Pipe flow compressible flows

The general-case solution for compressible, inclined pipe flow is next stated, then the solution is developed for the special case of horizontal compressible flow... 

Equation (6-95) is valid for incompressible flow. For compressible flows, see Benedict, Wyler, Dudek, and Gleed (J. E/ig. Power, 98, 327-334 [1976]). For an infinite expansion, A1/A2 = 0, Eq. (6-95) shows that the exit loss from a pipe is 1 velocity head. This result is easily deduced from the mechanic energy balance Eq. (6-90), noting that Pi =pg. This exit loss is due to the dissipation of the discharged jet there is no pressure drop at the exit. 

Isothermal Gas Flow in Pipes and Channels Isothermal compressible flow is often encountered in long transport lines, where there is sufficient heat transfer to maintain constant temperature. Velocities and Mach numbers are usually small, yet compressibihty effects are important when the total pressure drop is a large fraction of the absolute pressure. For an ideal gas with p = pM. JKT, integration of the differential form of the momentum or mechanical energy balance equations, assuming a constant fric tion factor/over a length L of a channel of constant cross section and hydraulic diameter D, yields,... 

FIG, 6"22 Adiabatic compressible flow in a pipe with a well-rounded entrance. 

Example 8 Compressible Flow with Friction Losses Calculate the discharge rate of air to the atmosphere from a reservoir at 10 Pa gauge and 20 G through 10 m of straight 2-in Schedule 40 steel pipe (inside diameter = 0.0525 m), and 3 standard radius, flanged 90 elhows. Assume 0.5 velocity heads lost for the elhows. 

For isothermal compressible flow of a gas with constant compressibility factor Z through a packed bed of granular solids, an equation similar to Eq. (6-114) for pipe flow may be derived ... 

HEM for Two-Phase Pipe Discharge With a pipe present, the backpressure experienced by the orifice is no longer qg, but rather an intermediate pressure ratio qi. Thus qi replaces T o iri ihe orifice solution for mass flux G. ri Eq. (26-95). Correspondingly, the momentum balance is integrated between qi and T o lo give the pipe flow solution for G,p. The solutions for orifice and pipe now must be solved simultaneously to make G. ri = G,p and to find qi and T o- This can be done explicitly for the simple case of incompressible single-phase (hquid) inclined or horizontal pipe flow The solution is implicit for compressible regimes. 

The general compressible flow solution simplifies for horizontal pipe flow to ... 

The Lapple charts for compressible fluid flow are a good example for this operation. Assumptions of the gas obeying the ideal gas law, a horizontal pipe, and constant friction factor over the pipe length were used. Compressible flow analysis is normally used where pressure drop produces a change in density of more than 10%. 

Loeb used Lapple s compressible flow work, techniques, and reasoning to develop graphs useful for direct calculations between tw o points in a pipe. Lapple s graphs were designed for pressure drop estimations for flow from a large vessel into a length of pipe (having static velocity in the reservoir). 

High-pressure fluid flows into the low-pressure shell (or tube chaimel if the low-pressure fluid is on the tubeside). The low-pressure volume is represented by differential equations that determine the accumulation of high-pressure fluid within the shell or tube channel. The model determines the pressure inside the shell (or tube channel) based on the accumulation of high-pressure fluid and remaining low pressure fluid. The surrounding low-pressure system model simulates the flow/pressure relationship in the same manner used in water hammer analysis. Low-pressure fluid accumulation, fluid compressibility and pipe expansion are represented by pipe segment symbols. If a relief valve is present, the model must include the spring force and the disk mass inertia. 

The flow of a compressible fluid through an orifice is limited by critical flow. Critical flow is also referred to as choked flow, sonic flow, or Mach 1. It can occur at a restriction in a line such as a relief valve orifice or a choke, where piping goes from a small branch into a larger header, where pipe size increases, or at the vent tip. The maximum flow occurs at... 

