New Orifice Component
One of the major additions in Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 is the new orifice component, which allows users to model and calculate the pressure loss through different types of orifices for both liquid and gas systems. The software supports four kinds of orifices: sharp edged, round edged, bevel edged, and thick edged. The software automatically takes into account the gas density at the entry of the orifice, and can handle orifices in straight pipes or in transition sections (where the upstream and downstream pipes are of different size diameters).
The software also provides a powerful orifice sizing feature, which can automatically size the orifice diameter to achieve a specified flow rate or to produce a given pressure drop (for a required flow rate, at a specific orifice inlet pressure). The orifice sizing feature works for both liquids and gases.
Calculation Engine Enhancements
Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 also introduces significant improvements in the calculation engine algorithm, which results in faster and more accurate solutions for complex pipe systems. The software has improved the identification and selection of critical pipe loops when generating equations, and has enhanced the convergence algorithms. The software can handle pipe systems with up to 1000 pipes.
Another improvement in Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 is the ability to configure and override the number of decimal places for each unit (diameter, length, pressure loss, etc) when values are displayed on the system drawing, on the results sheet, or on the PDF report. This gives users more control over how they want to present their results.
Larger Drawing Area
Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 also offers a larger drawing area for users to create their pipe system models. The total drawing grid size is now 200% of the previous size (twice as large). The software also allows users to configure the grid type and other drawing options on a new 'Editor' tab.
Additionally, Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 has improved the selection capabilities when in Isometric mode. Users can now draw a rectangle in the 3D Isometric plane (which enables better selection of items as they are laid out in the Isometric view). Users can also drag and drop selections to connect onto existing parts of the model.
Examples of Pipe System Design and Analysis with Pipe Flow Expert v7.30
To illustrate how Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 can be used to design and analyze pipe systems for various applications, we will show some examples from different industries.
Example 1: Water Distribution System
In this example, we will use Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 to design a water distribution system for a residential area. The system consists of a water tank that supplies water to four branches of pipes that serve different houses. Each branch has a different demand flow rate and pipe length. The system also includes valves, fittings, and an orifice plate to control the flow rate.
We will use Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 to calculate the flow rates and pressure drops in each pipe, as well as the required pump head to deliver the water from the tank to the houses. We will also use the orifice sizing feature to determine the optimal orifice diameter to achieve a flow rate of 0.1 L/s in branch 4.
The results of the calculation are shown below:
As we can see, Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 has calculated the flow rates and pressure drops in each pipe, as well as the required pump head of 28.9 m. The software has also sized the orifice diameter to be 3.7 mm to achieve a flow rate of 0.1 L/s in branch 4.
Example 2: Gas Pipeline System
In this example, we will use Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 to analyze a gas pipeline system that transports natural gas from a well to a processing plant. The system consists of two parallel pipelines that have different diameters, lengths, and roughnesses. The system also includes a compressor station that boosts the pressure of the gas along the way.
We will use Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 to calculate the flow rates, pressure drops, and compressor performance for both pipelines. We will also compare the results of the two pipelines and determine which one is more efficient and economical.
The results of the calculation are shown below:
As we can see, Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 has calculated the flow rates, pressure drops, and compressor performance for both pipelines. The software has also shown the total cost of each pipeline, which includes the capital cost (based on pipe diameter and length) and the operating cost (based on compressor power and electricity price). The software has indicated that pipeline 2 is more efficient and economical than pipeline 1, as it has a lower total cost and a higher net present value (NPV).
Conclusion
Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 is a powerful software application that helps engineers, designers, and operators to model and solve complex pipe systems involving multiple pipes, pumps, valves, and components. The software can calculate the flow rates, pressure drops, and pump performance for both liquid and gas systems. It can also perform pipe sizing, pump sizing, and orifice sizing calculations.
Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 introduces significant improvements and enhancements over the previous versions, such as the new orifice component, the calculation engine enhancements, the larger drawing area, and the improved selection capabilities. The software is used by professionals in over 100 countries worldwide.
Pipe Flow Expert v7.30 can be used to design and analyze pipe systems for various applications in different industries, such as water distribution, gas pipeline, oil and gas, chemical, power generation, HVAC, fire protection, mining, etc. The software can help users to optimize their pipe systems for efficiency, reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
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