What are you sizing for (e.g., liquid water, steam, hydrocarbons)?
Fluid flow behavior dictates how a piping system must be configured. Engineers analyze hydraulics to maintain optimal flow rates without causing mechanical damage or excessive energy loss. Flow Regimes and Reynolds Number What are you sizing for (e
Re=ρvDμcap R e equals the fraction with numerator rho v cap D and denominator mu end-fraction = Fluid density ( = Mean fluid velocity ( = Inside diameter of the pipe ( = Dynamic viscosity ( Laminar Flow ( Flow Regimes and Reynolds Number Re=ρvDμcap R e
Maintaining fluid velocity within standard industrial limits prevents operational issues like erosion, water hammer, noise, and excessive pressure drop. Fluid Type Recommended Velocity Range (m/s) Recommended Velocity Range (ft/s) 0.5 – 1.5 1.5 – 5.0 Pump Discharge (Liquid) 1.5 – 3.0 5.0 – 10.0 Gases / Steam (Low Pressure) 15.0 – 30.0 50.0 – 100.0 Gases / Steam (High Pressure) 30.0 – 60.0 100.0 – 200.0 Step 2: Calculate Continuity Equation What are you sizing for (e.g.
(corrosion, operational changes).
Compute actual velocity and Reynolds number.