KPIM of Gas Transportation: Robust Modification of Gas Pipeline Equations

Studies of the flow conditions of natural gases in pipelines have led to the development of complex equations for relating the volume transmitted through a gas pipeline to the various factors involved, thus deciding the optimum pressures and pipeline dimensions to be used. From equations of this type, various combinations of pipe diameter and wall thickness for a desired rate of gas throughput can be calculated. This research work presents modified forms of the basic gas flow equation for horizontal flow developed by Weymouth and the basic gas flow equation for inclined flow developed by Ferguson. The modified equations incorporate non-iterative forms of the Colebrook-White friction factor into the original forms of the Weymouth's and Ferguson's equations. These modified equations thus eliminate the need for iteration in predicting the flow rate of gas through pipelines as is the case with their original forms when the Colebrook-White friction factor is used. The modified equations also have a wider range of application since the Colebrook-White friction factor is valid for turbulent gas flow as well as for gas flow in a transition zone. On comparing the results it can be seen that the modified Ferguson's equation gives a more accurate prediction of gas flow rates because it takes the pipeline elevation into account. Lower deviations from measured gas flow rates were observed with the modified Ferguson's equation than with the modified basic gas flow equation. The deviations observed using the modified Ferguson equation were found to range from -0.16% to +3.21%. Conclusively, these less cumbersome newly developed equations with high degree reliability will be useful in predicting the rates of gas flow for a wide range of its conditions, pipeline elevation and pipeline lengths.