CALCULATION OF DISTURBANCE FACTOR

Disturbance factor is the ratio of kinetic energy during blow condition and kinetic
energy during MCR condition. Mathematically this is expressed as:
½ ρb . Vb2
Disturbance factor = ---------------- ρb , Vb - density & velocity at blow condition
½ ρm . V m 2
ρm , Vm - density & velocity at MCR condition

Fb 2
ρb --------- A - Cross sectional area m2
A. ρb Fb , Fm - Flow at blowing and MCR condition
= --------------------- respectively
Fm 2
ρm ----------
A. ρm

ρm . Fb2
= ------------
ρb . Fm2

νb . Fb2
= ------------ νb , νm - Specific volume at blow & MCR condition
νm . Fm2 respectively

Calculation of Flow

The method of calculation is based on a paper by C E Lapple on flow of compressible

fluids through pipes of uniform cross section, at high pressure drops. A chart (refer the
attached one) has been prepared from Lapple’s equations for the flow of fluids with a specific
heat ratio of 1.3 which includes superheated steam. With the chart the maximum rate of
discharge from a pipe for a given set of conditions can be calculated. Also by working
backwards through the systems, the pressure and temperature conditions at any point in the
system, can be determined from the chart. The method used by Lapple is to use a hypothetical
datum of mass flow through a nozzle under isothermal flow and critical conditions ( referred
to as Gcni ).
Infinite Reservoir
With conditions P3
P0, T0 P1, T1 P2

The hypothetical datum is used for convenience and relates to an infinite reservoir
with conditions P0 and T0 and the conditions P1, P2, P3 and T1, T2, T3 are all related to this
datum. Thus as the conditions at one of these points are known, the condition at other points
can be found. The ratio G/ Gcni to which all other conditions are on the chart are related is a
hypothetical ratio in as much as the term (Gcni ) is the maximum discharge through a nozzle
under isothermal flow conditions and is related to upstream conditions (i.e. infinite reservoir)
by the expression:
 gc P0 gc Mw
Gcni = Mw = P0 ............................. (1)
e V0 e R T0

Actually the time of flow through a nozzle is so short that isothermal flow can never
be realised. The term Gcni however employed by Lapple as a basic reference point for flow
rates in order to eliminate specific upstream conditions. This feature is ideally suited for
steam blow conditions as the temperature and pressure within any part of the pipework can be
found when either the inlet or outlet conditions are known.
The method of making a calculation for a given geometry of pipework is to assume a
set of conditions at the inlet to the final length of temporary pipework and to calculate the
maximum flow rate under sonic conditions at exit. Knowing this flow rate it is then possible
to work backwards, from the assumed conditions at the inlet to the final temporary pipework,
through the pipework system, finding the pressure and temperature conditions at any point in
the system for the purpose of obtaining the disturbance factor.
All the steam blow calculations should be based on achieving critical velocity at the
exit of the temporary pipework. This is the only point at which , a critical condition may be
achieved, otherwise there will a restriction within the system limiting the flow.
When a number of pressure drops have to be calculated for different sizes and lengths
of pipe in a composite manner, a relationship between P1 and P2 must be found . From Lapple
it is established that knowing the conditions at a point in a system ( e.g. the inlet to the final
length of temporary pipework) with critical velocity at the exit conditions can be related to
P1 and G/ Gcni as follows:

P1/P0
G/ Gcni = G/ G1cni ------------------ ………………………………………………………(2)
T1/T0