u = velocity, ft/sec 1. Branan, C. R., Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engi-
L = length, ft neers, Butterworth-Heineman, 2002, p. 4. f = Fanning friction factor = Moody’s / 4 2. Simpson, L.L., “Sizing Piping for Process Plants”, D = diameter, ft Chemical Engineering, June 17, 1968, p. 197. Re = Reynold’s Number
Partially Full Horizontal Pipes
The equations in the previous section are, of course, Example
intended for use with full pipes. Durand provides a rapid way to estimate whether a horizontal pipe carrying liquid Given: is full. The criteria are Horizontal pipe If Q/d2.5 ≥ 10.2 the pipe is full. d = 4 in ID If Q/d2.5 < 10.2 do a partially full flow analysis as Q = 100 gpm follows. Let x = ln (Q/d2.5) and find the height of liquid in the Find: pipe by: Is the pipe full? H D = 0.446 + 0.272 x + 0.0397x 2 - 0.0153x 3 If not, what is the liquid height? - 0.003575x 4 Also, what is the pipe’s equivalent diameter? Find the “equivalent diameter” by: Calculations: 2 D e D = -0.01130 + 3.040 (H D) - 3.461 (H D) 3 4 2.5 + 4.108 (H D) - 2.638 (H D) Q d = 100 32 = 3.125 2.5 Not full since Q d < 10.2 [This is an empirical way to avoid getting De from De = 4 (cross-sectional flow area/wetted perimeter)] x = ln(3.125) = 1.1394 Note that for 1.0 > H/D > 0.5, De/D > 1.0. My calcu- H D = 0.779 lations and all references confirm this. H = 0.779 ( 4) = 3.12 in De is substituted for D in subsequent flow analysis. D e D = 1.227 D e = 1.227 ( 4) = 4.91 in Nomenclature
D = pipe diameter, ft Source
De = equivalent diameter, ft H = height of liquid in the pipe, ft Durand, A. A. and M. Marquez-Lucero, “Determining Q = flow rate, gpm Sealing Flow Rates in Horizontal Run Pipes”, Chem- d = pipe diameter, in ical Engineering, March 1998, p. 129. q = flow rate, ft/sec u = velocity, ft/sec