Colebrook - White

The Colebrook-White equation is recommended for use by those unfamiliar with pipeline flow equations. It will produce the greatest consistency of accuracy over the widest possible range of variables. The Colebrook Equation has good accurate results for lower flow rates (150-250 MMSCFD); However, larger errors exist above a 250 MMSCFD flow rate.

The friction factor is solved using the Newton-Raphson method.

𝑓 − Friction Factor
D – Inside Pipe Diameter[in]
𝜀 − Pipe Roughness[in]

𝐹 − Transmission Factor

𝑄 − Flow Rate (FT³/day)
𝐶_𝑄 − 38.774
𝑇_𝑏 −Temperature Base (°R)
𝑃_𝑏 − Pressure Base (psi)
𝑇_𝑓 − Gas Flowing Temperature (°R)
𝐷 − Internal Diameter (in)
𝐹 − Transmission Factor
𝑘 − Pipe Roughness
𝑃₁ − Upstream Pressure (psi)
𝑃₂ − Downstream Pressure (psi)
𝐺 − Gas Specific Gravity
𝑍 − Compressibility Factor
L_e − Pipe Segment Length including Expansion (mi)

𝑠 − Elevation adjustment parameter
C_S − 0.0375
𝑍 − Compressibility Factor
𝑇_𝑓 − Gas Flowing Temperature (°R)
∆𝐻𝐺 − Change in Elevation (ft)

𝐿𝑒 − Pipe Segment Length including Expansion (mi)
𝑠 − Elevation adjustment parameter

𝑉 − Velocity (ft/sec)
𝑄_ℎ − Volumetric flow rate (scf/hr)
𝐷 − Internal Diameter (in)
𝑃_𝑎𝑣𝑔 − Average Pipeline Pressure (psia)

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝑷𝟐 > 𝟎.𝟖𝑷𝟏:

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩:

Input Parameters

1. To create a new case, click the “Add Case” button
2. Select the Unknown and desired Flow Equation
3. Enter Case Name, Location, Date, and any necessary notes
4. Fill out all required fields
5. Make sure the values you are inputting are in the correct units
6. Click the CALCULATE button

• Temperature base(°F)
• Pressure base(psia)
• Gas Flowing Temperature(°F)
• Gas Specific Gravity
• Compressibility Factor
• Pipeline Efficiency Factor
• Upstream Pressure(psig)
• Flow Rate(MCFD)
• Internal Pipe Diameter(in)
• Length of Pipeline(mi)
• Upstream Elevation(ft)
• Downstream Elevation(ft)

Outputs/Reports

1. View the results
2. If an input parameter needs to be edited be sure to hit the CALCULATE button after the change
3. To SAVE, fill out all required case details then click the SAVE button
4. To rename an existing file, click the SAVE As button. Provide all case info then click SAVE
5. To generate a REPORT, click the REPORT button
6. The user may export the Case/Report by clicking the Export to Excel/PowerPoint icon
7. To delete a case, click the DELETE icon near the top of the widget

• Flow Rate(ft/sec.)
• Transmission Factor
• Velocity(ft/sec.)
• Upstream Pressure(psi)
• Transmission Factor
• Velocity(ft/sec.)
• Downstream Pressure(psi)
• Transmission Factor
• Velocity(ft/sec.)
• Internal Pipe Diameter(in)
• Transmission Factor
• Velocity(ft/sec.)
• Erosional Velocity
• Sonic Velocity

Flow Rate

Upstream Pressure

Downstream Pressure

Internal Pipe Diameter

Related Links