperial or Metric option on the toolbar or
the Units tab in the Configuration Options dialog, or you can select the Imperial or Metric
menu items from the Units menu.

3. You can customize the units and default values used for the individual items in the system at
any time by using the Configuration Options dialog.

4. Click the New Grid button or select File | New to create a new drawing grid.
68 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

5. Pipe Flow Expert asks the user if the grid should be shown for isometric drawing. Click ‘yes’
to display the isometric grid or click ‘no’ to display the standard drawing grid.

After creating a pipe system you should set the preferences of your choice. In Pipe Flow Expert you
can configure whether imperial, metric or specifically chosen units are used throughout the system.
The labels shown on the pipe system drawing can be altered, so that specific items can be selected
to be shown or excluded as required.

The configuration settings for a pipe system can be amended at any time, while you are working in a
pipe system, however defining your choices in advance will make it easier when you come to start
the drawing process. All configuration options are saved with the system and will be set to their
saved values when a system is loaded.

Isometric System Options

When the isometric drawing mode has been selected Pipe Flow Expert will show fittings, valves,
components, control valves and pumps in the isometric plane which follows the associated pipe
direction

Tanks and end-pressure nodes will also be displayed in the isometric plane. The drawing menu
provides options to display an ‘Isometric tank view from the left’ or to display an ‘Isometric tank view
from the right’. Selecting either of these options will change the display of all tanks and end pressure
on the isometric view.

Designing a Pipe System

To design a pipe system:

1. Define the pipe system’s fluid and the fluid’s properties. For more information about selecting
a fluid, see: Defining the System Fluid

2. Add the applicable tanks to the system. For more information about adding tanks, see:
Adding a Tank

3. Add the applicable join points to the system. For more information about adding join points,
see: Adding a Node (Join Point)

4. Add the applicable pipes to the system. For more information about adding pipes, see:
Adding a Pipe

5. Add the applicable pumps to the system. For more information about adding pumps, see:
Adding a Pump

6. Add the applicable fittings to the system. For more information about adding fittings, see:
Adding Fittings and Valves

7. Add the applicable component pressure losses to the system. For more information about
adding component pressure losses, see: Adding a Component

8. Add the applicable control valves to the system. Flow Control Valves, Pressure Reducing
Valves or Back Pressure Valves can be used in the system. For more information about
adding control valves, see: Adding a Control Valve

9. Add the applicable demand flows to the system. For more information about adding demand
flows, see: Adding a Demand Flow
 File and Design Operations 69

10. Add the applicable demand pressures to the system. For more information about adding
demand pressures, see: Adding a Demand Pressure

11. Calculate and solve the pipe system’s flow and pressure. For more information about
calculating and solving, see: Calculating and Solving the System

Saving a System
When you save a pipe system in Pipe Flow Expert, a .pfe file is generated that is used exclusively
with Pipe Flow Expert. All the system’s data is stored within the file. If you need to modify the
system, or want to reuse the system for a future system, you can simply open the file in Pipe Flow
Expert, make the necessary changes, and resave the file.

To save a pipe system:

1. Click the Save File button, , on the toolbar or select File | Save to open the Save As
dialog.

Figure 34 Save As dialog

2. Type a name for the file in the File Name field.

3. Click Save to save the pipe system.

Once a pipe system has been saved to a .pfe file, you can simply click the Save button, , on the
toolbar or select File | Save to save changes to the system.
70 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Change the System View - Isometric Mode Toggle

A Pipe Flow Expert system can be displayed in Isometric mode or Standard mode. The system
information such as pipe sizes, pipe lengths, node elevations etc. do not change when the view of
the system is changed.

When an Isometric view is transposed (flattened) to a standard view, any vertical lines from the
isometric view will be drawn at 45 degrees. This happens because Pipe Flow Expert does not allow
a drawing to contain nodes which sit over other nodes, or nodes which sit over pipes.
This restriction has been applied to avoid confusion.

With the ‘Isometric to Standard’ type of transposition the result can be visualized as an offset view
from a high overhead position, where the vertical lines can still be seen, i.e. the result looks similar
to a plan view but it is not an exact plan view (where some of the lines which were vertical in the
isometric view would not be seen in an exact plan view).

When a Standard view is transposed to an Isometric view the result will be a flat view of the current
drawing in the isometric plane. The user may then adjust/move node positions as required to make
the drawing appear 3D on the isometric grid.

To change the system view:

1. Click the ISO Mode On / Off Toggle button, , on the toolbar.

2. A new view of the system will be displayed.

3. Select the ‘Drag and Move’ mode and adjust the node positions as required.

4. Use the drawing menu to select ‘Isometric tank View from Right’ or ’Isometric Tank View
from Left’.

The default drawing grid can for new systems can be set in the Editor Tab of the Configuration
Options dialog.

Sending a System via E-mail

You can share pipe systems with others via e-mail from within Pipe Flow Expert.

To Email a pipe system:

1. Click the Email System Information button, , on the toolbar to open a new mail
message in your default e-mail application with the system’s .pfe file attached to the e-
mail.

2. Compose and send the email.

Printing a System
We recommend creating a PDF file of the system drawing (‘Create PDF’ available from the file
menu) and then using the PDF viewer (Adobe Acrobat for example) to print out the system as
required, however there is also a direct Quick Print option that can send the part of the system
displayed on screen, directly to a printer, where it can be scaled to print over x by y pages. This
allows a large system to be printed out over multiple pages which can be fitted together.
 File and Design Operations 71

Direct Print

In Pipe Flow Expert, when you print a pipe system directly to a printer, only the visible part of image,
what is currently displayed in the Drawing pane, is printed.

If you wish to print the entire pipe system, click the Zoom Out button, , on the toolbar to zoom
out until the area you wish to print is visible in the Drawing pane.

The printed image will be scaled to fit on one page by default, but you can customize the scaling
using the ‘Scale to fit’ fields. If you want to change the paper’s orientation to landscape or print to a
printer other than your computer’s default printer, open the Page Setup dialog and make your
selections before printing the pipe system. To access the Page Setup dialog, select Print Setup from
the File menu.

Note: As an alternative, for larger higher quality prints of your complete system you can create a
PDF image of your system drawing by using the option provided on the file menu.
The PDF drawing can then be printed at a size to suit your requirements.

To print a pipe system directly to a printer:

1. Click the Print button, , on the toolbar or select File | Print to open the Printing
Information dialog.

Figure 35 Printing Information dialog

72 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

2. If you want to change the printing scale, type the number of pages wide by the number of
pages high in the Scale to fit fields. Note: Printing over multiple pages requires use of
additional memory and problems may arise if your system (and printer) do not have enough
memory available. The amount of memory required varies considerably depending on the
size and number of items on the drawing that is to be printed.

3. Type the title you want displayed at the top of the page.

4. Click the Print button to print the pipe system.

 File and Design Operations 73

Saving a Screen Image

To save the current image displayed in the drawing pane:

1. Click on the File Menu and select, , Save Screen Image…

2. A save file dialog window is opened.
3. Navigate the folder hierarchy as required
4. Enter the filename that the image should be saved as.
5. Click on Save to store a jpeg image of the drawing.

Saving a Drawing to an EMF Image

To save the current drawing as an Enhanced Metafile Image:

1. Click on the File Menu and select, , Save Screen as EMF Metafile…

2. A save file dialog window is opened.

3. Navigate the folder hierarchy as required.

4. Enter the filename that the image should be saved as.

5. Click on Save to store a enhanced metafile image of the drawing.

Emailing a Screen Image

To email the current image displayed in the drawing pane:

1. Click on the File Menu and select, , Email Screen Image…

2. Your default email client will be opened with an attached jpeg image named PFEImg.jpg

3. Fill in the normal email details (i.e. the To address, etc).

4. Click to send your email as normal.

74 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

System Options
Pipe Flow Expert can be configured and set-up to suit the users working preferences.
The labelling on the drawing can be configured so that specific items can be included or excluded as
required. The units in which to display lengths, diameters, head loss, velocity etc. can be chosen.
The details of a default pipe can be chosen and these details will be used to draw any new pipes.
The calculation tolerances can be changed if necessary (however in most cases these values should
be left unchanged).

Most configuration settings are defined in the Configuration Options dialog which is made up of a
series of tabs, one for each page of configuration options.

You can access the Configuration Options dialog by selecting Specify Units from the
Units menu, or by clicking the Units button or Label button on the tool bar.

To select a Default Pipe size for drawing click the Pipe button on the tool bar to choose the pipe
material, the pipe diameter and pipe length etc.

To set the Default Pipe attributes to match the currently selected pipe, right click to display the pipe
pop-up menu and choose the ‘Set as Default Pipe for Drawing’ option.

Choosing Units (imperial / metric)

Pipe Flow Expert provides the flexibility to enter the units for the components of a pipe system in
imperial (inches, feet, gallons, etc), or metric (millimeters, centimeters, liters, etc) or a combination of
imperial and metric units. It is best practice to configure the system’s universal imperial or metric unit
setting before configuring individual units and default values. The universal unit setting converts all
values to imperial or metric units in a pipe system. If you will be using a combination of imperial and
metric units you can change the type of units used for individual items on the Units tab of the
Configuration Options dialog once you’ve defined the universal setting.

NOTE: When you change the universal unit setting, it converts all unit values to the unit type
selected, and all values on the Units tab of the Configuration Options dialog are converted to the
fields’ default values. For example, if you are changing the universal setting from imperial to metric,
all values, including any imperial units selected on the Units tab of the Configuration Options dialog,
are converted to metric. All field values on the Units tab are also reset to their default metric value.

There are three places in Pipe Flow Expert that you can define the universal unit setting.

To define the universal unit setting:

1. To change the units from the toolbar, click the Imperial or Metric option on the tool bar.

2. To change the units from the Units tab, click the Units, , button on the tool bar or select
Specify Units from the Units menu to open the Units tab of the Configuration Options
screen. Click the Imperial or Metric option.

3. To change the units from the Units menu, select the Imperial Units or Metric Units from
the Configuration Options Units Tab screen.

Click Yes when asked, Do you wish to proceed?

 System Options 75

Choosing Item Labelling

In Pipe Flow Expert, you can configure the labelling of a pipe system displayed in the Drawing
pane. The labelling for the pipe system is configured on the Labelling tab of the Configuration
Options dialog. The tab is organized by the system components. A series of check boxes are used to
configure labelling in drawing/design mode and a series of radio buttons are used to select labelling
options when in results mode. The result options determine which calculated results are displayed
for a solved pipe system in the Drawing pane. Results are displayed for a calculated solved pipe
system after clicking the Calculate button on the toolbar.

For more information about pipe system results, see: Calculating the System Flow and Pressure

To configure the pipe system labelling:

Click the Labelling button, , on the tool bar to open the Labelling tab of the Configuration
Options screen.

Figure 36 Configuration Options – Labelling tab

1. Select the check boxes next to the labelling options you want to apply to the pipe system in
the Pipes, Fittings, Pumps, and Nodes sections.

2. Click one of the labelling options in the Pipe Results, Fitting Results, Pump Results and
Node Results sections to determine which of the pipe system’s calculation results are
displayed in the Drawing pane.
76 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

3. Click OK to save the labelling configurations and close the Configuration Options dialog,
or click another tab in the dialog to continue configuring Pipe Flow Expert and the pipe
system.

4. To remove a labelling option, clear the check box next to the applicable label in the Pipes,
Fittings, Pumps, or Nodes section of the Labelling tab.

Choosing the System Units

The universal unit setting for imperial or metric units determines which type of unit is used by default
throughout Pipe Flow Expert for a specific item. You can also change the types of units used for
individual components in the pipe system on the Units tab of the Configuration Options dialog once
you have defined the universal unit setting. The units selected on the Units tab determine which units
are displayed for the corresponding fields in the Pipe Flow Expert Node and Pipe panes, the various
dialogs and the units displayed in the Drawing pane.

For example, if you select feet from the Length list, feet will be displayed next to the Length field in
the Pipe pane, and if the Show Length check box is selected in the Pipes section of the Labelling
tab, each pipe’s length in the pipe system is displayed in feet in the Drawing pane.

To define the units used in Pipe Flow Expert and the pipe system:

1. Click the Choose Units button, , on the tool bar, or select Specify Units from the Units
menu to open the Units tab of the Configuration Options screen.

Figure 37 Configuration Options – Units tab

 System Options 77

2. Select or enter the units for each component on the tab.

3. Do not click the Imperial or Metric option in the Change All Units section of the Units tab,
unless you want to change the universal unit setting and reset all the values currently
defined on the Units tab.

NOTE: When you change the universal unit setting, it converts all unit values to the unit type
selected, and all values on the Units tab of the Configuration Options dialog are converted to the
fields’ default values. For example, if you are changing the universal setting from imperial to metric,
all values, including any imperial units selected on the Units tab of the Configuration Options dialog,
are converted to metric. All field values on the Units tab are also reset to their default metric value.

Overriding the Default Number of Decimal Places:

In Pipe Flow Expert, by default, each unit has a number of decimal places associated with it. The
software tries to be smart, in that it shows a different number of decimal places for a given value
based on the display unit. For example, a flow rate value in m3/s is displayed to 4 decimal places,
whereas a flow rate value in US gpm is shown to 2 decimal places.

For gas flow rates the software even adjusts the number of decimal places based on the size of the
flow rate value. For example, a gas flow rate displayed in SCMH may be displayed to a different
number of decimal places depending on the size of the value and how significant the fractional part
of the value may be.

The default ‘smart decimals’ work well for many users, however, when necessary, it is possible to
override the number of decimals that are displayed on the system drawing, the results sheet, and the
PDF report.

The decimal places override options can be configured on the Units tab.

Figure 38 Configuration Options – Decimal Places

The decimal override functionality works slightly differently to the default decimals functionality, in
that when overriding the number of decimals to display, this is specified on a per attribute basis (for
attributes such as length, diameter, roughness, volume flow) rather than operating in a ‘smart’
manner based on the display unit.
78 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

i.e. a specific attribute, such as volume flow for example, can be configured to display to a set
number of decimal places, and this will be applied irrespective of the unit of flow that is chosen.

Select one or more of the options (System Drawing, Results Sheet, PDF Report) where the post
decimal override values are to be applied. Once an override option has been selected, a set of
default decimal places for each different attribute will be applied, and these can then be updated as
required.

To change and set the number of override post decimal places for a specific attribute, select the
required attribute from the dropdown list and update the number of post decimals for that attribute.

Note: Once the override decimals has been applied, the default number of decimal places for each
attribute will be applied, and these will be different in some cases to the ‘smart’ decimals that were
used for individual units when no override was in place. This means that when the override decimals
functionality is selected, it may be necessary to review and update as needed, the specified number
of decimal places for each and all attributes in the list.

Once the number of decimal places for each attribute has been configured, click OK to save the
decimal place configurations and close the Configuration Options dialog or click another tab in the
dialog to continue updating other configuring options within the Pipe Flow Expert software.
 System Options 79

Choosing Pipe Drawing Defaults

If you will be using the same type of pipe throughout a pipe system, you can set up default pipe
values. When the pipe default values are defined, the values are automatically populated each time
you add a section of pipe to a pipe system. You can set up default pipe values for pipe length,
internal diameter and roughness, as well as fittings and the pipe’s material and size. Pipe default
values are set up on the Default Values tab of the Configuration Options dialog.

The default pipe values are used when adding pipes however you can customize the values for an
individual pipe in the system at any time, by editing its values in the Pipe pane or in the Pipe
diameter data dialog.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the value for the pipe’s properties in the units displayed next to the field. For
example, if you are using metric units, and m for meter is displayed next to the Length field, enter the
pipe length value in meters.

To set up pipe default values for a pipe system:

1. Click the Set Default Pipe for drawing button, , on the tool bar to open the Default
Values tab of the Configuration Options dialog.

Figure 39 Configuration Options – Pipe Settings tab

To change the pipe material:

1. Click the Material button. This opens the Pipe diameter data screen A list of all the pipe
materials available in the pipe database are displayed in the Choose new pipe material list.
80 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 40 Pipe diameter data - materials list

2. Select the pipe’s material from the Choose new pipe material list.

3. If the pipe material is not in the Choose new pipe material list, click the Add new material
button to add the new material to the list. For more information about adding a pipe material,
see: Adding a Pipe Material to the Database section in Section: Creating a Pipe System.

4. Click the Select button or double-click the row containing the material.
 System Options 81

To change the pipe size:

1. The selected material is displayed in the Pipe data section of the Pipe diameter data
dialog, and a list of all the different pipe sizes available for the selected pipe material is
displayed in the Pipe diameter database.

Figure 41 Pipe Diameter Data - Pipe Sizes

2. Select the applicable pipe size from the list.

3. If the pipe size is not in the list, click the Add new size button to add the new size to the list.
For more information about adding a pipe size, see: Adding Pipe Size Data to the Database
Section: Creating a Pipe System.

4. Click the Transfer Selected Size button or double-click the row containing the size. The
selected size is displayed below the pipe material in the Pipe data section of the Pipe
diameter data screen.

5. Edit the applicable pipe properties in the Pipe data section. The edits you make only affects
the pipe’s properties for the system; they do not affect the database data.

6. Click Save Pipe to add the pipe’s material and size, and to close the Pipe diameter
database.

The Pipe Default Tab is now populated with the choices that have been made.

The pipe’s material is displayed under the Roughness value, and the nominal size is displayed
under the Diam button. The pipe’s internal diameter and roughness are displayed in the Internal
Diameter and Roughness fields on the Default Values tab.
82 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

To change the pipe length:

1. Type the default pipe length into the Length field on the pipe pane.

To change the fittings on the pipe:

1. The default number of fittings currently on the selected pipe is displayed on the Add/Change
Fittings button.

2. Click the Add/Change Fittings button, .

3. Clicking the Add/Change Fittings button opens the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog.
A list of all the fittings available in the fitting database is displayed in the Fitting Database
list.

Figure 42 Pipe fitting friction coefficients

4. Select the fitting you want to add to the pipe from the Fitting Database list.

5. Use the Move to fitting size fields to locate a specific metric or imperial fitting size in the
Fitting Database list.
 System Options 83

6. If the fitting is not in the Fitting Database list, click the Create new fitting button to add the
new fitting to the list. For more information about adding a fitting to the database, see: Adding
a Fitting to the Database section in Section: Creating a Pipe System.

7. Click the Add Selected Item on to pipe button or double-click the row containing the fitting.

8. The selected fitting is displayed in the Fittings on section of the Pipe fitting friction
coefficients dialog.

9. Select the quantity of the fitting you are adding to the pipe from the fitting’s Qty list in the
Fittings on section.

10. Select the position of the fitting, Start of Pipe or End of Pipe, from the drop down list.

11. To add additional fittings to the pipe, repeat Steps 4 – 9.

12. Click Save to add the fitting to the pipe, and to close the Pipe fitting friction coefficients
screen.

13. Confirm the changes to the default pipe settings:

14. Click OK to save the default pipe values and close the Configuration Options dialog, or
click another tab in the dialog to continue configuring Pipe Flow Expert and the pipe system.

Change attributes of more than one pipe

Some or all of the Default pipe values may be copied to other pipes in the system. The Selection
Tool or the Individual Item Selection Option may be used to select a range of pipes on the
drawing prior to opening the Pipe Settings tab.

Figure 43 Configuration Options – Pipe Settings Tab

84 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

1. Optional: First select a group of pipes to update using the Selection Tool, , or the

Individual Item Selection Option, ,

2. Click the Adjust Attributes of Selected Pipes button, , on the tool bar, to open the Pipe
Settings tab of the Configuration Options dialog.

3. Individual pipes can be added or removed from the selected list by checking or un-checking
the box adjacent to the pipe description.

4. Click Copy All Pipe Data to copy all of the pipe attributes, including valves and fittings and
the fluid zone to the selected pipes.

5. Click Copy All Diam. Data to copy the default internal and external pipe diameter to the
selected pipes.

6. Click Copy Internal Diam. to copy the default internal diameter to the selected pipes.

7. Click Copy All Material Data to copy the default material, schedule/class and internal
roughness to the selected pipes.

8. Click Copy Internal Diam. to copy the default internal diameter to the selected pipes.

9. Click Copy Roughness to copy the default internal roughness to the selected pipes.

10. Click Copy Length to copy the default pipe length to the selected pipes.

11. Click Copy Fittings to copy the default pipe fittings to the selected pipes.

12. Click Copy Component to copy the default pipe component to the selected pipes.

13. Click Copy Control to copy the default pipe control valve to the selected pipes.

14. Click Copy Pump to copy the default pipe pump to the selected pipes.

15. Click Copy Color & Style to copy the default pipe color and line width to the selected pipes.
 System Options 85

Node Updates
The node elevation and the node image on the Node Updates Tab may be copied to other nodes in
the system. The Selection Tool or the Individual Item Selection Option may be used to select a
range of nodes on the drawing prior to opening the Node Updates tab.

Figure 44 Configuration Options – Node Updates Tab

1. Optional: First select a group of nodes to update using the Selection Tool, , or the

Individual Item Selection Option, ,

2. Click the Adjust Attributes of Selected Nodes button, , on the tool bar, to open the Node
Updates tab of the Configuration Options screen.

3. Individual nodes can be added or removed from the selected list by checking or un-checking
the box adjacent to the node description.

4. Click Copy Node Elevation to copy the node elevation to the selected nodes.

5. Click Copy Node Image to copy the node image to the selected nodes.

6. Click Copy Image & Elev. to copy the node image and the node elevation to the selected
nodes.

7. Click Copy Demand In to copy the in-flow values to the selected nodes.

8. Click Copy Demand Out to copy out-flow values to the selected nodes.

9. Click Multiply Demand In to multiply the in-flow values of the selected nodes by the
specified value.
86 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

10. Click Multiply Demand Out to multiply the out-flow values of the selected nodes by the
specified value.

Results Colors
The results screen can display pipes and nodes from the solved network using a color gradient to
highlight the pipes or nodes based on the result value for a chosen calculation category.

Figure 45 Configuration Options – Results Colors Tab

1. Click the Color button, , on Results Screen Color Key, to open the Results Colors tab
of the Configuration Options screen.

2. Select a calculation category to be display in color on the Results screen.

3. Choose a color gradient from the drop down of sample gradients, or use the Low, Middle
and High color buttons to create your own color gradient.

4. Click OK to update the drawing pane.

 System Options 87

Configuring the Calculation Parameters

The accuracy to which a pipeline system is balanced can be changed. The balance options for a
pipe system are configured on the Calculations tab of the Configuration Options dialog.

Most systems can be solved without any changes to the Calculation options, however these options
are included for experimental use when a balanced solution cannot be found. Widening of these
parameters may give results where the flow into the system and out of the system do not balance
and/or the pressure results throughout the system will not agree with the sum of the pressure drops
through the individual pipes.

A balanced solution may not always be found if the system contains components which ‘fight’ each
other. If a pump is placed in a pipeline, the change in flow rate will be related to the head added by
the pump and the extra pipeline friction losses. In some circumstances, when balancing a system
that includes a number of pumps, the adjustment of the flow rate in one pipe/pump combination may
generate a disproportionate change of flow rate in another pipe/pump combination, which itself may
produce a counter acting effect to the previous flow rate adjustment. Thus the program would
oscillate between two possible solutions, neither of which will give the normal expected degree of
accuracy.

It is normally better to change the system design to overcome these sorts of problem rather than
proceed with a design where it is difficult to predict an accurate result (since this likely indicates that
there is a true design problem).

Note: We recommend that you do not change these values, unless it becomes necessary to solve a
finally balanced system.

Figure 46 Calculation settings

88 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

The following adjustments can be made:

Feature Description
Method of Solution Non-Compressible or Compressible flow calculation engine
Method of Calculation Equation used to calculate friction loss.
Final Node Balance Balance pressure at all nodes to this accuracy
Calculation Parameters A set of values that are used during convergence to determine a
solution. The actual parameters vary depending on the Method of
Solution selected and the Method of Calculation equation that is
selected.
Reset All entries to the Restore the standard settings for the calculation parameters.
Default Values

For liquid systems the Method of Solution selected should always be ‘Non-Compressible Flow’ and
the Method of Calculation equation should be ‘Darcy-Weisbach’. These give the most accurate
results possible for liquid systems.

For gas systems the Method of Solution selected should normally be ‘Compressible Gas Flow’. The
Method of Calculation equation should then be selected to meet any specific needs of the system. In
most cases the General Fundamental Flow Equation should be selected since this is the most
generally applicable, however the user can choose from additional equations, such as the AGA
equation, the Weymouth equation, the Panhandle A equation, and others, in order to produce
calculation results that are based on the equation that is normally used for their ‘type’ of gas system.

Default Options
Clicking Save As Default Options will save the currently defined Label, Units, Pipe Data, Results
Colors and Editor options as the default options.

The default options will automatically be applied to new systems.

 Fluid Zones 89

Fluid Zones
Pipe Flow Expert will allow the user to design pipeline systems with up to 20 different fluid zones.
The density and viscosity of each fluid zone must be set by the user. Pipe Flow Expert does not
calculate the resultant density or viscosity of any 'mixed' fluids.

Each pipe in a system can be associated with an available fluid zone. The density and viscosity of
the associated fluid zone will be used in calculating the flow rate and pressure loss in each pipe.

Gas Systems:

When using the Compressible Gas Flow calculation engine, the density of the fluid will automatically
be adjusted based on the pressure in the network at the point of the calculation. i.e. the software will
automatically account for any compression and expansion of the gas in the friction loss calculations.
This means that the fluid density and viscosity could be defined at normal atmospheric conditions
and specified at say 0 bar.g, however the fluid data MUST be defined at the temperature condition
that is present in the network, since the software needs to know what temperature the fluid is at.

For example, gas data could be defined at say 0 bar.g and 20 degrees C, and it would be ok to use
this for calculating the system even if the pressure in the network were say 10 bar.g, provided that
the temperature in the network was 20 degrees C. If the temperature in the network was say 50
degrees C then the fluid data should be specified for some pressure condition at 50 degrees C.

Many systems will only have one Fluid Zone, therefore when a new system is being drawn each new
pipe will be associated with the fluid zone associated with the default pipe data. Fluid Zone 1 is the
Default Fluid Zone. The color of Fluid Zone 1 cannot be changed. Pipes in the default fluid zone are
not background highlighted.

Pipes associated with Fluid Zone 2 to Fluid Zone 20 are background highlighted to assist with
identification of the different fluid zones. The background highlight color for these fluid zones can be
amended by the user. This background highlighting may be toggled on/off from a fluid menu option.

Changing the fluid data of a fluid zone will affect the calculation of flow and pressure loss for all pipes
associated with the fluid zone.

Defining Fluid Zones

The Fluid button, , on the tool bar opens the fluid zone menu.

Figure 47 Fluid Zone Menu

90 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Feature Description
Change Fluid Change the fluid name, density and viscosity for the currently selected
fluid zone.
Create New Fluid Zone Create a new fluid zone. The fluid database screen will be displayed
so that new fluid data can be selected. When the fluid data has been
chosen / amended click save to confirm the data for the new fluid
zone.
Delete Current Fluid Zone Delete the currently selected fluid zone.
Change Color for this fluid Change the background highlight color for the currently selected fluid
zone zone
Select / Add pipes to this fluid Select pipes to be associated with the currently selected fluid zone.
zone The drawing cursor will change to a Fluid Zone selection rectangle.
Move the drawing cursor to an appropriate position on the system
drawing. Click on the drawing pane and hold the mouse button down
while dragging the Fluid Zone selection rectangle to enclose the pipes
to be associated with current fluid zone. When the mouse button is
released the enclosed pipes will be associated with the current fluid
zone.
On / Off Show Colors for Toggle the fluid zone background highlight colors display on / off.
Fluid Zones
Reset Fluid Zone to Default Reset all fluid zone colors to the default color for each fluid zone.
Colors
Close Close the fluid menu.

Properties of Mixed Fluids

Pipe Flow Expert does not calculate the resultant density or viscosity of any 'mixed' fluids. The
characteristics of each fluid zone must be set by the user. Establishing the density and viscosity of
fluid mixtures can be a complicated and a reliable independent method should be used to calculate
the mixed fluid properties.

