GASCalc™ 5.

0 Calculation Reference
Blowdown Time
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Background Information
Equations
Example Calculation
General Calculation Procedures
Notes & Considerations
Screen Description
See Also

General Calculation Procedures

To calculate the various values associated with the pipe blowdown calculation, complete the following steps:

! Select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list. The Blowdown Time calculation screen
will be displayed.

! Select the Clear command button to set all of the values to an empty (null) value.

! Select the Base Conditions command button. The Base Conditions screen will be displayed.

! Enter an appropriate base pressure and temperature value.

! Select an appropriate file or the None option from the Use Gas Properties File list. If the “None”
option is selected, enter the appropriate gas property values.

! Select an appropriate method from the Atmospheric Pressure Method list.

! Select an appropriate method or the None option from the Compressibility Method list.

! Select the Apply command button to save the changes and return to the current calculation screen.

! Click on the red label associated with the item to be calculated (the unknown) until the label is underlined.

! Select the desired dimensional units for all of the data items.

! Enter a value for all known data items.

! Select the Calculate command button.

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Example Calculation

Calculate the estimated elapsed time to blowdown (vent) 10 miles [15 Kilometers] of 12 Inch standard wall steel pipe
under the following conditions.

Initial Pressure = 150 Psig [10 Bar]

Final Pressure = 0 Psig [0 Bar]
Average Elevation = 0 Feet [0 Metres]
Average Temperature = 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius]

Single stack
Stack Diameter = 4 Inch standard wall steel
Stack Valve = 4 Inch full port ball valve

Base Pressure = 14.73 Psia [1016 mBar]

Base Temperature = 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius]
Gas Composition = US Standard sample gas mixture [UK Standard sample gas mixture]
Atmospheric Pressure Method = AGA
Compressibility Method = None

To perform the calculation, complete the following steps.

! Select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list. The Blowdown Time calculation screen
will be displayed.

! Select the Clear command button.

! Select the Base Conditions command button. The Base Conditions screen will be displayed.

! For the Pressure, enter 14.73 Psi (Abs) [1016 mBar (Abs)].

! For the Temperature, enter 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius].

! From the Use Gas Properties File list, select us standard.prp [uk standard.prp].

! From the Atmospheric Pressure Method list, select AGA.

! From the Compressibility Method list, select None.

! Select the Apply command button.

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! In the Time section, click on the Elapsed Time To Blowdown To Final Pressure label until it is underlined.
From the Elapsed Time To Blowdown To Final Pressure dimensional units list, select Minutes.

! In the Segments section:

! Select the Add command button. The Piping Components screen will be displayed.

! Select the Piping tab.

! From the Size/Type list, select 12S-STD.

! For the Length, enter 10 Miles [15 Kilometers].

! Select the Add/Insert command button to assign the segment.

! In the Conditions section:

! For the Initial Pressure, enter 150 Psi [10 Bar].

! For the Final Pressure, enter 0 Psi [0 Bar].

! For the Elevation, enter 0 Feet [0 Metres].

! For the Temperature, enter 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius].

! In the Stack Data section:

! From the first Diameter list, select 4S-STD Inches [Millimeter].

! From the first Choke Factor list, select 1.0 - Full Port Ball Valve.

Note - If any of the checkboxes adjacent to the additional Diameter labels are selected (checked),
unselect (uncheck) the options.

! In the Calculated Values section:

! From the Vented Volume dimensional units list, select the Mcf [m3].

! Select the Calculate command button.

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Results - The results should be similar to the following:

Elapsed Time: 21.5 Minutes [20 Minutes]

Vented Volume: 422.29 Mcf [10774 m3]

Remaining Volume: 41.47 Mcf [1094 m3]

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Screen Description

The various values associated with the blowdown of a pipe segment may be calculated using the Blowdown Time
calculation routine. To perform a calculation, select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list. The
Blowdown Time screen will be displayed. The features associated with the screen are described as follows.

