Pipesize ― Features

PIPESIZE has a large number of features. But it remains easy to use with a clear user interface.

This page describes the data entry procedure, results you'll see, calculation subroutines, built-in database, and reference data.

A sample problem (water flow, English units) is given in an Adobe pdf document  (450 kB file, requires Adobe Reader) containing output from several worksheets within the PIPESIZE Excel Workbook. It's a liquid flow example. Physical property and pipe size data all came from the PIPESIZE data tables. 

The data entry screen is illustrated here. Each of the screen shots on this page opens in a new window; close the window to return here. When you are doing a "what-if..." analysis, go directly to Data Entry to try out your alternatives. Drop-down menus let you select from available pipe specifications and fluids in the database. Error detection is applied to keep you from going wrong.

Data entry is grouped into five sections:

1. Project data. This is information that appears on the title blocks of printed reports. Your name, project name, project number, etc.
2. Pipe data. Enter the line number, service, pipe material, insulation material and ambient temperature. Notice that by choosing the pipe material by specification code from the pulldown list, all necessary information such as possible sizes, corresponding dimensions and roughness are automatically entered. Insulation material is also chosen from a pulldown list.
3. Fluid data. Data includes the chemical name, physical state (gas or liquid), flow rate, temperature and physical properties. You can enter any fluid name you like along with necessary properties (viscosity, specific gravity, molecular weight). You also have the option of choosing a compound from the pulldown list, in which case the properties are automatically computed for the temperature that you've entered.
4. Physical data. If you know the length of pipe and number of fittings, enter it here. Otherwise, use the default calculation (100 equivalent feet or meters).
5. Reports. Check off the reports you want. Click on the PRINT button.

Simply saying "calculates pressure drop..." is an understatement! PIPSIZE provides several standard calculations, in a professional datasheet format. It also gives you the ability to customize the output to meet your special needs.

A quick summary of results is displayed next to the data input section. Quickly compare alternatives by adjusting the input data and immediately seeing the results. Calculations for two pipe sizes are displayed simultaneously: the selected size, whether based on economic optimum, target velocity or specific size, followed by the next larger size.

The datasheet format summarizes the project and input data. It follows this with pressure drop and velocity calculations for the three pipe sizes. Then, heat loss (gain) estimates are made for bare pipe and various insulation thicknesses. When physical pipeline data is entered, the pressure drop is calculated for the equivalent feet of pipe. Finally, any warnings or errors encountered are printed.

The next report, LIQFLOW, provides pressure drop and velocity calculation results for a range of flow rates (from10% to 100% of maximum flow) for all three pipe sizes. These can be used to construct system curves. It's an Excel spreadsheet -- it's easy to manipulate the data to fit your needs!

On the worksheet called OPTSIZE, the optimum economic diameter is computed. It uses the Peters and Timmerhaus method, and provides for input of data such as power cost, hours of operation per year, and depreciation factor. The results of the calculation are used only if Economic sizing is selected on the Data Input screen. But you can visit the page to see the answer even if you've set a target velocity or specific size criteria.

The formulas and routines for calculating Reynolds Number, Friction Factor and Pressure Drop are coded in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). This makes the spreadsheet much more readable, and it also makes for simple creation of new pressure drop calculations.

When computing pressure drop for gases, the routine automatically solves the compressible gas equation iteratively, without the need to turn on "Iteration" from the Excel options menu. How? By solving the equation with numerical methods within the VBA subroutine!

We provide a bonus spreadsheet template with every purchase. It contains only the VBA routines and a simple worksheet illustrating how to use them. You're jump-started in creating a new pressure drop application, such as a self-calculating pipeline index.

There are tables and tables of data. It's automatically incorporated in the calculations. And you have complete control over its content and use. What more could you ask for?

• A complete table of Iron Pipe Sizes (IPS) is provided. It is accessed by entering nominal pipe diameter and Schedule. PIPESIZE automatically retrieves the actual outside and inside diameters. If you enter an illegal Schedule, an error message is returned.
• BWG wall thicknesses (for tubing sizes) are contained in another table.
• Standard SDR ratios are listed in a third table.
• Many additional pipe dimension tables are provided with dimensions of copper, plastic, exotic, and lined piping systems. You can construct more special tables and reference your data directly from your list of pipe specifications.
• The thermal conductivity for common pipe insulations are tabulated. These are temperature-dependent values used when estimating heat gain (loss) to the pipe.
• A list of chemicals is provided along with temperature-dependent properties. We've included most common heat transfer fluids (Dowtherms, Therminols, glycols of various concentrations). Six different viscosity equations are supported. Densities are entered as fixed values, or regressed. Gaseous properties (molecular weight, viscosity equation, ratio of heat capacities) are also contained in the table. It's simple to add new compounds.

You have at your fingertips many more tables with reference information. There are lists of suggested fluid velocities for common liquids, gases and steam. A list of suggested pipe roughness values is provided, with data for new and used pipe ranging from steel to wood.

PIPESIZE Spreadsheet Template: $37

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