CALCULATION OF HOSE

PRESSURE LOSS
The determination of pressure loss
through a pipeline system for a given
liquid enables the optimum bore size to
be established for a maximum acceptable
pressure drop. In this density, viscosity
and volume throughput the hose bore size
for a system can be recommended.

where the relationship of other units to it

is as follows:

Absolute (cP )
Kinematic (cSt ) 
Density ( S .G.)

149.7
Kinematic(cSt ) 0.219( SUS ) 
( SUS )

Stage 1. Initial Data

Kinematic (cSt ) 10 6 m 2 / s

a)
Liquid density is normally given
as a specific gravity. The S.G. equivalente
of the A.P.I. value can be determined by
using the following relationship:
141.5
S .G 
API
131.5

In the case where liquid density is given

in other units then conversion factors in
volume 1 of this manual shold be
employed to equate the density relative to
that of water.
In all instances the specific density should
be accompanied by a temperature to
which it relates. In the case of API values
the standar temperature is 60F (15.5C).
As the density of fluid is dependant on the
temperature so the working density of the
liquid is necessary. Graph 1. enables the
S.G. of the temperature (supplied as
initial data).
b)
Liquid viscosity can be supplied in
a great variety of units such as Kinematic
centistokes (cSt), Absolute centipois (cP),
Engler degrees, Saybolt Universal
seconds (SUS), Redwood number 1.
seconds. S.I. units (m2/s), etc. for the
purposes of this procedure it is Keinmatic
centistokes which shall be employed

Like density, the viscosity of a liquid is

dependant on temperature. The standard
temperature used when specifying
viscosity is normally 100F (38C). The
viscosity should be converted using
Graph 2 to that of the operating
temperature.
c)
Liquid volume throughput values
are also expressed in a vatiety of units.
The graph 3 shows the throughput axis in
3 scales, American barrels per hour
(Bbl/h), cubic metres per hour (m3/h) and
tons per hour (valid only for a liquid of
SG 0.834 tipycal North sea crude).
Should the throughput be expressed in
any other unit then the conversion factors
in volume 1 of this manual can be
employed.
Use of graph 3, for a given throughput
will give a series of values for a liquid
flow velocities increasing with decreasing
hose diameter.
Selection of the optimun bore size
depends on the acceptable pressure loss,
thus it may be necessary to compute the
losses for several bore sizes before
arriving at a satisfactory conclusion.

Stage2. Reynolds number and Friction

factor.
The information so far processed should
be as follows:
= Liquid density un S.G. at operating
temperature.
= Liquid viscosity in cSt at operating
temperature.
D* = Hose bore diameter in inches
(actual)
V = Flow rate in ft/s.
* For bore sizes of 16 and above actual
diameters differ from nominal by 0.75
inches.
The next step is to compute the Reynolds
number of the liquid in the state dictated
by the above condictions. Reynolds
number is a normalised quantity (no
units) and will be used on graph 4 to
establish the friction factor , which in
tum leads to the pressure loss. Reynolds
number Re is given by

7742 * D * V
Re 

Where the parameters have the units

stated at the beginning of this stage.
Determine next from graph 4 the value
the friction factor from Re and the hose
bore size.
Note that the relationship between Re and
is not simply a function of diameter
alone but also one of surface roughness of
the hose. For roughness has been used
(0.0008) and bore sizes on the graph
merely serve as identifiers.

Stage 3. The pressure loss formula.

On obtaining the pressure loss can now

be calculated using the following
formula:
2.689 * * * V 2 * 
P 
D*g
Where:
P is the `ressure loss in psi.
is the hose system length in feet.
g is the acceleration due to gravity of
32.2 ft/s2
Example:
Crude oil is to be discharged through a
floating hose sustem at a rate of 25000
barrels per hour. Thelength of the line is
to be 700 feet and the maximum
acceptable pressure loss is 35 psi. Using
the oil charecteristics below whay is the
optimum hose diameter and the pressure
loss associated with it?
Crude = API 36
Viscosity = 25cSt@100F
Working Temperature = 75F
Stage 1.
a) From API 36 to SG by the
formula = 0.845 SG@60F.
Reference to graph 1 the
SG@60F converted to the
Working Temperature of 75F
gives:
S.G. = 0.80@75F
of
25cSt@100F
b) Viscosity
converted to the operating
temperature of 75F by the graph
2
gives
a
viscosity
of
approximately:
= 45sCt@75F

c) 25000 barrels per hour by

reference to graph 3 gives a
velocity flow rate of 30.7 ft/s for a
16 nominal hose (actual 15.25).
V = 30.7 ft/s
Stage 2.
Reynolds number Re = 80547
Graph 4 gives the friction factor =
0.0198.
Stage 3.
Pressure loss P = 57.2 psi
This value is Higher than the maximum
acceptable therefore a larger bore, slower
flow rate must be selected. Repeat
calculation for 20 nominal (19.25
actual) bore hose.
Stage 1.

SG = 0.8@75F

= 45cSt75F

V = 19.3 ft/s
Stage 2.

Re = 63919

= 0.0203
Stage 3.

P = 18.4 psi
Conclusion: 20 nominal bore hose is the
optimum diameter incurring just under 20
psi pressure loss for 700 feet of hose.