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Introduction This spreadsheet can be used to calculate pressure drops in gas and vapour lines, taking account fittings (such as bends, valves and other equipment items). The spreadsheet is split into the following sections - A "How to Use This Calculation" Worksheet - The Pressure Drop Calculation Worksheet itself - marked "Calculation" - A Theory Worksheet which presents the equations used in the calculation. It is recommended that the user first reads the 'How to Use These Calculation' worksheet before starting a calculation.

Revision Rev. 1 Initial issue

16-Dec-09

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in gas and vapour pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases

See 'How to use these Calculation' worksheet for notes on its use.

Calculation Title:
From: To: Pressure & Temperature Data Upstream Pressure bar (g) Temperature degC Gas Properties Data Molecular Weight kg/kmol Compressibility, Z Viscosity Cp Gas Density kg/m3 Pipe Data Nominal Line Diameter inches Pipe Schedule Pipe Material Type Internal Diameter inches Internal Diameter mm Flowrates Mass Flow kg/h Volumetric Flow m3/h Line Velocity m/s Pres drop per 100m bar/100m Line Losses Pipe Length m o Number of 90 bends Number of valves Check Valves T-Piece straight run T-Piece as elbow Other Pressure Drops Other Pressure Drops bar Summary Total Pressure Drop bar Downstream Pressure bar (g) Notes

7.00 171 18.0 0.9 0.020 4.390 1.50 80 Steel (New) 1.50 38.1 222 50.57 12.3 0.204 120 25 5 0 0 0 0.00 0.33 6.67

6.67 171 18.00 0.9 0.020 4.209 0.75 40 Steel (New) 0.82 20.9 222 52.75 42.6 4.665 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 6.67

6.67 171 18.00 0.9 0.020 4.209 0.75 40 Steel (New) 0.82 20.9 222 52.75 42.6 4.665 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 6.67

This spreadsheet calcluates pressure drop based on the upstream gas conditions. Consequently, the calculated pressure drop will be an underestimate. To obtain reasonable accuracy ensure that the total pressure drop is not more than 10% of the upstream pressure in each column. See "How to Use This Calculation" for details
Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in gas and vapour pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

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r Gases

6.67 171 18.00 0.9 0.020 4.209 0.75 40 Steel (New) 0.82 20.9 222 52.75 42.6 4.665 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 6.67

Consequently, the calculated at the total pressure drop is his Calculation" for details

pelines. We cannot be held competent engineer.

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases HOW TO USE THIS CALCULATION
1.0 Introduction

Revision 1

This spreadsheet can be used to calculate pressure drops in pipelines, taking account of inline fittings (such as bends, valves and other equipment items. The spreadsheet has four columns which link from one to the next. This can be used to break a piping system down into a number of component sections, if needed.

2.0
2.1

How to use this spreadsheet

Colour Coding
The following colour coding is used: Boxes shaded light green require a user input. Boxes shaded light blue give a calculated output.

2.2

Calculation Description
The spreadsheet leaves space to add a Calculation Title at the top, and a Notes Section at the bottom of the sheet. At the top of the calculation column are two boxes ('To' and 'From') to indicate the pipe route. Although these items are not strictly necessary, they help describe the calculation - this can be invaluable it is to be checked by another engineer. The 'To' and 'From' Sections are particularly useful if the calculation is split over several columns.

2.3

Pressure & Temperature Data

The user enters the upstream pressure and the gas temperature in the first column. The spreadsheet then calculates the downstream pressure - based on the flow, physical property and pipeline data entered (see below). The downstream pressure from the first column is transferred across to the upstream pressure of the second column, thus allowing a pipework network to be built up. The gas temperature is copied across to the other columns (although this can be overwritten, if required).

2.4

Gas Properties
The user inputs the following gas properties 2.4.1 Molecular Weight The user inputs the gas molecular weight in kg/kmol. Gas Compressibility The user inputs the gas compressibility, z. The gas compressibility is a function of the from ideal gas behaviour. Ideal gas behaviour can be assumed for gases at low pressures - i.e. compressibility is 1.0.

2.4.2

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases

2.4.3

Revision 1

Viscosity The user inputs the gas viscosity in Centipoise (Cp). It should be noted that viscosity changes with temperature - thus the user must ensure that the viscosity value entered must be at the correct temperature.

