Pipe Flow Calculations Forum

I am designing a washing system that utilizes 36 nozzles. Each nozzle will have a flow rate of 3 gal/min at 2500 psi. In addition to this each of the nozzles are fed by 36 individual braid reinforced silicone tubes with 3/8" diameter. The tubes will be fed by a single pipe. I am unsure of how to determine the diameter of the pipe that will feed the tubes. Additional information that may help is that the water will have a density of 977 kg.m^3, and the viscosity is 2.34*10^-5 lb*s*ft.

Any information on how to obtain the pipe diameter will be greatly appreciated.

Normal flow velocities through a water pipe are 2-2.5 m/s. This can be used to size the header pipe. Pressure drop in this pipe should not have a significant influence, as a large pressure drop seems to be over the nozzles. Thus maldistribution of the flow is excluded.

If the nozzle tie-ins into the header are arranged in a long line, you may evaluate to stepwise reduce the header diameter in flow direction to maintain a certain flow velocity also towards the end of the header pipe (in order to avoid fouling/scaling/settling in the pipe).