Pipe Flow Software: Calculate Flow Rate, Pressure Drop, Flow Rate & Temp Change

[arca0020]

I am looking for software to calculate flow rate, pressure drop, flow rate and temperature change in facility piping. Any suggestions?

 

[russ_watters]

There is a piece of software called "pipe-flo"! My company used it and it is good...but expensive.

 

[Driftwood1]

I am looking for software to calculate flow rate, pressure drop, flow rate and temperature change in facility piping. Any suggestions?

If you can assume Newtonian fluid flow behaviour then the calculations are fairly straight forward and well defined int he literature for a standard circular pipe - for any value of Reynolds Number (Re)

The problem becomes complex for Non-Newtonian fluids, settling suspensions, time dependent fluids, shear thinning and shear thickening fluids etc.

For these complex flow behaviours, the rheological characterisation of the fluid flowing in the pipe is critically important.

If you can model the rheological propeties or assume a rheological model - say a power law fluid, Bingham plastic, Herschel Bulkley fluid etc then you can predict the proessure drop at a given velocity.

You mentioned temperature changes in facility piping - what do you mean by that precisely? Do you mean heat exchange networks? or just heat losses in pipes?

 

[arca0020]

I agree the calculations for Newtonian fluids are straight forward, but with all the piping we assemble the calculations can become time consuming. We are mostly concerned with heat loss in pipes.

 

[AngieD]

I am looking for software to calculate flow rate, pressure drop, flow rate and temperature change in facility piping. Any suggestions?

Actually, I am just learning to use a new software called "Flowmaster" that does exactly what you mention.

If you have time next week, I just signed up for a webinar they are hosting on cooling system piping:

"Simulating Cooling Systems for Efficient Design"
This educational session will discuss the use of system-level simulation on liquid cooling systems to address key design considerations and common challenges in power generation, plant and process industries.
https://flowmaster.webex.com/flowmaster/k2/j.php?ED=151528172&UID=1205085592&RT=MiM3&FM=1

Or you can just find them online: www.flowmaster.com

No matter what tool you choose, best of luck!

 

[russ_watters]

I agree the calculations for Newtonian fluids are straight forward, but with all the piping we assemble the calculations can become time consuming. We are mostly concerned with heat loss in pipes.

Heat loss is mostly a function of insulation (or lack thereof), not the fluid dynamics of the flow.

 

[minger]

My company has a propriety 1D solver, but another group uses something called Flowmaster which from what I understand does the same thing, but allows for more fluid material control.

I have only personally used the in-house code but have heard decent things about the latter.

 

[tglester]

If you are an Excel user, I'd suggest you read the article I wrote for the ASHRAE Journal in Aug 2009. Google "Using Excel for Duct Calculations". That article covers ducted air but I've created spreadsheets for steam, compressed air, water, etc. All are basically constructed the same way.

 

[gmax137]

AFT FATHOM is another code you can buy, similar to Pipe-Flo mentioned above.

 

[chaos_zzy]

maroflow is another option for you, which similar with Flowmaster but easy to use.

 

[firavia]

I have a software called : pipe flow expert , and it is very usefull
check the attached picture.