Question

The tallest buildings in the world are the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpus, 1,483 tall. (a)if the pressure in the supply line to the drinking fountain on the top floor (perhaps 1,450 ft high) is 15 psig, what is the required pressure in the supply line at street level? assume zero flow in the supply line. (b) Why would this pressure be a problem and how could you resolve the problem?

Answer 1

a)

h = height of tower = 1450 ft = 441.96 m

P = pressure at the top = 15 psig = 103.42 x 10³ Pa

P_o = pressure at the bottom

$\rho$ = density of water

using the equation

P_o = P + $\rho$ gh

P_o = 103.42 x 10³ + 1000 x 9.8 x 441.96

P_o = 4434.63 kPa

P_o = 643.2 psig