253315283.xls.

ms_office

http://www.cheresources.com/invision/topic/13563-supersonic-velocity-in-control-valve/
Line from referred PCV to flare header - Indicative estimate of pressure drop along it and of PCV data required
Notes / assumptions
Pipe diameter of the line
2" Sch80
3" Sch80
4" Sch80
6" Sch80
Conditions
max flow norm flow max flow norm flow max flow norm flow max flow norm flow
A. Rough preliminary estimate of P from PCV to flare header (trial & error: assume Pbeg, calculate & P, verify Pbeg through iterations)
Qm Gas flow rate
kg/h
2446.5 2224 2446.5 2224 2446.5 2224 2446.5 2224
Gas assumed ideal
L Pipe length, PCV to flare header
m
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
Gas molecular weight
Gas viscosity
Gas specific heat ratio
Gas temperature
Velocity of sound in the gas
Pipe total equivalent length
Local gas density, pipe end (Pend=0 barg)

kg/kgmol
cP
oC
m/s
m
kg/m3

Pressure at end of pipe

Avg density of gas in the pipe
P Gas P along whole pipe
Pbeg Pressure at beginning of pipe
Avg gas velocity
Vmax Max gas velocity, end of pipe
M Corresponding max Mach Number
Pend

Mmax

P/L

P1
P2

barg
kg/m3
bar
barg
m/s
m/s
Mach
Max gas velocity,pipe end, Pend=0 barg
m/s
Corresponding max Mach Number
Mach
P per unit length (average)
psi/100ft
Max gas velocity acceptable?
Max gas velocity acceptable?
Rough estimate of required PCV data
Inlet pressure
barg
Outlet pressure
barg
PCV P
bar
Kind of flow through valve

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
80
0.72

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
80
0.72

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
80
0.72

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
80
0.72

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
90
0.72

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
90
0.72

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
105
0.72

18.09
0.018
1.31
31
428
105
0.72

0.5
3.29
6.17
6.67
108
330
0.77
493
1.15
55
No

0.5
3.05
5.5
6
106
300
0.70
448
1.05
49
No

0.5
1.63
1.54
2.04
98
147
0.34
220
0.51
14
No

0.5
1.56
1.34
1.84
93
134
0.31
200
0.47
12
No

0.5
1.27
0.53
1.03
72
85
0.20
127
0.30
4.7

0.5
1.24
0.45
0.95
67
77
0.18
115
0.27
4.0

0.5
1.12
0.092
0.59
36
37
0.09
55
0.13
0.8

0.5
1.11
0.077
0.58
33
34
0.08
51
0.12
0.7

Estimated 23 Oct, confirmed 25 Oct

Roughly assumed, rel. data missing
Max operating, connection to header

density at press=(Pend+Pbeg)/2
Incompressible fluid at avg density

Pbeg = Pend + P
corresponding to
for Pend = 0.5 barg
Case of no other discharge to flare

acceptable per local practice (1)

acceptable per local practice
acceptable per Norsok practice

8.7
7.0
8.7
7.0
8.7
7.0 Operating pressure in KO drum 7.9
2.0
1.8
1.03
0.95
0.59
0.58 barg (normal) & 8.7 barg (max flow)?
Yet upstream pressures
6.7
5.2
7.7
6.1
8.1
6.4
But set pressure of its PRV=8.7 barg
are assumed same.
choked choked choked choked choked choked ratio P1/P2 (in bara)>0.54, 24 Oct 11
Simplified Cv at operating condition gpm/psi^.5
17.8
19.7
17.8
19.7
17.8
19.7
Masoneilan HB con valve sizing, Cf=1
Existing PCV Cv, same basis
gpm/psi^.5
19.9
22.5
Existing PCV seems to be suitable for the service Per existing PCV data sheet
Upstream 2" line dia

has to increase (24 Oct)

Max velocity estimate (see above)

local practice, Pend =0 Barg
local practice, average density

m/s
m/s

143
67

143
70

143
96

143
98

143
108

143
110

143
115

143
116

Norsok practice, Pend=0 barg

m/s

201

201

201

201

201

201

201

201

Norsok practice, average density

m/s

23

24

24

25

28

29

37

39

Page 1 of 2

Upper limit=60 m/s, so max v=60 m/s

(not 201 m/s)

253315283.xls.ms_office
Notes
(1) Besides, local practice accepts up to 3 psi/100 ft for short liquid pipes (total equivalent length < 250 m)
2 Under the present assumption of continuous flow in the discharge line to flare header, required line diameter seems to need change from 2" to 6".
3 Above results are indicative, derived by non compressible flow methods (no compressible fluid software was available). Precision is increasing as pipe diameter increases. Rigorous compressible flow calculations are needed to show proper pipe diameter (expected around 6").
4 Criticism is welcomed on above, to correct any errors and see extent of deviation from actual compressible flow calculations.
Suggestion for a free / shareware software on compressible fluid hydraulics would be also appreciated.

Page 2 of 2