Flow Advisor help help
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CONTENTS Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Example calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Channel Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Manning Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Channel Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Material densities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Fluid densities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tank types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Time to Empty Tanks (approximate) . . 7 Flow from weirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Metric and Imperial unit choice . . . . . . 8 Load calculation data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Save calculation data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Copy screen to clipboard . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Print a calculation screen . . . . . . . . . . 9 Program Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Moving Flow Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 More from Pipeflow.co.uk . . . . . . . . . . 12
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Overview Flow Advisor may be used to estimate water flow rate from various shaped channels and tanks. OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW
Open-channel flow occurs when a liquid flows due to gravity. Usually the flowing liquid has a free surface, as in a channel, flume or partially full pipe. The liquid is not under pressure, other than atmospheric pressure. Many formulae have been developed to estimate the flow rate in open-channels, the Manning formula has become widely accepted as the usual method of estimating flow rate. WATER FLOW RATE CALCULATION
The Manning formula uses a coefficient to correct for the type of channel in use. The cross-sectional area of the flow, the wetted perimeter of the flow and the slope ratio must be calculated. The results are more accurate if the flow cross-section, velocity, depth and slope are constant (steady flow). The flow rate estimates are applicable to water or fluids similar to water. TIME TAKEN TO EMPTY TANKS
The flow rate from a tank outlet will be dependant on the orifice size, orifice type and the head of fluid above the outlet position. The additon of an oulet pipe may restrict the oulet flow rate unless the outlet pipe is relatively short. As the tank empties the fluid head will reduce progressively, reducing the outlet flow rate. The shape of the tank will also affect the time taken to empty, as changes in shape will affect the rate of change of the fluid head available. VOLUME, CAPACITY, WEIGHT and EXPANSION
The inner volume, fluid capacity, weight and expansion of various pipes, sections, channels and tanks can be calculated. The weight of a pipe, channel or tank in various material constructions (steel, wood, aluminium, brass etc.) and the fluid contents may be displayed by entering the appropriate dimensions and choosing the material and fluid t ype. PIPE, CHANNEL, TANK and WEIR CHOICES Choose a calculation screen to suit your application, by clicking an approriate tab.
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Example calculations Flow Advisor may be used to calculate water flow rate, water depth, volume and weight, and length expansion. Examples from the pipe calculation screen are shown below. Water Flow Rate
Click the 'Water flow rate' radio button. Choose an appropriate Manning's coefficient for the type of pipe material. Enter the appropriate data (length, internal diameter, fluid depth, drop) for the pipe arrangement. Choose the flow rate units required. Click the 'Calculate water flow rate' button.
Water Depth Click the 'Water Depth' radio button. Choose an appropriate Manning's coefficient for the type of pipe material. Enter the appropriate data (length, internal diameter, water flow rate, drop) for the pipe arrangement. Click the 'Calculate water depth' button.
The maximum flow rate for a circular section occurs when the water depth is approximately 93.8% of the internal diameter. Click 'Max Flow' button to display the maximum flow possible. Volume and Weight Click the 'Volume and Weight' radio button, enter the internal diameter, external diameter and length of the pipe. Enter the depth of fluid. Choose the pipe material to set the material density (or enter your own value). Choose the fluid to set the fluid density (or enter your own value). Click the 'Calculate Volume & weight' button.
Length Expansion Click the 'Length Expansion' radio button. Choose the temperature change from the drop down listing. Click the 'Calculate exapansion' button.
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Channel Materials Flow Advisor provides a selection of channel types for which the water flow rate can be calculated. The material of the channel will be a major factor which will affect the water flow rate. The Manning formula uses a coefficient to correct for the nature of the channel material.
