RP 14E:Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems

d. Compressor Piping. Reciprocating and centrifugal compressor piping should be sized to minimize pulsation, vibration and noise. The selection of allowable velocities requires an engineering study for each specific application. e. General Notes. (1)When using gas flow equations for old pi build-up of scale, corrosion, liquids, p a r a f g : etc., can have a large effect on gas flow efficiency. (2)For other .empjrical equations, refer to the GPSA Engineering Data Book.
2.5 Sizing Criteria f o r Gas/Liquid Two-Phase

23

Lines.

a. Erosional Velocity. Flowlines, roduction manifolds, process headers and other Enes transporting gas and liquid in two-phase flow should be sized primarily on the basis of flow velocity. Experience has shown thaq loss of wall thickness occurs by a process of erosion/corrosion. This process is accelerated by high fluid velocities, resence of sand, corrosive contaminants such as 8 0 2 and HzS,and fittings which disturb the flow path such as elbows.
The following procedure for establishing an erosional velocity can be used where no specific information as to the erosive/corrosive properties of the fluid is available.

(i)The velocity above which erosion may occur can be determined by the following empirical equation:

ve
Ve
C

c
(pm

Eq. 2.14

where:
= fluid erosional velocity, feet/second

= empirical constant

= gas/liquid mixture density at flowing pressure and temperature, lbs/fts Industry experience to date indicates that for solids-free fluids values of c = 100 for continuous service and c = 125 for intermittent service are conservative. For solids-free fluids where corrosion is not anticipated or when corrosion is controlled by inhibition or by employing corrosion resistant alloys, values of c = 150 to 200 may be used for continuous service; values up to 250 have been used successfully for intermittent service. If solids production is anticipated, fluid velocities should be significantly reduced, Different values of *cmay be used where specific application studies have shown them to be appropriate.
pm Where solids and/or corrosive contaminants are present or where c values higher than 100 for continuous service are used, periodic surveys to assess pipe wall thickness should be considered. The design of any piping sjrstem where solids are anticipated should consider the installation of sand probes, cushion flow tees, and a minimum of three feet of straight piping downstream of choke outlets. (2) The density of the gaslliquid mixture may be calculated using the following derived equation: 12409SiP + 2.7 RSgP pm = Eq. 2.15 198.7P RTE

where : P = operating pressure, psia. S i = liquid specific gravity (water = 1; use average gravity for hydrocarbonwater mixtures) at standard conditions. R = gasfliquid ratio, fts/barrel a t standard conditions. T = operating temperature, R. Sg = g a s specific gravity (air = i)at standard conditions. B = gas compressibility factor, dimensionless. (3) Once Ve is known, the minimum crosssectional area required to avoid fluid erosion may be determined from the following derived eauation: ZRT 9.35 Eq. 2.16 21.25P A = Ve where: A = minimum pipe cross-sectional flow area required, in211000 barrels liquid per day. (4) For average Gulf Coast conditions, T = 535R, SI = 0.85 (35 API gravity oil) and Sg = 0.65. For these conditions, Figure 2 . 6 may be used to determine values of A f o r essentially sand free production. The minimum required cross-sectional area for twophase piping may be determined by multiplying A by the liquid flow rate expressed in thousands of barrels per day. b . Minimum Velocity. If possible, the minimum velocity in two-phase lines should be about 10 feet per second to minimize slugging of separation equipment. This is particularly important in long lines with elevation changes. c. Pressure Drop. The pressure drop in a two-phase steel pi ing system may be estimated using a simplified garcy equation from the GPSA Engineering Data Book (1981Revision). A P = 0.000336fW2 Eq. 2.17 di5 - Om . where : A P = pressure drop, psi1100 feet. di = pipe inside diameter, inches f = Moody friction factor, dimensionless. pm = gaslliquid density at flowing pressure and temperature, lbs Ift3 (calculate as shown in Equation 2.15). W = total liquid plus vapor rate, lbslhr. The use of this equation should be limited t oa 10% pressure drop due to inaccuracies associated with changes in density. If the Moody friction factor is assumed to be an average of 0.015 this equation becomes:

Eq. 2.17a
equation: W = 3180 Qg S g 14.6 QI Si Es. 2.18 where: Qg = gas flow rate, million cubic feetlday (14.7psia and 60F). S g = gas specific gravity (air = i). QI = liquid flow rate, barrelslday. Si = liquid specific gravity (water = 1). It should be noted this pressure drop calculation is an estimate only.

W may be calculated using the following derived

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