Two Phase Flow – Additional Pressure Drop

Pipe Flow Expert does not calculate the pressure drop for two-phase flow.

When two different fluids (or two different fluid states) exist together, it is possible that two-phase
flow may occur at some point in a system. Flows transitioning from pure liquid to vapor as a result of
external heating can lead to two-phase flow. Two-phase flow can produce an extremely high
pressure drop that is many times greater than the pressure drop from either individual fluid phase.
The user should make due allowance for any two-phase flow pressure drop, possibly by using a
component to add an appropriate additional pressure loss.
 Fluids Database 91

Fluids Database
Pipe Flow Expert includes a fluid database. The Fluid Properties list displays all of the fluids
available in the fluid database for either liquids or gases. When you are selecting a fluid to be used
for the current fluid zone you can select an existing fluid, or enter your own fluid data. Once entered,
new fluid data will show up in the list of fluids and can then be used just the same as the standard
fluid data.

The Fluid Data can be defined and overwritten in the fluid properties section of the Fluid data screen.

New fluid data can be added to the existing database entries by clicking the Add New Fluid button.

Figure 48 Fluid Database

To define the fluid and fluid properties for the currently selected fluid zone:

1. Click the Fluid button, , on the tool bar and select ‘Change Fluid’ from the pop-up menu
to open the Fluid data dialog.

2. Select the fluid contained in the pipe system from the Fluid Properties Database list.

3. If the fluid is not in the Fluid Properties Database list, click the Add new fluid data button to
add the new fluid data to the list. For more information about adding fluid data, see: Adding Fluids
to the Fluid Database

4. Click the Use selected fluid button or double-click the row containing the fluid.

5. The selected fluid is displayed in the Fluid properties section of the Fluid data dialog.
92 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

6. Edit the applicable fluid properties in the Fluid properties section.

7. The edits you make only affect the fluid properties for the system; they do not affect the database
data.

8. Click Save to save the fluid data to be used with the currently selected fluid zone.

The name of the fluid for the currently selected fluid zone is displayed next to the Fluid button on the
tool bar.

Adding Fluids to the Fluid Database

If the fluid you are using in the pipe system does not exist in the Pipe Flow Expert fluid database, you
can quickly add the fluid to the database by clicking the Add new fluid data button on the Fluid data
screen.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the value for the fluid’s properties in the units displayed on the column
header. For example, if you are using imperial units, ºF for Fahrenheit is displayed under
Temperature in the Temperature column. The temperature value in this case should be entered in
degrees Fahrenheit.

To add new fluid data to the fluid database:

1. Click the Fluid button, , on the tool bar and select ‘Change Fluid’ from the pop-up menu
to open the Fluid database.

2. Click the Add new fluid data button.

3. Clicking the Add new fluid data button opens the Add fluid data section in the Fluid data
screen.

4. Type the fluid’s name in the Name field.

5. Type the fluid’s formula in the Formula field.

6. Type the fluid’s temperature in the Temperature field.

7. Type the fluid’s density in the Density field.

8. Type the fluid’s viscosity centipoise in the Viscosity Centipoise field.

9. Type the fluid’s vapor pressure in the Vapour Press field.

10. If the fluid’s state is gas, select the Gas check box in the State field.

11. Leave the Gas check box blank if the fluid’s state is liquid.

12. Click Save to save the new fluid data to the database and the Fluid Properties Database list.
 Fluids Database 93

Adding Gas Data to the Fluid Database

If the fluid you are using in the pipe system is one of the most common gases, the viscosity and
density of the gas at various temperatures and pressures can be calculated.

To add new gas data to the fluid database:

1. Click the Fluid data button, , on the tool bar and select ‘Change Fluid’ from the pop-up
menu to open the Fluid Data dialog.

2. Choose the Gases option to display the Calculate Gas Data button.

3. Click the Calculate Gas Data button to display the Properties of Gas Data calculator.

Figure 49 Properties of Gases

4. Choose a Gas from the drop down listing.

5. Enter the temperature of the gas.

6. Enter the pressure of the gas.

7. The density, viscosity and specific heat ratio data for the gas are displayed.

8. Click Add new entry to add the data to the fluid data list.
94 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Note on gas compressibility:

When entering gas data, we recommend defining the gas properties for a pressure condition that is on
the Ideal Gas Law line. Normally the easiest approach is to always define the gas properties for the
specific temperature within your system and at the 0 bar.g pressure (atmospheric condition), even if your
system generally operates at a completely different pressure.

The software will automatically account for and calculate the density of the gas as the pressures within
your model. If you have a system that operates at a very high-pressure condition where the ideal gas law
does not predict the true real density of the gas, then a Z compressibility factor can also be defined.

A Compressibility Factor can be specified on the Calculations Tab. The Pipe Flow Expert software can
use the Z compressibility factor to calculate the REAL density of the gas at a high-pressure condition. It
does this by calculating the density based on the ideal gas law and then it applies the Z compressibility
factor to arrive at the real gas density.

For example, if your system is operating at some high-pressure condition, where the real gas density is
different from the one as calculated by the ideal gas law, then you can specify a Z Compressibility Factor
on the Calculations Tab (under Config Options in Pipe Flow Expert). The compressibility factor will be
applied as the software solves the model, by first calculating the density of the gas at the high-pressure
nodes using the ideal gas law and secondly by then applying the Z compressibility factor to arrive at the
real density within your model during calculations.

Using the above approach, where the fluid density is defined for the standard atmospheric pressure
condition (0 bar.g) at some specific temperature condition, when the standard flow rate (volume of flow at
the defined standard condition) is reported, the Pipe Flow Expert software will convert the mass flow to
the standard volume using the correct fluid density for the standard pressure condition (even if a Z
compressibility factor was specified for use in calculating the real-density at the nodes within a high-
pressure system).

i.e. the mass flow rate, even in a system with high pressure conditions, where a z compressibility factor is
applied, will convert back to give the correct standard flow volume (the correct SCMH or SCFM value for
example).
 Tanks 95

Tanks
In Pipe Flow Expert, a tank can represent a reservoir or any type of fluid supply. It can also model a
point of discharge where a fluid exits a pipe system. A tank is a type of node in Pipe Flow Expert.
There are three types of nodes used in a pipe system: tanks, demand pressures, and join points.
Nodes are located at the beginning and end of a pipe.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the values for the tank’s properties in the units displayed next to the field.
For example, if you are using imperial units, and ft for feet is displayed next to the Liquid Level field,
enter the liquid level value in feet. You can change the default units on the Configuration Options
Units tab.

Add a Tank
To add a tank to the pipe system:

1. Click the Add Tank button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Add Tank button, the tank symbol is displayed next to your mouse pointer
when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click on the place on the Drawing pane where you want to add a tank.

4. The tank is added to the system, and is selected on the Drawing pane. Define the tank’s
properties in the Node pane.

Figure 50 Node Pane for Tanks

5. Type the tank’s name in the Node field.

6. Tank is automatically selected in the Type list.

96 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

7. Click the Tank Icon button to select the tank image you want displayed on the pipe system
drawing. The icon size can be selected from a range of scales. The image you select does not
affect any of the tank’s properties or values.

8. Type the surface pressure of the fluid in the tank in the Surface Pressure field.

9. Type the amount of fluid above the tank exit point in the Liquid Level field.

10. Type the exit elevation from the tank in the Elevation (Exit) field.

11. Type any applicable notes regarding the tank in the Notes field.

12. To add additional tanks to the system, repeat Steps 3 – 12.

 Nodes (Join Points) 97

Nodes (Join Points)

A join point is the place where two or more pipes meet in a pipe system. A circular dot represents
each join point in the Drawing pane. In Pipe Flow Expert, you can add join points as you add pipes,
or you can add join points first and then connect the join points with pipe. If you add a join point to a
pipe, and the location of the join point causes the pipe to be split, you will have to manually reset the
pipe details for each section of pipe.

You can define the fitting(s) used at each join point by adding these to the appropriate pipe,
specifying if the fitting is to be placed at the start or end of the pipe.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the values for the join point’s properties in the units displayed next to the
field. For example, if you are using imperial units, and ft for feet is displayed next to the Elevation of
Join field, enter the elevation in feet.

Adding a Node
To add a join point node to the pipe system:

1. Click the Add Join Point button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Add Join Point button, the join point symbol is displayed next to your mouse
pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click on the place on the Drawing pane where you want to add a join point.

4. The join point is added to the system, and is selected on the Drawing pane. Define the join point’s
name, elevation, and volume demand in and/or demand out in the Node pane.

Figure 51 Node Pane for Join Points

5. Type the join point’s name in the Node field.

6. Join Point is automatically selected in the Type list.

98 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

7. Type the elevation of the join point in the Elevation of Join field

8. If the system has a required demand flow at the join point, click the Edit button to open the Set
Flow Demands screen.

9. You can enter either an In-Flow or an Out-Flow demand at the join point on the Set Flow
Demands screen. Both Edit buttons in the Node pane open the Set Flow Demands screen.

Figure 52 Set Flow Demands

10. Type the required flow rate for the fluid entering the system at the join point in the In Flow field.
(Usually the out flow field should be set at zero).

11. Type the required flow rate for the fluid leaving the system at the join point in the Out Flow field.
(if this is a point of discharge then usually the In Flow field here will be set at zero).

12. Click OK to add the join point’s demand flow.

13. Type any applicable notes regarding the join point in the Notes field.

14. To add additional join points to the system, repeat Steps 3 – 12.

Note:

Demand Flows specify fluid flow that is entering the system from an external source or that is leaving
the system to an external system (or discharging or being taken out of the existing system to some
external system).

Demand Flows DO NOT control the flow at a particular point in the system (FCVs are used for this),
unless they are placed on a node which only has one connecting pipe (in this case they the define
the flow in or out of that node, which in turn effectively determines the flow rate in the single
connecting pipe).
 Pipes 99

Pipes
If you will be using the same type of pipe throughout your system, you can define the default pipe
type and values that are used when drawing pipes, using the Pipe Data tab in the Configuration
Options dialog. When the default pipe values are set, each time you add a pipe to the system, the
pipe type and values are automatically defined for the pipe. You can customize the values for an
individual pipe in the system, by editing its values in the Pipe pane or in the Pipe diameter data
dialog. The Pipe diameter data dialog contains a list of the pipe materials and sizes available in the
pipe database and additional properties specific to a pipe in the system.

For more information about using default pipe values, see: Setting up the System Options

NOTE: Be sure to enter the values for the pipe’s properties in the units displayed next to the field.
For example, if you are using metric units, and m for meter is displayed next to the Length field, enter
the pipe length value in meters.

Adding a Pipe
To add a pipe to the pipe system:

1. Click the Add Pipes button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Add Pipes button, the pipe symbol is displayed next to your mouse pointer
when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click on the place on the Drawing pane where you want the pipe to start.

4. Click on the place where you want the pipe to end.

5. The pipe is added to the system, and is selected in the Drawing pane. Define the pipe’s
properties in the Pipe Pane.

6. The rubber-banding functionality of the Add Pipes feature provides the ability to continue drawing
additional connected sections of pipe after adding a section of pipe.

7. If you want to continue adding connected lengths of pipe to the system, move the mouse pointer
to draw the pipe, and click where you want the pipes to end. To turn off the rubber-banding, press
the right mouse button (right-click).

8. Type the pipe’s name in the Name field.

9. If the default pipe type and values for the system are defined on the Default Values tab in the
Configuration Options dialog, you are done adding the pipe.

10. The pipe type, default length, internal diameter and roughness values are displayed in the Pipe
pane.

11. If the default pipe values are not being used for the pipe, continue with Steps 12 to 25.

12. Type the length of the pipe into the Length field.

13. Click the Material button.

14. Clicking the Material button opens the Pipe diameter database. A list of all the pipe materials
available in the pipe database are displayed in the Choose new pipe material list.
100 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 53 Pipe diameter data - materials list

15. Select the pipe’s material from the Choose new pipe material list.

16. If the pipe material is not in the Choose new pipe material list, click the Add new material
button to add the new material to the list. For more information about adding a pipe material, see:
Adding a Pipe Material to the Database

17. Click the Select button or double-click the row containing the material.

18. The selected material is displayed in the Pipe data section of the Pipe diameter data dialog, and
a list of all the different pipe sizes available for the selected pipe material is displayed in the Pipe
diameter data dialog.
 Pipes 101

Figure 54 Pipe diameter data - pipe sizes

19. Select the applicable pipe size from the list.

20. If the pipe size is not in the list, click the Add new size button to add the new size to the list. For
more information about adding a pipe size, see: Adding Pipe Size Data to the Database

21. Click the Transfer Selected Size button or double-click the row containing the size.

22. The selected size is displayed below the pipe material in the Pipe data section of the Pipe
diameter data screen.

23. Edit the applicable pipe properties in the Pipe data section.

24. The edits made only affect the current pipe’s properties; they do not affect the database data.

25. Click Save Pipe to add the pipe’s material and size, and to close the Pipe diameter data screen.

The pipe’s material is displayed under the Roughness field, the nominal size is displayed under the
Diam button, and the pipe’s length, internal diameter, and roughness are displayed in the Length,
Internal Diameter, and Roughness fields in the Pipe pane.
102 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Adding a Pipe Material to the Database

If the pipe material you are using in the pipe system does not exist in the Pipe Flow Expert pipe
database, you can quickly add the material to the database by clicking the Add new material button
on the Pipe diameter data dialog.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the values for the pipe material’s properties in the units displayed next to the
field. For example, if you are using metric units, and mm for millimeter is displayed next to the
Internal Roughness field, enter the internal surface roughness in millimeters.

To add new material to the pipe database:

1. Select a pipe in the pipe system and click the Material button in the Pipe pane, or click the
Material button on the Default Values tab in the Configuration Options screen to open the
Pipe diameter database with the material list displayed.

2. Click the Add new material button.

3. Clicking the Add new material button opens the Add pipe material section in the Pipe diameter
data screen.

4. Type the material name in the Name field.

5. Type the material’s schedule or class in the Schedule/Class field.

6. Type the material’s internal roughness, expressed in the units displayed in parenthesis, in the
Internal Roughness field.

7. Click the Add new material entry button to save the new material data to the database and the
materials list.

Adding Pipe Size Data to the Database

If the pipe size data you are using in the pipe system does not exist in the Pipe Flow Expert pipe
database, you can quickly add the size data to the database by clicking the Add new size button on
the Pipe diameter data dialog.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the value for the pipe’s size data in the units displayed on the column
header. For example, if you are using imperial units, and lbs/ft for pounds per foot is displayed under
Weight in the Weight column, the weight value should be entered in pounds per foot.

To add new size data to the pipe database:

1. Select a pipe in the pipe system and click the Diam? button in the Pipe pane, or click the Diam?
button on the Pipe Data tab in the Configuration Options dialog to open the Pipe diameter
data dialog with the size list displayed.

2. Click the Add new size button.

3. Clicking the Add new size button opens the Add pipe data section in the Pipe diameter data
dialog.

4. The pipe’s nominal size will be automatically calculated from the pipe outside diameter data and
the type of material selected. If the user prefers the Nominal Size field can be selected from the
drop down list of nominal pipe sizes.
 Pipes 103

5. Type pipe’s internal diameter in the Internal Diam field.

6. Type the wall thickness of the pipe in the Wall Thick field.

7. Type the outside diameter of the pipe in the Outside Diam field.

8. Type the pipe weight in the Weight field.

9. The values in the Internal Vol. and Surface Area fields are automatically calculated.

10. Click the Add new entry button to save the new size data to the database size list.

Reversing the Pipe Flow

When you add a pipe to a pipe system, the direction the fluid flows through the pipe always defaults
to the direction in which the pipe is drawn. Each pipe in the Drawing pane shows an arrow to indicate
the direction of fluid flow. If a pipe is inadvertently drawn in the wrong direction, you can reverse the
direction of the pipe and fluid flow.

To reverse the fluid flow through a pipe:

1. Select and highlight a pipe by clicking on the drawing pane.

2. Right Click to display the Pipe Pop-up menu options.

3. Select Reverse Pipe Direction.

The direction of a selected pipe can also be reversed by using the ‘More’ button on the pipe pane to
display the Pipe Pop-up menu options.

Closing a Pipe in the System

The Closed Pipe feature can be used to represent actual pipes in the system where the flow is shut
off. In Pipe Flow Expert, you can stop the flow of fluid through any pipe in the system by selecting the
Open/Close pipe mode and clicking on a pipe in the Drawing pane to close the pipe. With the Closed
Pipe feature, you can evaluate different configuration scenarios within the system when calculating
the results.

To close a pipe in the pipe system:

1. Click the Open/Close Pipe button, , on the tool bar to select open/close pipe mode.

2. Click any pipe in the Drawing pane which you want to close. The pipe will be closed.

3. To re-open a pipe, click a closed pipe with the Open/Close cursor. The pipe will be re-opened.

4. Click the Show Item Info button, , or right click to exit the Open/Close pipe direction mode.

A selected pipe can also be opened or closed by using the Pipe Pop-up menu option. A Closed pipe
will be displayed ‘grayed out’ and ‘dotted’ on the drawing to indicate that the pipe is no longer part on
the functioning system. Note: care must be taken with this feature, as a non-functional system may
result from this action and Pipe Flow Expert may not be able analyze the resulting network.
104 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Using the Pipe Pop-up menu while drawing

In Pipe Flow Expert, you can change some of the features of the selected pipe by using the Pipe
Pop-up menu.

Select a pipe (left click) and then click the right mouse button to display the Pipe Pop-up menu.

Select the option that you require and click to perform the action.

Figure 55 Pipe Pop-up Menu

Feature Description
Change Pipe Diameter Opens the pipe diameter data – pipe sizes (for current material).
Change Pipe Material Opens the pipe diameter data – materials list.
Fittings Opens the pipe fittings sub-menu.
Component Opens the component sub-menu.
Control Valve Opens the control valve sub-menu.
Pump Opens the pump sub-menu.
Re-Open / Close Pipe Open a closed pipe / Close a pipe.
Reverse Pipe Direction Reverse the flow direction of a pipe.
Prevent Backflow – On / Off Tag a pipe to prevent backflow.
Move / Unlink end of pipe Unlink the end of the pipe and allow re-positioning
Use Pipe Valves for Drawing Use the selected pipe data as the default pipe for drawing new pipes.
Change Fluid Zone Change the fluid zone associated with the pipe.
Close Close the pipe pop-up menu.
 Pipes 105

Pipe Pop-up Fittings sub-menu

Select Fittings on the pipe pop-up menu to display the fittings sub-menu.

The sub-menu options are context sensitive and will be visible and/or enabled/disabled depending
upon whether there are fittings on the selected pipe.

Figure 56 Pipe Pop-up Fittings sub-menu

Feature Description
Add Visible when there are no fittings on the pipe.
Opens the pipe fittings friction coefficients screen so that new fittings
can be added to the pipe.
Edit Visible when there are fittings on the pipe.
Opens the pipe fittings friction coefficients screen so that the existing
fittings can be edited.
Copy Enabled when there are fittings on the pipe.
Copies the fittings on the pipe to the clipboard so that they can be
pasted to another pipe.
Paste Enabled when fittings have been copied to the clipboard using the
copy option.
Pastes the fittings from the clipboard to the current pipe.
Delete Enabled when there are fittings on the pipe.
Deletes the fittings on the pipe.
106 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Pipe Pop-up Component sub-menu

Select Component on the pipe pop-up menu to display the component sub-menu.

The sub-menu options are context sensitive and will be visible and/or enabled/disabled depending
upon the whether there is a component on the selected pipe.

Figure 57 Pipe Pop-up Component sub-menu

Feature Description
Add Visible when there is no component on the pipe.
Opens the component pressure loss screen so that a new component
can be added to the pipe.
Edit Visible when there is a component on the pipe.
Opens the component pressure loss screen so that so that the existing
component can be edited.
Copy Enabled when there is a component on the pipe.
Copies the component on the pipe to the clipboard so that it can be
pasted to another pipe.
Paste Enabled when a component has been copied to the clipboard using
the copy option.
Pastes the component from the clipboard to the current pipe.
Delete Enabled when there is a component on the pipe.
Deletes the component on the pipe.
 Pipes 107

Pipe Pop-up Control Valve sub-menu

Select Control Valve on the pipe pop-up menu to display the control valve sub-menu.

The sub-menu options are context sensitive and will be visible and/or enabled/disabled depending
upon whether there is a control valve on the selected pipe.

Figure 58 Pipe Pop-up Control Valve sub-menu

Feature Description
Add Visible when there is no control valve on the pipe.
Opens the control valve data screen so that a new control valve can
be added to the pipe.
Edit Visible when there is a control valve on the pipe.
Opens the control valve data screen so that so that the existing control
valve can be edited.
Copy Enabled when there is a control valve on the pipe.
Copies the control valve on the pipe to the clipboard so that it can be
pasted to another pipe.
Paste Enabled when a control valve has been copied to the clipboard using
the copy option.
Pastes the control valve from the clipboard to the current pipe.
Delete Enabled when there is a control valve on the pipe.
Deletes the control valve on the pipe.
108 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Pipe Pop-up Pump sub-menu

Select Pump on the pipe pop-up menu to display the pump sub-menu.

The sub-menu options are context sensitive and will be visible and/or enabled/disabled depending
upon whether there is a pump on the selected pipe.

Figure 59 Pipe Pop-up Pump sub-menu

Feature Description
Add Visible when there is no pump on the pipe.
Opens the pump data screen so that a new pump can be added to the
pipe.
Edit Visible when there is a pump on the pipe.
Opens the pump data screen so that so that the existing pump can be
edited.
Copy Enabled when there is a pump on the pipe.
Copies the pump on the pipe to the clipboard so that it can be pasted
to another pipe.
Paste Enabled when a pump has been copied to the clipboard using the
copy option.
Pastes the pump from the clipboard to the current pipe.
Delete Enabled when there is a pump on the pipe.
Deletes the pump on the pipe.
 Pipes 109

Preventing Backflow in a pipe

A selected pipe can be tagged to prevent backflow when the system is solved. A pipe in which
backflow is not permitted is identified with a double arrow marker, .

When solving a system if backflow occurs in the pipe the flow rate will be set to zero.

Use the pipe pop-up menu option to toggle the status of pipes tagged with the prevent backflow
symbol.

Using the Default Pipe feature while drawing

In Pipe Flow Expert, you can set the default pipe options for the next pipe to be added to the system
by copying the features of the currently selected pipe.

To set the default pipe options:

1. Select a pipe and click the right mouse button to display the Pipe Pop-up menu.

2. Click the Use Pipe Values for Drawing option.

Now when the next pipe in the system is drawn it will have the default attributes. You can then
change the pipe length as necessary in the Pipe Pane.

To draw a pipe with different attributes, select another pipe that has the attributes that you require
and then set that pipe as the default pipe for drawing.

Alternatively use the Set Default Pipe for drawing button on the tool bar to open the Pipe
Data tab on the Configuration Options screen. Choose the pipe material, diameter, length and
other attributes, to define the Default Pipe values that will be used when drawing.
110 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Fittings and Valves

Fittings can be added to a pipe and they are selected to be at the start or end of the pipe (so as to
associate the fitting with the join point before or after the end of the pipe) using the Pipe fitting friction
coefficients dialog. The Pipe fitting friction coefficients screen contains shows a list of the fittings on a
pipe and also display a list of fittings that are available in the fitting database. If you need to model a
specific fixed pressure loss then you should choose to include this pressure loss by adding a
Component to the pipe and then specifying the fixed pressure loss on the Set Component Pressure
Loss screen.

The position of the fittings affects the NPSHa (Net Positive Suction Head available) value at the
pump inlet. Fittings that are placed at the start of a pipe will be considered to be in front of the pump
and therefore pressure loss through these fittings will be accounted for when calculating the NPSHa
at the pump inlet. If you need to move a fitting, you can change its position by clicking on it to open
the Fitting Manager and then selecting its position to be either at the start or end of the pipe.

NOTE: Choose a fitting size that matches the size of the pipe. For example, if you are using 4”
nominal pipe size select either a 100 mm or a 4 inch fitting.

Adding a Fitting to a pipe

To add fittings to a pipe:

1. You can add a fitting using the Add Fittings button on the tool bar or the Add/Change
Fittings button in the Pipe Pane.

2. To add a fitting using the Add Fittings tool bar button, click the Add Fittings button, .

3. When you click the Add Fittings button, the fittings symbol is displayed next to your mouse
pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane

4. Click on the pipe on the Drawing pane where you want to add a fitting.

5. Clicking on the pipe opens the Pipe fitting friction coefficients screen with a list of all the
fittings available in the fitting database displayed in the Fitting Database list.

6. Alternately you can add a fitting by clicking the Add/Change Fittings button , . in the
Pipe pane, once a pipe has been selected on the drawing and its information is displayed in
the Pipe pane.

7. The number of fittings currently on the selected pipe is displayed on the Add/Change
Fittings button. Clicking the Add/Change Fittings button opens the Pipe fitting friction
coefficients dialog showing the fittings on the current pipe and all of the fittings available in
the fitting database displayed in the Fitting Database list.
 Fittings and Valves 111

Figure 60 Pipe fitting friction coefficients database

8. Select the nominal metric or imperial pipe size from the drop down list to move to the required
fitting sizes in the Fitting Database. Click on the Pipe Size link to show the fittings which
match the current pipe size.

9. If the fitting is not in the Fitting Database list, click the Create new fitting button to add the
new fitting to the list. For more information about adding a fitting to the database, see: Adding
a Fitting to the Database

10. Double click on a fitting item to add it to the fittings on the pipe.

11. The selected fitting is displayed in the Fittings on section of the Pipe fitting friction
coefficients screen.

12. Select the quantity of the fitting you are adding to the pipe from the fitting’s Qty list in the
Fittings on section, and also select the position of the fitting to be either start or end of pipe.

13. To add additional fittings to the pipe, repeat Steps 12 – 14.

14. Click Save to add the fitting to the pipe, and to close the Pipe fitting friction coefficients
screen.

When one or more fittings are added to a pipe, the Include check box, is displayed and
selected next to the Add/Change Fittings button. When the Include check box is selected, Pipe
Flow Expert includes the data from the fittings on the pipe in the calculations for solving the pipe
system.

To remove the fittings’ data from the calculations, clear the Include check box.

Information about calculating and solving pipe systems is available in Section: Calculating the
System Flow and Pressure.
112 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Adding a Fitting to the Database

If the fitting you want to add to a pipe does not exist in the fitting database, you can quickly add the
fitting to the database and/or pipe by clicking the Create new fitting button or by clicking one of the
Calculate K value buttons in the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog.

Adding a fitting involves selecting a fitting from the fitting database and changing the data to a
specific K value for your bespoke fitting, or selecting one of the helper buttons from the Calculated K
value section that calculates values for a specific type of fitting. The customized fitting data is then
entered to match the new fitting and the helper calculates the fitting’s K value.

A K value represents a local loss coefficient. This value is supplied by the fitting manufacturer. Most
fittings have a fixed K value, but some fittings have a K value that needs to be calculated. The
Calculated K value section in the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog is used to add fittings with a
calculated K value to a pipe system and the fitting database. When you click a fitting button in the
Calculated K value section, a dialog opens that contains fields for adding the fitting measurements
required to calculate the fitting’s K value.

To add a fitting to the fitting database using the Create new fitting button:

1. Choose the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Click on a fitting symbol in the Drawing pane to open the Pipe fitting friction coefficients
screen.

OR

Select the pipe for which you want to create a new fitting in the Drawing pane, and click the
Add/Change Fittings button, , in the Pipe pane to open the Pipe fitting friction coefficients
screen and then:

Figure 61 Add a fitting in the Pipe fitting friction coefficients listings

 Fittings and Valves 113

1. Click the Create new fitting button. This opens the Create new fitting section in the Pipe
fitting friction coefficients screen

2. To change the symbol representing the fitting, click the Change button to open the Choose
symbol screen.

Figure 62 Choose fitting symbol

3. Select the symbol you want to represent the fitting.

4. Click OK to add the symbol to the Symbol field and close the Choose symbol screen.

5. Type the fitting type name in the Type field.

6. Select the fitting’s metric size from the Metric list or select the fitting’s imperial size from the
drop down nominal size listings.