Figure 2-33. Reynolds number for compressible flow, steel pipe. By permission, Crane Co., Technical Paper 410, Engineering Div., 1957. Also see 1976 edition.

Figure 2-38C. Critical Pressure Ratio, r, for compressible flow through nozzles and venturi tubes. By permission, Crane Co., Technical Paper 410, 1957. Also see 1976 edition. See note at Figure 2-18 explaining details of data source for chart. Note P = psia p= ratio of small-to-large diameter in orifices and nozzles, and contractions or enlargements in pipes.

Scope, 52 Basis, 52 Compressible Flow Vapors and Gases, 54 Factors of Safety for Design Basis, 56 Pipe, Fittings, and Valves, 56 Pipe, 56 Usual Industry Pipe Sizes and Classes Practice, 59 Total Line Pressure Drop, 64 Background Information, 64 Reynolds Number, R,. (Sometimes used Nr ), 67 Friction Factor, f, 68 Pipe—Relative Roughness, 68 Pressure Drop in Fittings, Valves, Connections Incompressible Fluid, 71 Common Denominator for Use of K Factors in a System of Varying Sizes of Internal Dimensions, 72 Validity of K Values,... 

Typically, water based muds are considered to be incompressible or slightly compressible. For the flow in drill pipe or drill collars, the acceleration component (AP J of the total pressure drop is negligible, and Equation 4-104 can be reduced to... 

The scope of coverage includes internal flows of Newtonian and non-Newtonian incompressible fluids, adiabatic and isothermal compressible flows (up to sonic or choking conditions), two-phase (gas-liquid, solid-liquid, and gas-solid) flows, external flows (e.g., drag), and flow in porous media. Applications include dimensional analysis and scale-up, piping systems with fittings for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids (for unknown driving force, unknown flow rate, unknown diameter, or most economical diameter), compressible pipe flows up to choked flow, flow measurement and control, pumps, compressors, fluid-particle separation methods (e.g.,... 

Now consider the case of steady, compressible flow in a straight pipe. As the gas flows from high pressure to lower pressure it expands and, by continuity, it must accelerate. Consequently, the momentum flow rate increases along the length of the pipe, although the mass flow rate remains constant. 

When a compressible fluid, ie a gas, flows from a region of high pressure to one of low pressure it expands and its density decreases. It is necessary to take this variation of density into account in compressible flow calculations. In a pipe of constant cross-sectional area, the falling density requires that the fluid accelerate to maintain the same mass flow rate. Consequently, the fluid s kinetic energy increases. 

Due to the change in the average velocity w, it is more convenient in calculations for compressible flow in pipes of constant cross-sectional area to work in terms of the mass flux G. This is the mass flow rate per unit flow area and is sometimes called the mass velocity. If the mass flow rate is constant, as will usually be the case, then G is constant when the area is constant. The relationship between G and u is given by... 

In principle, this is the same as for single-phase flow. For example in steady, fully developed, isothermal flow of an incompressible fluid in a straight pipe of constant cross section, friction has to be overcome as does the static head unless the pipe is horizontal, however there is no change of momentum and consequently the accelerative term is zero. In the case of compressible flow, the gas expands as it flows from high pressure to low pressure and, by continuity, it must accelerate. In Chapter 6 this was noted as an increase in the kinetic energy. 

Choking is a phenomenon that occurs in high speed compressible flow (e.g. in relief systems). It occurs because, as the pressure falls along a pipe or through a nozzle, the fluid density decreases. This, means that the volumetric flow rate and, hence, the velocity increases (because the mass flow is constant). Choking occurs when the downstream pressure is reduced to the point where the velocity cannot increase any more. This effectively limits the maximum velocity and, hence, flow rate of the fluid. 

If the pressure drop in a pipeline is less than 40% of Pla then the Darcy-Weisbach incompressible flow calculation may be more accurate than the Weymouth or Panhandles A and B for a short pipe or low flow. In main pipelines, compressible flow calculations are generally used. 

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