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Study of variable flow in natural gas pipelines

Journal Article · · Int. Chem. Eng.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5204707

The efficient use of natural gas pipeline networks requires a good knowledge of unsteady-state flow which, from a mathematical point of view, can be modeled unidimensional. A detailed system of equations is presented for this type of flow, taking into account the compressibility and temperature of the transported gas, heat transfer between the fluid and pipeline walls, and the elevation of the pipeline. This system of hyperbolic partial differential equations is shown to have three real characteristic vectors which can be put in an equivalent form that is easier to treat numerically. This simplification involves a constant step method, using three related schemes to determine the position and the state of a running point, an entrance point, and an exit point. The results of the calculations are confirmed by experiments in which the variation of pressure and velocity were studied. The calculations also demonstrate the need to consider the energy balance and, in particular, heat transfer between the transported fluid and the wall of the pipeline.

Research Organization:
U.S.T.H.B. Institut de Physique d'Alger
OSTI ID:
5204707
Journal Information:
Int. Chem. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. Chem. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 25:2; ISSN INCEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English