7. You only need to select the metric or imperial fitting size. Pipe Flow Expert automatically
populates the other size for you. For example, if you select 32 mm from the Metric list, the
imperial equivalent, 1-1/4”, automatically appears in the Imperial field.

8. Type a description of the fitting in the Description field.

9. Click the Save this fitting data to list button to add the fitting to the Fitting Database list.

10. If you want to add the fitting to the pipe, as well as the fitting database, click the Add this
fitting to pipe button to add the new fitting to the pipe.

11. The new fitting is displayed in the Fittings on section of the Pipe fitting friction coefficients
screen.

12. Select the quantity of the fitting you are adding to the pipe from the fitting’s Qty list in the
Fittings on section.

13. Click Save to add the fitting to the pipe, and to close the Pipe fitting friction coefficients
screen.

To add a fitting to the fitting database using a Calculate K value button:

114 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Select a fitting in the Drawing pane to open the Pipe fitting friction coefficients screen.

Or

3. Select the pipe for which you want to create a new fitting in the Drawing pane, and click the
Add/Change Fittings button, , in the Pipe pane to open the Pipe fitting friction
coefficients screen.

4. Click the Calculate K value button that represents the fitting you are adding.

Clicking one of the Calculate K value buttons opens the Create new fitting section in the Pipe
fitting friction coefficients screen, and the K value calculation screen for the selected button.

For example, if you selected the sudden contraction button, the Sudden contraction K value
calculation screen opens.

Figure 63 Sudden Contraction K value

5. Enter the applicable values in the K value calculation screen.

6. Click the Calculate button to calculate the fitting’s K value.

7. The calculated K value is displayed in the K value dialog.

8. When you have the desired K value, click the Create new fitting button to close the K value
calculation screen, and add the calculated K value to the K value field in the Create new fitting
section in the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog.

9. The Symbol field defaults to the symbol on the Calculated K value button you selected.

10. To change the symbol representing the fitting, click the Change button to open the Choose
symbol screen.

11. Select the symbol you want to represent the fitting. Click OK to add the symbol to the Symbol
field and close the Choose symbol screen
 Components 115

12. The Type field defaults to the type of fitting associated with the Calculated K value button
selected.

13. To edit the fitting type, type the fitting type name in the Type field.

14. The Metric and Imperial fields default to N/A for fittings with a calculated K value. The user can
select the nominal metric or imperial pipe size from the drop down listings if appropriate.

15. Type a description of the fitting in the Description field.

16. Click the Save this fitting data to list button to add the fitting to the fitting database and Fitting
Database list.

If you want to add the fitting to the pipe, instead of the fitting database:
Click the Add this fitting to pipe button to add the new fitting to the pipe.

The new fitting is displayed in the Fittings on section of the Pipe fitting friction coefficients screen.

1. Select the quantity of the fitting you are adding to the pipe from the fitting’s Qty list in the Fittings
on section.

2. Click Save to add the fitting to the pipe, and to close the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog.

Components
Certain components, such as strainers, boilers, heat exchanges, manifolds etc. cause a pressure
loss in a system. In Pipe Flow Expert you can model pressure loss for components in a number of
different ways – fixed pressure loss, variable pressure loss specified by a data curve, Cv value, Kv
value, Sprinkler K value, and defined Orifice data. Pressure loss for components are entered and
maintained on the Component Pressure Loss screen.

The pressure loss defined for a component can be saved to a .pfco file. This file provides a way to
share the pressure loss data for a component, and quickly enter the pressure loss data when the
same type of component is used again in the pipe system or a future pipe system. The .pfco file also
provides a quick and easy way to evaluate different components with pressure loss in the pipe
system to determine how each one affects the system.

In Pipe Flow Expert, you can only add one component pressure loss to each pipe. If there is more
than one component on a pipe that causes a pressure loss, you can break up the applicable pipe
into the number of sections corresponding with the number of components causing a pressure loss.

For example, if you have a pipe that is 100 feet long with two components causing a pressure loss,
you can break the pipe into two pieces, each 50 feet long, and add one of the component pressure
losses to each piece. How you divide a pipe does not matter, only the total length of the pieces
added together matters – so that if the pipe is supposed to be 100 feet long, then the lengths of the
pieces need to add up to 100 feet.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the value for the pressure loss properties in the units displayed next to the
field. For example, if you are using imperial units, and psi.g for pounds per square inch is displayed
next to the Fixed Loss field, enter the value in pounds per square inch.
116 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Adding a Component with a pressure loss

To add a component’s pressure loss to a pipe:

1. You can add the pressure loss using the Add Component Pressure Loss button on the
toolbar or the Add/Change Component Pressure Loss button in the Pipe Pane.

2. To add a pressure loss using the Add Component Pressure Loss tool bar button, click

the Add Component Pressure Loss button, .

3. When you click the Add Component Pressure Loss button, the pressure loss symbol is
displayed next to your mouse pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

4. Click on the pipe on the Drawing pane where you want to add a component pressure
loss.

5. Clicking on the pipe opens the Component Pressure Loss dialog.

6. To add a pressure loss using the Add/Change Component Pressure Loss button in the
Pipe pane, first select the pipe to which you want to add a Component in the Drawing
pane, so that the pipe’s information is displayed in the Pipe pane.

7. Click the Add/Change Component Pressure Loss button, in the Pipe pane.

8. The number of component pressure losses currently on the selected pipe is displayed on
the Add/Change Component Pressure Loss button. Clicking the Add/Change
Component Pressure Loss button opens the Set Component Pressure Loss dialog.

9. To add a component’s pressure loss data from an existing .pfco file, click the Load From
File button, select the applicable .pfco file, click Open, edit the applicable fields, and then
click the OK button. An image of the component pressure loss screen is shown below this
step.
 Components 117

Figure 64 Set Component Pressure Loss

10. Type the name of the component pressure loss in the Component Name field.

11. Select the Fixed Loss Component Type, if the component’s pressure loss is a fixed
pressure loss, and type the fixed pressure loss value.

12. Select the Curve Loss Component Type, if the component’s pressure loss is based on a
data curve.

13. Select Cv or Kv Component Type if the component flow versus pressure loss is defined
in this manner, and type the appropriate value. See the next section about Cv and Kv
values for specific information about entering and using this type of data.

14. Select the Sprinkler K (imperial) or Sprinkler K (metric) Component Type if the
component flow versus pressure loss is defined by this type of value. A sprinkler will often
have a specific Sprinkler K value (this is different to a normal K value for head loss
through a fitting, and it is different to a Kv value that is normally associated with a valve).
See the later section on Sprinkler K values.

15. Select the Orifice Component Type if the component pressure loss occurs due to a
sharp-edged, round-edged, bevel-edged, or thick-edged orifice. See the later section
on defining Orifice data.

16. A symbol appropriate for the chosen Component Type is selected by default. The symbol
can be changed by clicking the Symbol Scroll Up or Scroll Down button to select the
component pressure loss image you want to be displayed on the pipe system drawing.

17. The image you select does not affect any of the component’s pressure loss properties or
values.
118 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

18. Select the applicable units for the component pressure loss curve from the Curve Loss
flow and head lists.

19. The left Curve Loss column represents the fluid’s flow values, and the right Curve Loss
column represents the fluid head loss or pressure loss values.

20. Determine which points in the component’s pressure loss curve data (as provided by the
component manufacturer) that you want to include in the component pressure loss curve,
and then type the flow and head loss values for each of these points in the Curve Loss
table.

21. Add a minimum of three and maximum of eight points in the Curve Loss table. After
adding three curve points to the table, you can have Pipe Flow Expert calculate a ‘curve’
through these points, to expand the number of data points automatically (fitting points on
this curve). Click the Generate Curve button to perform this action.

22. Click OK to save and add the component pressure loss data to the pipe.

The pressure loss data you enter can be saved to a .pfco file by clicking the Save To File button. By
saving the data to a .pfco file, you can reuse the component’s pressure loss data for other pipes in
the pipe system or future pipe systems.

When a component pressure loss is added to a pipe, the Include check box is displayed and
selected next to the Add/Change Component Pressure Loss button, . When the Include
check box is selected, Pipe Flow Expert includes the data from the component pressure loss on the
pipe in the calculations for solving the pipe system. To remove the component pressure loss data
from the calculations, clear the Include check box.

Information about calculating and solving pipe systems is available in the Section: Calculating the
System Flow and Pressure.
 Cv and Kv Flow Coefficients 119

Cv and Kv Flow Coefficients

There are many different types of components and control valves. Each may have different flow /
pressure loss characteristics. Manufacturers of control valves usually publish a Cv flow coefficient or
a Kv flow coefficient to describe the flow versus pressure loss characteristics of their control valves in
a standardized manner.

A Cv flow coefficient specifies the volume of water in US gpm at 60°F (15.55°C) that will flow through
a valve with a 1.0 psi pressure drop across the valve.

Thus a Cv flow coefficient of 10 indicates that a 1.0 psi pressure drop will occur with a flow of 10 US
gpm of water through the valve. Pressure drop for the different fluids and different flow rates can be
calculated from the Cv flow coefficient. See the ‘Calculation Theory and Methods of Solution’ section
for further details.

A Kv flow coefficient specifies the volume of water in m3/hour at 20°C (68 °F) that will flow through a
valve with a 1.0 bar pressure drop across the valve.

Thus a Kv flow coefficient of 10 indicates that a 1.0 bar pressure drop will occur with a flow of
10m3/hour of water through the valve. Pressure drop for the different fluids and different flow rates
can be calculated from the Kv flow coefficient. See the ‘Calculation Theory and Methods of Solution’
section for further details.

The component object is used to model the flow rate / pressure loss of control valves with Cv or Kv
flow coefficients.

Adding a component/valve with a Cv or Kv value

To add a component/valve with a Cv or Kv flow coefficient:

1. Add a component to a pipe as described in the previous section.

2. Type the name of the control valve in the Component Name field.

3. Select the Cv Value or Kv Value Component Type.

4. The symbol appropriate for the chosen Component Type is selected by default. The symbol
can be changed by clicking the Symbol Scroll Up or Scroll Down button to select the
component pressure loss image you want displayed on the pipe system drawing.

5. Enter the flow coefficient value for the component.

6. Click OK to save and add the Cv/Kv flow coefficient data to the pipe.

Figure 65 Adding a Cv / Kv flow coefficient value

120 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

The component dialog includes ‘helpers’ to assist in calculating an appropriate Cv or Kv flow

coefficient value for a particular flow rate and pressure drop (based on the current fluid).
Click the calculator button to display the calculator.

Figure 66 Helper to calculate a Cv value

The user should be aware that the Cv or Kv flow coefficient specifies the flow rate of water for a
particular pressure loss.

When the fluid density is greater or less than water, a different flow rate of the fluid will be required to
produce a 1.00 psi or a 1 bar pressure loss through the valve.

CAUTIONS for Compressible Gas Flow:

If the fluid is a gas, the flow rate entered into the calculator must represent the actual flow rate for the
gas at the density that is defined in the fluid data for this fluid zone, i.e. the volumetric flow rate of the
gas based on the gas density defined in the current fluid. The equivalent mass flow will then be
calculated and this will be converted to an equivalent volume of water at normal conditions. The
volume of water and the stated pressure drop will then be used to calculate a Cv value (which by
definition is based on a volume of water flow for a certain pressure drop). Generally, for gas systems,
it would be better to use a mass flow rate entry for the calculation instead of a volumetric flow rate.

If the fluid is a gas and the pressure drop exceeds the critical pressure ratio when compared to the
inlet pressure of the valve then the flow will become choked and it will not be possible to
achieve the calculated flow rate. If this occurs, Pipe Flow Expert will warn of a problem in the
Result Log (if the Component option to check for choked flow has been selected).

Gas Flow Calculation with the Compressible Flow Calculation Engine

Gas systems should generally be solved using the Compressible flow calculation engine, which
takes account of the pressure condition at the component and adjusts the density of the gas as
appropriate when performing the component pressure loss calculation.

The fluid properties should be defined at the operating temperature for a particular section of the
system (while the software adjusts fluid properties for changes of pressure as they are used in
calculations, it assumes the temperature of the fluid remains the same and therefore the user must
define the fluid properties for the appropriate temperature conditions within the pipe network). The
software uses the viscosity of the gas as defined in the current fluid data and this is not adjusted for
changes in pressure (pressure changes generally have a small impact on viscosity in comparison to
temperature changes).

See the section on Working with Compressible Fluids for more information.
 Cv and Kv Flow Coefficients 121

Gas Flow Calculation with the Non-Compressible Flow Calculation Engine:

Prior to version 7, Pipe Flow Expert did not include a specialist Compressible Flow calculation
engine, however it allowed calculation of gas systems using the non-compressible flow calculation
engine that used the Darcy-Weisbach equation, which used a constant density and viscosity across
the calculations. The user was required to define the fluid data to represent the density at the
approximate average pressure condition in a section of the network.

When using the Non-Compressible calculation engine with the Darcy-Weisbach equation to solve
gas systems, Pipe Flow Expert will calculate the pressure drop through the component/valve for a
particular flow rate at a given density as defined by the current fluid zone based on its Cv or Kv flow
coefficient value.

If the fluid zone associated with the control valve does not represent the pressure condition at the
outlet of the valve/component, it may be necessary to use an adjusted Cv (or Kv) value for valve
selection to take in to account the effect of the gas expansion. The adjusted Cv (or Kv) value should
be based on the Cv or Kv formula for sub critical gas pressure drop.

We recommend you use the Compressible Flow calculation engine to solve gas systems.

See ‘Calculation Theory and Methods of Solution’ section for further details about Cv and Kv flow
coefficient calculations for systems where the fluid is a gas.

Cv & Kv Control Valve Sizing and Open Position

The Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient of a component/valve is usually stated for the fully open flow
condition. The Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient will be less when the valve is partly closed. In an actual
system it is important to select a control valve which has an appropriate Cv or Kv flow coefficient for
the actual valve position that will be used.

A control valve that is too small or too large will not be able to provide the correct control
characteristics in a pipe system.

Most control valve manufacturers recommend that you should select a valve where the required Cv
(or Kv) value matches the given valve Cv (or Kv) value when operating within 20% - 80% of the
valve’s range.

When selecting a valve to control a ‘top end’ pressure loss you should select a valve where the
required Cv (or Kv) value is in the higher operating range of the valve, normally where the required
Cv (or Kv) value matches the given valve Cv (or Kv) value when operating at about 70% of the
valve’s range.

Some control valve manufacturers recommend that an allowance of 30% should be added to the
required Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient to obtain the minimum Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient rating that the
selected valve should have.

Please check your control valve selection with the control valve manufacturer.
122 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Sprinkler K factors
Manufactures of fire sprinkler nozzles sometimes publish sprinkler K factor coefficients which
describe the flow rate and pressure loss relationship through the nozzle. Usually the sprinkler k
factor is determined by the relationship of flow rate through the nozzle divided by the square root of
the loss through the nozzle. K = Flow / √dP

The sprinkler K value can describe the sprinkler performance in either imperial or metric flow rates
(there is a metric K value and an imperial K value for the same sprinkler and these will be different
values, hence it is important to check a sprinkler K value to confirm if it is a metric value or an
imperial value).

The imperial sprinkler K value is calculated from US gpm (water) / √pressure loss (psi)

The metric sprinkler K value is calculated from L/min (water) / √pressure loss (bar)

When a sprinkler K (imperial or metric) radio button is selected a calculator button is enabled to allow
an appropriate sprinkler K value to be obtained from a published flow rate and pressure loss.

Note: Sprinkler K factor coefficients are not the same as ‘K’ factors for standard fittings & valves.

Figure 67 Calculate Sprinkler K value

The component object can be used to model the flow rate versus pressure loss of a sprinkler
component either by using a single Sprinkler K value, or by specifying a set of flow versus pressure
loss curve points that defines the performance of the sprinkler.
 Sprinkler K factors 123

Modeling a Spray Nozzle with a Sprinkler K Factor

Many systems include points where flow will discharge to atmosphere. When a spray nozzle is
included in the design it is usual to use the flow versus pressure loss characteristic of the spray
nozzle to establish the flow leaving the system due the pressure differential across the nozzle.

A combination of a Component and an End Pressure node can be used to model the
performance of a spray nozzle.

The End Pressure node should be set to 0.000 psi.g, if the spray discharges to atmosphere. If the
spay discharges to a pressurized tank then the End Pressure node should be set to the pressure
in the tank.

Figure 68 Modeling a Spray Nozzle

To add a component with a Sprinkler K value:

1. Add a component to a pipe as described in the previous sections.

2. Type the name of the control valve in the Component Name field.

3. The symbol appropriate for the chosen Component Type is selected by default. The symbol
can be changed by clicking the Symbol Scroll Up or Scroll Down button to select the
component pressure loss image you want displayed on the pipe system drawing.

4. Select the Sprinkler K radio button (for imperial or metric values) and enter the Sprinkler K
factor value (or use the calculator helper to compute a sprinkler K factor for a given flow rate
and pressure drop characteristic of the sprinkler).

5. Click OK to save and add the Sprinkler K factor data to the pipe.

Note: The component dialog includes ‘helpers’ to assist in calculating an appropriate Sprinkler K
value for a particular flow rate and pressure drop (based on the current fluid).
124 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Orifices
Orifices are widely installed in piping systems to provide a regular and reproducible loss of pressure.
Orifices are often used to limit flow, or in branching systems, to balance or distribute flow as required
through different parts of the system.

Pipe Flow Expert provides support for the following orifice types:

• Sharp Edged
• Round Edged
• Bevel Edged
• Thick Edged

To add a component with an Orifice:

1. Add a component to a pipe as described in the previous sections.

2. Type the name of the orifice in the Component Name field.

3. Select the Sharp Edged, Round Edged, Bevel Edged or Thick Edged orifice type.

4. The symbol appropriate for the chosen Component Type is selected by default. The symbol
can be changed by clicking the Symbol Scroll Up or Scroll Down button to select the
component pressure loss image you want displayed on the pipe system drawing.

5. Enter the appropriate data for the orifice type (see following sections).

6. Click OK to save and add the orifice to the pipe.

Notes:

In Pipe Flow Expert, orifice components are always positioned at the end of the associated pipe. The
associated pipe defines the pipe diameter preceding the orifice. The pipe following the orifice defines
the pipe diameter that follows the orifice. The preceding and following pipe may have the same
diameter and this would represent an orifice in a straight pipe. If the preceding and following pipe
have different diameters then this represents a transition section, where the pipe diameter may get
smaller or larger following the orifice. The Pipe Flow Expert software supports all of these cases
when performing orifice calculations.

The component orifice screen includes a ‘helper’ to assist in calculating an appropriate orifice
diameter (d0) value based on the flow rate at some inlet pressure, and the required pressure drop, as
specified by the user.

In addition, there is an option that allows the software to automatically size the orifice when the
whole system is calculated. In this case, the orifice diameter is automatically calculated such that it
produces the required pressure drop in order to achieve a specified flow rate in the pipe, when
considering all of the other flows and pressures throughout the system. The user can then review the
size of orifice required, together with the additional technical information provided such as inlet and
outlet velocities, the jet velocity ratio, and the inlet and outlet pressures.
 Orifices 125

Adding a Sharp Edged Orifice

To define a Sharp Edged orifice with a specific

diameter (d0):

1. Select the Sharp Edged Orifice Type.

2. Enter the Orifice Diameter (d0) as required.

To define a Sharp Edged orifice with a diameter (d 0)

for a specific flow rate:

1. Select the Sharp Edged Orifice Type.

2. Select the Auto Size for Flow checkbox and

enter the flow rate as required.

Adding a Round-Edged Orifice

To define a Round-Edged orifice:

1. Select the Round-Edged Orifice Type.

2. Enter the Orifice Diameter (d0) as required.

3. Enter the Rounding Radius (r) as required.

To define a Round-Edged orifice with a diameter (d0)

for a specific flow rate:

1. Select the Round-Edged Orifice Type.

2. Select the Auto Size for Flow checkbox and

enter the flow rate as required.

3. Enter the Rounding Radius (r) as required.

126 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Adding a Bevel-Edged Orifice

To define a Bevel Edged orifice:

1. Select the Bevel-Edged Orifice Type.

2. Enter the Orifice Diameter (d0) as required.

3. Enter the Bevel Thickness (t) as required.

4. Enter the Bevel Angle (ψ) as required.

To define a Bevel-Edged orifice with a diameter (d0)

for a specific flow rate:

1. Select the Bevel-Edged Orifice Type.

2. Select the Auto Size for Flow checkbox and

enter the flow rate as required.

3. Enter the Bevel Thickness (t) as required.

4. Enter the Bevel Angle (ψ) as required.

Adding a Thick-Edged Orifice

To define a Thick-Edged orifice:

1. Select the Thick-Edged Orifice Type.

2. Enter the Orifice Diameter (d0) as required.

3. Enter the Thickness (t) as required.

To define a Thick-Edged orifice with a diameter (d0)

for a specific flow rate:

1. Select the Thick-Edged Orifice Type.

2. Select the Auto Size for Flow checkbox and

enter the flow rate as required,

3. Enter the Thickness (t) as required.

 Control Valves (FCV, PRV, BPV) 127

Control Valves (FCV, PRV, BPV)

Control valves may be used to control flow or pressure at various points in a system.

• A flow control valve (FCV) determines the required flow rate for the fluid in a pipe.
• A pressure reducing valve (PRV) controls the pressure at the end of a pipe.
• A back pressure valve (BPV) controls the pressure at the start of a pipe.

The modeling of Flow Control Valves, Pressure Reducing Valves and Back Pressure Valves requires
that the flow rates and pressures from adjacent pipes must be used as a reference to establish the
pressure loss that control valve must introduce.

To allow this modeling a control valve cannot be added to any pipe where a joining pipe already
includes a control valve.

To add a control valve to a pipe:

1. You can add a flow control using the Add Control Valve button on the tool bar or the
Add/Change Control Valve button in the Pipe Pane.

2. To add a control valve using the Add Control Valve tool bar button, click the Add Control

Valve button, .

3. When you click the Add Control Valve button, the control valve symbol is displayed next to
your mouse pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

4. Click on the pipe on the Drawing pane where you want to add a control valve.

5. Clicking on the pipe opens the Set Control Data screen.

6. To add a flow control using the Add/Change Control Valve button in the Pipe pane, select
the pipe to which you want to add a control valve in the Drawing pane.

7. The pipe’s information is displayed in the Pipe pane.

8. Click the Add/Change Control Valve button, .

9. If there is a control valve currently on the selected pipe a number 1 is displayed on the
Add/Change Control Valve button. Clicking the Add/Change Control Valve button opens
the Set Control Data screen.
128 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 69 Set Control Valve Data

10. Select the type of control valve to be added (FCV, PRV or BPV) by clicking one of the radio
buttons.

11. The screen will change to allow the entry of data for the type of valve selected.

12. Enter the appropriate data for the control valve type.

13. If you wish to enter an allowable differential pressure range for the valve operation click the
check box and enter the ‘From’ and ‘To’ pressure values. When the system is solved a
warning will be issued if the differential pressure across the control valve is outside the
entered range.

14. Click OK to add the control valve to the pipe.

When a control valve of any type is added to a pipe, the Include check box is displayed
and selected next to the Add/Change Flow Control button.

When the Include check box is selected, Pipe Flow Expert includes the data from the flow controls
on the pipe in the calculations for solving the pipe system. To remove the flow control data from the
calculations, clear the Include check box.

Information about calculating and solving pipe systems is available in Section: Calculating the
System Flow and Pressure.

Adding a Flow Control Valve

A flow control valve determines the required flow rate for the fluid in a pipe.

1. Open the Set Control Data dialog as described in the previous section.

2. Click the flow control valve (FCV) radio button.

3. Type the name of the flow control valve in the Control Name field.
 Control Valves (FCV, PRV, BPV) 129

4. Select the appropriate units of flow from the drop down list.

5. Type the required flow rate for the fluid in the pipe in the Set Flow field.

6. Enter the allowable differential pressure range for the valve operation if appropriate.

7. Click OK to add the flow control valve to the pipe.

NOTE: The flow control valve (FCV) introduces an additional pressure loss in the pipe to control the
flow to the value specified by the user. The additional pressure loss is reported in the results tables.

Using the flow rate and the additional pressure loss the user can calculate the Cv or Kv value for a
suitable valve which will allow the flow to be controlled at the required flow rate.

The flow control valve (FCV) cannot introduce a negative pressure loss. The FCV would need to act
as pump to add pressure, which it cannot do. If this situation is encountered when a system is
analyzed it will not be possible to identify a valid solution. The flow control valve setting will have to
be amended or the flow control valve may have to be removed to allow a solution to be calculated.

Adding a Pressure Reducing Valve

A pressure reducing valve controls and regulates the pressure downstream of the valve.

1. Open the Set Control Data dialog as described in the previous section.

2. Click the pressure reducing valve (PRV) radio button.

3. Type the name of the pressure reducing valve in the Control Name field.

4. Type the required reduced pressure in the Set Pressure field.

5. Enter the allowable differential pressure range for the valve operation if appropriate.

6. Click OK to add the pressure reducing valve to the pipe.

NOTE: The pressure reducing valve (PRV) introduces an additional pressure loss in the pipe to
control the downstream pressure at the end of the pipe to the value specified by the user. The
additional pressure loss across the control valve is reported in the results tables.

A PRV can operate under three different conditions: (1) regulating, (2) fully closed, and (3) fully open.
How the valve operates depends on the defined set pressure value for the valve. The fully open and
fully closed positions represent the extreme operations of the valve. Each of the valve positions is
described below:

(1) Regulating The valve maintains the downstream pressure to the set value by introducing a
pressure loss across the valve, thus throttling the flow rate through the PRV.

(2) Fully Closed This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is less than the
pressure downstream of the valve for the case where the valve is closed. When
this occurs in an actual pipe system, the flow through the PRV reverses and the
PRV acts as a check valve, closing the pipe. In PipeFlow Expert, this method of
operation is detected and reported but the system is not then solved for this
scenario. The user must decide if this method of operation is what they intended
and if so then they can close the pipe and continue to solve the system.
130 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

(3) Fully Open This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is greater than the
pressure upstream of the valve for the case where the valve is fully open. When
this occurs in an actual pipe system, the PRV maintains a fully open position
and it has no effect on the flow conditions (except to add a frictional loss through
the valve). In PipeFlow Expert, this method of operation is detected and
reported. But the system is not solved because the differential pressure across
the valve would have to be negative, i.e. the valve would be acting like a pump
rather than a pressure control.

Pipe Flow Expert will only solve a system when the PRV is operating in Regulating mode.

AVOIDING PRV OPERATION PROBLEMS: In general, PRV operation problems can be avoided by
finding the valve's pressure regulating range and specifying the valve’s set pressure to a value within
this range such that the mode of operation is ‘Regulating’. First, solve the system without the PRV
control and note the pressure at the node downstream of the pipe which previously contained the
PRV. This is the maximum pressure the PRV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the valve’s
inlet pressure for the case where the valve is fully open). Secondly, solve the system after closing
the pipe that contains the PRV and note the pressure at the node downstream of the closed pipe.
This is the minimum pressure the PRV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the pressure
downstream of the valve for the case where the valve is fully closed).

Adding a Back Pressure Valve

A back pressure valve controls and regulates the pressure upstream of the valve.

1. Open the Set Control Data dialog as described in the previous section.

2. Click the back pressure valve (BPV) radio button.

3. Type the name of the back pressure valve in the Control Name field.

4. Type the required back pressure in the Set Pressure field.

5. Enter the allowable differential pressure range for the valve operation if appropriate.

6. Click OK to add the back pressure valve to the pipe.

NOTE: The back pressure valve (BPV) introduces an additional pressure loss in the pipe to control
the upstream pressure at the start of the pipe to the value specified by the user. The additional
pressure loss across the control valve is reported in the results tables.

A BPV can operate under three different conditions: (1) regulating, (2) fully closed, and (3) fully open.
How the valve operates depends on the defined set pressure value for the valve. The fully open and
fully closed positions represent the extreme operations of the valve. Each of the valve positions is
described below:

(1) Regulating The valve maintains the upstream pressure to the set value by introducing a
pressure loss across the valve, thus reducing the flow rate through the BPV.

