Connecting Pipes

FlowDesigner offers several ways to connect pipes in your flowsheet. First, select your pipe material from the Elements Palette, then use any of these methods:

Creating New Pipes

• Single Pipe: Click anywhere in an empty space to create a pipe with open boundaries at both ends

• Node-to-Node: Use "click-drag-click" to connect two components directly

• Pipe-to-Pipe: Connect to existing pipes using "click-drag-click" - FlowDesigner automatically inserts the appropriate junction

Pipe Connection Reminders

• Pipe Termination: Every pipe must end at a node - if there's no connection, FlowDesigner automatically adds an open pipe end

• Pipe Deletion: Remove pipes by either:

  • Deleting the pipe directly

  • Deleting connected nodes

Smart Junction Management

FlowDesigner automatically manages pipe connections to ensure valid network topology:

• Junctions adapt based on the number of connections (up to 4 pipes):

  • 2 pipes = elbow/bend

  • 3 pipes = tee/wye

  • 4 pipes = cross

• Invalid connections are prevented automatically (e.g., third pipe to a pump or more than four pipes to a cross junction)

• Need more than 4 connections? Use a Connector junction for unlimited pipe connections

Additional Features

• Connection Relocation: Drag any pipe endpoint to a valid connection point to redirect flow

• Automatic Pipe Splits: When connecting to existing pipes, lengths are automatically adjusted based on your Application Settings

• Reservoir Flexibility: Among boundary nodes, only Reservoirs can handle multiple pipe connections