Question 4.P.13: A 150 mm gas main is used for transferring gas (molecular we...

If the flow of 1 m³/s is at STP, the specific volume of the gas is:

(22.4 / 13)=1.723  m ^3 / kg.

The mass flowrate, G=(1.0 / 1.723)=0.58  kg / s.
Cross-sectional area, A=(\pi / 4)(0.15)^2=0.0176  m ^2

∴                                           G / A=32.82  kg / m ^2 s

\mu / \rho=0.25  cm ^2 / s =0.25 \times 10^{-4}  m ^2 / s

and                        \mu=\left(0.25 \times 10^{-4}\right)(1 / 1.723)=1.45 \times 10^{-5}  N s / m ^2
∴                            R e=\left(0.15 \times 32.82 / 1.45 \times 10^{-5}\right)=3.4 \times 10^5

For smooth pipes, R / \rho u^2=0.0017, from Fig. 3.7.
The pressure drop due to friction is:

4\left(R / \rho u^2\right)(l / d)(G / A)^2=4(0.0017)(100 / 0.15)(32.82)^2=4883  kg ^2 / m ^4  s ^2

and: -\Delta P=(4883 / 1.723)=2834  N / m ^2 or \underline{\underline{2.83  kN / m ^2}}.

If the flow is increased by 25%, G=(1.25 \times 0.58)=0.725  kg / s

G / A=41.19  kg / m ^2 s

and:           R e=(0.15 \times 41.9) /\left(1.45 \times 10^5\right)=4.3 \times 10^5

and, from Fig. 3.7, R / \rho u^2=0.00165
The pressure drop =4(0.00165)(100 / 0.15)(41.19)^2 1.723=\underline{\underline{4.33  kN / m ^2}} (which is less than 10 kN/m²)
It is therefore possible to increase the flowrate by 25%.