(2) Fully Closed This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is greater than the
pressure upstream of the valve for the case where the valve is closed. When
this occurs in an actual pipe system, the flow through the BPV reverses and the
BPV acts as a check valve, closing the pipe. In PipeFlow Expert, this method of
operation is detected and reported but the system is not then solved for this
scenario. The user must decide if this method of operation is what they intended
and if so then they can close the pipe and continue to solve the system.
 Control Valves (FCV, PRV, BPV) 131

(3) Fully Open This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is less than the
pressure downstream of the valve for the case where the valve is fully open.
When this occurs in an actual pipe system, the BPV maintains a fully open
position and it has no effect on the flow conditions (except to add a frictional
loss through the valve). In Pipe Flow Expert, this method of operation is
detected and reported but the system is not solved because the differential
pressure across the valve would have to be negative, i.e. the valve would be
acting like a pump rather than a pressure control.

Pipe Flow Expert will only solve a system when the BPV is operating in regulating mode.

AVOIDING BPV OPERATION PROBLEMS: In general, BPV operation problems can be avoided by
finding the valve's pressure regulating range and specifying the valve’s set pressure to a value within
this range such that the mode of operation is ‘Regulating’. First, solve the system without the BPV
control and note the pressure at the node upstream of the pipe which previously contained the BPV.
This is the minimum pressure the BPV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the pressure at the
valve outlet for the case where the valve is fully open). Secondly, solve the system after closing the
pipe that contains the BPV and note the pressure at the node upstream of the closed pipe. This is
the maximum pressure the BPV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the pressure at the valve
inlet for the case where the valve is fully closed).
132 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Pumps
A pump can be added to any pipe, except a pipe that contains a control valve.

Options are provided to choose how the pump should be modeled:

• A Fixed Flow Rate Pump

• A Fixed Head / Pressure Rise Pump

• A Fixed Speed Pump (with a flow versus head performance curve)

A pump’s properties, including its pump curve, are defined and graphed on the Pump Data screen.
The Pump Data screen has an interactive graph that allows you to determine which elements of the
pump graph are displayed. It also provides functionality to calculate pump values for different points
on the graph, including the pump’s flow rate, head added, operating efficiency percentage and
NPSHr (Net Positive Suction Head requirement).

You can also save the data associated with a Pump to the Pump Database or a .pfpm file. This
provides a way to share the pump data, and quickly load the pump data, when the same type of
pump is used again in the pipe system or a future pipe system. Saving and loading pump data also
provides a quick and easy way to evaluate different pumps at a specific point in the pipe system to
determine how each one affects the system.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the values for the pump data in the correct units (you can select which units
you wish to use). For example, if you are using metric units, and m for meter is displayed next to a
field, enter the pump value in meters.

Adding a Pump
To add a pump to a pipe:

1. You can add a pump using the Add Pump button on the tool bar or the Add/Change Pump
button in the Pipe Pane.

2. To add a pump using the Add Pump tool bar button, click the Add Pump button, .

3. When you click the Add Pump button, the pump symbol is displayed next to your mouse
pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

4. Click on the pipe on the Drawing pane where you want to add a pump.

5. You can add a pump to a pipe in the system. Clicking on the pipe opens a Confirm dialog.

6. The pump is positioned at the start of the pipe, essentially 0m in distance along the pipe,
immediately after any fittings that are included at the start of the pipe. The Elevation field is
automatically populated and set to be the same as the elevation of the node at the start of the
pipe.
 Pumps 133

Figure 70 Add Pump Confirm dialog

7. Click Yes when asked, Do you want to enter the pump data now? Clicking Yes adds the
pump to the system, and opens the Pump Data screen.

8. To add a pump using the Add/Change Pump button in the Pipe pane, select the pipe to
which you want to add a pump in the Drawing pane.

9. The pipe’s information is displayed in the Pipe pane.

10. Click the Add/Change Pump button, .

11. The number of pumps currently on the selected pipe is displayed on the Add/Change Pump
button. Clicking the Add/Change Pump button opens the Pump Data screen.

12. The value for the Elevation field will be set automatically to elevation of the node at the start
of the pipe. If the node’s elevation is updated later on then the pump’s elevation will
automatically be updated to match this value before the system is ‘Calculated’..

13. Click the pump Icon button to popup a list of pump images. Select the pump symbol you want
displayed on the pipe system drawing and choose its size and color.

Figure 71 Pump Icons

134 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

14. The image you select does not affect any of the pump’s properties or values.

15. Use the Pump Data screen to choose the Pump Type to be modelled and to define the
properties of the pump.

Adding a Fixed Flow Rate Pump

This pump type is used to specify the pump flow rate for a positive displacement pump, such as a
piston pump or a peristaltic pump. The system will be solved and the required head from the pump
will be calculated.

If the performance curve for a pump is not available, this pump-type can also be used to establish
the flow / head requirements for a centrifugal pump. Setting the pump to a particular flow rate allows
the system to be solved and the required pump head is then calculated. A user can then select a
centrifugal pump that meets the flow and head requirement, after which chosen pump’s flow / head
performance data can be entered, and the system can be re-solved to find the exact operating point
on the pump curve.

See the note about using fixed flow rate pumps after this section.

To model a fixed flow rate pump condition:

1. Add a pump to a pipe (as described in the previous Adding a Pump section).

2. The pump is positioned at the start of the pipe, immediately after any fittings that are included
at the start of the pipe. The Elevation field is automatically populated and set to be the same
as the elevation of the node at the start of the pipe. Click the Icon button to select the pump
symbol you want displayed on the pipe system drawing.

3. Type the pump’s name in the Name field.

4. Click the Set Flow Rate radio button.

5. Select the flow rate units and enter the flow rate required.

6. Click the Save button to save the pump flow rate data to the pipe.

Figure 72 Fixed Flow Rate Pump

The system can now be solved, using the fixed flow rate from the pump.
 Pumps 135

Note about Fixed Flow Rate Pumps

When the flow rate of the pump is fixed, it is possible, with the addition of multiple fixed flow rate
pumps to produce a system where the in-flow and out-flow of a particular node are not the same and
this would result in an invalid system where a flow balance could never be achieved.

The fixed flow rate pump defines the flow rate and this cannot vary to give a flow / pressure balance
within the system, so some other part of the system must be allowed to vary. If flow control valves
are also used, at least one flow path must have no control device fitted. If all flow paths are
controlled, it will not be possible to solve the system, and in this case the system is termed over-
controlled.

If a pump with a fixed flow rate is used on a ‘main line’ that branches to other paths with flow control
valves then at least one path on the branch lines must have no flow control valve. The flow rate
along this path will be set to the difference between the total flow in all other paths and the flow rate
produced by the fixed flow rate pump.

Flow control valves need to have a positive pressure at their inlet that is sufficient to meet the system
pressure losses after the flow control valve (through pipe friction, fittings, components, changes in
elevation) plus the pressure loss that the flow control valve itself needs to introduce to achieve a
balance within the pipe system. If the required pressure cannot be achieved, it will not be possible to
solve the system.

Adding a Fixed Head Increase Pump

If the performance curve for a pump is not available, the analysis of the pipeline system can be
carried out using a fixed value for the pump head / pressure rise to be added by the pump.

This pump type is used to specify the additional increase in head (pressure) that a pump will add in
to the system. When the system is solved, the flow produced by the pump will be calculated.

When difficulties are experienced in solving a system, perhaps because a chosen pump is not
capable of producing the required flow, it can be useful to solve the system using a fixed head pump
that adds a high pressure. The fixed head added by the pump can then be progressively reduced,
and the system re-solved, to identify the minimum pressure needed to produce the required flow
through the system

Using a fixed head pump as described above can often help identify bottlenecks in the system,
where perhaps design changes can be made to achieve the required flow rate with a lower pump
head

To model a fixed head / pressure rise pump condition:

1. Add a pump to a pipe (as described in the previous Adding a Pump section).

2. The pump is positioned at the start of the pipe, immediately after any fittings that are included
at the start of the pipe. The Elevation field is automatically populated and set to be the same
as the elevation of the node at the start of the pipe. Click the Icon button to select the pump
symbol you want displayed on the pipe system drawing.

3. Type the pump’s name in the Name field.

4. Click the Set Head Increase radio button.

136 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

5. Select the head / pressure units and enter the head / pressure to be added.

6. Click the Save button to save the pump head / pressure data to the pipe.

Figure 73 Fixed Head / Pressure Pump

The system can now be solved, using the fixed head / pressure added by the pump.

Adding a Fixed Speed Pump Curve

To add a fixed speed pump to a pipe:

1. Add a pump to a pipe (as described in the previous Adding a Pump section).

2. The pump is positioned at the start of the pipe, immediately after any fittings that are
included at the start of the pipe. The Elevation field is automatically populated and set to
be the same as the elevation of the node at the start of the pipe. Click the Icon button to
select the pump symbol you want displayed on the pipe system drawing.

3. Type the pump’s name in the Name field.

4. Click the Set Speed radio button.

5. Type the pump’s number of rotations per minute (rpm) in the Speed field.

6. Choose the diameter units and enter the pump impeller diameter (if applicable).

7. Select the applicable units for the pump curve from the Flow and Head drop down lists.

8. Determine the points from the manufacturer’s pump graph that you wish to include on the
Pump Curve graph, and enter the head, efficiency and NPSHr values for each of these
points in the Pump Curve section of the Pump Data performance table.

9. Add a minimum of 4 and maximum of 10 points to the Pump Curve section.

 Pumps 137

Figure 74 Pump Data screen

10. Type Define the Preferred Operating Region around the pump’s best efficiency point by
specifying the preferred flow rate range between a From percentage and a To
percentage of the flow at the best efficiency point.

11. Once the operating points have been entered, click the ‘Draw Graph’ button to produce
an operating curve for the pump.

12. Click the Save Pump to Pipe to add the pump data to the Pipe Flow Expert system.

13. The system can now be solved and the balanced operating point of the centrifugal pump
will be determined.

14. The pump will produce a flow rate and pump head to match the frictional resistance
throughout the system. The duty point will be identified on the performance curve for the
operating speed of the pump
.
15. More complex pump graphs can be produced which include speed & diameter
adjustments, together with iso lines that display an efficiency map for the pump.

16. The pump data that has been entered can be saved to a Standalone Pump File with a
pfpm extension by clicking the Save button on the toolbar on the pump screen or by
selecting the Save Standalone Pump File from the pump screen file menu options.

17. By saving the data to a Standalone Pump File (with a .pfpm extension), you can reuse
the pump data for other pumps in the pipe system or future pipe systems.
138 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

18. To add a pump’s data using an existing .pfpm file, click the Load Pump from File button
or select the Load Standalone Pump File from the pump screen menu options. Select
the applicable .pfpm file, click Open, edit the applicable fields, and then click the Save
Pump to Pipe button.

When a pump is added to a pipe, the Include check box is displayed and set as selected, next to the
Add/Change Pump button, .

When the Include check box is selected, Pipe Flow Expert includes the data from the pumps on the
pipe in the calculations for solving the pipe system. To remove the pump data from the calculations,
clear the Include check box.
 Pumps 139

Working with Pump Curve Graph

Once the data for a centrifugal pump has been added, you can view an interactive graphical
representation of the data in the graph section of the Pump Data screen.

To view the Pump Curve Graph:

1. Click on a pump in a Pipe Flow Expert system to open the Pump Data screen. Click the
Draw Graph button to generate and display the Pump Curve graph.

2. Click the Graph Options button to open the graph options screen. Select the check boxes for
the elements you wish to be displayed on the graph.

3. Clear the check boxes for the elements that you do not want displayed on the graph.

4. When you select a check box, the element appears on the graph. When you clear a check
box, the element is removed from the graph.

5. To view the pump head, NPSHr, efficiency percentage and power for a specific flow rate, type
the flow rate in the Flow field above the graph drawing.

6. Click the Calculate button.

Figure 75 Pump Graph with NPSHr and Power

140 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

7. The calculated pump head, NPSHr, efficiency percentage, and power for the entered flow
rate are displayed, and the point is mapped on the Pump Curve graph. The design point is
represented by a red marker on the graph.

8. To view the flow rate, NPSHr, efficiency percentage and power for a specific head, type the
pump head in the Head field above the graph drawing.

9. Click the Calculate button.

10. The calculated flow rate, NPSHr, efficiency percentage, and power for the entered pump
head are displayed, and the point is mapped on the Pump Curve graph. The design point is
represented by a red marker on the graph.

11. A logo may be added to the pump graph. Click the Add Logo button on the pump graph area
to load a logo image. Click the Expand button to view a larger graph.

12. Any relevant notes may be added to the Notes field.

13. The Pump Data screen menu provides options to:

• Save the pump data to a standalone pump file.

• Add the pump to the pump database.
• Open the graph options to allow selection of the items to be included on the graph.
• Copy the graph image.
• Create a PDF pump sheet with a high resolution performance graph.

14. Further functionality allows the import of a scanned image of a manufacturer’s pump curve,
plus modelling of performance predictions for changes in pump operating speed and
variations in impeller diameters. The following sections describe the use of these further
options.
 Pumps 141

Import Pump Curve Image

Pipe Flow Expert provides functionally to import and create a mathematical pump model which
allows adjustment of the pump performance for different operating speeds & impeller diameters.

To import a pump curve image and plot Flow v Head points:

Click on a pump in a Pipe Flow Expert system to open the Pump Data screen

Click the ‘Import Curve Image’ button to open the import screen.

Follow these steps to create a mathematical model of the pump performance.

Step 1:

Import an image of a pump manufacturer’s performance graph

Figure 76 Import Curve Image Step 1

Step 2:

Set the range of the X axis (flow) & the flow units.
Now click the start & end points of the X axis on the imported image.

Figure 77 Import Curve Image Step 2

Step 3:

Set the range of the Y axis (head) & the head units.
Now click the start & end points of the Y axis on the imported image.

Figure 78 Import Curve Image Step 3

142 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Step 4:

Click on the ‘Select Points on Curve’ button.

Click the shut off head point at zero flow for the chosen curve.
A red cross shows the point that has been selected.

Figure 79 Import Curve Image Step 4

Step 5:

Click additional points on the chosen pump curve

(in order to define it across the flow range of the pump).
Enter the Efficiency & NPSHr associated with each operating point.
Repeat for up to 10 points to build the pump model.

Figure 80 Import Curve Image Step 5

Step 6:

This input table can be moved around the screen in order to allow viewing of any parts of the
pump curve which may be obscured. Click on the header bar and drag it to a new position as
required.

The table shows Flow, Head, Efficiency and NPSHr entries.

Select from the heading drop down to switch between display of Head, Efficiency and NPSHr
values. Entries can be updated and deleted as required.
 Pumps 143

Figure 81 Import Curve Image Step 6

Step 7:

Enter the pump speed, impeller diameter and specify the impeller units.

Click ‘Save Data to Pump’ to return to the main Pump Screen.

The imported data produces a pump graph with a flow versus head performance curve. This simple
pump object can be ‘Saved’ on to a pipe within a system.

Figure 82 Pump Data for Saving

The Pump Catalog, Manufacturer, Pump Type, Motor rpm, Pump Size, Stages and Notes fields
should be filled in before saving the pump to a system or saving to the pump database.

This supplementary information will be included on the Pump Data Sheet PDF and on the system’s
Results PDF Report when these documents are produced.

The supplementary information will also be available in the future when pump data is loaded from the
pump database.
144 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 83 Simple Pump Graph from imported points

When a system is solved the pump’s operating point will be calculated and the Flow Rate, Head,
Efficiency and NPSHr values will be displayed together with shaft power.

A system curve can also be plotted through the operating point.

Note: If the static head in the system is not zero then the user can enter a static head value and the
system curve will automatically redraw taking account of this. The software cannot automatically
calculate a static head because if a network has many loops and paths then the static head would
depend on which section and run of pipe was being considered. To change the static head, click on
the Graph Options button and then enter the Static head under the checkbox for the system curve.

Further options are available for the modelling of predicted pump performance when changes in
pump operating speed and variations to pump impeller diameters are applied. The following sections
describe the use of these further options.
 Pumps 145

Variable Speed and Change to Impeller Size

The pump model may be enhanced to predict the pump performance for a range different operating
speeds & different impeller diameters.

To define the limits for the pump performance, enter the minimum & maximum operating speed
data, and the minimum & maximum size of the impeller diameter.

Figure 84 Pump Speed and Impeller Data

Click the ‘Draw Graph’ button to re-draw and show the new operating range.

The pump graph will be re-drawn by using standard affinity laws to predict the flow & head
performance for the maximum & minimum impeller diameters.

The ‘Graph Options’ button provides access to additional settings that configure the color and
display of items on the graph, and it also provides access to allow bespoke configuration of the
predicted pump performance data, so that it can be matched to a pump’s real-world performance
as detailed on a pump manufacturers graph and data sheet.

The pump graph can be set to display the Design Curve, Design Point, Operating Envelope,
System Curve, Preferred Operating Region, and Efficiency Curve.

Shaft Power and NPSHr graphs can be displayed below the main performance graph

Efficiency data can also be displayed on the graph, either as a single line for a specific pump curve,
or as a series of iso efficiency lines that show efficiency performance across a range of impeller
sizes
146 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 85 Pump Graph Options

If a logo image has been imported, this can be included on or excluded from the pump graph by
selecting the ‘Imported Logo’ checkbox in Graph Options.

If a pump curve image has been imported, this can be included on or excluded from the background
of the pump graph by selecting the ‘Imported Curve’ checkbox in Graph Options. On the Pump
Graph screen itself, the imported pump curve image can also be faded in and out as required.
 Pumps 147

Predicted Performance Data

Initially the pump’s predicted performance is based on the standard affinity laws.

Figure 86 Pump Initial Affinity Predictions

In many cases the predicted performance curves will agree closely with a pump manufacturer’s
published graph, however for more accurate modelling of pump performance, it may be necessary to
adjust the predicted shut-off head, and adjust the curvature & efficiency points for the predicted
curves at the maximum and minimum impeller diameters.

The ‘Adjust Pump Model’ button provides access to functionality that allows customization of the
predicted pump performance curves.
148 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 87 Pump Performance Curve

The ‘Adjust Flow v Head’ options can be used to adjust the shut-off head & the rate of curvature for
the minimum & maximum impeller diameter curves, to match them to the published performance
data.

The ‘Adjust Predicted Efficiencies’ options allow the predicted efficiency values to be modified to
match the published performance data.

Figure 88 Adjust Predicted Efficiencies

A number of iso efficiency ‘shapes’ are pre-defined in the dropdown options.

These choices provide an easy method of selecting an initial starting position for the iso efficiency
map. Once a further adjustment has been made to the data, the iso efficiency shape selection
type will become user defined match.

The slide adjustments allow the curvature of groups of iso efficiency lines to be moved as a block to
the left or right. The BEP (best efficiency point) on the base data performance curve is used to divide
the performance graph into different areas.

These adjustments should be used to match the efficiency points on the maximum and minimum
impeller performance curves.

Final adjustment of individual efficiency points on the maximum and minimum performance curves
can be made (if necessary) by selecting the ‘Update Individual Efficiency Points’ option.
 Pumps 149

Figure 89 Adjust Individual Efficiency Points

To adjust an individual efficiency point, click on a ‘Green’ point on the performance curves and
use the up/down adjustment to set the efficiency value for the point.

The point will be colored ‘Red’ to indicate an adjustment has been made.

These adjustments may be reset by clicking the ‘Clear’ button

Additional adjustments for NPSHr and efficiency predictions at different operating speeds can also
be made in order that the performance of the pump across a range of speeds and impeller diameters
is accurately mapped.

The efficiency of a centrifugal pump generally reduces as the operating speed is reduced. It can be
seen from many pump manufacturers performance graphs that a speed reduction of 50% will reduce
the pump efficiency by around 5%.

When a pump is required to operate at low flow rates and/or in low efficiency areas a centrifugal
pump may not perform as expected. Operation in these areas may not be recommended.
The minimum flow line can be set as a percentage of the maximum flow on a particular curve.

Pipe Flow Expert will not include pumps which operate below the minimum flow line setting when
searching the pump database for suitable pumps to match a particular flow rate.

Once a pump has been modelled to match the published data, the complete pump model can be
saved to the searchable Pump Database for future use. A pump data sheet in PDF format can also
be produced. This shows detailed information about the pump and provides a scalable high
resolution image of the pump performance graph.

Figure 90 Pump Options

The adjusted pump graph can be used in a Pipe Flow Expert system to model the complete
performance of the pump over a range of speeds and impeller sizes.
150 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 91 Adjusted Pump Model

A logo image can also be added to the pump graph to assist with identification of the pump.
 Pumps 151

Search Pump Database

The Pump Database can be used to search for pumps that match a set of specified criteria, which
include flow & head requirements within a given speed range. There are further search refinements
that filter the results to look for solutions with the best efficiencies, largest impellers or fastest
operating speeds.

Figure 92 Pump Database

The user can work through the pump search results by clicking on a row in the Filtered Results Grid
or by using the up and down cursor keys to scroll through rows in the grid. As a row on information
about a pump is highlighted, the corresponding pump performance graph is shown

Click the ‘Select this Pump’ button to transfer the chosen pump details to the pump data screen.
152 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Browse Pump Database

The Pump Database can also be switched in to Browse mode, which allows a user to select a Pump
Library from a dropdown list of folders. This is automatically populated with a list of available pump
folders from within the Pipe Flow Expert installation.

Figure 93 Pump Database Browser

Once a folder is selected, the pumps within the chosen pump library folder are displayed in the
Browse List, where the user can click on a pump to show its corresponding pump performance
graph.

The units used to display the flow rate and pump head on the performance graph should be selected
from the dropdown options in the Browse window.

The pump data may have originally been created using flow rate units and head units that are
different from those now required. Selection of new flow and head units will produce a new
performance graph in the chosen units, with the software automatically converting the original data to
the new flow and head units.

Figure 94 Changing Units of Pump Performance Graph

Both the performance curve and the NPSHr curve can be shown in the pump graph window.

As the user browses a Pump Library folder, pumps can ‘saved’ for further consideration by clicking
the button to add them to the filtered list.

Once a user has found a suitable pump, it can be selected for use in the pipe system by clicking the
‘Select’ button, or by double clicking on the chosen pump.
 Pumps 153

Example Pumps (with Flow versus Head curve)

Two sets of example pump files are included in the sub-folders ‘GenericPumps_EndSuction_50Hz’
and ‘GenericPumps_EndSuction_60Hz’. These sub-folders are located in the ‘Pumps’ folder that is
created as part of a Pipe Flow Expert installation.

When a user opens the Pump Database all sub-folders within the main ‘Pumps’ folder will be
displayed within the Library dropdowns of the Search and Browse sections. An appropriate folder
should be chosen on which to perform the Search or Browse.

Figure 95 Pump Database - Example Pumps

The example pumps can be loaded and used to see the results that are produced by using different
pump operating data. This data is provided solely as example data and is not related to any specific
pump manufacturer. When adding further pump data to the pump database, we recommend that a
new folder is created for each pump manufacturer. The pumps can then be organized and saved in
named folders.

Figure 96 Pump Database - New Folders

154 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Demand Flows
A demand in-flow or demand out-flow can be set at any join point in the system, or at the end of a
single pipe if flow is entering or leaving the system at that point. A demand can also be the pressure
required at an end node, however a node cannot have both a demand flow and a demand pressure.

A demand in-flow is the volume of fluid that enters the system at a join point (from an external
source).

A demand out-flow is the volume of fluid that leaves the system at a join point (discharge or flows in
to some external system).

Demand flows may also be used to specify the required flow rate at the end of a pipe where fluid is
flowing out of the system, or to specify the flow rate at the start of a pipe where fluid is entering the
system (from some external source). A pipe can have a demand flow or a demand pressure at the
end of a pipe but it cannot have both.

Demand flows can be added to a join point from the Node pane or the Drawing pane. Demand flow
values are set on the Set Flow Demands dialog. The demand flows are then shown at the
appropriate node on the Drawing pane.

NOTE: Be sure to enter the value for the required fluid flow rate in the units displayed next to the
field. For example, if you are using imperial units, and ft3/sec for cubic feet per second is displayed
next to the In Flow and Out Flow fields, enter the value in cubic feet per second.

Compressible Gas Flow:

If you are working with a compressible gas and you want to set the demand flows in volume of gas at
standard conditions such as SCFM, SCMH, or other standard volume units, then you must ensure
that the current fluid is a gas. If the current fluid data is a liquid then the units for gas flow at standard
volume do not appear in the drop down list of units for demand flows.

Adding a Demand Flow at a join point

To add a demand flow to a join point in the pipe system:

1. Click the Add Demand (Flow) button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Add Demand (Flow) button, the demand flow symbol is displayed next to
your mouse pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click on the join point on the Drawing pane where you want to add a demand flow.

4. The Set Flow Demands dialog opens.

5. To add a demand flow from the Node pane, select a join point on the Drawing pane to display
the join point’s properties in the Node pane, and then click one of the Edit buttons in the
Node pane to open the Set Flow Demands dialog. Both Edit buttons in the Node pane open
the Set Flow Demands dialog.
 Demand Flows 155

Figure 97 Set Flow Demands dialog

6. Select the flow units from the drop down list of available units.

7. Type the required flow rate for the fluid ENTERING the system at the join point in the In Flow
field, if applicable.

8. Type the required flow rate for the fluid LEAVING the system from the join point in the Out
Flow field, if applicable.

9. If you select a different flow unit, the value entry will be converted automatically to the
equivalent value for the current selected flow unit.

10. Click OK to add the join point’s demand flow.

156 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Demand Pressures
A demand pressure can only be set at exit points from the system, i.e. the boundaries or end nodes.

A demand pressure, referred to as an End Pressure in the Node pane, is the required pressure
demand at the end of a pipe when the fluid is discharged. For example, in a sprinkler system, each
sprinkler head may have a required minimum pressure. To find the fluid flow rate exiting the pipe
system, a demand pressure is drawn and the required pressure set for each sprinkler head. Demand
pressures can only be set at the end of a pipe that does not join into any other pipes.

A pipe can have a demand flow or a demand pressure at the end of a pipe but it cannot have both.

In the real-world it is the difference in pressure between two points that determine the flow rate that
will occur and hence this is why you cannot define a flow rate and a pressure condition at the same
point. If you define a flow rate then the software will calculate what pressure is required at that point
in order to get that flow rate when considering all of the other flows and pressures throughout the
system. If you define a demand pressure then the software will calculate what flow rate will occur.

Adding a Demand Pressure at an end node

To add a demand pressure to an end node:

1. Click the Add Demand (Pressure) button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Add Demand (Pressure) button, the demand pressure symbol is
displayed next to your mouse pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click on the end of a pipe on the Drawing pane where you want to add a demand pressure.

4. Click Yes when asked ‘Do you wish to change the type of node to an end demand pressure?’

5. The demand pressure is added to the pipe system, and is selected on the Drawing pane.
Define the demand pressure’s properties in the Node pane.

Figure 98 Node pane for end pressures

 Demand Pressures 157

6. Type the demand pressure’s name in the Node field.

7. End Pressure is automatically selected in the Type list.

8. Click the Demand Pressure Scroll Up or Scroll Down button to select the demand pressure
image you want displayed on the pipe system drawing.

9. The image you select does not affect any of the demand pressure’s properties or values.

10. Type the required pressure for the end of the pipe in the Pressure field.

11. Type the elevation at the demand pressure in the Elevation field.

12. Type any applicable notes regarding the demand pressure in the Notes field.

13. To add additional demand pressures to the system, repeat Steps 3 – 12.
158 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Text Items
Text items allow you to add free text labels at any position on the pipe system drawing. These are
useful for annotating a system during and after the design process and provide an easy and clear
way to provide additional details about specific items on the drawing.

Using the Add Text button, , on the tool bar, you can add text to the drawing and/or modify text
that has been previously added.

