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

Stack Diameter - To calculate the required stack diameter to satisfy the known parameter values, complete the
following steps:

! Select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list.

! The Blowdown Time 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 in the Stack Data section until it is underlined.

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

! Enter or select a value for all known data items.

! Select the Calculate command button.

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Choke Factor - To calculate the required choke factor value associated with the known parameter values, complete
the following steps:

! Select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list.

! The Blowdown Time 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 Choke Factor label in the Stack Data section until it is underlined.

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

! Enter or select a value for all known data items.

! Select the Calculate command button.

Initial Pressure - To calculate the maximum initial pressure value associated with the known parameter values,
complete the following steps:

! Select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list.

! The Blowdown Time 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 Initial Pressure label in the Conditions section until it is underlined.

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

! Enter or select a value for all known data items.

! Select the Calculate command button.

Final Pressure - To calculate the final pressure value associated with the known parameter values, complete the
following steps:

! Select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list.

! The Blowdown Time 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 Final Pressure label in the Conditions section until it is underlined.

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

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! Enter or select a value for all known data items.

! Select the Calculate command button.

Elapsed Time To Blowdown To Final Pressure - To calculate the elapsed time to blowdown the specified segment(s)
using the specified stack and condition values, complete the following steps:

! Select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list.

! The Blowdown Time 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 Elapsed Time To Blowdown To Final Pressure label in the Time section until it is underlined.

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

! Enter or select 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 [16 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
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 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.

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! In the Time section:

! Click on the Elapsed Time To Blowdown To Final Pressure label until it is underlined.

! Select the Minutes item from the Elapsed Time To Blowdown To Final Pressure dimensional
units list.

! In the Pipe Data section:

! In the Segments section:

! Select the Clear command button under the Segments list box.

! Select the Add command button under the Segments list box. The Piping Components
screen will appear. On the screen:

! Select the Piping tab. Select 12S-STD from the Size/Type list.

! Enter 10 Miles [16 Kilometers] for Length.

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

! In the Conditions section:

! Enter 150 Psi [10 Bar] for Initial Pressure.

! Enter 0 Psi [0 Bar] for Final Pressure.

! Enter 0 Feet [0 Metres] for Elevation.

! Enter 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius] for Temperature.

! In the Stack Data section:

! Select 4S-STD from the first Diameter data list.

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

! Select 1.0 - Full Port Ball Valve from the first Choke Factor data list.

Note - If any of the check boxes adjacent to the additional Diameter labels are selected (checked),
click in the box until it is empty (unchecked).

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! In the Calculated Values section:

! Select the Mcf [m3] item from the Vented Volume dimensional units list.

! Select the Calculate command button.

Results - The results should be similar to the following:

Elapsed Time: 21.5 Minutes [21.14 Minutes]

Vented Volume: 422.29 Mcf [11492.77 m3]

Remaining Volume: 41.47 Mcf [1167.35 m3]

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Screen Description

Various values associated with the blowdown of a pipe segment may be calculated using the Blowdown Time
calculation screen. The calculation is only valid for pipelines being vented to the atmosphere. To perform the
calculation, select the Blowdown Time menu item from the Pipe menu list. The features associated with the screen
are described below.

Data Items

Pipe Data -

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 the value by typing
it into the box. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

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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 the value by typing it into
the box. 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 the value by typing it into the box. 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 the value by typing it into the box. 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 box. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Stack Data -

Diameter - A drop-down list box used to display the inside diameter of the associated stack. 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. 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.

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

Time -

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 the value by typing it into the box. Ensure
the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Calculated Values

Remaining Volume - A panel used to display 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.

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Vented Volume - A panel used to display 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.

Command Buttons

Add - A command button used to add an item to a component list. When selected, the Piping Components screen will
appear. Enter the desired pipe data and select the Add/Insert command button to add the item to the list. 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 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 - When associated with a component list, a command button used to remove all of the components from the
associated list. Otherwise 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.

Delete - A command button used to delete an item from a component 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 a component list. When selected, the Piping Components
screen will appear. Enter the desired pipe or fitting data and select the Close command button to insert the item to
the list. The new item will be added to the list immediately before the currently highlighted item.

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.

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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.

! 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 Properties 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 Properties 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
appear, select the desired pipe or fitting, then select the Add/Insert command on the selection screen to add
the item to the segment list.

• 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, select the Insert command button, the Piping Components screen will appear, select the desired pipe
or fitting, then select the Add/Insert command on the selection screen to insert the item into the segment list.

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

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

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

• The Pipe Vent routine allows the pressure at the outlet of the stack to be specified by the User. The
Blowdown 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 document.

! 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 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 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

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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