Pipeline Heat Transfer

Introduction
Until now, we have assumed that the flowing temperature is constant. In reality, there is a
temperature profile along a pipeline. This temperature profile will usually influence the
pressure distribution, and vice-versa.
Analysis
Consider a pipeline of length L with flow inside, as shown below. The inlet fluid
temperature inside the pipe is T1 and the exit temperature is T2. The ambient (or
surroundings) temperature is T.

L
Flow
T1

T2

The temperature distribution inside the pipe is given by

T2 - (T - q)
= e -b L
T1 - (T - q)
where: T1
T2
T
L
b

=
=
=
=

Inlet fluid temperature [F]

Exit fluid temperature [F]
Ambient temperature [F]
Length of pipeline [miles]

Distance gradient factor [miles-1] =

1.467 (U A )
& Cp
m

U =
A =
UA =
& =
m
Cp =

Overall heat transfer coefficient [Btu/(hrft2F)]

Heat transfer area per unit length [ft2 per ft of pipe]
p D p / (R f + R d + R p + R i + R s ) ; get R values from Table
Fluid mass flow rate [lbm/s]
Fluid heat capacity [Btu/(lbmF)]

Pressure effect factor =

Joule-Thomson coefficient for gas [F/psi] = dT / dp

h (P2 - P1 )
z 2 - z1
+
bL
778 C p b L

Example (modified version of Manning & Thompson Vol. 1 p. 303)

A 0.55 specific gravity gas flowing at 100 MMscfd is to be pipelined from a platform to
shore through a 65 mile long pipeline. The platform pressure is 1000 psia, and the platform
temperature is 120 F. The desired pressure arriving on shore is to be 800 psia. The pipeline
is 16 inch nominal, with special wall thickness of 0.438 inches (MAWP = 1379 psi).
Assume an overall heat transfer coefficient of U = 1.0 Btu / hr ft 2 F . How far will the gas
travel before its temperature reaches 45 F, which is the temperature of the sea water?

d = 16 - 2(0.438) = 15.124" = 1.26 ft

Pipe I.D.

Heat transfer area: A = p D = p (1.26 ) = 3.96 ft 2 / ft

From Appendix 6, Figure A6-4a, C p = 0.65 at 1000 psia, 82.5 F (Average temp.)
Mass flow rate:

r wh =

(1000)(15.93) = 2.78 lb / ft 3
m
(10.73)(580)(0.92)

14.7 580
1
3
q platform = 100 10 6
= 17.46 ft / s

(0.92 )
1000
520
86400

& = r platform q platform = (2.78)(17.46 ) = 48.6 lb m / s

m

Distance factor:

b=

1.467 U A (1.467 )(1)(3.96)

=
= 0.184
(48.6)(0.65)
m Cp

We need to evaluate q for the line length. First, determine h .

Pressure
Temperature
Enthalpy
(psia)
(F)
(Btu/lbm)
Wellhead:
1000
120
265
Pipe exit:
800
115
265
So then h

dT DT 120 - 115

=
= 0.025 deg F / psi
dP DP 1000 - 800

Pressure effect factor:

z 2 - z1
h (P2 - P1 )
(0.025)(800 - 1000) + 0 = -0.42 deg F
q=q=
+
=
(0.184)(65)
778 C p b L
bL
So the temperature distribution in the pipeline is given by
Solve for T2(x): T2 ( x ) = 44.58 + 75.42 e -0.184 x
Set T2 equal to 45 F and solve for x:
45 = 44.58 + 75.42 e -0.184 x x =

T2 - 44.58
= e -0.184 x
120 - 44.58

1
45 - 44.58
ln
= 28.2 miles
0.184
75.42