Adding Text to the drawing

To add and/or modify text:

1. Click the Add Text button, , on the tool bar.

2. A circle will appear at the top left of any text that has been previously added.

3. To modify previously added text click this circle to display the Add Free Text Label dialog.

4. To add new text click in a clear space on the drawing pane to display the Add Free Text
Label dialog.

Figure 99 Add Free Text Label Dialog

5. Enter or amend the text, choose the color, size, style and angle for the text.

6. Click OK to place the text on the drawing at the position that was clicked.
 Text Items 159

7. To align the text to the nearest grid intersection check the Left Align to Grid / Top Align to
Grid check boxes before clicking the OK button

8. Click Delete to remove the text from the drawing.

9. To move the individual text to a new position, use the Drag and Move menu button to
highlight all items on the drawing. Select a highlighted item of text, and while holding down
the left mouse button, drag the text to its new position on the drawing.

10. The text may also be moved as part of a selected group. Use the selection tool to enclose the
items to be moved, and include the top left area of any text to be moved.
160 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Images
Images can be imported on the pipe system drawing. The images can then be resized and
repositioned as required. The images appear behind the main drawing of the pipe system. They can
be set to appear either on top of or behind the grid lines.

Images are useful for annotating a system to provide visual information that enhances the design
data. For example, an imported image could show a map of geographical information behind the
system drawing, or it could show a technical drawing that the system design has been traced over.
They can also be used for visual impact to add company logos or other imagery.

Use the Import Image button, , on the tool bar, to import an image to the drawing. You can also
use the Import Image option from the File menu.

Use the Drag and Move Items button, , to position, resize and modify images that are already
on the drawing.

Importing Images on to the drawing

To add and/or modify images:

1. Click the Import Image button, , on the tool bar.

2. A dialog will open that will allow you to browse and select an image file from your computer.

3. Select the image file and click Open. The image can be of type gif, jpg, jpeg, bmp, tif, tiff, ico
or vectorized formats emf and wmf. Vectorized formats allow you to zoom in and out whilst
maintaining image quality without loss of resolution.

4. The image will now be imported and may automatically be resized as appropriate if it is a very
large image.

5. The image is shown on the drawing and a box is drawn around its edges, with particular
points highlighted (as shown below).
 Images 161

Figure 100 Importing an image on to the drawing

6. Left click on a highlighted point and drag to resize the image (or use the highlighted point in
the center of the image to drag and move the position of the image). Right click (or select the
Show Item Info tool) to turn off the highlighting and image editing functionality.

7. Click the Edit button, , at the top left of the image to adjust its properties.
162 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Adjusting image properties

To display the Image Properties dialog, click the Drag and Move Items button, , followed by
the Edit button, , at the top left of the image to be modified.

Enter the desired width and height (in pixels) to scale the image.
The image will be dynamically scaled.

The original image size and aspect ratio can be restored by clicking
the appropriate Reset button.

The image transparency can be adjusted by using the Fade image

slider control. Moving the slider to the left will increase the
transparency of the image, whilst moving the slider to the right will
decrease the transparency.

A colored image can be made black and white (Grey Scale) by

selecting the Grey Scale check box.

Select the Hide Image checkbox to conceal the image (whilst

keeping the image object on the drawing).

To change how the image appears relative to other system drawing

elements, click Display Layer and select the required option as
follows:

Figure 101 Image Properties

Display Layer Description

Layer 1 – Above Grid Lines The image will be positioned on layer 1, above the grid lines.
The grid lines will not be visible regardless of the image transparency.
Layer 2 – Behind Grid Lines The image will be positioned on layer 2, behind the grid lines.
The grid lines will always be visible over the image.
Layer 3 – Behind Layer 2 The image will be positioned on layer 3, behind layer 2.
As images are added to the drawing they are layered over the previous
image(s). Layer 3 allows the user to change the layering (z index) of the
images on the system drawing.

The image can be permanently removed from the system drawing by clicking the Delete Image
button.
 Viewing, Modifying, and Deleting Items 163

Viewing, Modifying, and Deleting Items

Pipe Flow Expert comes with a number of tools for viewing and modifying a pipe system from the
drawing pane. The units and labelling options selected in the Configuration Options dialog determine
which values are displayed on the pipe system in the Drawing pane.

Additional details can be viewed for components by clicking the Show Item Info button, , on the
tool bar and selecting a specific component in the Drawing pane.

The following sub-sections describe zooming, viewing, panning, modifying and moving items.

Zooming in or Out in the Drawing Pane

The zoom function in Pipe Flow Expert provides the ability to view a pipe system up close or to see
more of the pipe system at a reduced size. The zoom function can also be used as part of the
printing process. When you print a pipe system in Pipe Flow Expert (rather than creating a PDF),
only the visible part of image that is currently displayed in the Drawing pane is printed. The zoom
function helps you define how much of a system is printed. Alternately you can create a PDF
document and print from within Acrobat (or other PDF reader).

If your mouse has a scroll button, you can also use the scroll button to zoom in and out in the
Drawing pane. Scroll down to zoom out, and scroll up to zoom in.

To zoom in or out in the Drawing pane:

1. Click the, , Zoom Out button on the tool bar to view the system farther out in the
Drawing pane.

2. Click the, , Zoom In button on the tool bar to magnify the system in the Drawing pane.

3. To view a large pipe system in its entirety, you can click the , Zoom Drawing to Fit
Screen button to see the whole system in the Drawing pane.

4. Click a zoom percentage from the, , Zoom list on the tool bar to zoom in or out in
the Drawing pane.

Zooming in to a Selected Area

The selected area zoom function provides the ability to quickly and automatically zoom in to a
selected area of the pipe system.

To Zoom In to a Selected Area:

1. Click the Selection tool button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Selection tool button, the selection icon is displayed next to your mouse
pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.
164 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

3. Draw a box around the node or group of components you want to view in the Drawing pane.

4. To draw a box, click where you want to start the box in the Drawing pane and hold down the
left mouse button, then drag the mouse until you have drawn the box.

5. Release the left mouse button.

6. Click the selected area , , Zoom Tool Button, located among the ‘Selection Tool
Buttons’.

7. The selected area will be displayed in the center of the drawing pane.

If no selection has been made the selection zoom tool button will increase the display by one scale
increment.

Viewing the whole System in the Drawing Pane

To view the whole of a pipework system click the, , Zoom Drawing to fit Screen button, on the
tool bar, to fit the system in the visible Drawing pane.

Panning a System in the Drawing Pane

The pan function in Pipe Flow Expert provides the ability to move an entire pipe system in the
Drawing pane, without making any changes to the pipe system components, or to pan a pipe system
to quickly view different areas of the system in the Drawing pane.

To move or pan a pipe system in the Drawing pane:

1. Click the, , Pan the drawing button on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Pan the drawing button, the hand symbol is displayed next to your
mouse pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click and hold down the left mouse button anywhere in the Drawing pane.

4. Drag the pipe system to where you want to move it.

5. Release the left mouse button when you are done moving or panning the pipe system.

Tip: The pan function can also be accessed by clicking in ‘white space’, when either the ‘Show
mode’ or the ‘Move mode’ has been selected.
 Viewing, Modifying, and Deleting Items 165

Finding a Pipe or a Node

Finding a pipe or a node on a large system schematic is made easy by selection of the item from the
drop down selection boxes on the Pipe Pane and the Node Pane. This allows a selection of a
specific pipe or node and it will then be highlighted on the drawing.

Figure 102 Pipe and Node Panes

If the drawing scale is too small to see the highlighted pipe or node, then click the zoom button , ,
to zoom the display to show the selected pipe or node in the visible drawing window at an increased
scale.

Mirror View of the Pipe System

The drawing menu items provide an option to produce a Mirror View (Left / Right) of the complete
pipe system without making any changes to the pipe system components.
Where a system contains free text entries, the starting position of the free text is mirrored but the
direction of the text is not changed (the user may have to re-position the text as necessary).
Information about applying the mirror feature to selected items within the system is available in
Section: Group updates on the drawing.

Inverted View of the Pipe System

The drawing menu items provide an option to produce an Inverted View (Up / Down) of the complete
pipe system without making any changes to the pipe system components
Where a system contains free text entries the starting positions of the free text is inverted but
multiple lines of text still progress downwards line after line (the user may have to re-position the text
as necessary.
Information about applying the invert feature to selected items within the system is available in
Section: Group Updates on the Drawing.
166 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

System Amendments and Group Updates

Making amendments to your system usually involves changing the diameter, length or material of a
pipe or group of pipes. It may also involve changing the node elevations where the pipes are linked.

Amendments can be made in a number of ways:

a. Use the Edit Grid to display, filter and edit the data for Pipes, Nodes, and other items.

b. Click on the pipe or node and update the entries shown on the Pipe Pane or the Node Pane.

c. Set the Default Pipe data, select a group of items to be amended, or select a collection of
individual items and then copy some or all of the Default Pipe attributes to the selected items.

Using the Edit Grid

1. Click the Edit Network Data tool button to display the Edit Grid.

2. Choose a tab to display data for Pipes, Tanks, End Pressures, Nodes, FCVs, PRVs, BPVs,
Fixed Losses, Cv Values, Kv Values, Sprinklers K (Imperial), Sprinklers K (Metric), Orifices,
Pumps (Fixed Flow), Pumps (Fixed Head) and Pumps (Curve).

3. Select the cell that contains the data you want to edit.

4. The Edit Grid can be over-typed and updated directly (changes are applied immediately).

Note: The changes will be applied immediately and the drawing will be updated. An Undo option
is not available hence amendments cannot be cancelled; the original data must be re-entered.

Figure 103 The Edit Grid (in filter mode)

Item Selection:

Selecting a cell in the edit grid will highlight the row and highlight the item in the Drawing Pane.
 System Amendments and Group Updates 167

To zoom to the highlighted item in the Drawing Pane:

When the Edit Grid: Zoom To configuration option is set to Single Click, selecting a cell or row
in the edit grid will automatically zoom to the highlighted item.

When the Edit Grid: Zoom To configuration option is set to Double Click:
1. Select a cell or row in the edit grid and click the Zoom to Highlighted item button, , on
the tool bar, or

2. Double click in a cell or the row header (the ID column) in the edit grid.

To de-select an item in the edit grid:

1. Right click in the row header (the ID column), or

2. Change to a different tab.

Filtering Items:

By default, the Edit Grid will display all the pipes and nodes in the current system. The Edit Grid
can show a subset of the pipes and nodes in the system using one of the following two methods:

1. Using the Filter to only show rows that match certain specified criteria. For example, the
data shown on the Pipe Tab can be filtered by: Pipe ID, Pipe Name, Nominal Size,
Material/Sch., Diameter, Roughness or length.

When a filter has been applied, the items displayed in the Edit Grid will also be selected in
the Drawing Pane.

Note: When closing the Edit Grid after applying a filter, the items displayed in the Edit
Grid will remain selected in the Drawing pane and the individual selection tool, , will
be enabled thereby enabling the selection to be refined using the network diagram.

2. Select the required items in the Drawing Pane (using the group, , or individual, ,

selection tools) and then Click the Edit Network Data tool button to display the Edit
Grid. Only the selected items will be displayed in the Edit Grid.

Note: The filter by criteria capability is not available when the Edit Grid is opened when
items are selected in the Drawing Pane.

Updating Items:

Data in the Edit Grid can be updated by selecting individual cells and editing the value directly.
Alternatively, multiple rows can be amended as a group, in a single operation, by selecting an
item to be updated from the drop down list, entering a value to ‘Set’, and clicking the ‘Update
Rows’ button.
168 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Individual Item Viewing and Modifying

Using the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar, you can view and/or modify the specific
details about any component in a pipe system. Depending on the type of component you select,
clicking a component in the Drawing either displays the component’s information in the Node or Pipe
pane, or opens up the dialog specific to the selected component.

To view and modify an individual item:

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Show Item Info button, SHOW is displayed next to your mouse pointer
when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click a component in the Drawing pane that you want to view and/or edit.

4. When you select a tank, join point, or demand pressure, its details are displayed, and can be
edited in the Node pane.

5. When you select a demand flow, the Set Flow Demands dialog opens, and you can view
and edit the demand flow values.

6. When you select a pipe, the pipe’s details are displayed, and can be edited in the Pipe pane.
To view and edit a pipe’s material and/or size, click the Diam? or Material buttons in the Pipe
pane to open the Pipe diameter data screen.

7. When you click a fitting symbol or a valve symbol , on a pipe the Pipe fitting friction
coefficients screen opens. You can view and edit all fittings on the pipe containing the fitting
you selected in the Drawing pane. You can also select a pipe in the Drawing pane, and then
click the Add/Change Fittings button, , in the Pipe pane to open the Pipe fitting
friction coefficients screen.

8. When you click a component symbol on a pipe, , the Set Component Pressure Loss
dialog opens, and you can view and edit the component’s pressure loss values. You can also
select a pipe in the Drawing pane, and then click the Add/Change Component Pressure
Loss button, , in the Pipe pane to open the Set Component Pressure Loss dialog.

9. When you click a control valve symbol on a pipe, , the Control Valve Data screen
opens, and you can view and edit the control valve type or values. You can also select a pipe
in the Drawing pane, and then click the Add/Change Control Valve button, , in the
Pipe pane to open the Control Valve Data screen.

10. When you click a pump symbol on a pipe, , the Pump Data screen opens, and you can
view and edit the pump’s properties. You can also select a pipe in the Drawing pane, and
then click the Add/Change Pump button, , in the Pipe pane to open the Pump Data
screen.

Group Updates on the Drawing

The attributes of a group of pipes or nodes can be amended in a single update operation.
 System Amendments and Group Updates 169

The Selection tool button allows the user to select a group of items which are located within an
area defined by a rectangle. When using the isometric grid, clicking the Selection tool button will
display a sub menu to enable items to be selected using either a rectangle or isometric (rhombus)
selection.

Figure 104 Isometric Selection Menu

While holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to create a rectangle around the item(s)
you want to select.

The selected items can then be amended using the following operations:

Figure 105 Selection Amendment Toolbar

Cut, Copy, Paste, Mirror, Invert, Zoom in, Adjust Attributes (Pipes), Adjust Attributes (Nodes), &
Delete.

When the, , ‘Adjust Attributes of Selected Pipes’ button is clicked, a screen showing the current
‘Default Pipe’ attributes and a list of pipes is displayed with the selected pipes shown as checked.
The ‘Default Pipe’ data can now be amended as required and the buttons in the middle of the screen
can then be used to copy item values to the group of selected pipes.

Figure 106 Pipe data Group Updates

170 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

When the, , ‘Adjust Attributes of Selected Nodes’ button is clicked, a similar screen to the one
above is shown, except on the left hand side it shows Default Node values and on the right a list of
selected nodes is displayed. Data values can be copied from the default node to the selected nodes
using the ‘copy’ buttons in the middle of the screen.

The individual Selection tool button, , allows the user to select an ad hoc group of pipes and
nodes, on a one-by-one basis. This is often useful when the group of items to be updated are
positioned within different parts of the drawing, such that they cannot be selected inside a standard
rectangle (without including other items that are not wanted).

Again the characteristics for these individually selected ‘groups’ of items can be updated in one
operation by using the ‘Adjust Attributes of Selected Pipes’ and ‘Adjust Attributes of Selected Nodes’
buttons.

Figure 107 Pipe & Node Adjustment Toolbar

Moving Components in a System

In Pipe Flow Expert, you can move sections of a pipe system by dragging a node or a group of
components to another place in the drawing, and you can move individual components on a pipe to a
different location along the same pipe. You can also cut, copy, and paste pipes and nodes to move
pipes and nodes in the system.

Using the Drag and Move Items button, , on the tool bar, you can move a node, and all the
components connected to the node, or you can move individual components on a pipe in the
Drawing pane.

Using the Selection tool button, , on the tool bar, you can move nodes or groups of components
in the Drawing pane.

To move system components using the Drag and Move Items button:

1. Click the Drag and Move Items button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Drag and Move Items button, each of the pipe system’s components are
highlighted in the Drawing pane. MOVE is displayed next to your mouse pointer when the
pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click the component you want to move and hold down the left mouse button in the Drawing
pane.

4. Drag the component where you want to move it.

5. Release the left mouse button when you are done moving the component.

When you move components using the Drag and Move Items button, the values for the moved
components do not change. If you want to change the value of a moved component, such as pipe
length, the value needs to be manually updated in Pipe Flow Expert.
 System Amendments and Group Updates 171

To move system components using the Selection tool:

1. Click the Selection tool button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Selection tool button, the selection icon is displayed next to your mouse
pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Draw a box around the node or group of components you want to move in the Drawing pane.

4. To draw a box, click where you want to start the box in the Drawing pane and hold down the
left mouse button, then drag the mouse until you have drawn the box.

5. Release the left mouse button.

6. Click in the box and hold down the left mouse button, then drag the box to the new location in
the Drawing pane. Moving the box automatically moves the node or group of components
within the box.

7. Release the left mouse button and right-click when you are done moving the component.

When you move components using the Selection tool button, the values for the components that
are moved do not change. If you want to change the value of a moved component, such as pipe
length, the value needs to be manually updated in Pipe Flow Expert.

Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Nodes & Pipes

Nodes (tanks, demand pressures, or join points) and the connecting pipes can be cut, copied or
pasted in the Drawing pane. A pipe cannot exist unless it is connected between two nodes. When
you cut a node from a pipe system in the Drawing pane, any pipes that have one end connected to a
selected node but which are not linked at the other end to another selected node (i.e. the pipe is not
fully contained within the selection rectangle), will be permanently removed from the system (and the
components on those deleted pipes will also be removed from the system).

When you paste a group of objects on to the Drawing pane, these items will initially appear slightly
offset from the position of the original copy operation. The group of objects will be contained in a
selection rectangle, to allow the objects to be moved to a new position. Once the selected items
have been positioned, click the right mouse button to complete the paste operation.

If you try to paste a node over the top of an existing node or an existing pipe, the paste action will be
disallowed.

NOTE: A cut, copy, or paste action in the Drawing pane cannot be undone.

To cut, copy, and paste nodes and pipes in the Drawing pane:

1. Click the Selection tool button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Selection tool button, the selection icon is displayed next to your mouse
pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Draw a box around the pipes and nodes you want to cut or copy in the Drawing pane. To
draw a box, click where you want to start the box in the Drawing pane and hold down the left
172 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

mouse button, then drag the mouse until you have drawn the box and then release the left
mouse button.

4. To cut the nodes and pipes, click the Cut button, , on the tool bar or select Edit | Cut
Any pipes which have one end connected to a selected node but are not linked at the other
end to another selected node, will be permanently removed from the system.

5. After clicking the Cut button or selecting Edit | Cut, a message asking if you are sure you
wish to cut the nodes and all pipes that connect to these nodes will be displayed.

6. Click Yes.

7. You may wish to copy rather than cut a set of selected items. To copy the nodes and pipes,

click the Copy button, , on the toolbar or select Edit | Copy.

8. Click the Paste button, , on the tool bar or select Edit | Paste to paste the cut or copied
nodes and pipes to the Drawing pane.

9. When you paste nodes and pipes to the Drawing pane, these items will be pasted slightly
offset from the position of the original copy operation. The group of new objects will be
contained in a selection rectangle.

10. Click in the box and hold down the left mouse button, then drag the objects to their new
location in the Drawing pane.

11. Release the left mouse button, to allow the objects to locate on the drawing grid.

12. Click the right mouse button to complete the paste operation.

Attaching Nodes
Nodes (tanks, demand pressures, or join points) can be attached onto other nodes in the Drawing
Pane. When the node being moved (source node) is attached to another node (target node) the
source node is deleted and all pipes connected to the source node are connected to the target node.

NOTE: Attaching nodes in the Drawing pane cannot be undone.

To attach a node using the Drag and Move Items tool:

1. Click the Drag and Move Items button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Drag and Move Items button, each of the pipe system’s components are
highlighted in the Drawing pane. MOVE is displayed next to your mouse pointer when the
pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Click the node you want to move (source node) and hold down the left mouse button in the
Drawing pane.

4. Drag the source node over the target node that you wish to attach to and release the left
mouse button.
 System Amendments and Group Updates 173

To attach one or more nodes using the Selection tool:

1. Click the Selection tool button, , on the tool bar.

2. When the Selection tool is active, the selection icon is displayed next to your mouse pointer
when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Draw a box around the nodes (source nodes) you want to move in the Drawing pane. To
draw a box, click where you want to start the box in the Drawing pane and hold down the left
mouse button, then drag the mouse until you have drawn the box and then release the left
mouse button.

4. Click in the box and hold down the left mouse button in the Drawing pane.

5. Drag the selected source nodes over one or more target nodes that you wish to attach to and
release the left mouse button.

6. Click the right mouse button to complete the attach operation.

Copying Between Drawings

The Selection tool button, , allows a group of nodes and pipes to be copied, as described in
the previous section. It is possible to use the group copy and the paste feature to transfer a group of
nodes and pipes from one drawing to another drawing.

Nodes and pipes on the current drawing are selected and copied.
A new grid is then chosen or a different drawing is opened.

The Paste button, , can be used to place the copied nodes and pipes on to the new drawing

Opening Additional Systems

Tabbed Design Sheets let you work on multiple systems simultaneously. Each tab operates
independently, enabling instant switching between different systems, in both design mode and
results mode, for easy comparison of models and calculation results.

Figure 108 Tabs

• Tabbed Sheets work just like Tabs in an Internet Browser.

• Tabbed Sheets work in both Design View and Results Mode.
• Switch between different system models with a single click.
• Easy to design, view, and compare results across multiple models.
174 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

• Easy to copy sections of drawings between different system models.

• Easy to demonstrate and review results for altered designs

Rotating Selected Items

The Selection tool button, , allows a group of nodes and pipes to be selected, as described in
the previous section. It is possible to use the options on the edit menu to rotate the selected group
either 90 degrees clockwise or 90 degrees anticlockwise. The mirror or invert features can also be
applied to the selected group.

The Mirror Selection button, , can be used to mirror the selected group.

The Invert Selection button, , can be used to invert the selected group.

Pipe Flow Expert does not allow one node to be placed over the top of another node, or over the top
of an un-related pipe. This restriction is applied to prevent confusion.

When the rotated, or mirrored, or inverted group are added back to the drawing the action may be
disallowed if the above conditions apply. The selected group will have to be re-positioned to allow
the items to be ‘dropped’ back onto the drawing pane.

Moving a Pipe to link at a new position

If a pipe has been drawn incorrectly between two nodes, it is possible to unlink the end of the pipe
and enter the pipe drawing mode to allow the existing pipe to be connected at a new position.

To unlink / move an existing pipe:

1. Select the pipe to be moved by clicking on it in the drawing pane.

2. Click the right mouse button to display the Pipe Pop-up menu.

3. Choose the ‘Move / Unlink end of Pipe’ option.

4. The pipe drawing mode will be selected.

5. The ‘direction arrow’ end of the pipe will be unlinked to allow you to connect the pipe at a new
position.

The ‘Move / Unlink end of Pipe’ option can also be performed when in ‘Add Pipes’ drawing mode, by
‘clicking’ on a pipe to first highlight it, then ‘clicking’ again on the highlighted pipe to ‘unlink’ it.

Using the Undo and Redo Functions

When you add a single pipe or a single node in the Drawing pane, you can undo the add pipe or
node action to remove the pipe or node from the Drawing pane. If you change your mind about an
undo action, you can redo the pipe or node in the Drawing pane.
 System Amendments and Group Updates 175

To undo an add pipe or node action in the Drawing pane, click the Undo button, , on the tool bar
or select Edit | Undo.

To redo an undo action in the Drawing pane, click the Redo button, , on the tool bar or select
Edit | Redo.

NOTE: If you added new components, such as fittings or flow demands, to a pipe or node, and you
then click the Undo button or select Edit | Undo, and then click the Redo button or select Edit | Redo,
then the pipe or node will be re-added to the Drawing pane without the components. When you use
the undo action for a pipe or node with components, any components that were not drawn as part of
the default pipe are permanently removed from the pipe.

Deleting Components in a System

Individual components or groups of components can be deleted from a pipe system in the Drawing
pane. When you delete a node from a pipe system in the Drawing pane, all the pipes connected to
the node, and the components on those pipes, are deleted from the system. When you delete an
individual pipe, all the components on the pipe are also deleted.

Highlight the item to be deleted, and then click the Delete button, , on the tool bar. You can also
use Ctrl-Delete on the keyboard instead of clicking the Delete button.

An item can be selected and highlighted by clicking on it. A group of items can be selected using the
selection tool. This allow selection of groups of Nodes (tanks, demand pressures, or join points) and
individual pipes.

Other pipe system components (Pumps, Fittings, Control Valves, & Components) are deleted on the
dialog associated with that component. For example, fittings on a pipe are deleted from the Pipe
fitting friction coefficients dialog.

NOTE: Deletions in the Drawing pane cannot be undone.

Deleting a Node or Pipe

To delete a node or pipe from a pipe system:

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Click the node or pipe you want to delete in the Drawing pane.

3. You can also select a node or pipe for deletion by using the Selection tool button, , on
the tool bar.

4. Click the Delete button, , on the tool bar, or select Edit | Delete, or click Ctrl-Delete on
the keyboard.
176 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

5. If you are deleting a node, the message, Are you sure you wish to delete the current
highlighted node and all pipes that connect to the highlighted node?, is displayed after
clicking the Delete button or selecting Edit | Delete.

6. If you are deleting a pipe, the message, Are you sure you wish to delete the current
highlighted pipe?, is displayed after clicking the Delete button or selecting Edit | Delete.

7. Click Yes.

8. The selected node or pipe is deleted. When you delete a node, all pipes and components
connected to the node are deleted. When you delete a pipe, all components on the pipe are
deleted with the pipe.

Deleting a Group of Components

To delete a group of components from a pipe system:

1. Click the Selection tool button, , on the tool bar.

2. When you click the Selection tool button, the selection icon is displayed next to your mouse
pointer when the pointer is in the Drawing pane.

3. Draw a box around the group of components that you want to delete in the Drawing pane.

4. To draw a box, click where you want to start the box in the Drawing pane and hold down the
left mouse button, then drag the mouse until you have drawn the box.

5. Release the left mouse button.

6. Click the Delete button, , on the tool bar or select Edit | Delete, or click Ctrl-Delete on
the keyboard.

7. The message, Are you sure you wish to delete the selected nodes and all pipes that connect
to these nodes?, is displayed after clicking the Delete button or selecting Edit | Delete.

8. Click Yes.

9. The selected nodes and all the pipes and their components that are connected to the nodes
are deleted.

Deleting a Demand Flow

To delete a demand flow from a pipe system:

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Click the node containing the demand flow that you want to delete in the Drawing pane.

3. Click one of the Edit buttons in the Node pane to open the Set Demand Flow dialog.
 System Amendments and Group Updates 177

4. If the In Flow field contains a value other than 0.000, type 0.

5. If the Out Flow field contains a value other than 0.000, type 0.

6. Click OK to save your changes and close the Set Demand Flow dialog.

7. The demand flow icon and value are removed from the selected node in the Drawing pane.

Deleting Fittings
To delete a fitting from a pipe system:

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Click the fitting symbol, , on the pipe containing the fitting that you want to delete in the
Drawing pane.

3. Clicking the fitting symbol opens the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog with all the
fittings on the pipe listed in the Fittings on section.

4. You can also select the pipe containing the fitting that you want to delete in the Drawing
pane, and then click the Add/Change Fittings button, , in the Pipe pane to open the
Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog.

5. Select the row containing the fitting that you want to delete in the Fittings on section.

6. Click the Delete button, , next to the row that shows the K value for the
fitting, to delete the fitting(s) from the selected pipe.

7. Click the Save button in the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog to save your changes
and close the Pipe fitting friction coefficients dialog.

8. If you deleted all the fittings on the pipe, the fittings symbol on the selected pipe is deleted in
the Drawing pane.

Deleting a Component Pressure Loss

To delete a component’s pressure loss from a pipe system:

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Click the component pressure loss symbol, , on the pipe containing the component
pressure loss that you want to delete in the Drawing pane.

3. Clicking the component pressure loss symbol opens the Set Component Pressure Loss
dialog.

4. You can also select the pipe containing the component pressure loss that you want to delete
in the Drawing pane, and then click the Add/Change Component Pressure Loss button,
, in the Pipe pane to open the Set Component Pressure Loss dialog.
178 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

5. If you want to save and reuse the component pressure loss data for other pipes in the pipe
system or future pipe systems, be sure to click the Save To File button and save the
pressure loss data to a .pfco file before deleting the component pressure loss from the
selected pipe.

