Calculation of Capacity in the TAG Pipeline System

The method which has been applied for the calculation of the technical (nominal) capacity on the transportation system of TAG GmbH (TAG Pipeline System) uses the formulas and the models of the theory on gas transportation through pipelines and, in particular, considers the following factors:

  • Geometry and altimetry of the route of the TAG Pipeline System
  • Use of the maximum operating pressure admitted
  • Use of the maximum operating power destined for the operation in the compressor stations
  • Observance of the pressure constraints at the Slovakian/Austrian border and at the Austrian/Italian border
  • Observance of adequate standards for safety and quality for the long transportation services for the shippersn


Flow Model

1. PRESSURE DROP EQUATIONS AND CORRELATIONS

1.1. General equations

The pressure drops equations are momentum balance equations consisting of three terms: pressure drops due to friction, pressure drops due to acceleration and elevation.

Pressure drop equation for gas flow is:

 

1.1.1. Gas Flow

The algorithm provided the use of a set of single-phase friction factor correlations:

the term f is the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor.

Laminar flow:

Turbulent flow (Colebrook-White equation):

where:

 

2. ENERGY BALANCE EQUATION

It is very general, and is written in terms of enthalpy H.

The equation takes into account the enthalpy changes due to changes in elevation and kinetic energy, and to heat losses to the sourrounding.

In deriving the value of the temperature from the enthalpy, the program accurately simulates Joule - Thompson effects.

The form of the equation for gas flow is the following:

The term relative to the quote of the heat transferred from the fluid to the surroundings, contains the value of the overall heat transfer coefficient U.

2.1 Overall heat transfer coefficient calculation

Let's consider a cross section of a pipe with the layers through which heat is transferred.

Each layer has a resistance to heat transfer. The overall heat transfer coefficient is calculated in the following way:

The resistances to heat transfer considered by the program are:

Rinside film due to boundary layer inside the pipe
Rpipe due to material constituting pipe
Rcoatings due to material of different coatings
Rexternal due to surroundings (soil, air, water)

The general expression of the global resistance per unit length for pipes surrounding by air or water is:

or for buried pipes:

with:

For the calculation of the term αi in the above expressions, we have to make some considerations.

2.1.1. INSIDE FILM HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT

The expression for this coefficient assumes different forms for different type of flow; we shall discriminate between laminar and turbulent flow.

Newtonian and Bingham fluids

Laminar flow

- Kern and Othmer expression

where:

Turbulent flow

- Sieder - Tate expression:

where the symbols have the previous meaning.