Optimal pipe and pump selection: cost and environmental impact

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-4-2026

Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Abstract

Modelling of pump and pipe design is performed and presented in a tradeoff analysis of cost versus environmental impact. Costs included were those of purchasing the pump, pipe, and electricity costs for pumping the desired flowrate through the pipe. Environmental impact factors included those of manufacturing the pump and pipe and those of producing the needed electricity. Of all the analyzed design of pump power and pipe diameter, the one with the nearest distance to the origin of a plot of normalized cost and environmental impact is recommended as a more robust solution than cost alone. It is shown that if the pipe cost is expensive relative to pumping electricity costs, then always choose the smallest diameter pipe that satisfies velocity constraints. However, if the pipe cost is lower, then choose the pipe diameter that balances both cost and environmental impact of manufacturing the pipe.

Publication Title

Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS