3 replies to this topic

[Steve Hall]

 Flow from tank formulas.pdf   184.9KB   818 downloadsConsider a storage tank with open discharge.

 

Most tank draining calculations use an orifice formula with Cd from 0.6 to 0.98 depending on whether the hole is considered to be a sharp-edged orifice up to a stubby pipe (e.g., tank nozzle).

 

But if the discharge is through a lengthy pipe or through a valve I would think you would use the Darcy equation for pressure drop due to friction with the driving pressure drop being the difference in head from the top of the liquid in the tank to the point where the pipe discharges.

 

Here's my quandry. I get a much higher flow result using the Darcy equation rather than the orifice equation. I think the Equivalent Length in the Darcy equation needs to incorporate the entrace effect into the pipe such that if the pipe length is zero there is sufficient equivalent length so the result will equal the orifice calculation (same diameters of course). But the K value for entrance pipes is nowhere near high enough to accomplish this.

 

I must be missing some fundamental here, or my equations have an error, but the same problem exists if I assume a valve is connected to the tank outlet and I simply use the valve flow coefficient to estimate the flow rate.

 

Any ideas why I have this discrepancy? I've attached my formulas.

 

Edited by Steve Hall, 23 April 2021 - 07:14 AM.

[Bobby Strain]

Welcome back Steve! You will likely get a response from Harvey.

 

Bobby

[breizh]

Hi Steve,

 

Relation between K and Cv for the application of D.W equation 

K*Cv^2=894*d^4  , d internal diameter in inches 

 

Breizh 

[Steve Hall]

Many thanks to Breizh for pointing me to the right path.

 

I've determined that if loses for entry and exit to a discharge pipe are included (total K = 1.5), the answer using the equations I posted agree with the orifice model with a Cd of 0.8. In summary, if the tank discharge is consdered through a nozzle on the tank with a project of 150mm or so, the answer using the two approaches (pipe flow or orifice) agree sufficiently for my satisfaction.