Computer program calculates the steady state flow characteristics of an ideal compressible gas in a complex piping system. The program calculates the stagnation and total temperature, static and total pressure, loss factor, and forces on each element in the piping system

Franke, R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

July 1966
	 Brief 66-10300 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Computer Program Determines Gas Flow Rates in Piping Systems 
The problem: 
Calculating the steady state flow of an ideal com-
pressible gas in a complex piping system is normally 
a tedious job. A wide variety of calculations must be 
performed to account for such diverse system elements 
as orifices, heat exchangers, area changes, constant 
loss factor elements, adiabatic pipes, diabatic pipes, 
radius bends, and mitre bends. 
The solution: 
A computer program that will calculate the steady 
state flow characteristics of a piping system containing 
any of the eight standard elements. The program 
calculates and prints out the stagnation and total 
temperature, static and total pressure, loss factor, 
and forces on each element. The output data also 
includes flow rate and approximate volume through 
each subsystem. 
How it's done: 
The program user supplies a description of the sys-
tem and of each element in the proper format and 
the temperature at each inlet of the system. If the 
system contains parallel paths of flow it is necessary 
to provide initial estimates of the flow rate for one or 
more of the branches. If the system involves heat 
transfer it is necessary to provide initial estimates of 
the temperature at each internal branching point and 
exit.
Flow rates are calculated from known values of the 
system, starting at the downstream end. Where all 
pertinent values are known, the continuity equation 
and equations relating total and stagnation tempera-
tures and pressure are used. Where estimated values 
are employed, calculations are made by more than one 
method and errors are thereby minimized. 
Notes: 
1. The program is coded for the Fortran II, version 3 
monitor in assembly language for the IBM 7094 
computer. The program can handle systems con-
taining up to 25 subsystems connecting not more 
than 25 junctions. In addition, three times the 
number of subsystems plus the total number of 
elements must not exceed 1000. 
2. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B66-10300 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Richard Franke 
of the Boeing Company 
under contract to 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
(M-FS-443) 
Category 01 
Alft 
MF
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
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Computer program determines gas flow rates in piping systems

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