Calculation of parameters such as gas flow rate, required pipeline diameter, or required inlet pressure for a natural gas pipeline is somewhat more complicated than calculating similar parameters for flow of a liquid like water through a pipe.

This course covers the use of four different equations for making natural gas pipeline flow calculations.  These four equations are the Darcy Weisbach equation, the Weymouth equation, the Panhandle A equation, and the Panhandle B equation.  Example problems illustrating calculations with each of these equations are included in the course.

Upon completion of this course, the learner will:

• Be familiar with the natural gas properties, density, specific gravity, molecular weight, compressibility factor, and viscosity, and their use in pipeline flow calculations.
• Be able to calculate the compressibility factor for natural gas with specified average gas pressure and temperature and known specific gravity.
• Be able to calculate the viscosity of natural gas with specified average gas pressue and temperature and known specific gravity conditions.
• Be able to determine a value of the Moody friction factor from the Moody friction factor diagram for specified Re and e/D. 
• Be able to determine a value of the Moody friction factor for specified Re and e/D using the appropriate equation for f.
• Be familiar with the guidelines for when it is appropriate to use the Darcy Weisbach equation for natural gas pipeline flow calculations.
• Be able to use the Darcy Weisbach equation and the Moody friction factor equations to calculate the frictional head loss and frictional pressure drop for a given flow rate of natural gas through a pipe with known diameter, length and roughness.
• Be able to use the Weymouth equation to calculate gas flow rate through a pipe with known diameter and length, elevation difference between pipeline inlet and outlet, specified inlet and outlet pressure and enough information to calculate gas properties.
• Be able  to use the Panhandle A equation to calculate gas flow rate through a pipe with known diameter and length, elevation difference between pipeline inlet and outlet, specified inlet and outlet pressure and enough information to calculate gas properties.
• Be able  to use the Panhandle B equation to calculate gas flow rate through a pipe with known diameter and length, elevation difference between pipeline inlet and outlet, specified inlet and outlet pressure and enough information to calculate gas properties.