BY: MD NOOR B ARI FI N

FACULTY OF CHEMI CAL AND

NATURAL RESOURCES
ENGI NEERI NG
UNI VERSI TI MALAYSI A
PAHANG
CHAPTER 4:
GAS FLOW IN PIPELINE
4.1.1 What is Boundary Layer?

From physical examination, there is a thin layer of fluid
adhering to the pipe wall, and that the velocity of this
layer relative to the pipe wall is zero.
This zero-velocity layer affects the successive
layers of flowing fluid.
The idea of a stationary layer of
fluid, particularly gas, may seem
surprising but it is true even for
the smoothest of pipe materials
4.1 Laminar & Turbulent Flow
Generally, flow is divided into 2 types:

Laminar flow:
where the viscous forces tend to
resist fluid movement
predominate, creating a
boundary layer which
effectively extends to the center
of the pipe from the wall
Turbulent Flow:
where the viscous forces are
restricted to a thin layer which
extends only a short distance
in from the pipe wall.
4.1 Laminar & Turbulent Flow
Laminar Flow
(sometimes called
viscous flow)
The viscous predominate
and the entire flow could
be defined as a boundary
layer. This usually occurs
at low velocities.
Its the viscosity of the
fluid that determines the
resistance to movement
of fluid particles between
parallel layers of the
fluid.
The profile is parabolic
where the velocity of the
fluid layers increases from
zero at the pipe wall to a
max. value at the center
Figure 4.3: Velocity Profile for Laminar Flow
A u Q =
4.1 Laminar & Turbulent Flow
L
p d
Q

t
128
4
A
=
Hagen-Poiseuille Equation
Where
Q = Volume flow rate
d = Internal diameter of pipe
=Fluid viscosity
p =pressure loss occurring over
length
L = Pipe length
Two (2) important features of laminar flow:
i) The volume flow rate, Q is inversely proportional to fluid viscosity,.
ii) The pressure loss, p is indirectly proportional.

4.1 Laminar & Turbulent Flow
Turbulent Flow
A flow where any of the fluid particles
are not travelling in straight parallel
lines.
a) Laminar flow where all the fluid particles are travelling in
straight parallel lines (streamlines)
b) Increasing the average velocity..cause the particles
in the center of the pipe to speed up. The particles in the
fluid layers adjacent to the pipe wall are still at zero
velocity..cause the onset of turbulence as shown in b)
c) As the velocity increases..cause more erratic leading to a
central core which is turbulent and an outer layer which is
still laminar as shown in c)
Figure 4.3: The transition
from Laminar to turbulent
flow
4.1 Laminar & Turbulent Flow
Summary
1. The boundary layer is that layer near of fluid near to the
pipe wall in which the velocity varies from zero at the pipe
wall to the maximum fluid velocity.
2. There are basically 2 types of flow: laminar & turbulent
3. Laminar flow results from the dominance of the viscous
forces within the fluid
4. The fluid particles travel in straight parallel lines and
produce a parabolic profile
5. Turbulent flow originates in the center of the flow where the
fluid particle velocity is greatest
6. In partially turbulent flow, the central core of the fluid is
turbulent and the outer layer, adjacent to the pipe wall, is
laminar (the laminar sub-layer)

. .
Re
d v
=
What are the implications for the flow of natural gas?
Please think in a CRITICAL WAY!!!
How about the
kinematic
viscosity, of
the natural gas?

When
combined with
a diameter, will
the Re be high?
4.2 Predicting Types of Flow
4.1 Calculation of Re for natural gas
For the steady state gas flow, the mass flow rate of gas
entering a pipe is equal to the mass flow of gas
leaving the pipe, so the Continuity Equation:
4.2 Predicting Types of Flow
s
s s
u A u A u A = =
2
2 2
1
1 1
The equation is valid not only for the continuity of mass flow in
the pipe but also for expressing mass flow rate of the same gas
4.2 Predicting Types of Flow
Exercise4.2.1:

Using the equation below, calculate the Re of
natural gas flowing in a pipe with an internal
diameter of 100 mm at a rate of 105 m
3
(st)/h?
Ans:
26295.15
4.2 Predicting Types of Flow
4.2 Types of Flow in a Gas Supply System

As a general rule the following types of flow can be expected for the given
ranges of Re.









