An industrial facility requires a cold water supply for a processing unit. The unit demands a continuous flow of 1.5 litres per second (L/s) at a minimum pressure of 280 kPa. The municipal water supply provides water at 550 kPa at the property line. The supply line will be 50 metres long. Which factor is critical in determining the minimum required pipe diameter for this application?

Question: An industrial facility requires a cold water supply for a processing unit. The unit demands a continuous flow of 1.5 litres per second (L/s) at a minimum pressure of 280 kPa. The municipal water supply provides water at 550 kPa at the property line. The supply line will be 50 metres long. Which factor is critical in determining the minimum required pipe diameter for this application?

Answer options:

• The specific gravity of the processed material. ✅ The total developed length, friction loss, and required flow rate.
• The temperature of the cold water supply.
• The material of the processing unit's internal piping.

Correct answer: The total developed length, friction loss, and required flow rate.

Explanation: For a continuous flow requirement, determining the minimum pipe diameter critically depends on the total developed length of the pipe (which impacts cumulative friction loss) and the required flow rate. These factors, alongside the available and required pressures, are used to calculate an allowable friction loss per metre, which then dictates the necessary pipe size.