Low water pressure on branches 1

[bctarala]

Dear Colleagues,

I'm currently working in a food manufacturing company. We are having a problem in water supply pressure to our production lines. The scenario is this, on the 1st half of 2012, the design of water distribution pipe was:

Distribution Pipe: 3 1/2" dia (Note: this is process water line w/ 0ppm of chlorine)
Branches going down to production: 2" dia
Water Pressure @ pump discharge: 50 - 60 psig
Water Pressure @ branch line: 30-40 psig (@ high demand for water pressure & accepted pressure by production)
Pump Capacity: 50 m3/h
Motor Power: 30hp

But on the 2nd half of 2012, our QA requested to change/revert supply of water from process water to drinking/chlorinated water (which has a 2 1/2" distribution line). So we re-tapped or re-pipe all branches from process water line to drinking water line. Then the scenario is this after the project:

Distribution Pipe: 2 1/2" dia (Note: this is chlorinated water line w/ .3 - .5ppm of chlorine)
Branches going down to production: 2" dia
Water Pressure @ pump discharge: 60-70 psig
Water Pressure @ branch line: 10-20 psig (@ high demand for water pressure & not accepted pressure by production)
Pump Capacity: 50 m3/h (same)
Motor Power: 30hp (same)

This is now a permanent installation, we are searching for alternatives to increase water pressure to production lines. One option is to install booster pump on branch line with lowest supply pressure of water, another one is to provide orifice to all branches.

Hope you will advise me for the best alternative.

Thanks

 

[Latexman]

Put in larger distribution pipe.
Put in parallel distribution pipe.
Convert distribution pipe to loop.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[bimr]

To determine the best alternative would require a piping layout, number of branches, process information and maybe elevations in addition to the information that you presented.

Another alternative is to install additional pipe run(s) to the largest water use(s).

Orifices may work to slow the rate of water discharged if the water is being used for cleanups, but there may be a problem if the process has to be completed in a defined time limit.

 

[bctarala]

Hi Latexman,

We already have a plan for increasing the distribution pipe, the problem is the budget proposed for this will be approved next year. So, the management request us to see alternatives to increase supply pressure to production this year. We also convert distribution pipe to loop. But the same problem occur.

Hi bimr,

Sorry for the incomplete data. I will post schematic diagram within this day.


Thanks

 

[Latexman]

You already mentioned, reducing flow in branches with excess flow and booster pumps, that's about it, unless the sketch you send sparks other ideas.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[123engr]

Reducing the flow is an immediate option. This translate to reduction in pressure loss and fluid velocity across the distribution pipe network.

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