Fluid Flow 5

where: Sources

u = velocity, ft/sec 1. Branan, C. R., Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engi-

L = length, ft neers, Butterworth-Heineman, 2002, p. 4.
f = Fanning friction factor = Moody’s / 4 2. Simpson, L.L., “Sizing Piping for Process Plants”,
D = diameter, ft Chemical Engineering, June 17, 1968, p. 197.
Re = Reynold’s Number

Partially Full Horizontal Pipes

The equations in the previous section are, of course, Example

intended for use with full pipes. Durand provides a rapid
way to estimate whether a horizontal pipe carrying liquid Given:
is full. The criteria are
Horizontal pipe
If Q/d2.5 ≥ 10.2 the pipe is full. d = 4 in ID
If Q/d2.5 < 10.2 do a partially full flow analysis as Q = 100 gpm
follows.
Let x = ln (Q/d2.5) and find the height of liquid in the
Find:
pipe by:
Is the pipe full?
H D = 0.446 + 0.272 x + 0.0397x 2 - 0.0153x 3
If not, what is the liquid height?
- 0.003575x 4
Also, what is the pipe’s equivalent diameter?
Find the “equivalent diameter” by:
Calculations:
2
D e D = -0.01130 + 3.040 (H D) - 3.461 (H D)
3 4 2.5
+ 4.108 (H D) - 2.638 (H D) Q d = 100 32 = 3.125
2.5
Not full since Q d < 10.2
[This is an empirical way to avoid getting De from
De = 4 (cross-sectional flow area/wetted perimeter)] x = ln(3.125) = 1.1394
Note that for 1.0 > H/D > 0.5, De/D > 1.0. My calcu- H D = 0.779
lations and all references confirm this. H = 0.779 ( 4) = 3.12 in
De is substituted for D in subsequent flow analysis.
D e D = 1.227
D e = 1.227 ( 4) = 4.91 in
Nomenclature

D = pipe diameter, ft Source

De = equivalent diameter, ft
H = height of liquid in the pipe, ft Durand, A. A. and M. Marquez-Lucero, “Determining
Q = flow rate, gpm Sealing Flow Rates in Horizontal Run Pipes”, Chem-
d = pipe diameter, in ical Engineering, March 1998, p. 129.
q = flow rate, ft/sec
u = velocity, ft/sec