Validation of Calculated Pressure Drop Using Experimental Data with Standard Methods of an Existing Software

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the pressure drop along a 450 km long multiproduct pipeline. Empirical formulae and quantitative methods were applied in order to establish pressure drop as an operating parameter. Flow rates used were obtained from the daily operation records of two consecutive years and were in the range of 629 – 765 m3/hr. Using four methods, observed pressure drop results when pumping products through the pipeline were as follows: Shell-MIT was 954.5 – 1411.9 bar (gasoline), 1257.6 – 1860.3 bar (kerosene) and 1535.0 – 2270.5 bar (diesel); Benjamin Miller was 0.509 – 0.728 bar/km (gasoline), 0.693 – 0.988 bar/km (kerosene), 0.773 – 1.101 bar/km (diesel); T. R. Aude was 0.590 – 0.841 bar/km (gasoline), 0.814 – 1.161 bar/km (kerosene), 0.907 – 1.294 (diesel); Darcy was 0.578 – 0.857 bar/km (gasoline), 0.703 – 1.042 bar/km (kerosene), 0.858 – 1.272 bar/km (diesel). Simulations using pipe-flow wizard were carried out in order to authenticate the calculated parameters. Results confirmed that Shell-MIT method is only applicable to crude oil pipelines. From comparison of calculated pressure drop, Benjamin Miller’s method was most preferred as it observed the least value within the same flow rate range. Simulation results validated the calculated pressure drop and therefore, calculated Benjamin Miller’s and T. R. Aude’s values are recommended for use in further review study of the said pipeline.