Coiled Tubes

Calculation of Simple Pressure Drop

Due to Fluid Flow Friction

The pressure drop in straight coiled tubing can be calculated as With these values known, the Darcy friction factor can be
found graphically using the Moody chart
1
⌬␳ = f ( ␳U2) ( L )
2 D
f 0.1 ⑀
0.09 D
f = Darcy friction factor (non-dimensional) 0.08
Wholly turbulent flow
0.05
0.07
␳ = fluid density (lbm/ft3) 0.06
0.04
0.03
U = average (bulk) fluid velocity (ft/s) 0.05 0.02
0.015
L = tube length (ft) 0.04 0.01
0.008
D = tube internal diameter (ft) 0.03
0.006
0.004
0.025
0.002

The average velocity is calculated from the volumetric flow rate 0.02
Laminar
0.001
0.0008
0.0006
flow Smooth 0.0004
0.015
4Q 0.0002
U= Transition range 0.0001
␲D2 0.01
0.00005
0.009
0.00001
Q = volumetric flow rate (ft3/s) 0.008
2(10)3 4 6 8 2(10)4 4 6 8 2(10)5 4 6 8 2(10)6 4 6 8 2(10)7 4 6 8
103 104 105 106 107 108
␳vD
Re =
␮
To determine the Darcy friction factor, it is necessary to deter-
mine two non-dimensional parameters, the Reynolds Number
or calculated by an iterative process with Colebrook’s equation
␳UD
Re =
␮ 1 ⑀/D 2.5
= -2log +
Re = Reynolds number (non-dimensional) f 3.7 Re f
␮ = fluid dynamic viscosity (lbm/ft.s)
The following unit conversions are useful for these calculations
and the relative roughness 1 BPM = 9.36 x 10-2 ft3/s
1 cP = 6.72 x 10-4 lbm/ft.s
⑀ⲐD 1 ppg = 7.48 lbm/ft3
⑀ = tube internal roughness (ft)
The following table provides common fluid properties used in
A reasonable value for the internal roughness of new coiled these calculations
tubing is 8.3 x 10-5 ft (0.001 in)
FLUID DENSITY VISCOSITY
(68°F) (Ibm/ft3) (cP)
Fresh water 62.310 0.9784
10 ppg brine 74.806 2.3000
15% HCl 66.967 1.9500
Diesel 51.724 1.6200

CONTACT
Tenaris Coiled Tubes
8615 E. Sam Houston Pkwy N.
77044 Houston Texas USA
coiledtubesales@tenaris.com
(1) 281 458 2883 tel
(1) 281 458 2886 fax