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Adjust for Elevation in Freeman Flow Equation?

11/5/2024

2 Comments

 
Hi all, I am looking for a sanity check on a water supply calculation for water main with significant elevation delta.

We ran a hydrant test on a dead-end run for a new development that is fed from a city main at the top of a hill.

The two furthest hydrants were tested, the flow hydrant at the dead-end and pressure hydrant mid-way down the hill.

City Main = EL 500
Pressure Hydrant = EL 450
Flow Hydrant = EL 400
Proposed FFE = EL 425

The Freeman Flow equation bases hydrant flow on pitot pressure (PSIG) which is relative to the hydrant elevation. To calculate R20 (ie 20PSIG) at that hydrant elevation we use a ratio of PSIG values from the pressure hydrant normalized to 1.85 power multiplied by the hydrant flow rate from Freeman equation.

It is at this point that I begin second-guessing: the ratio that is being used does not take into account the elevation delta as it is PSIG. I have calculated the HGLs for the three pressures based on converting PSIG at its respective elevation.

My initial thought is that the pressure hydrant PSIGs (based on EL 450) should be converted to PSIGs at the flow hydrant (ie based on EL 400) by means of HGL - Hydrant Elevation and then using those "adjusted" PSIG static/residual values as the scaling terms for R20 at the flow hydrant. Then to get a theoretical R20 for a future hydrant at FFE I would repeat the same process, this time normalizing pressure hydrant static/residual HGLs to FFE elevation, holding the Freeman Flow value constant, and using a "new" R20 = 20PSIG at FFE.

​On the face I get reasonable values, but would like to get feedback from the group. Thanks in advance.


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2 Comments
Dan Wilder
11/5/2024 09:27:39 am

So the effective point of the fire hydrant test is at the connection of the Static/Residual hydrant to the flowing main. I am unclear as to is the main sits at EL 500 and there are smaller laterals to the hydrants at EL 450 or if this is just one long downhill path.

To figure out any other locations, you would need to take into account
-Elevation loss for the new static pressure at an alternate hydrant
-Flow friction loss of the pipe flowing between the EL 450 hydrant and the proposed EL 425 FFE (linear length + fittings+valves)
-Elevation gain/loss for the vertical feet of change

You can use the NFPA 291-25' 4.12.1.2 equation for theoretical flow based on the pressures drawn from above. While I don't deal much with fire flow projections, the math seems sound and would provide accurate results (and hopefully in line with the numbers you've also come up with).

Reply
Eric R
11/5/2024 10:25:54 am

If your goal is to determine available water supply at the service line connection to a new building with the finished floor elevation of 425' then I feel that you are not accounting for pipe size and run-length in your calculation.

Since your primary main is a dead-end, any adjustments from the residual hydrant location should be made via hazen-williams while also accounting for the elevation drop from 450' to 425'

Reply



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