The eLearning Center for B.F. Environmental Consultants, Inc.

Overview

This online course on gas pipeline hydraulics covers the steady state analysis of compressible fluid flow through pipelines. Mathematical derivations are reduced to a minimum, since the intent is to provide the practicing engineer a practical tool to understand and apply the concepts of gas flow in pipes. In particular, we will cover natural gas pipeline transportation including how pipelines are sized for a particular flow rate, the pressure required to transport a given volume of gas and the compression horsepower required.

The properties of natural gas that affect pipe flow will be reviewed first followed by the concepts of laminar and turbulent flow and Reynolds number. Frictional pressure loss and the method of calculating the friction factor using the Moody diagram and the Colebrook and AGA methods will be illustrated with examples. Several other popular flow equations, such as the Weymouth and Panhandle formulas will be introduced and explained with example problems. Increasing pipeline throughput using intermediate compressor stations as well as pipe loops will be discussed. The strength requirement of pipes, allowable operating pressure and hydrostatic test pressure will be reviewed with reference to the DOT code requirements. Several fully solved example problems are used to illustrate the concepts introduced in the various sections of the course.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty-five (25) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

  · Gas properties overview, including viscosity, pressure, compressibility factor and gas laws
  · How to calculate the compressibility factor of a gas using the Standing-Katz chart
  · How to calculate the properties of a natural gas mixture
  · Calculating pressure drop due to friction in a gas pipeline using the General Flow Equation
  · Use of other gas pipeline pressure drop equations, including Panhandle A, Panhandle B, Weymouth and the IGT equation
  · Friction factor and transmission factors used in gas pipeline pressure drop equations
  · Gas pipeline velocity and erosional velocity calculations
  · Calculation of pressure drop in long pipelines by subdividing into short segments
  · The use of compressor stations and pipeline looping to increase gas throughput
  · Compressor station fundamental calculations, including compression ratio, efficiency and horsepower
  · Calculation of allowable pipe pressure using design factors based on the location of the pipeline and its proximity to populated areas

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).