GASCalc™ 5.

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

General Calculation Procedures

Velocity - To calculate the velocity associated with a specific diameter or area, flow rate and group of parameter
values, complete the following steps:

! Select the Velocity menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Velocity 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.

! Select an appropriate method from the Calculation Method data list.

! Click on the Velocity 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 or Area - To calculate the diameter or area associated with a specific velocity and group of parameter
values, complete the following steps:

! Select the Velocity menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Velocity 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.

! Select an appropriate method from the Calculation Method data list.

! Click on the Diameter or Area 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 Velocity menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Velocity Calculation screen will appear. Select the Clear command button to set all of the values to
an empty (null) value.

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! 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.

! Select an appropriate method from the Calculation Method data list.

! 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.

Pressure - To calculate the pressure associated with a specific group of parameter values, complete the following
steps:

! Select the Velocity menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Velocity 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.

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

! Select an appropriate method from the Calculation Method data list.

! Click on the Pressure 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 velocity through a 1.5 Inch [5 Centimeter] diameter opening associated with the following conditions.

Flow Rate Through The Opening = 180 Mcfh [5098 m3h]

Pressure At The Opening = 300 Psig [21 Bar]
Elevation = 0 Feet [0 Metres]
Flowing Temperature = 50 Fahrenheit [10 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 Velocity menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list.

! The Velocity 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.

! Select the Diameter Based item from the Calculation Method data list.

! In the Flow Data section:

! Click on the Velocity label until it is underlined.

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

! Enter 1.5 Inches [5 Centimeter] for Diameter.

! Enter 180 Mcfh [5098 m3h] for Flow Rate.

! Enter 300 Psi [21 Bar] for Pressure.

! Enter 0 Feet [0 Metres] for Elevation.

! Enter 50 Fahrenheit [10 Celsius] for Flowing Temp.

! Select the Calculate command button.

Results - The results should be similar to the following:

Velocity: 187.02 Ft/sec [32.63 Metres/sec]

Flow Mode: Sub-Sonic Flow / Non-Choked / Sub-Critical

Sonic Velocity: 1376.98 Ft/sec [419.68 Metres/sec]

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Screen Description

GASCalc provides a routine to calculate the velocity of flow through an opening either based on a diameter or area
value. To perform the calculation, select the Velocity menu item from the Miscellaneous menu list. The features
associated with the screen are described below.

Data Items

Area - A data field used to enter or display the area of the flow opening. 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. This item is only used
for certain calculation methods.

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.

Calculation Method - A drop-down list box used to indicate which style of parameter will be used to define the flow
opening. Select the appropriate method from the list. The unknown value should be recalculated if the method is
changed.

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Compressibility Factor Base - A data field used to enter a specific compressibility factor value for the specified base
conditions. The item is only displayed when the Compressibility Method in the Base Conditions is set to “None -
Entered Value”. If the field is displayed, enter the value by typing it into the box.

Compressibility Factor Flowing - A data field used to enter a specific compressibility factor value for the specified
flowing conditions. The item is only displayed when the Compressibility Method in the Base Conditions is set to
“None - Entered Value”. If the field is displayed, enter the value by typing it into the box.

Diameter - A drop-down list box used to enter or display the inside diameter of the flow opening. If the value is
known, 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. This item is only used for certain calculation methods.

Elevation - A data field used to enter the average height about mean sea level of the opening location. 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 opening. 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.

Flowing Temperature - A data field used to enter the temperature of the gas flowing through the opening. 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 or display the pressure at the opening. 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.

Velocity - A data field used to enter or display the velocity associated with the flow through the opening. 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.

Calculated Values

Flow Mode - A panel used to display the type of flow through the opening.

Sonic Velocity - A panel used to display the estimated sonic velocity at the specified conditions.

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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 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.

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 Flow Mode item indicates the type of flow through the tap opening. The flow is classified as sub-critical (sub-
sonic or non-choked), or critical (sonic or choked) flow. The values are determined based on a comparison of the inlet
and outlet pressures as shown in the Equations section of this document.

! 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.

! The gas velocity associated with flow through a device is dependent on the pressure and diameter values. To
compute the maximum velocity for a device use the smallest diameter and lowest pressure values. To compute the
minimum velocity for a device use the largest diameter and highest pressure 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.

! 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

When gas flows through a pipe, valve, regulator, relief valve, orifice, or other opening, the pressure on the upstream
side of the device is always higher than the pressure on the downstream side of the device. When computing the
velocity value, the value is dependent on the pressure and area through which the flow passes. To compute the
maximum velocity for a device use the smallest diameter and lowest pressure values. To compute the minimum
velocity for a device use the largest diameter and highest pressure values.

Gas flow in devices found in a normal piping system, is limited to a value that would produce sonic velocity at the
conditions in the system. The velocity value calculated by the Velocity calculation routine is limited to the sonic
velocity at the specified conditions. Sonic velocity is dependant on the temperature and properties of the gas involved.

The flow mode is determined based on a comparison of the specified or calculated velocity value and the sonic
velocity at the specified conditions. The flow is classified as sub-critical (sub-sonic or non-choked), or critical (sonic
or choked) flow.

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Equations

Flow Velocity

As implemented by GASCalc, the velocity of gas flow through an opening 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

Pb = Base pressure, Psia
Pf = Pressure at the opening, Psia
Q = Volumetric flow rate at the specified base pressure and temperature, Cfh
Tb = Base temperature, Rankine
Tf = Average gas flowing temperature, Rankine
V = Flow velocity, Feet/sec
Zb = Compressibility factor at base conditions, Dimensionless
Zf = Compressibility at flowing conditions, Dimensionless

Pf = Pf_GAUGE + PATM
Pf_GAUGE = Gauge pressure at opening, Psig
PATM = Atmospheric pressure at opening location, Psia

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References

1. Gas Processors Suppliers Association, Engineering Data Book, Eleventh Edition - FPS, 1998.

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See Also

Base Conditions Help Reference

Sonic Velocity Calculation Reference

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