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Theory of flow through pipes, valves and fittings

Theory of flow through valves and fittings

Flow through nozzles and orifices

Flow in pipes and valves theory - full content

The rate of flow of any fluid through an orifice or nozzle, may be calculated using following equation:

where is:

 q - flow rate
 Cd - coefficient of discharge
 A - cross section area
 &beta - diameter ratio d1/d2
 gn - acceleration of gravity
 hL - head loss

Instead of coefficient of discharge Cd, more convenient is the use of flow coefficient C which is represented by:

where is:

 C - flow coefficient
 Cd - coefficient of discharge
 &beta - diameter ratio d1/d2

Flow rate through nozzles and orifices are than calculated as:

where is:

 q - flow rate
 C - flow coefficient
 A - cross section area
 &Delta p - pressure drop
 &rho - density
 gn - acceleration of gravity
 hL - head loss

The values of hL and &Delta p are measured differential static head or pressure before and after the nozzle or orifice. Values for coefficient of discharge or flow coefficient (C or Cd) can be
calculated based on applicable standards like ISO 5167 or similar ASME standards.

Coefficient of discharge for orifice flow can be calculated using following equation (ISO 5167):
where is:

 &beta - diameter ratio d1/d2

 ReD - Reynolds number based on bigger diameter
 d1 - internal diameter (smaller)
 d2 - internal diameter (larger)

L1 and L2 are functions on tap type and it is:

L1=L2=0 - for corner taps

L1=1; L2=0.47 - for D & D/2 taps
L1=L2=0.0254/d1 - for d1[m] for 1" taps

Coefficient of discharge for Venturi tubes can be obtained based on the type of Venturi tube. There are three types of Venturi tubes and each type has different range of diameters and
Reynolds number for which coefficient of discharge is defined as follows:

Venturi tubes with "as cast" convergent section Cd=0.984

Range for which coefficient of discharge is defined:
100 mm < D < 800 mm
0.3 < β < 0.75
2x10e5 < ReD < 2x10e6

Venturi tubes with a machined convergent section Cd=0.995

Range for which coefficient of discharge is defined:
50 mm < D < 250 mm
0.4 < β < 0.75
2x10e5 < ReD < 2x10e6

Venturi tubes with a rough-welded sheet-iron convergent section Cd=0.985

Range for which coefficient of discharge is defined:
200 mm < D < 1200 mm
0.4 < β < 0.7
2x10e5 < ReD < 2x10e6

For the flow of compressible fluids through nozzles and orifices, the same equation can be used, but the net expansion factor Y must be included. The flow can be calculated as follows:

where is:

 Y - expansion factor
 C - flow coefficient
 A - cross section area
 &Delta p - pressure drop
 &rho - density

The expansion factor Y depends on the specific heat ratio χ , the diameter ratio β and the ratio of downstream and upstream absolute pressures.

Expansion factor Y for Venturi tubes can be calculated as follows:

This equation is applicable for the same range of diameter and Reynolds number as for coefficient of discharge Cd indicated above. Formula is applicable only for pressure ratio p2/p1>0.75.

For compressible flow through nozzles and orifices is:

where is:
  Y - expansion factor
 &chi - specific heat ratio
 &beta - diameter ratio d1/d2
 &Delta p - pressure drop
 p1 - inlet pressure
 p2 - pressure in Venturi throat

This equation can be used for gas flow though the orifice and discharging to the atmosphere. For that purpose the pressure difference equals to the upstream gauge pressure. This applies
only if absolute atmospheric pressure divided by absolute upstream pressure is bigger than critical pressure ratio for sonic flow conditions.

When the smoothly convergent nozzle is used compressible fluid can reach the speed of sound at minimum cross section or throat, if upstream pressure is high enough.

When the velocity of compressible fluid reaches the speed of sound, maximum flow has been reached, and increase of upstream pressure or decrease of downstream pressure will not
increase the flow any more.

For short tubes where relation L/D is not bigger than 2.5 the flow of discharge to the atmosphere can be calculated using above equations, with flow coefficient C somewhere between the
values for orifice and nozzle.

If the entrance to the short tube is well rounded then the flow coefficient C for nozzles can be used and if the pipe entrance is square shaped and sharp then flow coefficient C for orifice is
more appropriate.

<< Diameter contraction and enlargement -- Discharge through valves, fittings and pipes >>

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Pipe Flow Calculation | Pipe Pressure Drop Calculation

Physical properties of fluid

 Introduction
 Density
 Specific volume
 Specific gravity
 Density of fluid mixture
 Density and partial pressure of component in gas mixture
 Viscosity
 Kinematic viscosity

Flow in pipes

 Laminar and turbulent flow in pipe

 Flow mean velocity
 Reynolds number
 General equation for flow of fluids
 Static, dynamic and total pressure
 Measurement of pressure
 General energy equation - Bernoulli theorem
 Friction factor
 Compressible flow in pipe
 Pressure drop equation in isothermal flow
 Maximum flow of gases
 Flow of steam
 Calculation of the flow for the thermal transfer

Flow in valves and fittings

 Resistance coefficient K, equivalent length L/D

 Flow coefficient, control valve sizing
 Flashing and cavitation
 Chocked flow
 Natural gas control valve sizing
 Gas pressure regulator sizing - flow coefficient Cg, Kg
 Contraction and enlargement
 Flow through nozzles and orifices
 Discharge through valves, fittings and pipes