Manning Formula The Manning formula is used to calculate the water velocity in the channel. The 'Cross-sectional area' of the fluid and the 'Wetted perimeter' of the fluid (The perimeter in contact with the channel) must be calculated. The 'Cross-sectional area' is divided by the 'Wetted perimeter' to obtain the 'Hydraulic Radius'. The slope ratio (drop divided by length) must be calculated. The Manning coefficient is used to correct for the nature of the channel material. From this information the water velocity may be found: Metric Formula fluid velocity =
2 1 1.000 x (Hr) 3 x (Sr) 2 = metres /sec Manning's coefficient
Hr = Hydraulic radius in metres Sr = Slope ratio
Imperial Formula fluid velocity =
2 1 1.486 x (Hr) 3 x (Sr) 2 = feet /sec Manning's coefficient
Hr = Hydraulic radius in feet Sr = Slope ratio
Water flow rate = velocity x cross-sectional area
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Channel Types Open Channels appear in many arrangements: 1. Part full pipes. 2. Part full rectangular sections. 3. Rectangular channels. 4. Flate bottomed channels (with sloping sides). 5. Vee channels.
Each type of 'Open Channel' has an appropriate calculation screen. Select a calculation screen by clicking an appropriate tab. Choose the type of calculation required (Water flow rate, water depth, or volume & weight). Enter the data for your appplication. Click the 'Calculate button'. Certain dimensions (internal diameter, internal width etc.) on the calculation screens will be reset to a default value, if the Flow Advisor program has not been registered.
Material densities A Material database includes the density and coefficient of expansion of many common materials. The Material database is accessed by choosing a 'Volume & weight' calculation and clicking the weight symbol next to the Channel material entry. Additional data can be added by the user, amend the entries in the 4 transfer boxes at the top of the screen and click 'Add this data to list'.
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Fluid densities A Fluid database includes the density of many common fluids at various temperatures. The Fluid database is accessed by choosing a 'Volume & weight' calculation and clicking the flask symbol next to the Fluid entry. Additional data can be added by the user, amend the entries in the 3 transfer boxes at the top of the screen and click 'Add this data to list'.
Tank types Fluid Tanks can be found in many arrangements: 1. Rectangular. 2. Circular. 3. Cylindrical. 4. Spherical. 5. Cone or Frustrum. 6. Hopper or Pryamid
Each type of 'Tank' has an appropriate calculation screen. Select a calculation screen by clicking an appropriate tab. Choose the type of calculation required (Time to empty, or volume & weight). Enter the data for your appplication. Click the 'Calculate button'. Certain dimensions (internal length, internal diameter, top diameter, top width etc.) on the calculation screens will be reset to a default value, if the Flow Advisor program has not been registered.
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Time to Empty Tanks (approximate) The discharge from an orifice is dependant on various factors: 1. The discharge coefficient (varies with the type of outlet fitting). 2. The cross-sectional area of the orifice. 3. The 'Head' of water above the orifice outlet. The Flow Advisor program offers a choice between 4 pre-determined outlet types: a. Rounded outlet - discharge coefficient 0.98 b. Square edge outlet - discharge coefficient 0.80 c. Sharp edge outlet - discharge coefficient 0.61 d. Borda outlet (projecting inside) - discharge coefficient 0.51 The discharge flow rate from an orifice is calculated as follows: Flow rate = Orifice discharge coefficient x Orifice cross-sectional area x Where g = acceleration due to gravity Where H = head of fluid about outlet As the tank empties the fluid head will reduce and the discharge flow from the orifice will reduce.
If the fluid surface area within the tank is not constant, the rate of change in the fluid head will not be constant. Initially the change in fluid head may be slow, but as the tank empties the fluid head will change more quickly. The example shows that the time to reduce the fluid level by 300 mm (12 inch) is initially 3m - 37s, the final 300 mm of fluid will empty in 1m - 33 s.
When a pipe is used to feed the tank discharge to some other point the pipe may restrict the discharge flow rate. When a 4 metre (13 ft) length of pipe is used, in this example, the time to empty is increased by almost 8 minutes.