6. Click the Delete button.

7. The message, Are you sure you wish to delete the component and its data from this pipe? is
displayed after clicking the Delete button.

8. Click Yes.

9. The component pressure loss icon and values are removed from the pipe in the Drawing
pane.

Deleting a Control Valve

To delete a control valve from a pipe system:

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Click the flow control symbol, , on the pipe containing the flow control that you want to
delete in the Drawing pane.

3. Clicking the control valve symbol opens the Control Valve Data dialog.

4. You can also select the pipe containing the control valve that you want to delete in the
Drawing pane, and then click the Add/Change Control Valve button, , in the Pipe
pane to open the Control Valve Data dialog.

5. Click the Delete button.

6. The control valve icon and value are removed from the pipe in the Drawing pane.

Deleting a Pump
To delete a pump from a pipe system:

1. Click the Show Item Info button, , on the tool bar.

2. Click the pump symbol, , on the pipe containing the pump that you want to delete in the
Drawing pane.

3. Clicking the pump symbol opens the Pump Data dialog.

4. You can also select the pipe containing the pump that you want to delete in the Drawing
pane, and then click the Add/Change Pump button, , in the Pipe pane to open the
Pump Data dialog.
 Calculations and Results 179

5. If you want to save and reuse the pump data for other pumps in the pipe system or future
pipe systems, be sure to click the Save To File button and save the pump data to a .pfpm file
before deleting the pump from the selected pipe.

6. Click the Delete button.

7. The message, Are you sure you wish to delete the pump and all pump data from this pipe?, is
displayed after clicking the Delete button.

8. Click Yes.

9. The pump icon and value are removed from the pipe in the Drawing pane.

Calculations and Results

Once you have finished constructing a pipe system, you can calculate and solve the system to
determine whether the system is valid. If the system is valid, the calculated values for the system’s
flow rates and pressures are displayed in the Drawing pane and the Result tables.

Results drawing:

The calculated values displayed in the Drawing pane are determined by the options selected on the
Labels and Units tab of the Configuration Options dialog. The user can choose which labels to
include on the drawing, and for some labels, which attribute value is displayed within the label.

Results Sheet:

The Results tables contain all of the calculated values for the whole pipe system, including pipe data,
fitting data, component data, pump data, fluid data and node data.

Results PDF:

The Results PDF can be generated once a system has been solved. The data shown in the Results
PDF is configurable and can be selected at a section levels, such as pipe data and node data, and
then further refined at an attribute level, as to which attributes are shown within the various results
tables.

Results Log:

When you calculate a pipe system, a log is generated and displayed in the Results Log dialog. If a
pipe system cannot be solved, the log provides additional information and may offer some
suggestions as to why the system cannot be solved.

Calculations:

To calculate the balanced results for a pipe system in the Drawing pane, click the Calculate button.

The ‘Include’ check boxes in the Pipe pane allow you to include or exclude the fittings, component
pressure losses, control valves, and pumps when solving the system. The check boxes allow you to
view and re-run the system calculations without having to delete and re-add the components to the
system.

Select the Include check box to include a component’s values in a system’s calculations. Clear an
Include check box to exclude a component’s values from a system’s calculations.
180 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Automatic Checks and Updates

Before a pipe system is solved, the software performs some automatic checking of the system data
and allows users to accept various recommended updates to make the system information
consistent.

The software interface is intuitive and it provides easy access to amend the system data as required,
however standalone changes to pipe diameters, pipe lengths and node elevations can sometimes
create inconsistence’s in the design data.

Three types of checks are performed before a system solution is calculated.

Figure 109 Pipe Attribute Inconsistency

Where an Internal Diameter has been amended by over typing the data in the pipe pane or the edit
grid the Outer Diameter, Wall Thickness & Internal Diameter may no longer be consistent with each
other.

The option to update Outer Diameters and Wall Thicknesses should normally be accepted. This will
allow the diameter data to be made consistent and the nominal pipe size will then be recalculated.

Fitting sizes will be checked and matched to the nominal pipe size.

Figure 110 Fitting Size Inconsistency

 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 181

If the nominal pipe size does not match some of the fitting sizes associated with the pipe, then the
option to update the fitting sizes should normally be accepted. This will update the fitting sizes and
the fitting ‘K’ values so that the fitting pressure losses will be calculated correctly.

Figure 111 Pipe Length & Elevation Inconsistency

Where pipe lengths are not sufficient to span the difference in node elevations, these pipes will be
identified and the user will be asked to confirm an update for each pipe. The pipe length can
automatically be set to the difference in start and end elevations of the pipe.

The changes in pipe length will be noted in the results log when the system is solved. The user may
wish to check that the lengths of these pipes are also sufficient to cover any additional length that
may be required if the pipe is not vertical (a non-vertical, sloped pipe, would need to have a length
that was greater than just the change in elevation between its start and end node). Where the pipe
direction is not vertical and the length has been set to less than the difference in elevation between
its start node and end node, it will be necessary to amend each pipe length manually, in the pipe
pane or edit grid.

Calculating and Solving a System

To calculate and solve a system:

1. Open the .pfe file for the pipe system you want to calculate in Pipe Flow Expert.

2. The pipe system is displayed in the Drawing pane. In order to calculate a system’s values,
the pipe system must be open in the Drawing pane.

3. Click the Calculate button on the tool bar.

4. The system results are calculated and the Results Log dialog is shown.
182 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 112 Result Log dialog

If the pipe system is solved, the message ‘The network was solved successfully’ is displayed in the
Results Log dialog.

If the pipe system is not solved, the log offers some suggestions as to why the system could not be
solved, and the message ‘The network was not solved. See log details above.’ is displayed in the
Results Log dialog. When this happens, review the log and click OK to return to the Drawing pane
in design mode. Make the necessary changes to the system to resolve the design errors in the
system, and click the Calculate button on the tool bar to recalculate the revised system.

If the Results Log has been closed, it can be re-opened by clicking the Show Log button on the
toolbar.

To change back to Design Mode, close the Results Log and then click on the Re-Design button on
the toolbar.

To view the Results Drawing:

Click the View Results Drawing button on the results log to display the drawing with results.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 183

Figure 113 Pipe Flow Expert interface in Results mode

The details for the last node or pipe selected with a mouse click will be displayed in the hint pane.
Moving the cursor over an item on the drawing will allow the user to view the calculated results in a
pop-up data pane.

To view the Results Table:

Click the View Results Sheet button on the results log to open the Results Table.

Figure 114 Results Tables

When an item is highlighted in the results sheet table, the selected item is also highlighted on the
drawing pane and data for the highlighted item is displayed in the Hint pane.

If the results tables have been closed, click the Result Sheet button on the toolbar to reopen the
Results Tables.

To Create a PDF Report Document:

184 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Units and Labels Note: First configure the labels and units to be used, as described in the section
‘Configuring the System Results’.

Click the Create PDF Report button to open the PDF report dialog.

Figure 115 PDF Report Options Dialog

1. Enter the Company Information.

2. Load a cover sheet image.

3. Select the Cover Sheet, Header Information and Page Information options.

4. Select the Report Data options.

5. Choose the Pipe Data, Node Data and Energy Data to be included.

6. Click the Create PDF Report button to generate a PDF results document.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 185

Figure 116 PDF Report Pages

Configuring the System Results

Once a pipe system is calculated and solved, the calculated results are displayed with the pipe
system in the Drawing pane. The options selected on the Labels tab of the Configuration Options
dialog determine which result values are displayed in the Drawing pane. By default, the calculated
flow and pressure values are displayed for each pipe in the system.

You can also reconfigure the units for the pipe system results on the Units tab of the Configuration
Options dialog. You can access the Units tab of the Configuration Options dialog by selecting

Specify Units from the Units menu, or by clicking the Choose Units button, , on the toolbar, or
clicking the Choose Units button in the Results dialog.

To configure the pipe system labelling for results:

1. Click the Choose Labelling button, , on the tool bar to open the Labelling tab of the
Configuration Options screen.
186 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 117 Configuration Options dialog – Labelling tab

2. Click one of the labelling options in the Pipe Results, Fitting Results, Pump Results and
Node Results sections to determine which of the pipe system’s calculation results are
displayed in the Drawing pane.

3. Click OK to close the Configuration Options dialog and apply your changes to the results
displayed in the Drawing pane.

To reconfigure the units used in a pipe system and its calculated results:

1. Click the Choose Units button, , in the Results dialog or on the tool bar, or select
Specify Units from the Units menu to open the Units tab of the Configuration Options
screen.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 187

Figure 118 Configuration Options Screen – Units tab

2. Select the required units for each item.

Do not click the Imperial or Metric option in the Change All Units section of the Units tab, unless
you want to change the universal unit setting and reset all the values currently defined on the Units
tab.

NOTE: When you change the universal unit setting, it converts all unit values to the unit type
selected, and all values on the Units tab of the Configuration Options screen are converted to the
fields’ default values. For example, if you are changing the universal setting from imperial to metric,
all values, including any imperial units selected on the Units tab of the Configuration Options
screen, are converted to metric. All field values on the Units tab are also reset to their default metric
value.

Click OK to close the Configuration Options dialog and apply the unit configurations to the pipe
system and its results.

Viewing the System Results

After a pipe system is solved, you have the option of opening the Results Tables to view all the
calculated results, or viewing the solved pipe system in the Drawing pane with specific results
displayed with the pipe system. To view only the solved system in the Drawing pane, click the ‘View
Results Drawing’ button in the Results Form dialog after the system is calculated and solved. To
view the Results Tables, click the ‘View Results Sheet’ button.
188 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

The Results Drawing and the Results Sheet can be viewed at the same time, and they are
interactive in that clicking on an item on the Results Drawing will automatically highlight and move to
that item within the Results Sheet. The reverse is also true, in that selecting a row in the Results
Sheet will highlight and zoom to that item on the Results Drawing. The user can switch between the
Results Drawing and the Results Sheet as needed. In addition, the user can review the output in the
Results Log dialog, by clicking the Show Log button.

The Results Tables contain a series of tabs that display the calculated results for each component of
the pipe system in a table. The tabs are organized by component type, except for the All Results tab.
The All Results tab displays all of the calculated results by component type. All values displayed in
the Results Tables are read-only.

To view a pipe system’s calculated results in the Results Tables:

1. After a pipe system has been calculated and solved, click the View Results Sheet button
on the Results Log dialog to open the Results Tables or close the results log and click
the Results Sheet button on the tool bar.

Figure 119 Results Tables – All Results tab

2. Click the tab(s) containing the data you want to view.

3. Click the Close button, , to close the Results Tables and return to the Drawing
pane.

Saving the System Results

The values displayed in the Results Tables can be saved to a Microsoft® Excel® .xlsx file. When you
are saving from the Results Tables, only the values displayed on the currently selected tab are
saved to the .xlsx file. To save all the result values, click the All Results tab before saving.

To save a pipe system’s results to an .xlsx file:

1. After a pipe system has been calculated and solved, click the View Results Sheet button
on the Results Log dialog to open the Results Tables or close the results log and click
the Results Sheet button on the tool bar.

2. Click the tab containing the values you want to save.

 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 189

3. Click the Save button, , or select File | Save to Excel to open the Save As dialog.

Figure 120 Save Results as Excel File dialog

4. Type a name for the file in the File Name field.

5. Select Pipe Flow Network (*xlsx) from the Save as type list.

6. Click Save to save the pipe system results from the selected tab.

Exporting the System Results

The values displayed in the Results Tables can be exported directly into Microsoft Excel. When you
are exporting to Microsoft Excel from the Results Tables, only the values displayed on the currently
selected tab are exported. To export all the result values, click the All Results tab before exporting.

To export a pipe system’s results into a .xlsx file:

1. After a pipe system has been calculated and solved, click the View Results Sheet button on
the Results Log dialog to open the Results Tables or close the results log and click the
Results Sheet button on the tool bar.

2. Click the tab containing the values you want to export.

3. Click the Export to Excel button, , or select File | Export to Excel.

4. Clicking the Export to Excel button or menu selection opens the pipe system results from the
selected tab in a worksheet in Microsoft Excel.

If Microsoft Excel is not available the results can be copied to the Windows clipboard, so that the
data can be pasted into other spreadsheet applications.
190 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 121 pipe system results in Microsoft Excel

Redesigning the System

After a pipe system is solved, the pipe system is read-only in the Drawing pane. If you decide that
you want to modify a solved pipe system, you can return to the Drawing pane in design mode by
clicking the Re-Design button on the toolbar.

If you want to retain the original solved pipe system and the calculated values for the system before
you redesign the pipe system, be sure to save the pipe system and results before clicking the Re
Design button.

When a pipe system cannot be solved, additional information is displayed in the Results Log and the
message, ‘The network was not solved. See log details above.’, is shown. Clicking OK on the
Results Log automatically returns you to the Drawing pane in design mode.

Amending the System

Making amendments to your system usually involves changing the diameter, length or material of a
pipe or group of pipes. It may also involve changing the node elevations where the pipes are linked.

Amendments can be made in a number of ways:

a. Use the Edit Grid to display, filter and edit the data for Pipes, Nodes, and other items.

b. Click on the pipe or node and update the entries shown on the Pipe Pane or the Node Pane.

c. Set the Default Pipe data, select a group of items to be amended, or select a collection of
individual items and then copy some or all of the Default Pipe attributes to the selected items.

These amendment options are described in the ‘System Amendments and Group Updates’ section
of this document.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 191

Create a PDF Report of the System Results

When a system has been solved successfully a customized PDF report can be created.

The report can contain a cover sheet with your logo, a scalable results drawing for high resolution
printing and a selection of tabulated results data, which provides a detailed breakdown of the
calculated results.

Note: First configure the results drawing labelling and the results units to be used, as described in
the section ‘Configuring the System Results’.

To display the Create PDF Report options dialog choose one of these actions:

• Click the ‘Create PDF Report’ button on the Results Log (after solving a system) OR
• Click the ‘Results PDF’ Tool Button in the tool bar at the top of the screen OR
• Click the ‘Create PDF – Customized Report’ option from the File menu

Figure 122 Create PDF Report Options

Choose the options for the PDF Report by selecting and checking the appropriate items from the
PDF Report Generator screen.

The PDF report can include:

• A Cover Sheet including Company Logo, Title and Sub-Title.

• Page Header Information including Company Name, Project Name and Engineer Reference
• Page Information including page number
• Tabulated Results for Fluid Data
192 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

• Tabulated Results for Pump Data

• Tabulated Results for Pipe Data with up to 12 selected data items for each pipe
• Tabulated Results for Node Data with up to 12 selected data items for each node
• Tabulated Results for Energy Data
• Results Log Summary (if option selected)

The company information, the cover sheet image, and all the other selected options can be saved for
future use. Click the ‘Save Report Options’ button to display the ‘Save As’ dialog.

Previously saved report options can be reloaded. Click the ‘Load Report Options’ button to display
the ‘Open dialog.

Figure 123 PDF Results Report Pages

To Create a PDF Report Document:

1. Enter the Company Information.

2. Load a cover sheet image.

3. Select the Cover Sheet, Header Information and Page Information options.

4. Select the Report Data options.

5. Choose the Pipe Data, Node Data and Energy Data to be included.

6. Click the Create PDF Report button to generate a PDF results document

The generated PDF report file will be displayed in your PDF Adobe Reader program.
The PDF file will be automatically stored in the user’s local temporary folder, however the user may
wish to save a copy of this document to a different location using the ‘Save a Copy’ option from
Adobe Reader file menu.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 193

Calculation Theory and Method of Solution

The Pipe Flow Expert program will allow you to draw a complex pipeline system and analyze the
features of the system when flow is occurring. Pipe Flow Expert calculates the balanced steady flow
and pressure conditions of the system. The reported results include the flow rates for each pipe, the
fluid velocities for each pipe, Reynolds numbers, friction factors, friction pressure loss for each pipe,
fittings, pressures losses, pressure at join points (nodes), head pressure (grade line), pump
operating points and more.

The pipeline system is modeled by drawing the join points and the connecting pipes on a drawing
pane. Horizontal, vertical or sloping lines can be used to connect one node to another node.

The physical data about the system is then entered, and typically this includes:

• The internal size, internal roughness and length of each connecting pipe.
• The elevation of each node (join point).
• The In-flow and the Out-flow at each node (if applicable).
• The elevation, liquid level and surface pressure data for each tank.
• The performance data for each pump.

Fluid Flow States

Fluids in motion are subjected to various resistance forces, which are due to friction. Friction may
occur between the fluid and the pipe work, but friction also occurs within the fluid as sliding between
adjacent layers of fluid takes place.

The friction within the fluid is due to the fluid's viscosity. When fluids have a high viscosity, the speed
of flow tends to be low, and resistance to flow becomes almost totally dependent on the viscosity of
the fluid. This condition is known as 'Laminar flow'.

Fluids which have a low viscosity are usually moved at higher velocities. The flow characteristics
change, small eddy currents occur within the flow stream, and the friction between the pipe work and
the fluid becomes a factor to be considered. This type of flow is known as 'Turbulent flow'.

Fluid Viscosity
A fluid viscosity can be described by its Dynamic viscosity (sometimes called Absolute viscosity), or
it’s Kinematic viscosity. These two expressions of viscosity are not the same, but are linked via the
fluid density.

Kinematic viscosity = Dynamic viscosity / fluid density

Dynamic Viscosity
Water @ 20°C has a viscosity of 1.00 x 10 -3 Pa • s or 1.00 Centipoise
Water @ 70°F has a viscosity of 2.04 x 10 -5 lb •s/ft²

Kinematic Viscosity
Water @ 20°C has a viscosity of 1.004 x 10 -6 m² /s or 1.004000 Centistokes
Water @ 70°F has a viscosity of 10.5900 x 10 -6 ft² /s

Pipe Flow Expert has a database of viscosities and densities for common fluids.
194 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Reynolds Numbers
Reynolds numbers (Re) describe the relationship between a fluid's velocity, the internal pipe
diameter and the fluid's Kinematic viscosity.

Reynolds number = Fluid velocity x Internal pipe diameter / Kinematic viscosity

Note: Kinematic viscosity (not Dynamic viscosity) must be used to calculate Reynolds numbers.
It is generally accepted that the 'changeover' point between laminar flow and turbulent flow, in a
circular pipe, occurs when the Reynolds number (Re) is approximately 2100.

i.e. Laminar flow occurs when the Re is less than 2100. Turbulent flow occurs when the Re is greater
than 4000. Between the Laminar and Turbulent flow conditions the flow may be neither wholly
laminar nor wholly turbulent. In this transition region there is no exact equation to calculate the
friction factor and therefore only an approximate friction factor can be used by way of appropriate
interpolation.

Friction Factors
Many formulas have been developed to model the flow of fluids. The Hazen-Williams formula has
been a popular method of estimating the head loss in piping systems for a number of years.
However, this empirical formula will only give reasonable accuracy if the fluid is water at 60°F or
similar. The Hazen-Williams formula is therefore not useful in analyzing a complex pipe system.

The Colebrook-White formula may be used with confidence to calculate an accurate friction factor
applicable to the turbulent flow of fluids. The Colebrook-White formula is applicable over a whole
range of fluid densities and viscosities, provided that the fluid flow is turbulent.

Colebrook-White Formula
The Colebrook-White formula:

1/sqrt(f) = 1.14 – 2 log10 [e/D + 9.35/(Re x sqrt(f))]

f = friction factor

e = internal roughness of pipe

D = internal diameter of pipe

Re = Reynolds number

Friction factors for turbulent flow calculated by Pipe Flow Expert are based on the Colebrook-White
formula.

The friction factor for Laminar flow is calculated from f = 64/Re

Friction Losses (resistance to flow)

The resistance to fluid flow is usually expressed in fluid head. This is the height of a column of fluid
which would exert enough pressure on the fluid at the bottom of the column to make the fluid flow
within the system.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 195

If the level of fluid (fluid head) is increased in a supply container, the volume of fluid entering the
system from the supply container will increase due to the increase in pressure (force).

Darcy-Weisbach Formula
Fluid head resistance can be calculated by using the Darcy-Weisbach formula.
h fluid = f (L/D) x (v ²/2g)

f = friction factor
L = length of pipe work
D = inner diameter of pipe work
v = velocity of fluid
g = acceleration due to gravity

Fluid head loss calculated by Pipe Flow Expert when using the non-compressible calculation engine
is based on the Darcy-Weisbach formula.

Compressible Gas Flow Equations

Friction loss for a compressible fluid such as a gas needs to account for the change in density of the
gas as it moves along the pipe and loss of pressure occurs. When using the compressible flow
calculation engine Pipe Flow Expert can be set to use one of the following compressible flow
equations:
• General Fundamental Isothermal Flow Equation
• Complete Isothermal Flow Equation
• AGA Isothermal Flow Equation
• Panhandle A Isothermal Flow Equation
• Panhandle B Isothermal Flow Equation
• IGT Isothermal Flow Equation
• Weymouth Isothermal Flow Equation

The formula for each of the above equations is detailed in a separate PDF document named
‘Compressible Flow Equations’. This PDF is available from the ‘Documentation’ menu inside the Pipe
Flow Expert software.

The compressible flow equations calculate a gas flow rate for a difference in pressure between two
points. The Pipe Flow Expert software first solves the compressible network using non-compressible
flow equations to find an approximate solution and then it employs the compressible flow engine to
converge this to an accurate solution.

The non-compressible calculation engine operates by adjusting flows within the network to achieve a
pressure balance, whilst the switch to the compressible flow calculation engine operates by adjusting
node pressures to achieve a flow balance within the pipe network.

The compressible calculation engine takes account of friction loss through fittings at the start and
end of a pipe, where a lower pressure but higher velocity at the end of pipe will results in a higher
pressure loss through the fitting then if the same fitting occurred at the start of the pipe.

In addition the compressible flow calculation engine handles complexities that do not occur for non-
compressible calculations, such as when considering a fan or blower with a flow versus head curve,
where the actual operating point (flow and head value) has to balance out even when taking account
of the compression and then expansion of the gas through the pipe.
196 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Fitting Head Loss

The fluid head resistance through various pipe work fittings can be calculated if the 'K' factor of the
fitting is known. Many manufacturers of pipe work fittings and valves publish 'K' factors for their
products.

’K’ Factor fitting head loss calculation

Fluid head loss through fitting and valves can be calculated from:
h fluid = 'K' x v ² / 2g

'K' = manufacturer’s published 'K' factor for the fitting

v = velocity of fluid
g = acceleration due to gravity

In many systems where pipe lengths are relatively long, the effect of the fitting losses may be
considered to be minor losses, and could be ignored during initial assessment.

If a partially open valve is part of the design, the effect of the valve should always be considered as
the valve loss may be large.

Pipe Flow Expert has a database of valve and fittings ‘K’ factors and calculation wizards for:

• gradual enlargements
• gradual contractions
• sudden enlargements
• sudden contractions
• rounded entrances
• long pipe bends

For further information on this subject please refer to ‘Flow of Fluids through valves, fittings and pipe’
- Crane Technical Paper No. 410

Calculate Total Pressure Loss

The fluid head resistance can also be expressed a pressure loss.

Metric units: bar = h fluid x p x g / 100000

h = head loss (m)

p = fluid density (kg/m³)
g = acceleration due to gravity (m/s ²)

Imperial units: psi = h fluid x SG x 2.311

h = head loss (ft)

SG = specific gravity of the fluid
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 197

Energy and Hydraulic Grade Lines

The Energy Grade Line is a plot of the sum of the three terms from the Work-Energy equation or
Bernoulli theorem:

EGL (Total Fluid Head) = Velocity Head + Pressure Head + Elevation head

EGL = v²/2g + P/y + elevation

v = velocity
g = acceleration due to gravity
P = pressure
y = fluid density

The Hydraulic Grade Line is a plot of the sum of two terms from the Work-Energy equation or
Bernoulli theorem, namely the Pressure head and Elevation head:

HGL (Total Fluid Head – Velocity Head) = Pressure Head + Elevation head

HGL = P/y + elevation

P = pressure
y = fluid density

Figure 124 Hydraulic Grade Line

Balanced Flow State

Network analysis is based on two major principles:

Mass flow into a joint in the network must be equal to mass flow out of the joint. Assuming that the
fluid density does not change, the total flow rate entering the node must equal the total flow rate
leaving the node.
198 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 125 Flow balance at a join point

The pressure drop in the pipes around a loop must be equal to zero. In a recirculation loop the
pressure loss in each pipe must be the total of the fluid head energy being provided by the driving
force (normally a pump). In a loop where the flows are in opposite directions, the total pressure loss
in each pipe with a clockwise flow must equal the total pressure loss in each pipe with an
anticlockwise flow.

Figure 126 Pressure balance around a loop

Loops, Nodes and Pipes

To solve the unknowns in any pipeline network, a system of nonlinear equations must be developed
to mathematically describe the pipeline network in terms of the flows and pressures that must
balance at specific points within the system. These equations must be solved simultaneously in order
to find a balanced solution.

Loops within a pipeline network consist of a series of connected pipes that return to the start point
(the node where the loop started), however pseudo loops can exist between a supply or discharge
source, between two supply sources or between two discharge sources.

Figure 127 Pseudo Loop

 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 199

A series of pressure equations describing the pressure loss in each loop must be generated. The
same pipe may be included in many different loops.

Where a loop includes a number of different fluid zones the elevation differences of the nodes and
the density of the fluid in each pipe along the path in the loop must be used to establish the
difference in pressures due to fluid density at the end points of the loop. This pressure difference is
used together with the fluid surface pressure difference to establish the net pressure difference
around the loop.

Pressure losses and pressure gains within each pipe must take account of changes in elevation,
fittings, control valves (including FCVs, PRVs, & BPVs), components (including valves defined with
Cv, Kv, & Sprinkler K values, and different types of Orifices), and pumps.

A series of mass flow continuity equations must be generated for the mass flow rate balance at each
node in the pipeline system.

The Pipe Flow Expert software will automatically analyze a system, identify all loops and pseudo-
loops, generate the pressure equations throughout the network and remove redundant loop
equations (those which are already fully described by combining other equations). It will also
generate the mass flow balance equations for each node in a pipeline system.

Solving the Flow versus Pressure Loss Balance

Pipe Flow Expert generates initial estimates for the flow rate in each pipe. The pressure losses within
the system are then calculated using friction factors obtained from the Colebrook-White equation,
and the friction pressure loss for each pipe is obtained from the Darcy-Weisbach equation.

The initial flow estimates are unlikely to give a balanced pressure result over the whole system and
these values must be iteratively adjusted using a variation on the Newton method for complex
systems, in order to converge to a final result where all of the flow rates and pressures within the
system are balanced.

The Pipe Flow Expert software defines the elements of the pipeline system in a series of highly non-
linear matrix equations. Once an approximate solution has been obtained, the initial results are
refined using developed mathematically techniques and proprietary algorithms, to ensure the final
results converge to a balanced flow and pressure result.

Note: Finding the solution to a highly non-linear system of equations (which a complex pipe system
inevitably generates) is a difficult mathematical problem. The Pipe Flow Expert software uses
advanced mathematical methods together with novel algorithms to converge the equations to a
solution.

For compressible gas systems, the algorithms are extended further, to switch to iterative adjustment
of nodes pressures, once the solution using equations as described above has been found. This
allows the Pipe Flow Expert software to use compressible gas flow equations to calculate flow rate
between two pressure conditions while taking account of density changes that occur with any
compression or expansion of the gas as it travels down the pipe.
200 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

System Calculation Tolerances

Pipe Flow Expert uses a two-step approach to calculate a balanced steady flow state for a system.

An initial approximate solution is obtained using Linear Theory methods and an iterative approach to
adjust the flow rates until an approximate pressure balance is achieved. This approach provides
estimates for the initial flow rate in each pipe, and these are then used as a starting point to move
towards a more accurate and final solution. The initial flow estimates are unlikely to give an accurate
pressure result over the whole system and they must be further refined to adjust the flow rates until a
final pressure balance is achieved.

Pipe Flow Expert defines the elements of the pipeline system in a series of matrix equations and
uses variations on the Newton method to adjust the estimates for the flow rate in each pipe.

Once an approximate solution has been obtained, the results are refined using a variation of the
Newton method to ensure convergence until a balanced pressure result is obtained.

