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Piping Sizes Calculation

The Smartflex Pressure Drop Calculator allows to check that the product pipe size is adequate to the
site conditions. It is a Microsoft excel spreadsheet that evaluates the fluid flow through the pipe and,
consequently, the pressure drop along the pipe runs.

When asked to activate/inactivate macro, click on “activate”. The sheets are locked, so only those cells
(in green) which require data input are accessible.

It is sufficient to compute the worst case scenario, for example:


􀂾 the one with the longest piping runs;
􀂾 the smallest pipe size;
􀂾 the highest flow rates required.

Pressure Systems

The information to be entered in the calculator is as follows:


􀂾 length of piping runs (in meters or feet);
􀂾 number of dispensers & nozzles per dispenser;
􀂾 fluid type (e.g. Diesel, Gasoline…);
􀂾 nominal Pipe Size (Outside diameter);
􀂾 STP power (in Horsepower)*;
􀂾 nozzle flow rate (in litres/min or in gallons/min), usually 40/80 litres/min or 10/20 gallons/min;
􀂾 tank & dispenser relative elevations (in meters or feet), from the bottom of the dispenser to the bottom
of the tank.

Once all the information has been entered, the tool calculates the total pressure drop** for the system (in
meters/feet or bars/psi) and the maximum fluid speed in the pipe (in meters or feet) and plots the result in
a chart. As long as the pink dot is below the pump curve and there is no warning regarding the
maximum fluid speed, the chosen pipe diameter is adequate for the intended service.

The pump curve plotted (supplied by the pump manufacturer) represents the pump capacity and the pink
dot represents the simulated piping system scenario, or rather, how many meters or feets the
pump shall be capable to provide, at that required total flow rate, so that the intended service is
guaranteed.

*It is the responsibility of the user to verify and compare the pump curve assumed in this spreadsheet to
the one relative to the pump that will be used, in order to avoid inaccurate evaluations.

** The total computed pressure drop considers also the fitting pressure drop contribution. For example, in
case of a terminating dispenser, the calculator already includes the pressure drop due to the elbow and in
case of an intermediate dispenser the tee contribution is considered.

Suction Systems

The information to be entered in the calculator is as follows:


􀂾 length of piping runs (in meters or feet);
􀂾 number of dispensers & nozzles per dispenser;
􀂾 fluid type (e.g. Diesel, Gasoline…);
􀂾 nominal Pipe Size (Outside diameter);
􀂾 nozzle flow rate (in litres/min or in gallons/min), usually 40/80 litres/min or 10/20 gallons/min;
􀂾 tank & dispenser relative elevations (in meters or feet), from the bottom of the dispenser to the top of
the tank.

Once all the information has been entered, the tool calculates the total pressure drop** for the system (in
meters/feet or bars/psi) and the maximum fluid speed in the pipe (in meters or feet) and does not plot the
result in a chart, as happens with pressure systems. In this case, the chosen pipe diameter is
adequate for the intended service if the cell (F17) near the first dispenser representation is green and
there is no warning regarding the maximum fluid speed. If the cell is red and/or the maximum speed
warning appears, then the pipe size chosen is unsuitable.
The value of F17 cell represents the calculation of NPSH of the piping system: in particular, if the cell is
green, it means that the calculated value of NPSH is ≥ NPSH of the pump (= 0.6 bar) and if the cell turns
red, it means that the condition is not satisfied.

** The total computed pressure drop considers also the fitting pressure drop contribution. For example, in
case of a terminating dispenser the calculator includes the pressure drop due to the elbow and in case of
an intermediate dispenser the tee contribution is considered.
Once all the information has been entered, the tool calculates the total pressure drop** for the system (in
meters/feet or bars/psi) and the maximum fluid speed in the pipe (in meters or feet) and does not plot the
result in a chart, as happens with pressure systems. In this case, the chosen pipe diameter is
adequate for the intended service if the cell (F17) near the first dispenser representation is green and
there is no warning regarding the maximum fluid speed. If the cell is red and/or the maximum speed
warning appears, then the pipe size chosen is unsuitable.
The value of F17 cell represents the calculation of NPSH of the piping system: in particular, if the cell is
green, it means that the calculated value of NPSH is ≥ NPSH of the pump (= 0.6 bar) and if the cell turns
red, it means that the condition is not satisfied.

** The total computed pressure drop considers also the fitting pressure drop contribution. For example, in
case of a terminating dispenser the calculator includes the pressure drop due to the elbow and in case of
an intermediate dispenser the tee contribution is considered.

Keep in mind that these calculations are only estimates and that NUPIGECO is not responsible for
erroneous evaluations. This calculator shall not replace a professional engineer’s judgment or
advice. The information generated by or included in this tool does not represent a guarantee or
warranty for piping installations and cannot be guaranteed, as the conditions of use are beyond
our control.
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2 Nozzles 2 Nozzles Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing

160 l/min 80 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min


45 m 6m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m

INPUT DATA
Fluid Type Gasoline
Pipe Nominal Size TSMA63
HYDRAULIC
Flow rate per nozzle 40 l/min
Elevation (tank-dispenser) 4 m

OUTPUT
Pressure losses 10664 Pa
Pressure losses 0.107 bar
Pressure losses 1.45 m

Pressure losses + elevation 39987.58 Pa


Pressure losses + elevation 0.40 bar
Pressure losses + elevation 5.45 m

Maximum fluid speed 1.28 m/s


1 Nozzle Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing

40 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min 0 l/min


42 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m

INPUT DATA 50
45
Fluid Type Gasoline
40
Pipe Nominal Size TSMA50
Total head in meters 35
STP power 3/4 HP 30

HYDRAULIC
25
Flow rate per nozzle 40 l/min 20
Elevation (tank-dispenser) 4m
15
OUTPUT 10
Pressure losses 2504 Pa
Pressure losses 0.025 bar 5
Pressure losses 0.34 m
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000 1050
Pressure losses + elevation 31828.10 Pa 3/4 HP
Pressure losses + elevation 0.32 bar Liters per minute
Pressure losses + elevation 4.34 m Piping

Maximum fluid speed 0.51 m/s


2 Nozzles 2 Nozzles Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing

40 gpm 20 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm


250 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft

INPUT DATA
Fluid Type Diesel
Pipe Nominal Size TSMA63

HYDRAULIC
Flow rate per nozzle 10 gpm
Elevation (tank-dispenser) 10 ft

OUTPUT
Pressure losses 2.264 psi
Pressure losses 6.54 feet

Pressure losses + elevation 5.727 psi


Pressure losses + elevation 16.54 feet

Maximum fluid speed 3.96 ft/s


2 Nozzles 2 Nozzles Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing Non dispensing

40 gpm 20 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm 0 gpm


250 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft

150
INPUT DATA 140
130
Fluid Type Gasoline 120
Pipe Nominal Size TSMA90 110
100
STP power 1 -1/2 HP Total head in feet 90
80
70
HYDRAULIC
Flow rate per nozzle 10 gpm 60
Elevation (tank-dispenser) 10 ft 50
40
30
OUTPUT 20
10
Pressure losses 0.388 psi
Pressure losses 1.20 feet
0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

260

280

300
1 -1/2 HP
Pressure losses + elevation 3.628 psi Gallons Per Minute Piping
Pressure losses + elevation 11.20 feet

Maximum fluid speed 1.89 ft/s

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