Data Items

Atmospheric Pressure - A data field used to enter a specific atmospheric pressure value for the pipe segment(s). The
item is only displayed and enabled when the Atmospheric Pressure Method in the Base Conditions is set to “None -
Entered Value”. If the field is displayed and enabled, enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value
is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Choke Factor - A drop-down list used to select, enter, or display the choke factor for the associated blowdown valve.
If the value is known, enter a value by typing it into the data field, or select an item from the list.

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Diameter - A data list used to enter, select, or display the inside diameter of the associated stack. Either enter a value
by typing it into the data field, select an item from the list, or select the ? command button to select a size using the
Pipe Selection screen. If the value is entered, ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.
Enter up to three different stacks by selecting (checking) the boxes next to the additional Diameter labels.

Elapsed Time To Blowdown To Final Pressure - A data field used to enter or display the time required to
blowdown the assigned segments. If the value is known, enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value
is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Elevation - A data field used to enter the average height above mean sea level of the pipe segment(s). The item is
only displayed and enabled when the Atmospheric Pressure Method in the Base Conditions is not set to “None” or
“None - Entered Value”. If the field is displayed and enabled, enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure
the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Final Pressure - A data field used to enter or display the final pressure of the pipe segment(s). If the value is known,
enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the assigned dimensional unit.

Initial Pressure - A data field used to enter or display the initial pressure of the pipe segment(s). If the value is
known, enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected
dimensional unit.

Segments - A list box used to display and edit the segments to be vented. Use the command buttons directly below
the list to modify the contents. The list must contain at least one segment.

Temperature - A data field used to enter the average temperature of the gas in the pipe segment(s). Enter a value
by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Calculated Values

Remaining Volume - Displays the volume of gas, adjusted to the specified base pressure and temperature, of the gas
remaining in the pipe segment(s) at the Final Pressure.

Vented Volume - Displays the volume of gas, adjusted to the specified base pressure and temperature, of the amount
of gas vented over the elapsed period. The value is equivalent to the difference between the contained volume at the
Initial Pressure, and contained volume at the Remaining Volume.

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Command Buttons

? - A command button used to display a data selection screen for the associated item. Use the various data lists on
the screen to select a value, then select the Apply command button to assign the selected value and return to the
calculation screen.

i - A command button used to display information about the associated item. The contents of the information screen
generally reflects the various data values contained in the associated Property Table. Select the Close command
button to return to the calculation screen.

Add - A command button used to add an item to the Segments list. When selected, the Piping Components screen
will be displayed. Enter the desired data values and select the Add/Insert command button. The new item will be
added to the end of the list.

Base Conditions - A command button used to access the Base Conditions screen. When selected, the Base
Conditions screen will be displayed. Make any desired changes to the settings, then select the Apply command button
to save and apply the changes to the current calculation screen.

Calculate - A command button used to calculate the value of the unknown (underlined) parameter.

Cancel - A command button used to close the screen without saving any changes.

Clear - When associated with the Segments list, it is a command button used to remove all of the components from
the associated list. Otherwise, it is a command button used to set all of the data items to blank (null) values.

Close - A command button used to close the screen and save the current data values.

Delete - A command button used to delete an item from the Segments list. When selected, the currently highlighted
item will be deleted from the list.

Help - A command button used to display this Calculation Reference.

Insert - A command button used to insert an item into the Segments list. When selected, the Piping Components
screen will be displayed. Enter the desired data values, then select the Close command button. The new item will be
added to the list immediately before the currently highlighted item.

Notes - A command button used to display the Calculation Notes editor screen for the current calculation.

Open - A command button used to open a previously saved calculation file. When selected, the File Selection screen
will be displayed. Enter or select the desired File name, then select the Open command button.

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Print - A command button used to print the contents of the calculation screen. When selected, the Print Settings
screen will be displayed. Make any desired changes to the printer settings, then select the Print command button.

Save - A command button used to save the contents of the calculation screen to a calculation file. When selected,
the File Selection screen will be displayed. Enter or select the desired File name, then select the Save command
button.

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Notes & Considerations

! The Calculation Notes editor screen allows the User to add a specific title and/or notes to the current calculation
values.

! The red colored labels indicate which items may be calculated. An underlined (selected) label identifies the item
to be calculated as unknown. Only one item at a time may be selected to be calculated, the remaining items must be
known. To identify which item to calculate, click on the label associated with the desired item until the label is
underlined.