2.5

Pipe Data
2.5.1 Nominal Pipe Diameter The spreadsheet allows the user to choose from a range of nominal pipe diameters. Available nominal pipe sizes are: ", ", 1", 1", 2", 3", 4", 5", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18", 20" and 22". Pipe Schedule The spreadsheet allows the user to choose from a range of available pipe schedules (thicknesses) - these are: 5S, 10S, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, XS and XXS. By entering the nominal diameter and schedule, the spreadsheet automatically retrieves the correct internal diameter of the pipe. It should be noted that not all combinations of nominal diameter and schedule are permissible; if the wrong combination is selected the spreadsheet displays an error. A list of standard pipe sizes can be found by clicking on the link below: List of Standard Pipesizes On occasions, the user may wish to calculate a pressure drop for a non-standard pipe. In this case, the user can simply over write the internal diameter cell on the spreadsheet (either in inches or mm). 2.5.3 Pipe Schedule The pressure drop per unit length is affected by the pipe surface roughness - which depends on the materials of construction. The spreadsheet is provided with a range of possible pipe material types: glass/tubing, steel (new), steel (corroded), concrete and riveted steel. By selecting the piping material type, the spreadsheet automatically sets the surface roughness.

2.5.2

2.6

Flowrates
The user enters the required gas mass flowrate in kg per hour. The spreadsheet then calculates the volumetric flowrate (in m3/s), the line velocity (m/s) and the pressure drop per unit length. (in bar/100m). The calculated line velocity and pressure drop per unit length can be used to assess whether the pipe diameter is reasonable for the required flowrate.

2.7

Line Losses
The spreadsheet can now be used to determine the line losses (pressure drop) through the system. The user enters the total pipe length, as well as the number of inline fittings (bends, valves and Tee-junctions). The spreadsheet then calculates the line losses - see Summary Section below.

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases

2.8 Other Pressure Drops

Revision 1

As well as line losses, the spreadsheet allows the user to enter other pressure drops not accounted for in. the line losses. These could be: Pressure drops due to orifice plates. Pressure drops due to inline instrumentation. Pressure drops due to control valves Pressure drops due to equipment items

Changes in pressure as a result of changes in elevation are invariably negligible for gas systems and are ignored.

2.9

Summary
The summary section provides a summary of the total pressure drop and the calculated downstream pressure. Unlike liquids, gases are compressible. Therefore, gas density changes with pressure. If the pressure drop calculated is too great, the density and line velocity will change appreciably. This will result in errors in the calculation. It is worth noting that as this method uses the density at the upstream conditions, the spreadsheet will under-estimate the actual pressure drop. To obtain reasonable accuracy ensure that the total pressure drop in each column is no more that 10% of the upstream pressure. If the pressure drop is greater than 10%, split the calculation over more than one column (See Section 3, "Building a Piping Network" below).

3.0

Building a Piping Network

For pressure drop calculations down a single pipe, only the first column of the pressure drop calculation needs to be used. The other three calculation columns can be ignored. However, for more complex piping systems, the other calculation columns can be used to build up a piping network This can be very useful if, for example, the user needs to determine pressure drop in distribution systems. To make this easier, the downstream pressure of the first column is used as the upstream pressure of the second column and so on. The physical property and flowrate data entered in the first column is copied across to the other three columns to make it easier to set up a network - these values can be overwritten, if required.

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

Revision: 1

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases CALCULATION THEORY

1.0 Introduction
This spreadsheet can be used to calculate pressure drops in pipelines, taking account of inline fittings (such as bends, valves and other equipment items. To use the spreadsheet, follow the instructions given in the "How to Use this Spreadsheet" Worksheet. This worksheet presents the equations and algorithms used in the calculation and discusses elements of fluid flow theory.

2.0
2.1

Calculation of Pressure Drop

Determining Pipe Dimensions
Commercial pipes come in standard sizes, specified in terms of the nominal pipe diameter, and the pipe schedule. The spreadsheet has this information already stored within the calculation worksheet, linked to the internal diameter (in inches). The spreadsheet retrieves the correct internal diameter using a Lookup command. The internal diameter, d, (in metres) is used to calculate the cross-sectional flow area, A, (in square metres) using Equation 1:

A =

d 4

Equation (1)

2.3

Determining Gas Density

Unlike most liquids, gases are compressible fluids - i.e. their density varies with pressure. The spreadsheet calculates the gas density, , (in kg/m3) with a modified version of the Ideal Gas Equation. An explanation of the Ideal Gas Equation is given here: Ideal Gas Equation

=
Where:

(P + 1.01325) x 105 x MW z x 8314 x (T + 273)

P MW z T - Gas Pressure (in bar(g)) - Molecular Weight (in kg/kmol) - Compressibility (Dimensionless) - Gas temperature (in oC)

Equation (2)

2.3

Determining the Line Velocity

The line velocity, u, (in m/s) is calculated using Equation 3:

u =
Where:

m A

Equation (3)

