Single Phase Compressible Steady Flow in Pipes

Abstract

In general, the computation of single phase subsonic mass velocity of gas flowing through a pipe requires a computerized iterative analysis. The equations for the friction factor for laminar and turbulent flow are used to obtain explicit equations for the subsonic mass velocity as a function of the pressures at the ends of a pipe. Explicit equations for mass velocity are presented. Included within the equations is a heat transfer ratio, which can vary between 0 for adiabatic flow conditions to 1 for isothermal flow conditions. The use of this heat transfer ratio also enables the formulation of an explicit equation for the gas temperature along the pipe for nonisothermal flow conditions. The explicit equations eliminate the need for an iterative solution. Laboratory data are used to support the accuracy of the model.