Effect of hole area and incline angle on pipe flow leakage rates

Abstract

Water will always remain as a valuable commodity due to its unique properties and availability. Therefore, its transport in pipes has great significance. Malfunctions such as pipe leakages can cause a variety of problems, ranging from household inconveniences to loss of coolant accidents in nuclear reactors. However, if leakage is controlled, an efficient mechanism of solvent administration can be created, as seen in common drip irrigation techniques. The study focused on two variables of pipe perforation: hole area, and pipe incline. The resulting leakage rates were measured. The experimental set-up consisted of a pipe of varying hole areas attached to a water reservoir at varying angles. The hypothesis was that for a horizontally configured pipe with a single hole, the leakage rate would increase linearly with hole area. The experimental data showed consistency with the hypothesis, but deviated from the linear model for smaller and larger hole areas. Furthermore, the study also derived a hypothetical equation for discharge at an incline that relates the relationship between pipe incline and leakage rate. The findings of the study provide more knowledge to incorporate variations to the drop-irrigation technique on both flat and angled land.