GASCalc™ 5.

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

General Calculation Procedures

Reynolds Number - To calculate the Reynolds number associated with a specific group of parameter values, complete
the following steps:

! Select the Reynolds Number menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Reynolds Number Calculation screen will appear. 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 appear. On the screen:

! Enter an appropriate base pressure and temperature value.

! Select an appropriate file or the None option from the 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 main calculation screen.

! Click on the Reynolds Number label until it 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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Diameter - To calculate the diameter associated with a specific group of parameter values, complete the following
steps:

! Select the Reynolds Number menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Reynolds Number Calculation screen will appear. 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 appear. On the screen:

! Enter an appropriate base pressure and temperature value.

! Select an appropriate file or the None option from the 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 main calculation screen.

! Click on the Diameter label until it 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.

Flow Rate - To calculate the flow rate associated with a specific group of parameter values, complete the following
steps:

! Select the Reynolds Number menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Reynolds Number Calculation screen will appear. 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 appear. On the screen:

! Enter an appropriate base pressure and temperature value.

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! Select an appropriate file or the None option from the 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 main calculation screen.

! Click on the Flow Rate label until it 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 Reynolds Number associated with the following conditions.

Pipe = 12 Inch standard wall steel

Flow Rate = 3000 Mcfh [84962 m3h]
Pressure At The Opening = 100 Psig [7 Bar]
Elevation = 0 Feet [0 Metres]
Flowing Temperature = 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius]

Base Pressure = 14.73 Psia [1016 mBar]

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

To perform the calculation, complete the following steps.

! Select the Reynolds Number menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Reynolds Number Calculation screen will appear. Select the Clear command button.

! Select the Base Conditions command button. The Base Conditions screen will appear. On the screen:

! Enter 14.73 Psi (Abs) [1016 mBar (Abs)] for Pressure.

! Enter 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius] for Temperature.

! Select us standard.prp from the Gas Properties File list.

! Select AGA from the Atmospheric Pressure Method list.

! Select None from the Compressibility Method list.

! Select the Apply command button.

! In the Flow Data section:

! Click on the Reynolds Number label until it is underlined.

! Select 12S-STD from the Diameter data list.

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! Select Inches [Millimeter] from the Diameter dimensional units list.

! Enter 3000 Mcfh [84962 m3h] for Flow Rate.

! Enter 100 Psi [7 Bar] for Pressure.

! Enter 0 Feet [0 Metres] for Elevation.

! Enter 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius] for Flowing Temp.

! In the Calculated Values section:

! Select Feet/sec [Metres/sec] from the Velocity dimensional units list.

! Select the Calculate command button.

Results - The results should be similar to the following:

Reynolds Number: 6960701 [6962354]

Critical Reynolds Number: 1721578

Velocity: 136.22 Feet/sec [40.99 Metres/sec]

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Screen Description

GASCalc provides a routine to calculate the Reynolds Number associated with the flow through a pipe segment. To
perform the calculation, select the Reynolds Number menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list. The features
associated with the screen are described below.

Data Items

Atmospheric Pressure - A data field used to enter a specific atmospheric pressure value. 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 the value by typing it into the box. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the
selected dimensional unit.

Diameter - A drop-down list box used to enter or display the inside diameter of the pipe segment. Either enter the
value by typing it into the box, select the appropriate size from the associated data list, or select the ? command
button next to the item to select a size using the Pipe Selection screen. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the
selected dimensional unit.

Elevation - A data field used to enter the average height about mean sea level of the pipe segment. 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 the value by typing it into the box. Ensure the value is
expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Flow Rate - A data field used to enter or display the volumetric flow rate through the pipe segment. If the value is
known, enter the value by typing it into the box. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional
unit.

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Flowing Temperature - A data field used to enter the average flowing temperature of the gas. Enter a value by typing
it into the box. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Pressure - A data field used to enter the average pressure in the pipe segment. Enter the value by typing it into the
box. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Reynolds Number - A data field used to enter or display the Reynolds Number associated with the flow through the
pipe segment. If the value is known, enter the value by typing it into the box.