A flow balance tolerance and an approximate pressure balance tolerance are used to allow Pipe
Flow Expert to find an approximate solution quickly. This approximate solution is then refined until
the system is solved within the final pressure balance tolerance.

The flow and pressure balance tolerances and the maximum number of iterations allowed, have
been carefully chosen to provide the best overall performance in finding a solution. It is
recommended that these values are not changed, as most systems will solve without adjustment to
these parameters.

System Components
The user is able to enter the flow rate and head loss information about a component which is to be
included in the pipeline system. Pipe Flow Expert generates a performance curve for the component
to allow the effect of the component to be modeled.

Cv and Kv Flow Coefficients

Many manufacturers of control valves choose to publish a Cv flow coefficient or a Kv flow coefficient
to describe the flow / pressure loss characteristics of their control valves in a standardized manner.

Cv Flow Coefficients:

A Cv flow coefficient specifies the amount of water at 60°F (15.55 °C) in US gpm that will flow
through a valve and produce a 1.0 psi pressure drop. Thus a Cv flow coefficient of 10 indicates that a
1.0 psi pressure drop will occur with a 10 US gpm of water throughput through the valve.

The Cv flow coefficient of a control valve can be calculated from the flow rate and the pressure drop
through the valve. For liquids other than water the ratio of the fluid density to the density of water
must also be used in the calculation.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 201

Where:
Cv = flow coefficient
Q = flow rate in US gpm
∆P = pressure loss in psi across the valve
SG = the ratio of the fluid density to the density of water

With a known Cv flow coefficient the above formula can be re-arranged to calculate the pressure loss
for a particular flow rate thus:

Where:
Cv = flow coefficient
Q = flow rate in US gpm
∆P = pressure loss in psi across the valve
SG = the ratio of the fluid density to the density of water

The pressure loss through a fitting or valve may also be calculated from:

Where:
h fluid = head of fluid in ft.
K = flow coefficient of a valve or fitting
V = fluid velocity entering the fitting in ft/s
g = acceleration due to gravity in ft/sec2

also

Where:
P = pressure in psi
h fluid = head of fluid in ft.
D = density of fluid in lbs/ft3

Thus a 1.0 psi pressure drop is equivalent to 2.31 ft head of water at Normal Temperature &
Pressure (NTP) or 62.3 lbs/ft3.

When a pipe diameter is known it is possible to establish a flow velocity from the Cv flow coefficient
in US gpm for a 1 psi pressure drop. Thus it is possible to calculate an equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor
which will produce the same pressure loss as the control valve Cv rating.

Pipe Flow Expert uses the equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor method to model the flow and pressure loss
through a control valve where a Cv flow coefficient is used to specify the control valve
characteristics.

A change to the pipe diameter would result in a change to the value of the equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor.
202 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Pipe Flow Expert re-calculates the equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor for the current pipe diameter and the
fluid density at the start of the solution calculation.

The calculation helper provided on the Cv component dialog uses the flow rate and pressure loss
entered by the user, together with the current fluid density to calculate a Cv value to match the
specified requirements.

Kv = 0.865 Cv (or more accurately Kv = 0.86497767 Cv)

Kv Flow Coefficients:

A Kv flow coefficient specifies the amount of water at 20°C (68 °F) in m3/hour that will flow through a
valve and produce a 1.0 bar pressure drop. Thus a Kv flow coefficient of 10 indicates that a 1.0 bar
pressure drop will occur with a 10 m3/hour of water throughput through the valve.

The Kv flow coefficient of a control valve can be calculated from the flow rate and the pressure drop
through the valve. The density of the liquid in kg/m3 must also be used in the calculation.

Where:
Kv = flow coefficient
Q = flow rate in m3/hr
∆P = pressure loss in bar across the valve
D = the density of the fluid in kg/m3
1000 = the density of water in kg/m3

The usual arrangement of the formula for calculation of Kv is shown above.

It can be seen that this formula is similar to the one which is used for calculation of Cv values.

With a known Kv flow coefficient, the above formula can be re-arranged to calculate the pressure
loss for a particular flow rate thus:

Where:
Kv = flow coefficient
Q = flow rate in m3/hr
∆P = pressure loss in bar across the valve
D = the density of the fluid in kg/m3
1000 = the density of water in kg/m3

The pressure loss through a fitting or valve may also be calculated from:
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 203

Where:
h fluid = head of fluid in meters.
K = flow coefficient of a valve or fitting
V = fluid velocity entering the fitting in m/s
g = acceleration due to gravity in meters/sec2

also

Where:
P = pressure in bar
h fluid = head of fluid in meters
D = density of fluid in kg/m3
g = acceleration due to gravity in meters/sec2

When a pipe diameter is known it is possible to establish a flow velocity from the Kv flow coefficient
in m3/hr for a 1 bar pressure drop. Thus it is possible to calculate an equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor which
will produce the same pressure loss as the control valve Kv rating.

Pipe Flow Expert uses the equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor method to model the flow and pressure loss
through a control valve where a Kv flow coefficient is used to specify the control valve
characteristics.

A change to the pipe diameter would result in a change the matching equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor.
Pipe Flow Expert re-calculates the equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor for the current pipe diameter and the
fluid density at the start of the solution calculation.

The calculation helper provided on the Kv component dialog uses the flow rate and pressure loss
entered by the user, together with the current fluid density to calculate a Kv value to match the
specified requirements.

1.000 Cv = 1.156 Kv

The user should be aware that the Cv or Kv flow coefficient specifies the flow rate of water for a
particular pressure loss.

When the fluid density is greater or less than water, a different flow rate will be required to produce a
1.00 psi or a 1 bar pressure loss through the valve.

CAUTIONS:

Choked Flow:

If the fluid is a gas, when using the Compressible Flow calculation engine, if the pressure drop
exceeds the critical pressure ratio when compared to the inlet pressure of the valve then the flow
will become choked and it will not be possible to achieve the calculated flow rate. If this
occurs, Pipe Flow Expert will warn of a problem in the Result Log (if the Component option to check
for choked flow has been selected).
204 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Gas Flow Calculation with the Compressible Flow Calculation Engine (recommend):

Gas systems should generally be solved using the Compressible flow calculation engine, which
takes account of the pressure condition at the component and adjusts the density of the gas as
appropriate when performing the component pressure loss calculation.

The fluid properties should be defined at the operating temperature for a particular section of the
system (while the software adjusts fluid properties for changes of pressure as they are used in
calculations, it assumes the temperature of the fluid remains the same and therefore the user must
define the fluid properties for the appropriate temperature conditions within the pipe network). The
software uses the viscosity of the gas as defined in the current fluid data and this is not adjusted for
changes in pressure (pressure changes generally have a small impact on viscosity in comparison to
temperature changes). See the section on Working with Compressible Fluids for more information
and notes about calculating gas system with the non-compressible calculation engine (even though
we recommend you use the Compressible Flow calculation engine to solve gas systems).

Gas Flow Calculation with the Non-Compressible Flow Calculation Engine (not recommended):

If using the Non-Compressible calculation engine, and the fluid zone associated with the control
valve does not represent the pressure condition at the outlet of the valve/component, it may be
necessary to use an adjusted Cv (or Kv) value for valve selection to take in to account the effect of
the gas expansion.

The adjusted Cv (or Kv) value should be based on the Cv or Kv formula for sub critical gas pressure
drop.

A simplified version of the Cv formula for sub critical gas pressure drop is shown below:

Where:
Cv = flow coefficient
SCFH = flow rate in ft3/hr (NTP)
Dn = the gas density in lbs/ft3 at 0.00 psig
oF = gas temperature

∆p = pressure loss in psi absolute

po = valve outlet pressure in psi absolute

A simplified version of the Kv formula for sub critical gas pressure drop is shown below:

Where:
Kv = flow coefficient
Q = flow rate in m3/hr (NTP)
Dn = the gas density in kg/m3 at 0.00 barg
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 205

oC = gas temperature
∆p = pressure loss in bar absolute
po = valve outlet pressure in bar absolute

Please refer to an appropriate text book for a more detailed formula to take account of piping
geometry or gas compressibility, should this be necessary.

Cv / Kv Control valve selection:

The Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient of a control valve is usually stated for the fully open flow condition.
The Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient will be less when the valve is partly closed.

In an actual system it is important to select a control valve which has an appropriate Cv (or Kv) flow
coefficient for the actual valve position that will be used. A control valve that is too small or too large
will never be able to provide the correct control in a system.

Most control valve manufacturers recommend that you should select a valve where the required Cv
(or Kv) value falls between 20% - 80% of the port opening.
Some control valve manufacturers recommend that an allowance of 30% should be added to the
calculated Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient to obtain the minimum full flow Cv (or Kv) flow coefficient rating
which the selected valve should have (when fully open).

Please check your control valve selection with the control valve manufacturer.
206 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Sprinkler K Value Coefficients

Many manufacturers of spray nozzles publish a Sprinkler K value to describe the flow / pressure loss
characteristics of their spray nozzle in a standardized manner.

Sprinkler K Value Coefficient:

A sprinkler K value can describe the sprinkler performance in either imperial or metric flow rates
(there is a metric K value and an imperial K value for the same sprinkler and these will be different
values, hence it is important to check a sprinkler K value to confirm if it is a metric value or an
imperial value).

The imperial sprinkler K value is calculated as follows:

𝑈𝑆 𝑔𝑝𝑚 (𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟)
𝑆𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝐾 (𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙) =
√𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)

The metric sprinkler K value is calculated as follows:

𝐿/𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟)
𝑆𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝐾 (𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐) =
√𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 (𝑏𝑎𝑟)

The imperial and metric Sprinkler K values are not interchangeable. When a Sprinkler K value is
used for a flow versus pressure drop calculation, it is important to know if the value specified is
based on the imperial formula or the metric formula, since this will affect the calculated results.

When a pipe diameter is known it is possible to establish a flow velocity from the Sprinkler K Value
for a particular pressure drop and therefore it is possible to calculate an equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor
which will produce the same pressure loss as the Sprinkler K Value.

Pipe Flow Expert uses the equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor method to model the flow and pressure loss
through a spray nozzle where a Sprinkler K Value is used to specify the nozzle characteristics.

A change to the pipe diameter will result in a change to the matching equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor.
Pipe Flow Expert re-calculates the equivalent fitting ‘K’ factor for the current pipe diameter using the
fluid density of water.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 207

Orifices Loss Coefficient

Orifices are widely installed in piping systems and hydraulic machinery to produce a regular and
reproducible loss of pressure. Orifices are used to limit flow, or, in branching systems, to balance
distributed flow, or to measure flow.

There are several different approaches and equations that are used in literature to estimate the
pressure loss through an orifice for a specified flow rate. In many cases the methods do not treat the
pressure loss calculation consistently, and common physical properties of the orifice are not used in
a standard manner. In some cases, the pressure drop estimate relies on a discharge coefficient, and
in other cases it is simply presented as graph plot of pressure drop versus flow rate (or pressure
drop derived as a percentage of differential pressure across flow measurement).

The Pipe Flow Expert software orifice calculations use a more generalized model, which utilizes the
broad physical attributes of the orifice to determine the flow characteristics. This generates a K0 value
(a k factor) that can be applied in a standard method as follows:

𝑉0 2
𝐻0 = 𝐾0
2𝑔

Where H0 = Head Loss (in ft or m of fluid, depending on the units of velocity, ft/s or m/s)
K0 = K factor (for the density and velocity of fluid flow through the orifice diameter)
g = acceleration due to gravity (in ft/s2 or m/ s2)

While this final equation provides a standard method for calculating the pressure drop through
different types of orifice, deriving the K0 factor and then applying it to orifice calculations in a complex
pipe network (particularly in compressible gas systems where the density and velocity at the orifice
inlet varies with pressure changes in the system), is a complex task, which also then relies on the
development of further algorithms that allow convergence to balanced solution across the whole
model.

The Pipe Flow Expert software handles the complexity of the calculations and makes it easy to
perform calculations with orifices in pipes systems. The following sections detail the equations used
to derived the orifice K0 value.
208 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Sharp-Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

A sharp-edged orifice in a straight pipe, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are the
same, as illustrated in Figure 128.

Figure 128 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

The loss coefficient (K0) of a straight edged orifice in a straight pipe is calculated as follows:

𝐾0 = 0.0696(1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + ( − 𝛽 2 )2

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and the jet velocity  is given by:

 = 1 + 0.622(1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 ).

Sharp-Edged Orifice in a Transition Section

A sharp-edged orifice in a transition section, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are not
the same, are illustrated in Figure 129 and Figure 130.

Figure 129 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction)

 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 209

Figure 130 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion)

The loss coefficient (K0) of a sharp-edged orifice in a transition section is calculated as follows:

2
5 )2
𝑑0 2
𝐾0 = 0.0696(1 − 𝛽 + ( − ( ) )
𝑑2

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and the jet velocity  is given by:

 = 1 + 0.622(1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 ).

Sharp-Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere

A sharp-edged orifice that discharges to atmosphere is illustrated in Figure 131.

Figure 131 Sharp Edge Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere

For this orifice configuration, the loss coefficient (K0) equation for a sharp-edged orifice in an
expanding transition section can be used, however the downstream pipe diameter (d2) is effectively
infinite and therefore the equation can be transformed into:

𝐾0 = 0.0696(1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + 2

 = 1 + 0.622(1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )

210 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Round Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

A round edged orifice in a straight pipe, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are the
same, is illustrated in Figure 132.

Figure 132 Round Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

The loss coefficient (K0) of a round edged orifice in a straight pipe is calculated as follows:

𝑟 𝑟
𝐾0 = 0.0696 (1 − 0.569 ) (1 − √ 𝛽) (1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + ( − 𝛽 2 )2
𝑑0 𝑑0

𝑟
( )≤1
𝑑0

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

4
𝑟 𝑟
 = 1 + 0.622 (1 − 0.30√ − 0.70 ) (1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )
𝑑0 𝑑0

In the case of a generously rounded orifice where r/d0 is equal to or greater than 1, the jet
contraction ratio  equals 1 and the loss coefficient becomes:

𝐾0 = 0.030(1 − 𝛽)(1 − 𝛽 5 ) + (1 − 𝛽 2 )2

𝑟
( )≥1
𝑑0

Round Edged Orifice in a Transition Section

A round edged orifice in a transition section, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are not
the same, are illustrated in Figure 133 and Figure 134.
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 211

Figure 133 Round Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction)

Figure 134 Round Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion)

The loss coefficient (K0) of a round edged orifice in a transition section is calculated as follows:

2
𝑟 𝑟 𝑑0 2
𝐾0 = 0.0696 (1 − 0.569 ) (1 − √ 𝛽) (1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + ( − ( ) )
𝑑0 𝑑0 𝑑2

𝑟
( )≤1
𝑑0

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

4
𝑟 𝑟
 = 1 + 0.622 (1 − 0.30√ − 0.70 ) (1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )
𝑑0 𝑑0

In the case of a generously rounded orifice where r/d0 is equal to or greater than 1, the jet
contraction ratio  equals 1 and the loss coefficient becomes:

2
5)
𝑑0 2
𝐾0 = 0.030(1 − 𝛽)(1 − 𝛽 + [1 − ( ) ]
𝑑2

𝑟
( )≥1
𝑑0
212 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Round Edged Orifice Discharging To Atmosphere

A round edged orifice that discharges to atmosphere is illustrated in Figure 135.

Figure 135 Round Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere

For this orifice configuration, the loss coefficient (K0) equation for a round edged orifice in an
expanding transition section can be used, however the downstream pipe diameter (d2) is effectively
infinite and therefore the equation can be transformed into:

𝑟 𝑟
𝐾0 = 0.0696 (1 − 0.569 ) (1 − √ 𝛽) (1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + 2
𝑑0 𝑑0

where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

4
𝑟 𝑟
 = 1 + 0.622 (1 − 0.30√ − 0.70 ) (1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )
𝑑0 𝑑0

𝑟
( )≤1
𝑑0
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 213

Bevel Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

A bevel edged orifice in a straight pipe, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are the
same, is illustrated in Figure 136.

Figure 136 Bevel Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

The loss coefficient (K0) of a bevel edged orifice in a straight pipe is calculated as follows:

𝑡 𝑡
𝐾0 = 0.0696 (1 − 𝐶𝑏 ) (1 − 0.42√ 𝛽 2 ) (1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + ( − 𝛽 2 )2
𝑑0 𝑑0

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

4 𝑡
1− √
𝑑0
𝑡 2
 = 1 + 0.622 1 − 𝐶𝑏 ( ) (1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )
𝑑0
[ ]

And where Cb is a function of bevel angle ψ in degrees, and bevel thickness to diameter ratio t/d0 is
given by:

1
ψ ψ 2+ 𝑡
𝐶𝑏 = (1 − ) ( ) 𝑑0
90 90

Bevel Edged Orifice in a Transition Section

A bevel edged orifice in a transition section, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are not
the same, are illustrated in Figure 137 and Figure 138.
214 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 137 Bevel Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction)

Figure 138 Bevel Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion)

The loss coefficient (K0) of a bevel edged orifice in a transition section is calculated as follows:

2
𝑡 𝑡 𝑑0 2
𝐾0 = 0.0696 (1 − 𝐶𝑏 ) (1 − 0.42√ β2 ) (1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + ( − ( ) )
𝑑0 𝑑0 𝑑2

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

4 𝑡
1− √
𝑑0
𝑡 2
 = 1 + 0.622 1 − 𝐶𝑏 ( ) (1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )
𝑑0
[ ]

And where Cb is a function of bevel angle ψ in degrees, and bevel thickness to diameter ratio t/d0 is
given by:

1
ψ ψ 2+ 𝑡
𝐶𝑏 = (1 − ) ( ) 𝑑0
90 90
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 215

Bevel Edged Orifice Discharging To Atmosphere

A bevel edged orifice that discharges to atmosphere is illustrated in Figure 139.

Figure 139 Bevel Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere

For this orifice configuration, the loss coefficient (K0) equation for a bevel edged orifice in an
expanding transition section can be used, however the downstream pipe diameter (d2) is effectively
infinite and therefore the equation can be transformed into:

𝑡 𝑡
𝐾0 = 0.0696 (1 − 𝐶𝑏 ) (1 − 0.42√ β2 ) (1 − 𝛽 5 )2 + 2
𝑑0 𝑑0
Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

4 𝑡
1− √
𝑑0
𝑡 2
 = 1 + 0.622 1 − 𝐶𝑏 ( ) (1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )
𝑑0
[ ]

And where Cb is a function of bevel angle ψ in degrees, and bevel thickness to diameter ratio t/d0 is
given by:

1
ψ ψ 2+ 𝑡
𝐶𝑏 = (1 − ) ( ) 𝑑0
90 90
216 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Thick Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

A thick edged orifice in a straight pipe, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are the
same, is illustrated in Figure 140.

Figure 140 Thick Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe

The loss coefficient (K0) of local resistance for thickness t equal to or less than 1.4d of a thick edged
orifice in a straight pipe is calculated as follows:

2
𝐾0 = 0.0696(1 − β5 ) + 𝐶𝑡ℎ ( − β2 )2 + (1 − 𝐶𝑡ℎ )[( − 1)2 + (1 − β2 )2 ]

𝑡
( ) ≤ 1.4
𝑑0

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

 = 1 + 0.622(1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )

And where Cth is given by:

2.5 3 4.5
𝑡 𝑡
𝐶𝑡ℎ = [1−0.50( ) −0.50( ) ]
1.4𝑑0 1.4𝑑0
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 217

Thick Edged Orifice in a Transition Section

A thick edged orifice in a transition section, where the upstream and downstream pipe sizes are not
the same, are illustrated in Figure 141 and Figure 142.

Figure 141 Thick Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Contraction)

Figure 142 Thick Edged Orifice in a Transition Section (Expansion)

The loss coefficient (K0) of a thick edged orifice in a transition section is calculated as follows:

2 2
𝑑0 2 𝑑0 2
𝐾0 = 0.0696(1 − β5 )2 + 𝐶𝑡ℎ ( − ( ) ) + (1 − 𝐶𝑡ℎ ) [( − 1)2 + (1 − ( ) ) ]
𝑑2 𝑑2

𝑡
( ) ≤ 1.4
𝑑0

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

 = 1 + 0.622(1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )

And where Cth is given by:

2.5 3 4.5
𝑡 𝑡
𝐶𝑡ℎ = [1−0.50( ) −0.50( ) ]
1.4𝑑0 1.4𝑑0
218 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Thick Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere Section

A thick edged orifice that discharges to atmosphere is illustrated in Figure 143.

Figure 143 Thick Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere

For this orifice configuration, the loss coefficient (K0) equation for a thick edged orifice in an
expanding transition section can be used, however the downstream pipe diameter (d2) is effectively
infinite and therefore the equation can be transformed into:

𝐾0 = 0.0696(1 − β5 )2 + 𝐶𝑡ℎ 𝜆2 + (1 − 𝐶𝑡ℎ )[( − 1)2 + 1]

𝑡
( ) ≤ 1.4
𝑑0

Where the diameter ratio β = d0/d1 and where the jet contraction coefficient  is given by:

 = 1 + 0.622(1 − 0.215β2 − 0.785β5 )

And where Cth is given by:

2.5 3 4.5
𝑡 𝑡
𝐶𝑡ℎ = [1−0.50( ) −0.50( ) ]
1.4𝑑0 1.4𝑑0
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 219

Flow Control Valves

Flow Control Valves allow the user to set a flow rate in a particular pipe. Pipe Flow Expert removes
the pipe from the system and sets an Out-flow demand at the ‘From node’ and an equal In-flow
demand at the ‘To node’. Thus the pipe is replaced by these flow demands while the system is being
solved.

No other pipe which connects to a pipe with a Flow Control Valve fitted can contain a control valve
(FCV, PRV or BPV).

Figure 144 Flow Control Valve replacement

The pressure difference between the ‘From node’ and the ‘To node’ must equal the pressure loss
introduced by the flow control valve plus the pressure loss that the flow in the pipe will produce, plus
the pressure loss that any other component on the pipe produces. The system balance will be
maintained when the pipe is reinstated along with the pressure loss introduced by the flow control
valve.

If the pressure difference between the ‘From node’ and the ‘To node’ is not great enough then the
pressure loss in the pipe and the flow control valve pressure loss cannot be set. A warning will be
displayed that the pressure in the pipe is not sufficient to deliver the set flow.

Pressure Reducing Valves

Pressure Reducing Valves allow the user to set a pressure at the node downstream of the valve (i.e.
at the end of the pipe). The pressure reducing valve (PRV) introduces an additional pressure loss in
the pipe to control the pressure at the node downstream of the valve to the value specified by the
user.

A pipe with a Pressure Reducing Valve fitted cannot have a tank or pressure demand set on either
end. No other pipe which connects to a pipe with a Pressure Reducing Valve fitted can contain a
control valve (FCV, PRV or BPV).

Pipe Flow Expert removes the pipe from the system and sets the pressure at the downstream node
(N2) by replacing it with an appropriately defined tank. The tank elevation is set to equal the node
elevation, the liquid level is set to zero and the fluid surface pressure is set to the pressure reducing
valve setting. At the upstream node, an out-flow demand is then set equal to the flow from N2.
Hence the pipe is replaced by a tank at the downstream node and an out-flow demand at the
upstream node while the system is being solved. The outflow demand at the upstream node must
equal the flow rate out of the downstream node that is now represented by the tank.
220 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Figure 145 Pressure Reducing Valve replacement

The pressure difference between the upstream node P1 and the downstream node P2 must equal
the pressure loss through the pipe, fittings and any components on the pipe plus the pressure loss
introduced by the PRV. The pressure balance is then maintained after the system is solved, when
the pipe is reinstated along with the pressure loss introduced by the pressure reducing valve.

MODES OF OPERATION: A PRV can operate under three different conditions: (1) regulating, (2)
fully closed, and (3) fully open. How the valve operates depends on the defined set pressure value
for the valve. The fully open and fully closed positions represent the extreme operations of the valve.
Each of the valve positions is described below:

(1) Regulating The valve maintains the downstream pressure to the set value by introducing a
pressure loss across the valve, thus throttling the flow rate through the PRV.

(2) Fully Closed This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is less than the
pressure downstream of the valve for the case where the valve is closed. When
this occurs in an actual pipe system, the flow through the PRV reverses and the
PRV acts as a check valve, closing the pipe. In PipeFlow Expert, this method of
operation is detected and reported but the system is not then solved for this
scenario. The user must decide if this method of operation is what they intended
and if so then they can close the pipe and continue to solve the system.

(3) Fully Open This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is greater than the
pressure upstream of the valve for the case where the valve is fully open. When
this occurs in an actual pipe system, the PRV maintains a fully open position
and it has no effect on the flow conditions (except to add a frictional loss through
the valve). In PipeFlow Expert, this method of operation is detected and
reported. But the system is not solved because the differential pressure across
the valve would have to be negative, i.e. the valve would be acting like a pump
rather than a pressure control.

Pipe Flow Expert will only solve a system when the PRV is operating in Regulating mode.

AVOIDING PRV OPERATION PROBLEMS: In general, PRV operation problems can be avoided by
finding the valve's pressure regulating range and specifying the valve’s set pressure to a value within
this range, such that the mode of operation is ‘Regulating’. First, solve the system without the PRV
control and note the pressure at the node downstream of the pipe which previously contained the
PRV. This is the maximum pressure the PRV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the valve’s
inlet pressure for the case where the valve is fully open). Secondly, solve the system after closing
the pipe that contains the PRV and note the pressure at the node downstream of the closed pipe.
This is the minimum pressure the PRV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the pressure
downstream of the valve for the case where the valve is fully closed).
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 221

Back Pressure Valves

Back Pressure Valves allow the user to set a pressure at a node upstream of the valve (i.e. at the
start of the pipe). The back pressure valve (BPV) introduces an additional pressure loss in the pipe
to control the pressure at the node upstream of valve to the value specified by the user.

A pipe with a Back Pressure Valve fitted cannot have a tank or pressure demand set on either end.
No other pipe which connects to a pipe with a Back Pressure Valve fitted can contain a control valve
(FCV, PRV or BPV).

Pipe Flow Expert removes the pipe from the system and sets the pressure at the upstream node
(N1) by replacing it with an appropriately defined tank. The tank elevation is set to equal the node
elevation, the liquid level is set to zero and the fluid surface pressure is set to the back pressure
valve setting. . At the downstream node, an in-flow demand is then set equal to the flow into the
upstream node N1. Hence the pipe is replaced by a tank at the upstream node and an in-flow at the
downstream node while the system is being solved. The in-flow at the downstream node must equal
the flow rate into the upstream node that is now represented by a pressurized tank.

Figure 146 Back Pressure Valve replacement

The pressure difference between the upstream node P1 and the downstream node P2 must equal
the pressure loss through the pipe, fittings and any components on the pipe plus the pressure loss
introduced by the BPV. The pressure balance is then maintained after the system is solved, when
the pipe is reinstated along with the pressure loss introduced by the pressure reducing valve.

MODES OF OPERATION: A BPV can operate under three different conditions: (1) regulating, (2)
fully closed, and (3) fully open. How the valve operates depends on the defined set pressure value
for the valve. The fully open and fully closed positions represent the extreme operations of the valve.
Each of the valve positions is described below:

(1) Regulating The valve maintains the upstream pressure to the set value by introducing a
pressure loss across the valve, thus reducing the flow rate through the BPV.

(2) Fully Closed This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is greater than the
pressure upstream of the valve for the case where the valve is closed. When
this occurs in an actual pipe system, the flow through the BPV reverses and the
BPV acts as a check valve, closing the pipe. In PipeFlow Expert, this method of
operation is detected and reported but the system is not then solved for this
scenario. The user must decide if this method of operation is what they intended
and if so then they can close the pipe and continue to solve the system.
222 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

(3) Fully Open This mode of operation occurs if the valve’s set pressure is less than the
pressure downstream of the valve for the case where the valve is fully open.
When this occurs in an actual pipe system, the BPV maintains a fully open
position and it has no effect on the flow conditions (except to add a frictional
loss through the valve). In PipeFlow Expert, this method of operation is detected
and reported but the system is not solved because the differential pressure
across the valve would have to be negative, i.e. the valve would be acting like a
pump rather than a pressure control.

