Pipe Flow Expert Software Compressible Results Verification - Case 03: Gas Pipeline Flow Rate

Reference: Gas Pipeline Hydraulics, 2005, CRC Press, E. Shashi Menon Chapter 2, page 62 Example 13

Pipe Flow Expert File: Case_03_Natural_Gas_Pipeline_Flow_Rate.pfe

Problem Description: 

Calculate the flow rate in a gas pipeline system, 15 miles long, with a 12.25 inch internal pipe diameter.  Upstream pressure is 1200 psi absolute and the delivery pressure required at the end of the pipe is 750 psi absolute.  

Pipe roughness is 700 micro-inches. Use a compressibility factor of 0.94 and a pipeline efficiency of 0.95.

The calculation methods used for the published data were:

1. Weymouth equation
2. General Flow equation

Pipe Flow Expert Parameters:

Fluid Data: Gas specific gravity 0.59 (0.044 lb/ft3) at 75 °F, 0.0 bar.g, viscosity 0.0119 centipoise.

Pipe Data: Roughness 700 micro-inches.

Calculation method: Weymouth equation, General Flow Equation, Node Adjust Method.

Standard Atmospheric Model: 60°F, 14.696 psi.

Gas Physical Model: Real Gas Model (Ideal Gas Law with compressibility factor Z=0.94).

Result Comparison: 

Commentary: 

The published data and the calculated results compare well. It can be seen that the results from the Weymouth equation are quite conservative.