Calculated Values

Critical Reynolds Number - A panel used to display the calculated value for the Reynolds Number at the fully
turbulent transition point.

Velocity - A panel used to display the estimated velocity of the gas flow at the specified conditions. Ensure the value
is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

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 on the selection screen 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
on the information screen to return to the calculation screen.

Base Conditions - A command button used to access the Base Conditions screen. When selected, the Base
Conditions screen will appear. Make any desired changes to the settings, then select the Apply command button to
save the changes.

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

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

Clear - A command button used to set the data items to blank (null) values.

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

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

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Notes - A command button used to display the Notes Editor for the current calculation.

Open - A command button used to retrieve a previously saved calculation file. When selected, the File Selection
screen will appear. Select the name of the desired file, then select the Open command button to continue.

Print - A command button used to print the current contents of the calculation screen. When selected, the Print
Control screen will appear. Enter the desired settings, then select the Print command button to continue.

Save - A command button used to save the current values to a calculation file. When selected, the File Selection
screen will appear. Enter the desired name for the calculation file, then select the Save command button to continue.

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Notes & Considerations

! The Notes Editor 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 label identifies it as the item for
which the value is 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.

! The Critical Reynolds Number represents a transition point above which the flow should be fully turbulent, and
below which flow should be partially turbulent - or at values much lower than the critical value, laminar flow.

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

! The flow rate value displayed or entered using this calculation screen represents 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.

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

! Calculations performed by this routine are only valid for circular pipe.

! To specify the number of digits to display to the right of the decimal indicator, double-click in the data field or
panel associated with a data or calculated item. The Decimal Specifications screen will appear. Enter or select the
desired number of digits. Select the Apply command button to save and apply the changes.

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Background Information

The Reynolds Number is a dimension less value often used to determine the flow regime of gas flow in a pipe
segment. It can be used to determine whether the flow is laminar, partially turbulent, or fully turbulent. Certain flow
equations and calculation methods are only applicable to certain flow regions. The flow regime is of particularly
interest in pipe flow calculations and in purging operations.

Especially in gas flow, the transition between laminar and fully turbulent flow is not well defined, and is generally
represented by a transition “region”, as opposed to a transition line. Flow in the transition region is often referred to
as partially turbulent flow. The Critical Reynolds Number attempts to define the transition between non-turbulent
and turbulent flow as a definite line or point. Depending on the reference used, the value might represent the
transition between laminar and partially turbulent flow, or between partially turbulent and fully turbulent flow, or
somewhere in between. In some references it is a fixed value, say 2000 or 4000, in others it is a function of the pipe
diameter and roughness.

As implemented by GASCalc, the Critical Reynolds Number represents the intersection of the “smooth pipe” and
“rough pipe” laws and is dependent on the pipe conditions. The smooth pipe law is applicable to laminar pipe flow.
The rough pipe law is applicable to fully turbulent pipe flow. With this method, flow above the Critical Reynolds
Number is theoretically fully turbulent, flow below the Critical Reynolds number may be partially turbulent or
laminar at Reynolds Numbers much lower than the Critical value.

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Equations

Reynolds Number

As implemented by GASCalc, the Reynolds Number is calculated using the following formula.

Reference 1

Critical Reynolds Number

As implemented by GASCalc, the Critical Reynolds Number is estimated using the following formula. The formula
was derived from the cited reference.

Reference 1

Equation Variables

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

D = Inside diameter of tap opening, Inches

å = Internal pipe wall roughness, Inches
Pb = Base pressure, Psia
Q = Volumetric flow rate at the specified base pressure and temperature, Cfh
Re = Reynolds Number, Dimensionless
ReCritical = Reynolds Number, Dimensionless
SG = Specific gravity, Dimensionless
Tb = Base temperature, Rankine
ì = Absolute viscosity, Lbm/ft-sec

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References

1. American Gas Association, Gas Engineering and Operating Practices - System Design, GEOP Series Book D-1,
1990.

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See Also

Base Conditions Help Reference

Sonic Velocity Calculation Reference

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