COMPRESSIBLE

FLUID FLOW
Energy Balance
In compressible fluid flow, the specific volume or density of the fluid varies with pressure
changes, which makes the solution of the energy balance complicated.

u 2 udu z 2 g P2
    ˆ
dz   VdP   F  -w
u1 g c z1 g c P1

Friction term, F:
4fFu 2
L2
F   dL
L1 2g c D
Substituting

u 2 udu z 2 g P2 L2
4f u 2
    ˆ
dz   VdP   F dL   w
u1 g c z1 g c P1 L1 2g c D

Notes:
 Knowledge of PVT relationship for the gas is required to evaluate the third term of
equation 8.3. Often, this relationship may be obtained by use of the ideal gas
equation of state.
 The friction form (fourth term of equation 8.3) is difficult to evaluate because there
is no analytical expression that relates fu2 with L.
At steady-state, the mass velocity of the fluid is constant for a pipe of uniform cross-section.

u
G  u 
V̂
substituting

2 ˆ ˆ 2 g
G 2 VdV 2 2
4f G 2ˆ2
V
    dz   ˆ
VdP  
F
dL   w
1
gc 1 gc 1 1 2g c D
Isothermal Flow
As suggested by the continuity equation, G is constant; therefore, for isothermal flow of
compressible gas in a pipeline:
2
4fFL  P 
  P12  P22  1 2  ln  2 
D P1G  P1 
In terms of mass velocity:

2
P 
Since ln  2 
 P1 
is relatively small, equation reduces to the Weymount equation:
Mach number (Ma)
Steady-state flow in a horizontal pipe of constant cross-sectional area
Flow in nozzles
Problems
1. Methane enters a 4-mi long 12” ID pipe at 70 oF & 75 psig. It flows at a rate of 300 ft3/s at STP. It is
desired to lower the cost of pumping by replacing the 12” pipe with a 20” ID pipe. If the cost of
pumping is P100,000/psi drop, what is the saving in the cost of pumping? Assume that Z CH4 = 0.995.
 
2. Natural gas at 16 oC is flowing at a steady state mass rate thru a steel main having an ID of 12
inches. The absolute pressure drop from 40 to 2 atm, in a length of 805 km of substantially
horizontal pipe. The gas has an average molar mass of 17.3 g/mol. A viscosity of 0.011 cP. Calculate
the hourly rate of flow.
 
3. Methane is to be transported through a 20-in ID pipeline over flat terrain. Each pumping station
increases the pressure to 100 psia, and the pressure drops to 25 psia at the inlet to the next pumping
station 50 miles away. What is the gas flow rate in cubic feet per hour measured at 1 atm pressure?