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases

m - Mass flowrate (in kg/s) A - Cross-sectional flow area (in m2)

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

Revision: 1

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases

2.4 Calculation of the Reynolds Number
The Reynolds number is a dimensionless group giving a measure of whether to flow is laminar or turbulent. It is used to estimate the friction factor (see below). A discussion on Reynolds Number and its importance can be found via the following link: Reynolds Number The Reynolds number, Re, is calculated using Equation 4:

Re =
Where

ud
- Viscosity (in Pa.s)

Equation (4)

2.4

Calculation of the Pipe Relative Roughness

The pressure drop from flow down a pipe - at least in turbulent flow - is affected by the roughness of the pipe surface. Obviously, the pipe roughness is determined by the pipe materials of construction. The spreadsheet provides typical pipe roughness values for a range of materials i.e. Materials Tubing/Glass Steel (New) Steel (Corroded) Cast Iron Concrete Riveted Steel Pipe Roughness 2.0E-06 m 5.0E-05 m 1.0E-03 m 2.6E-04 m 3.0E-04 m 5.0E-03 m

Table 1: Roughness values for different pipe materials

The effect of pipe roughness becomes less important as the pipe diameter increases, thus the spreadsheet calculates the pipe roughness relative to the pipe diameter using Equation 5.

Pipe Relative Roughness =

Where:

Equation (5)

- Pipe roughness (in m) d - Pipe internal diameter (in m)

2.5

Calculation of the Fanning Friction Factor

The Fanning Friction Factor is a dimensionless number which, along with the pipe velocity, can be used to estimate the pressure drop of flow down a pipe. It is a function of the Reynolds number and, for turbulent flow, the pipe relative roughness. A introduction to the Fanning Friction Factor can be found via the following link: Fanning Friction Factor The Fanning Friction Factor can be determined from Charts (Moody Diagram) or by using an empirical equation. A number of Friction Factor Correlations are available in the literature, the one used in this spreadsheet is the Churchill Correlation see Equations 6, 7 and 8.

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

Revision: 1

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases

1

fFanning
Where

= 2x

8 Re

12

1 (A + B)1.5

/12 Equation (6)

1 A = 2.457 x ln 7 Re
0.9

16

+ 0.27 x

Equation (7)

and

B =

37530 Re

16

Equation (8)

The Churchill Correlation is used as it is applicable to both laminar and turbulent flow - this is not the case all correlations. It should be noted that the Fanning Friction Factor is NOT the same as other Friction Factors: i.e. Darcy and Moody

2.6

Calculation of the Pressure Drop per Unit Length of Straight Pipe

The pressure loss as a liquid flows down a straight length of pipe is given by the Darcy Equation. This is expressed in Equation 9 below.

P
Where

Pipe

4 fFanning LPipe d

.u2 2

Equation (9)

PPipe - Pipe line pressure drop (in Pa) LPipe - Pipe length (in m)

An introduction to the Darcy Equation is given via the attached link: Introduction to the Darcy Equation It should be noted that the form of the equation presented via this link uses the Darcy Friction Factor, which is four times larger than the Fanning Friction Factor. Equation 8 can be adapted to calculate the Pressure per 100 metres by setting LPipe to 100 and converting from Pa to Bar - see Equation 10.

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.

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Standard Line Sizing Spreadsheet For Gases

metres 4 fFanning x 100 .u2 Bar per 100m = 2 d x 105 Pa / bar
2.7 Calculation of the Pressure Drop Through Pipe Fittings
The Pressure Drop through pipe fittings (e.g. Pipe bends, Valves, T-Pieces) can be expressed in terms of a Resistance Coefficient, K, where:

Equation (10)

Fittings

.u2 2

Equation (11)

N.B. It can be seen from Equations 9 and 11 that the Resistance Coefficient equates to (4fFanningL)/d for a straight length of pipe. The spreadsheet uses the following Resistance Coefficients for different pipe fittings Fitting 90o Bends Valve Check Valve Straight Tee piece Thru' Tee Piece Resistance Coeff, K 0.8 1.2 1.5 0.1 0.7

Table 2: Resistance Coefficient for different pipe fittings

Obviously, these values are approximate as K is affected by factors such as radius of the bend and the valve design. A detailed list of Resistance Coefficients for different pipe fittings is given in Cranes' Flow of Fluids book - see link below. Flow of Fluids Technical Guide The Line Losses value given in the spreadsheet is the sum of the PPipe and PFittings.

Disclaimer: This calculation provides an estimate for estimating pressure drops in liquid pipelines. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.