Mondi Štětí a.s.

STANDARD

Part 13.01.02

RECOMMENDED FLOW VELOCITIES FOR

DIFFERENT FLUIDS IN PIPE LINES

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STANDARD

Part 13.01.02

RECOMMENDED FLOW VELOCITIES FOR

DIFFERENT FLUIDS IN PIPE LINES

Worked out by: Verified by: Approved by:

Name: Name: Name:
Position: Position: Position:

Signed by: Signed by: Signed by:

in her own hand in her own hand in his own hand

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

1 General ............................................................................................................... 3
2 Flow velocities ................................................................................................... 3
3 Additional guidelines ........................................................................................ 9

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1 General

This specification defines recommended flow velocities for different flow substances
in pipe lines.

The specification is intended for the design and procurement of the piping.

For detailed design the pressure loss calculations shall be performed case by case
and the pipe sizes shall be dimensioned to meet the process requirements.

2 Flow velocities

The average flow velocity in a pipe is calculated using the following formula:

where:
v is flow velocity, m/s
Q is volume flow, m3/s
D is inside diameter of pipe, m

The flow velocities given are guide values. Unless separately mentioned the
recommended flow velocities are at the pressure side of a pump.

The recommended values in the suction side shall be about 70 % of the flow velocity
at the pressure side.

2.1 Water and pumped condensates

The recommended flow velocities are presented in Table 2-1 for each nominal size
DN of a pipe.

In cases where the pressure loss is not determinant such as short branch pipe lines
that do not have an effect on the dimensioning of a pump head, velocities up to Vmax
values given in Table 2-1 can be used.

Lower velocities than presented in Table 2-1 are usually used for pumped
condensates. In normal cases the velocities are about 70 % of the velocity given in
the Table 2-1. For longer pipelines the pipe sizes shall be designed case by case to
avoid flashing in condensate pipelines.

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2.2 Steams

The velocity guide values are presented in Table 2-2. The critical steam lines shall be
dimensioned case by case.

The saturated steam pipe lines are normally slightly superheated. If the steam is
clearly superheated, the flow velocities can be increased by 20 percent.

2.3 Airs

DN size Velocity, m/s

Mill air 25 … 200 10 … 15
Instrument air 10 … 25 5 … 10
Instrument air 32 … 200 10 … 15
Conveying air 25 … 200 5 … 30
Vacuum air 10 … 20

2.4 Flammable gases

When defining the flow velocity maximum values for flammable gases, the values
given in the law, regulations and official specifications shall be followed.

Flammable gases: 10 … 20 m/s.

2.5 Non-flammable gases

Non- flammable gases: 15 … 25 m/s.

2.6 Liguefied gases

When defining the flow velocity maximum values for flammable gases, the values
given in the law, regulations and official specifications shall be followed.

Liquefied gases (as liquid): 1 … 3 m/s.

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2.7 Flammableliquids, oils and bitumens

For flammable liquids the appearance of a potential static electricity shall be clarified
and the flow velocity shall be restricted to a safe level.

Flammable liquids 1…2 m/s

Oil 0.9 …1.0 kg/dm3 1…2 m/s
Oil 0.8 … 0.9 kg/dm3 1.5…3 m/s
Molten bitumen 1…2 m/s
Hydraulic oil in a suction pipe 0.5…1.5 m/s
Hydraulic oil in a delivery pipe 2…5 m/s
Circulation lubrication oil in a return pipe 0.2 m/s
Circulation lubrication oil in a delivery pipe 1…2 m/s

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Table 2-1 Flow Velocities of Water and Pumped condensate1) by Pipe Sizes DN, m/s

1) See Item 2.1.

2) Bigger DN sizes shall be designed case by case taking into account the actual flow conditions, geometry of piping etc .

Table 2-2 Flow Velocities of Steams by Pipe Sizes DN, m/ s

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2.8 Acids

The recommended flow velocities for acids in the project are as follows:

Sulphuric acid < 1.5 m/s

Hydrochloric acid 1…1.5 m/s
Nitric acid 1…2 m/s
Phosphoric acid 1…2 m/s
Formic acid 1…2 m/s

2.9 Alkalis

The recommended flow velocities for alkalis in the project are as follows:

Sodium hydroxide 0.5…1.2 m/s

White liquor 0.5…1 m/s
Green liquor 2.5…3.0 m/s
Weak black liquor 1.0…2.0 m/s
Intermediate black liquor 1.0…1.5 m/s
Strong black liquor 0.8…1.2 m/s
Soft soap 0.5…0.8 m/s
Lime mud, lime filtrate,
scrubber dregs, green liquor
dregs, sodium sulphate 1.0…1.5 m/s

2.10 Pulp

The recommended flow velocities for different pulp consistencies are presented in
Table 2-3 for each nominal size DN of a pipe.

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Table 2-3 Flow Velocities of Pulp by Pipe Size DN and Consistency, m/s

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2.11 Pulps with consistency 9 ... 12 %

The guide line for the velocity of high consistency pulp lines in DN range DN 400 …
DN 800 is 0.3 … 0.8 m/s. The lines shall always be dimensioned in co-operation with
the pump manufacturer.

2.12 Compounds of solid substance and liquid

For flow media that contain abrasive and heavy solids or the flow media is partially
crystallized, the flow velocity shall be fast enough to prevent the solids to sediment,
but not too fast so that the solids do not cause excessive abrasion (wear) of the
piping.

As a general instruction a flow velocity is 1 … 2 m/s is recommended, but when

necessary the critical velocity shall be calculated for each media case by case.

3 Additional guidelines

The selection of the flow velocity is affected by the pipe size (for larger pipes greater
flow velocity), pipe material and surface roughness, temperature, viscosity, price of
energy, length of the pipeline e.g. in short branches which are not determining the
pump head the velocity can be bigger than in main pipe line, risk for vibration etc.

The optimization of energy use shall be taken into account especially in long pipe
lines.

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