The region between Re = 2000 and Re = 4000 is known as the critical zone.
Its so called because the flow cannot easily be defined as either laminar or
turbulent, its the point at which the inertia forces are approximately equal
to the viscous forces
Re

< 2000 Laminar
Re

> 4000 Partially
Turbulent
Re

> 10
7
Fully Turbulent
4.2 Predicting Types of Flow
Exercise 4.2.2
A typical service pipe feeding a single domestic property might consist of a 20 mm
internal diameter PE pipe supplying a maximum flowrate of 3 m
3
(st)/h?
a) Calculate the Re for this customers supply

b) Compare this with:

i. A 180 mm internal diameter low pressure distribution main supplying 250
m
3
(st)/h of natural gas

ii. A 1000 mm internal diameter transmission pipeline supplying 0.5 x 10
6
m
3

(st)/h

c) What types of flow would you expect in each case?






4.3 Friction in Turbulent Flow
Figure 4.3: Effect of Pipe Surface on
Flow
A
- a pipe with a perfectly smooth internal surface
-a laminar sublayer would always completely cover the
pipe wall
-it would become very thin at high velocities
-the main body of turbulence flow would never come
into contact with the pipe wall
B
-real pipe with an internal surface, with consists of small
particles- create the roughness
-laminar sub-layer is thick enough to cover the surface
roughness
-It behaves as a smooth pipe
C
-the laminar sub-layer has become thinner due to
increasing velocity
-Some of the roughness peaks are just protruding
through the sub-layer and into the turbulent flow.
-So, it is now no longer independent of the internal pipe
surface, but it is partly dependent on Re since there is
still a laminar sublayer
D
-increased velocity has caused the laminar sublayer to
shrink even more
Allowing the pipe roughness to protrude further into the
turbulent flow
-cause the eddies to form around each particle which
destroy the remains ob sublayer.

Turbulent Flow Region

Type of Flow Dependent On
Partially developed turbulent Smooth pipe

Reynold Number
Partially developed turbulent

Transition zone Pipe roughness and
Reynold Number
Fully developed turbulent

Rough Pipe Pipe roughness
4.3 Friction in Turbulent Flow
Smooth pipe Rough pipe
Surface roughness
The degree of roughness is described by its relative roughness:
) (
) (
Re
d Diameter Pipe Internal
ticles SurfacePar of High Mean
roughness lative
c
=
4.3 Friction in Turbulent Flow
Relative roughness is the mean high of surface particles relative to
some length which is characteristic of the shape of the flow conduit.
4.3 Friction in Turbulent Flow
4.3.1 The Moody Diagram

Moody diagram is based on the Darcy friction factor ( ,for laminar flow)

Looking at the Moody Diagram, you should be able to identify:

the laminar flow

the smooth pipe curve

a series of lines representing values for pipe roughness

the critical zone between laminar and turbulent flow

the region of complete turbulence where the rough pipe law applies

the transition zone between the smooth pipe and rough pipe regions




Re
64
= f
Exercise 4.3
a) Quite often, when renewing an old service pipe to an individual
customer, its possible to insert a small PE pipe through the old
service pipe to minimize the disruption. A typical installation might
use 16 mm internal diameter PE pipe for a maximum flow rate of 3
m3(st)/h. What is the friction factor under these conditions?

b) Now consider a larger PE distribution pipe, say 200 mm I/D with a
flow rate of 200 m3 (st)/h. What is the friction factor for this system
NOTE: PE has a typical value of = 0.01 mm.


4.3 Friction in Turbulent Flow
4.5 The General Flow Equation
( )
5 . 0
5 2
2
2
1
4
1
10
574 . 7
(

=
SLTZ
d p p
f
Ps
Ts
Q
L = pipeline length, km
T = Gas temperature,
o
C
D = Pipeline outside diameter
Z = Gas compressibility factor,
t = Pipeline wall thickness, mm
S = Gas relative density,
= Pipeline roughness, mm