! When the stack diameter is set by selecting a size/type code from the Diameter list, the appropriate inside diameter
value will be read from the Pipe Property Table and used as required by the calculation.

! When required by the calculation, the inside diameter for an assigned pipe segment is automatically set to the
appropriate value by reading it from the Pipe Property Table.

! Pressure values displayed or entered using this calculation screen, are represented in gauge pressure values.

! The volume values displayed using this calculation screen represent the value in “standard” volume units. A
standard volume means that the value has been adjusted to the base pressure and temperature specified in the Base
Condition values.

! The calculation assumes that the size of the blowdown stack and valve are the same.

! Up to three different stacks can be included by selecting (checking) the box adjacent to the additional Diameter
labels.

! The Elevation value is used to calculate the average atmospheric pressure for the pipe segment(s) and the stack
location(s).

! To modify the Segments list, use the following command buttons:

• Add - To add a segment to the list, select the Add command button. The Piping Components screen will be
displayed. Select the desired pipe or fitting, then select the Add/Insert command button.

• Clear - To remove all segments from the list, select the Clear command button.

• Delete - To remove a segment from the list, highlight the item and select the Delete command button.

• Insert - To insert a segment in the list, highlight the item in the list where the new segment is to be placed
before, then select the Insert command button. The Piping Components screen will be displayed. Select the
desired pipe or fitting, then select the Add/Insert command button.

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! Only pipe type components can be included in the Segments list.

! This calculation is similar to the Pipe Vent Time calculation routine. The main difference between the calculations
are:

• The Pipe Vent Time routine allows the vent to be comprised of various pipe and fitting components. The
Blowdown Time routine assumes a single valve and vent pipe for each stack location.

• The Pipe Vent Time routine allows the pressure at the outlet of the stack to be specified by the User. The
Blowdown Time routine assumes that the stack vents directly to atmosphere.

• The calculation algorithm used by each routine is different and separate.

! When more than one stack is included, the stacks are combined as shown in the Equations section of this
Calculation Reference.

! When multiple segments are included, the volume of each segment is combined to obtain a total volume value. An
equivalent diameter and length value are determined, which represents a total volume.

! When the final pressure is greater than the associated atmospheric pressure, the elapsed time is calculated as the
difference between the time required to vent the total volume at the initial pressure to atmosphere pressure and the
time required to vent the total volume at the final pressure (remaining volume) to atmosphere pressure.

! To specify the number of digits to display to the right of the decimal indicator, double-click in the associated data
field. The Decimal Specifications screen will be displayed. Enter or select the desired number of digits, then select
the Apply command button to save and apply any changes.

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Background Information

When blowing down (venting) a single pipe segment or a group of pipe segments, the pressure in the segment(s),
decreases as the contained volume decreases. The decreasing pressure causes the flow rate through the vent stack to
decrease over the blowdown period. The predications provided by the blowdown time method accounts for the
varying pressure levels and flow rates.

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Equations

As implemented by GASCalc, the time required to vent a pipe segment is computed using the following formula. The
formula assumes that the pipe is being vented directly to the atmosphere, and that the blowdown valve is the same
nominal diameter as the vent stack. The basis for this equation is sometimes referred to as the Walworth equation.
The equation is described as follows.

Reference 1, 2

Equation Variables

Unless noted otherwise, the following base units and variable definitions apply to all of the methods and equations
described in this section:

df = Combined Stack Factor

D = Equivalent Inside Diameter of the Combined Segments being Vented, Inches
ET = Elapsed Time Required to Vent the Line, Minutes
L = Length of the Line to be Vented, Miles
PF = Final Line Pressure, Psig
PI = Initial Line Pressure, Psig
SG = Specific Gravity, Dimensionless

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References

1. Oil, Gas & Petrochem Equipment, January 1977.

2. Consumers Power Company, Gas Distribution Engineering, Internal Document ma0281-0082a-87-72, 1983.

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See Also

Atmospheric Pressure Calculation Reference

Base Conditions Help Reference

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