flowrates of a pipeline release
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 5:37 pm
I would like to be able to calculate flowrates for a liquid release out of a pipeline. Usually we have the internal pressure of the pipeline and the diameter (or rough diameter) of the point where the liquid is leaking out.
For instance, if I have a pipeline transporting water with 1000 psig of internal pressure, and I have a blowout that results in a hole with a diameter of 1", what flowrate could I expect to see out of the hole, assuming a constant 1000 psi pressure in the pipeline? Would the answer be dependent of specific gravity, so that I might expect a different leak flowrate if the pipeline was transporting diesel? How about propane, which is in the liquid state at about 140 psig but would vaporize upon release into the atmosphere?
For instance, if I have a pipeline transporting water with 1000 psig of internal pressure, and I have a blowout that results in a hole with a diameter of 1", what flowrate could I expect to see out of the hole, assuming a constant 1000 psi pressure in the pipeline? Would the answer be dependent of specific gravity, so that I might expect a different leak flowrate if the pipeline was transporting diesel? How about propane, which is in the liquid state at about 140 psig but would vaporize upon release into the atmosphere?