Pipe Flow Expert will only solve a system when the BPV is operating in Regulating mode.

AVOIDING BPV OPERATION PROBLEMS: In general, BPV operation problems can be avoided by
finding the valve's pressure regulating range and specifying the valve’s set pressure to a value within
this range, such that the mode of operation is ‘Regulating’. First, solve the system without the BPV
control and note the pressure at the node upstream of the pipe which previously contained the BPV.
This is the minimum pressure the BPV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the pressure at the
valve outlet for the case where the valve is fully open). Secondly, solve the system after closing the
pipe that contains the BPV and note the pressure at the node upstream of the closed pipe. This is
the maximum pressure the BPV can be set to (i.e. it is equivalent to finding the pressure at the valve
inlet for the case where the valve is fully closed).

Pumps (with Flow versus Head Curve)

The user is able to enter flow rate and head loss information about a pump which is to be used in the
pipeline system. Pipe Flow Expert generates a performance curve for the pump to allow the pump
performance to be modeled as part of the pipeline system.

Fixed Flow Rate Pumps

The user is able to elect to enter a fixed flow rate for a pump. This situation may occur when the
natural flow distribution to different parts of the network has to be determined, or when the system
has a variable speed pump that has been set to produce a set flow rate. The Fixed Flow Rate Pump
is modeled in a similar manner to the Flow Control Valve described above. Pipe Flow Expert
removes the pipe on which the pump is mounted and sets an Out-flow demand at the ‘From node’
and an equal In-flow demand at the ‘To node’. The pipe and the pump are replaced by these flow
demands while the system is being solved.

Figure 147 Fixed Flow Rate Pump replacement

Since the head pressure provided by the pump is unknown, the system balance cannot be ‘tuned’ by
iterating along the pump performance curve. For this reason it is not possible to include pressure
control devices such as flow control valves on all outlet paths through the system when a fixed flow
rate pump has been selected (this would result in an over-controlled system).
 Calculation Theory and Method of Solution 223

Fixed Head / Pressure Rise Pumps

The user is able to elect to enter a fixed head or pressure rise for a pump. This situation may be
useful when trying to estimate the pump head required to produce the flow distribution to different
parts of the network, where a pump flow versus head curve has not been established.
The flow rates would be set by flow control valves on the outlet legs.
The minimum pump head would be determined by subtracting the smallest pressure introduced by
the flow control valves from the fixed head supplied by the pump.

Net Positive Suction Head available

Pipe Flow Expert is able to calculate the pressure available at a pump inlet. This pressure will
change if the mounting position of the pump along a pipe is changed. The vapor pressure of the fluid
being pumped is subtracted from the pump inlet pressure to obtain the Net Positive Suction Head
available. The NPSHa must be higher than the pump manufacturer’s NPSHr (Net Positive Suction
Head requirement for the flow rate) in order to prevent gas bubbles forming in the fluid.

Two Phase Flow

Pipe Flow Expert is not able to model two phase flow, such as gas/liquid mixtures.
When two different fluids are mixed together it is possible that two-phase flow may occur at some
point in a system. Pipe Flow Expert does not calculate the pressure drop for two-phase flow.

Two-phase flow can produce an extremely high pressure drop many times greater than the pressure
drop of either individual fluid. The user should make due allowance for the two-phase flow pressure
drop by using a component to add an appropriate additional pressure loss.

Slurries
Slurries which have a constant density and a constant viscosity are able to be modeled, provided the
minimum velocity to keep the solids in suspension is maintained throughout the pipeline system. The
density and viscosity of the slurry mixture must be entered as the fluid data.
224 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Working with Compressible Fluids

The Pipe Flow Expert software now contains a Compressible Isothermal Flow Calculation Engine
(from version 7 and later).

In a gas system, as pressure loss occurs along a pipe, the gas density will decrease and the volume
of the gas will expand. As the volume of gas increases, the velocity of the gas in the pipe will
increase. Although the volume of gas and velocity in the pipe changes, the mass flow (weight of flow)
in the pipe will remain constant.

Gas flow rates are therefore often referred to in terms of mass flow (weight of flow) or standard
volume (which is the volume of gas at standard conditions, normally atmospheric pressure and some
common temperature reference, since this standard volume also define a constant mass flow).

Pipe Flow Expert provides a choice of standard volume units for gas flow rate which include:

• SCCM (Standard Cubic Centimeters per Minute),

• SLM (Standard Liters per Minute),
• SCMH (Standard Cubic Meters per Hour)
• MMSCMH (Million Standard Cubic Meter per Hour)
• MMSCMD (Million Standard Cubic Meter per Day)
• SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute)
• SCFH (Standard Cubic Feet per Hour)
• SCFD (Standard Cubic Feet per Day)
• MMSCFH (Million Standard Cubic Feet per Hour)
• MMSCFD (Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day)

Each of the standard volume units for gas flow relate to the gas at a standard condition, however
there are a number of slightly different standard reference conditions that are used worldwide
depending on country and location. Pipe Flow Expert provides a choice of standard reference
conditions to be used when referring to the standard volume flow rate of gas and these include:

• 0°C, 100.000 kPa.a

• 0°C, 101.325 kPa.a
• 15°C, 101.325 kPa.a
• 20°C, 101.325 kPa.a
• 25°C, 101.225 kPa.a
• 60°F, 14.696 psi.a
• 68°F, 14.696 psi.a

Mass flow can also be used to refer to an amount of gas flow and the units for mass flow include:

• Kgs/sec
• Kgs/min
• Kgs/hour
• Lb/sec
• Lb/min
• Lb/hour
 Working with Compressible Fluids 225

Using Compressible Flow Equations

There are a number of different equations that can be used to calculate flow rate and pressure loss
in a compressible gas system and the type of design and user preference often determines which
equation they use to calculate the results.

Pipe Flow Expert allows for the selection of a specific compressible isothermal flow equation from a
list that includes:

• General Fundamental Isothermal Flow Equation

• Complete Isothermal Flow Equation
• AGA Isothermal Flow Equation
• Panhandle A Isothermal Flow Equation
• Panhandle B Isothermal Flow Equation
• IGT Isothermal Flow Equation
• Weymouth Isothermal Flow Equation

The General Fundamental Isothermal Flow Equation (sometimes known as just the General Flow
equation or the Fundamental Flow equation) provides perhaps the most universal method for
calculating isothermal flow rates, however it relies on the inclusion of an accurate friction factor. The
Pipe Flow Expert software provides such a friction factor by calculating this using the Colebrook-
White equation.

For complex interconnected pipe systems the General Flow equation will often provide the best
overall calculation result, however this approach is only made possible by the advanced software
algorithms and the power of computer calculation.

The preferred method of calculation can be selected from the Calculations Tab in Configuration
Options.

Figure 148 Compressible Flow Calculation Options

The calculations can incorporate the Ideal Gas Law, a custom Compressibility Factor (applied to the
whole network) or the CNGA Compressibility Factor that is calculated for each pipe based on the
pressures at the start and end of each pipe.
226 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

The Compressible Flow Calculation Engine will automatically take account of pressure changes
within the pipe network and will automatically adjust the density properties of the gas as appropriate
when performing the gas flow rate and pressure loss calculations. The equations used in the
calculations currently assume isothermal flow where there is no change in temperature.

If the pipe system contains a compressor, component or valve that either significantly increase the
gas pressure or significantly reduces the gas pressure then an additional fluid zone should be
defined to specify the density properties of the gas at the required temperature condition.

Pipe Flow Expert will automatically account for changes in pressure within the system, however the
user must define fluid properties and gas data for the operating temperature within the pipe system
(or within each part of the pipe network if zone of different temperature exist).

When a user clicks to ‘Calculate’ a compressible gas system , if the calculation engine method of
solution is not set to ‘Compressible Gas Flow’ then the software will prompt the user to ask if they
wish to automatically switch to the Compressible Flow Calculation Engine (which is recommended).

If the user chooses not to switch to the Compressible Flow Calculation Engine then they can
continue to solve their system using the standard Non-Compressible Calculation Engine, which uses
the Darcy-Weisbach equation that assumes a constant density and viscosity for the gas as defined in
the fluid data.

We recommend using the Compressible Flow Calculation Engine to calculate gas systems,
however see the next section for considerations when using the non-compressible Darcy-Weisbach
equation to calculate a compressible gas system.

Using Non-Compressible Darcy-Weisbach Equation

Important Note:

We would always recommend using the Compressible Flow Calculation Engine to solve
compressible gas systems (rather than using the non-compressible calculation engine with the
Darcy-Weisbach equation).

The following notes in this section are included for completeness only.

The Darcy-Weisbach equation is normally applicable to incompressible Newtonian fluids, since the
density of these fluids can be considered to be constant even with changes in pressure, however this
equation is also sometimes used for compressible systems provided that they operate within certain
criteria.

When the Non-Compressible Calculation Engine is selected on the Calculations tab in Configuration
Options then Pipe Flow Expert uses the Colebrook-White equation to calculate friction factors and
the Darcy-Weisbach equation to calculate the friction loss in a pipe.

These equations assume a constant fluid density & viscosity and they provide a very accurate
solution when working with non-compressible fluids (liquids) and they are sometime used for low
velocity gas systems where there is a relatively small amount of pressure loss.

If the user select the Non-Compressible Calculation Engine when using the software to model gas
systems then there are certain criteria that the model must operate within to ensure the solution is of
acceptable accuracy.
 Working with Compressible Fluids 227

Changes in pressure and temperature will affect the gas density and viscosity. These property
changes affect the actual pressure drop and are not automatically accounted for in the Darcy-
Weisbach equation, therefore some limitations must be applied to ensure that the calculated results
are within an acceptable accuracy.

Generally systems which involve gases fall into two categories:

Low pressure loss gas systems:

Where the pressure loss is less than 10% of the highest absolute pressure in the system, if the
pressure drop is calculated using the entering fluid density then good reliability of the results can be
expected.

High pressure loss gas systems:

Where the pressure loss is more than 10% but less than 40% of the highest absolute pressure in the
system, if the pressure drop is calculated using the average fluid density then good reliability of the
results can be expected.

Where a system has a total pressure loss which exceeds 40% of the highest absolute pressure in
the system, then if you are using the Non-Compressible Flow Calculation Engine (which is not
recommended for gas systems) it will be necessary to model the system using a number of different
fluid zones with the fluid density data defined for different pressure conditions). Up to 20 fluid zones
can be used in a Pipe Flow Expert model.

Note: We include the above information for completeness, however we would recommend using the
Compressible Flow Calculation Engine to solve gas system, which will automatically account for
density changes with pressure losses (even for losses higher than 40% of the highest absolute
pressure) and these systems can then be modeled with a single fluid zone (provided that there are
no significant temperature changes).

Using Fluid Zones with gas systems:

Where a gas system has been split into a number of separate fluid zones, the fluid density and the
fluid viscosity for each fluid zone should be set independently.

The density of each fluid zone in the gas system must reflect the average density of the compressed
fluid condition in that fluid zone, in order for the Darcy-Weisbach equation to give a reasonably
accurate result.

When a gas system is solved with the Non-Compressible Calculation Engine (and the Darcy-
Weisbach equation), if the fluid density is not within 5% of the average fluid density for a particular
zone, a warning will be issued in the results log. Suggestions to Update Fluid Zone Data to have a
particular density based on the average pressure within the fluid zone will be issued in the results
log.

General Suggestions:

For systems that contain compressible fluids the following should be noted.

The mass flow rates entering the system and the mass flow rates leaving the system must be
balanced. Normally In-Flow or Out-Flow values are entered using units of mass flow or units of gas
flow at standard volume (volume at standard temperature and pressure). Users should avoid
specifying gas flow rates in regular volumetric units such as m³/hour since these refer to actual
volume of gas at whatever density has been defined in the fluid data (i.e. the density at some
pressure condition). Volume in standard units such as SCMH (Standard Cubic Meters per Hour)
should be used instead.
228 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Where volumetric In-Flow rates entering the system are to be used, these values should generally be
specified in gas flow standard volume units, such as SCFM, or in mass flow units, such as lb/min. If
the flow rates are entered in regular volume, such as ft³/min, then this defines the actual flow rate of
the fluid at the density specified in the fluid data for the current fluid zone (and not the uncompressed
volumetric flow rate of the gas at standard conditions).

Where volumetric Out-Flow rates leaving the system are to be used then these values should
generally be specified in gas flow standard volume units, such as SCFM, or in mass flow units, such
as lb/min (the same as for In-Flow values as described above).

With the Non-Compressible Flow Calculation Engine, Pipe Flow Expert uses a constant value for the
fluid density throughout each individual fluid zone in the pipeline system. Where regular volumetric
flow rates are used to specify the In-Flows and Out-Flows to the system, the individual density for
each fluid zone is used to convert from volumetric flow rate units to the mass flow rate units used
internally by Pipe Flow Expert.

As described above, we would recommend not specifying flow rates in volume units related to the
density of the fluid zone, but rather use mass flow unit or gas flow standard volume units (volume at
standard conditions).

The calculations are performed using mass flow rates to achieve mass flow rate continuity at each
node and an overall pressure balance within the pipeline system.

When using the Non-Compressible Flow Calculation Engine, the effects of pressure changes on the
fluid density are not modeled.

Note 1:

The Fluid density at the compressed fluid condition can be calculated using the normal density of the
compressible fluid and the fluid pressure.

Compressed fluid density =

Normal fluid density x (Fluid pressure + Atmospheric pressure) /Atmospheric pressure

Example: If a volume of 10 m³ of air at normal temperature and pressure is compressed to 6 bar g

The Fluid density would be: 1.2047 x (6.000 + 1.01325) / 1.01325 = 8.3384 kg/m³

Note 2:

The Actual volumetric flow rate of the fluid at the compressed fluid condition can be calculated using
the uncompressed volume of the fluid at standard condition and the compressed fluid pressure.

Actual flow rate =

Uncompressed fluid volume x (Atmospheric pressure / (Fluid pressure + Atmospheric pressure))

Example: If a flow of 10 m³/s of air at normal temperature and pressure is compressed to 6 bar g

The Actual flow rate would be: 10 x (1.01325 / (6.000 +1.01325)) = 1.445 m³/s
 Glossary 229

Glossary
Term Description
Absolute
Pressure measured with respect to zero pressure.
pressure
Atmosphere A standard atmospheric pressure of 1.01325 bar a or 14.696 psi a.
Centipoise Absolute viscosity of a fluid expressed in Pa • s x 10-3
Kinematic viscosity of a fluid expressed in m²/s x 10-6
Centistokes Note: Pipe Flow Expert requires fluid viscosity to be entered in
Centipoise.
An equation used to calculate accurate friction factors from the internal
Colebrook-White
diameter and internal roughness of a pipe and the Reynolds number for
equation
the flow conditions.
An equation used to calculate the frictional head loss due to fluid flow
Darcy-Weisbach
from the friction factor, the length and diameter of the pipe, the velocity of
equation
the fluid and the gravitational constant.
Demand flow The In-Flow entering the system or the Out-Flow leaving the system.
Demand
The pressure at a point of exit from the system.
pressure
Discharge Out-Flow leaving the system.
Dynamic
The absolute viscosity of a fluid.
viscosity
A factor to be used in the Darcy-Weisbach equation. Either calculated
Friction factor
from the Colebrook-White equation or read from the Moody diagram.
Elevation The height above sea level of a node or tank.
End pressure The pressure at a point where fluid leaves the system.
Fixed pressure A static pressure loss which is independent of the flow rate.
Fluid head The resistance to flow expressed in height of fluid as a motive force.
Gage pressure Pressure measured with respect to atmospheric pressure.
Hydraulic grade The pressure at a point in the system expressed in height of fluid plus the
line elevation above sea level of the node or the tank.
in Hg Height of a column of mercury in a barometer expressed in inches.
K value Coefficient of frictional loss through valve or pipe fittings.
Kinematic
The absolute viscosity of a fluid divided by the fluid density.
viscosity
A graphical representation of the relationship between Reynolds number,
Moody diagram
relative roughness and Friction factor.
mm Hg Height of a column of mercury in a barometer expressed in millimeters.
NPSHa Net Positive Such Head available.
NPSHr Net Positive Such Head requirement.
The friction loss due to fluid flow expressed in fluid head or Gage
Pressure loss
pressure.
The motive force developed by a pump expressed in height of fluid.
Pump head
(Pump performance graphs usually show pump head for water).
Relative A dimensionless number expressing the internal roughness of a pipe
roughness divided by the internal diameter of a pipe.
Reynolds A dimensionless number derived from the fluid velocity, the internal
number diameter of the pipe and the Kinematic viscosity of the fluid.
Supply In-Flow entering the system.
Vapor pressure The absolute pressure at which a liquid will start to evaporate.
A measure of a fluid‘s resistance to flow. See absolute viscosity and
Viscosity
Kinematic viscosity.
230 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

Index

Adding a Demand Pressure ............................ 156 units tab........................................................ 55

Adding and Importing Images ............... 160, 162 Configuring
Adding Text to the Drawing .......................... 158 calculation parameters ................................. 87
Automatic Checks and Updates ..................... 180 default options ............................................. 88
Back Pressure Valves ..................................... 221 results ................................................. 179, 185
adding......................................................... 130 Control Valve Data .......................................... 48
understanding ............................................. 130 Control Valves
Balanced Flow State ...................................... 197 deleting ...................................................... 178
Bevel Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe .......... 213 Copying between drawing ............................. 173
Bevel Edged Orifice in a Transition Section . 213 Create a PDF Report ...................................... 191
BPV Creating
adding......................................................... 127 pipe systems................................................. 67
Calculating and Solving Cv flow coefficient ........................................ 200
calculating .................................................. 181 Cv Flow Coefficient ........................................ 47
Calculating Pipe System Results.................... 179 Cv Flow Coefficients ..................................... 119
Calculation Theory......................................... 193 Cv Value ........................................................ 200
orifices loss coefficient .............................. 207 Cv Values ...................................................... 119
Change attributes of more than one node......... 85 Darcy-Weisbach compressible fluids ............ 226
Change attributes of more than one pipe ......... 83 considerations ............................................ 226
Change the system view................................... 70 Darcy-Weisbach Formula .............................. 195
Changing the fluid Density and Viscosity ....... 89 Daxesoft Ltd.
Choosing Item Labeling ................................... 75 contacting..................................................... 19
Choosing Pipe Drawing Defaults..................... 79 Defining Fluid Zones ....................................... 89
Choosing System Units .................................... 76 Demand Flows
Choosing units ................................................. 74 adding ........................................................ 154
Colebrook-White Formula ............................. 194 deleting ...................................................... 176
Component Pressure Loss ................................ 47 understanding............................................. 154
Component Pressure Losses Demand In-Flows
deleting....................................................... 177 adding ........................................................ 154
more than one on a pipe ............................. 115 Demand Out-Flows
Components adding ........................................................ 154
adding......................................................... 116 Demand Pressures.......................................... 156
pressure loss ............................................... 116 adding ........................................................ 156
understanding ............................................. 115 deleting ...................................................... 175
Compressed fluid condition understanding............................................. 156
Actual flow rate.......................................... 228 Documentation Menu ...................................... 28
fluid density ............................................... 228 Drawing Menu ................................................. 26
Compressible flow equations ......................... 225 Drawing pane................................................... 51
Compressible fluid flow formula ................... 225 cutting, copying, and pasting nodes ........... 171
Compressible Fluids....................................... 224 inverted view ............................................. 165
Compressible Gas Flow Equations ................ 195 mirror view ................................................ 165
Computer Minimum Requirements ................. 15 moving components ................................... 170
Configuration Options ..................................... 53 panning pipe system .................................. 164
calculations tab............................................. 61 view whole of the pipe system................... 164
editor tab ...................................................... 62 Drawing Pane
labelling Tab ................................................ 53 undo and redo functions ............................ 174
node updates tab........................................... 59 zoom in ...................................................... 163
pipe default values tab ................................. 57 zoom out .................................................... 163
results colors tab .......................................... 60 Edit Menu ........................................................ 23
 Index 231

End Pressure Data ............................................ 36 Moving a pipe to link at a new position ........ 174
FCV Net positive suction head ............................... 223
adding......................................................... 127 New pipe system
File Menu ......................................................... 21 creating .................................................. 67, 68
Fitting Head Loss ........................................... 196 Node Pane ........................................................ 34
Fittings Node Types ...................................................... 34
adding......................................................... 110 Nodes
adding to the database ................................ 112 adding .................................................... 95, 97
deleting....................................................... 177 attaching..................................................... 172
Fixed flow rate pump cutting, copying, and pasting ..................... 171
Limited application .................................... 135 deleting ...................................................... 175
Flow Control Valves ...................................... 219 group updates using configuration options .. 59
adding......................................................... 128 group updates using the edit grid ............... 166
understanding ............................................. 128 Opening additional systems ........................... 173
Flow Demands ................................................. 38 Orifices .......................................................... 124
Fluid adding a bevel edged orifice ...................... 126
adding to the database .................................. 92 adding a round edged orifice ..................... 125
defining for a fluid zone ............................... 91 adding a sharp edged orifice ...................... 125
viscosity ..................................................... 193 adding a thick edged orifice....................... 126
Fluid Flow States ........................................... 193 Orifices Loss Coefficient ............................... 207
Fluid Menu ....................................................... 24 bevel edged orifice in a straight pipe ......... 213
Fluid Zones ...................................................... 89 bevel edged orifice in a transition section . 213
Fluids Compressible round edged orifice in a straight pipe ........ 210
working with .............................................. 224 round edged orifice in a transition section . 210
Friction Factors .............................................. 194 sharp edged orifice discharging to atmosphere
Friction Losses ............................................... 194 ............................................................... 209
Gas data sharp edged orifice in a straight pipe ......... 207
adding to the database .................................. 93 sharp edged orifice in a transition section . 208
group updates on the drawing ........................ 168 thick edged orifice in a straight pipe.......... 216
Help Menu ....................................................... 29 thick edged orifice in a transition section .. 216
Hydraulic Grade Line PDF Report of System Results ...................... 191
energy grade line ........................................ 197 Pipe
Images - Adding Images ................................ 160 Finding a pipe or node ............................... 165
Interface and Menus ......................................... 20 Pipe Diameter Data .......................................... 43
Isometric Mode Toggle .................................... 70 Pipe diameter data dialog........................... 57, 79
Isometric System Options ................................ 68 Pipe Features.................................................... 39
Join Point Data ................................................. 37 Pipe Fittings Database ..................................... 45
Join Points Pipe Flow Expert
adding........................................................... 97 about ............................................................ 13
attaching ..................................................... 172 Pipe Material Data ........................................... 41
deleting....................................................... 175 Pipe Pane ......................................................... 39
K factor fitting head loss calculation ............. 196 Pipe System
K values ......................................................... 122 adding a Fixed Flow Rate pump ................ 134
Keyboard Shortcuts.......................................... 34 adding a Fixed Head / Pressure Rise pump 135
Kv flow coefficient ........................................ 200 adding a fixed speed pump curve .............. 136
Kv Flow Coefficient ........................................ 47 adding a pump ........................................... 132
Kv Flow Coefficients ..................................... 119 adding back pressure valves ...................... 130
Kv Value ........................................................ 200 adding component with a pressure loss ..... 116
Kv Values ...................................................... 119 adding components .................................... 115
License Menu ................................................... 27 adding control valves ................................. 127
Loops,Nodes and Pipes .................................. 198 adding demand flows ................................. 154
Menu Bar ......................................................... 20 adding demand pressures ........................... 156
Microsoft Excel.............................................. 189 adding fittings and valves .......................... 110
Minimum Computer Requirements ................. 15 adding flow controls .................................. 128
232 Pipe Flow Expert User Guide

adding join points......................................... 97 adding ........................................................ 127

adding pipes ................................................. 99 Pump Data ....................................................... 49
adding pressure Reducing Valves .............. 129 Pumps
adding tanks ................................................. 95 adding ........................................................ 132
calculating .................................................. 179 adding Fixed Flow Rate ............................. 134
components with Cv or Kv values ............. 119 adding Fixed Head Pump........................... 135
components with orifices ........................... 124 adding Fixed Speed Pump Curve .............. 136
components with Sprinkler K values ......... 123 browse Database ........................................ 152
configuring results ..................................... 185 deleting ...................................................... 178
creating......................................................... 67 example pumps .......................................... 153
defining fluid for a fluid zone ...................... 91 fixed flow rate............................................ 222
deleting a group of items............................ 176 Fixed Head / Pressure Rise Pumps ............ 223
deleting components .................................. 175 import curve image .................................... 141
emailing a screen image ............................... 73 performance curve ..................................... 222
exporting results ......................................... 189 predicted performance Data....................... 147
group updates using configuration options .. 57 search database .......................................... 151
group updates using the edit grid ............... 166 variable speed and change to impeller size 145
inverted view.............................................. 165 working with the pump curve graph .......... 139
mirror view................................................. 165 Redo Function................................................ 174
modifying ................................................... 163 Registration and Licensing Information .......... 16
moving components ................................... 170 Results
panning....................................................... 164 calculating.......................................... 179, 181
pipes ............................................................. 99 configuring................................................. 185
printing ......................................................... 70 exporting .................................................... 189
redesigning ................................................. 190 saving ......................................................... 188
saving ........................................................... 69 viewing ...................................................... 187
saving a screen image .................................. 73 Results Colors Selection .................................. 86
saving as an enhanced metafile .................... 73 Results dialog ................................................ 179
saving results.............................................. 188 Results Printing using PDF Report ................ 191
sending via e-mail ........................................ 70 Results tables ................................................... 64
tanks ............................................................. 95 ResultsLogForm dialog ................................. 179
view whole of the pipe sytem .................... 164 Reynolds number ........................................... 194
viewing....................................................... 163 Rotating a group of items .............................. 174
viewing results ........................................... 187 Round Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe ........ 210
PipeFlow.com Round Edged Orifice in a Transition Section 210
contacting ..................................................... 19 Selected Area
Pipes zoom in ...................................................... 163
adding........................................................... 99 Setting System Options ................................... 74
adding a pipe ................................................ 99 Sharp Edged Orifice Discharging to Atmosphere
adding materials to the database ................ 102 ................................................................... 209
adding sizes to the database ....................... 102 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe .......... 207
closing a pipe ............................................. 103 Sharp Edged Orifice in a Transition Section . 208
deleting....................................................... 175 Slurries ........................................................... 223
preventing backflow in a pipe .................... 109 Solving a Pipe System ................................... 181
reversing pipe flow .................................... 103 Spray Nozzles ................................................ 123
use as default pipe feature .......................... 109 Sprinkler Components ................................... 123
using the pop-up-menu while drawing....... 104 Sprinkler K coefficients ................................. 122
Pressure Reducing Valves.............................. 219 Sprinkler K factor .......................................... 123
adding......................................................... 129 Sprinkler K factors......................................... 122
understanding ............................................. 129 Sprinkler K imperial ...................................... 206
Printing Sprinkler K metric Calculation ...................... 206
pipe systems ................................................. 70 Sprinkler K value ........................................... 123
Properties of Mixed Fluids............................... 90 Sprinkler K Value Imperial coefficient ......... 206
PRV Sprinkler K Value Metric coefficient ............ 206
 Index 233

System Tool Bar Buttons ............................................. 30

calculation tolerances ................................. 200 Tools Menu ...................................................... 27
components ................................................ 200 Total Pressure Soss ........................................ 196
System Amendments and Group Updates ..... 166 Two Phase Flow ............................................ 223
Tabbed Design Sheets ...................................... 67 Two phase flow additional pressure loss ......... 90
Tank Node Data ............................................... 35 Undo Function ............................................... 174
Tanks Units Menu ...................................................... 24
adding........................................................... 95 Unknown Values ........................................... 199
deleting....................................................... 175 Using the Edit Grid ........................................ 166
info ............................................................... 95 Valves
Text - Adding Text Items ............................... 158 adding ........................................................ 110
Theory Calculation......................................... 193 Viewing and Modifying System Components
Thick Edged Orifice in a Straight Pipe .......... 216 ................................................................... 168
Thick Edged Orifice in a Transition Section . 216 Viewing Individual Results ............................. 66
Tool Bar ........................................................... 30 Zoom Function .............................................. 163