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Flow from weirs Weirs may be used to estimate the water flow rate discharged. Four common weir arrangements are: 1. Rectangular weir with end contractions. 2. Trapezoidal weir with sloping end contactions. 3. Triangular weir with end contractions. 4. Smooth channel (horizontal) without contactions.
Each design needs a different calculation method to estimate the flow rate. All four calculations methods use the weir dimensions, the water head (raised to some power - different for each design), and a constant factor (again different for each design.) Each type of 'Weir' has an appropriate calculation screen. Select a calculation screen by choosing a weir type. Enter the data for your appplication. Click the 'Calculate button'.
The width of the weir on the calculation screens will be reset to a default value, if the Flow Advisor program has not been registered.
Metric and Imperial unit choice Flow Advisor can perform calculations in both Metric and Imperial units. Click the appropriate 'Metric' or 'Imperial' radio button to select the units required.
When you select 'Imperial' units, you will be offered the option to convert the existing values from Metric to Imperial equivalents.
When you select 'Metric' units, you will be offered the option to convert the existing values from Imperial to Metric equivalents.
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Load calculation data Data associated with a particular calculation may be loaded from a file. (Which has been saved using Flow Advisor). Flow Advisor uses file extensions F00, F01, F02, F03 ..... F13 to differentiate between the different types of calculation. To load the data from a file - use the 'Open File' tool button on the required calculation screen. Calculation data can only be loaded if the Flow Advisor program has been registered.
Save calculation data The data associated with a particular calculation may be saved to a file. Flow Advisor uses file extensions F00, F01, F02, F03 ..... F13 to differentiate between the different types of calculation. To save the data to a file - use the 'Save File' tool button on the current calculation screen. Calculation data can only be saved if the Flow Advisor program has been registered.
Copy screen to clipboard An image of a particular calculation screen may be copied to the clipboard. The image may be pasted into a word processor or into an Excel spreadsheet. To copy the calculation image - use the 'Copy image to clipboard' tool button on the required calculation screen. Copy functions can only be used if the Flow Advisor program has been registered.
Print a calculation screen An image of a particular calculation screen may be printed. To print the calculation image - use the 'Print screen' tool button on the required calculation screen. Print functions can only be used if the Flow Advisor program has been registered.
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Flow Advisor help
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Program Registration The Flow Advisor program must be registered to allow the 'Save', 'Open', 'Copy to clipboard' and 'Print' functions to operate. The registration process is easy : 1. Visit www.pipeflow.co.uk to purchase a registration token. 2. Obtain the Product Code from the software installation - this code is shown on the 'Terms of use' screen. 3. Use the registration token and the Product Code from the software installation, to obtain your Registration Code from the 'www.pipeflow.co.uk' website.
4. Read 'Flow Advisor - Terms of use' and click the 'Register program' menu option to display the 'User registration' entry form.
5. Enter your Registration code and click Register Program.
6. Flow Advisor is now registered and fully operational.
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Flow Advisor help
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Moving Flow Advisor The Flow Advisor license allows a user to use the program on one machine only. To move the program to another machine the original program must be un-registered from the current machine. The un-register process : 1. To un-register the program choose 'Un-register program' from the Registration menu.
2. Enter the product code in the 'un-register' box and click the OK button.
3. Confirm that you wish to un-register the program.
4. Your un-register token will be displayed - make a note of this number.
Installation and re-activation on another machine
1. Install the Flow Advisor software on the new machine. 2. Send email to :
[email protected]
Include details of your un-register token, and request a new registration token. A new registration token will be emailed to you.
3. Use the new registration token and the Product Code from the new software installation to obtain your Registration Code from the 'www.pipeflow.co.uk' website.
4. Enter your Registration code and click Register Program.
5. Flow Advisor is now registered and fully operational.
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Flow Advisor help
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More from Pipeflow.co.uk Pipeflow.co.uk also supplies other software packages.
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