A flow rate equation for subsonic Fanno flow

Abstract

The aim of this note is to obtain a flow rate equation for subsonic Fanno flow, which has a form similar to the flow rate equation for isothermal flow. When pipe dimensions and the proper values of pressures and temperatures at two sections along a pipe, namely P1, P2, T1 and T2 are given, the mass flow rate is obtained by simple substitution into the obtained formula. However, only three of the above four quantities are independently given, since the steady Fanno flow problem involves three first-order differential equations. Therefore, the problem has three degrees of freedom. The theory in this note shows an algebraic equation that determines the fourth quantity by using the given three quantities. The method for finding the mass flow rate and state variables of the gas in the pipe are substantially simplified compared with the commonly distributed method. The relative difference of mass flow rates between the subsonic Fanno and isothermal flows is smaller than 1% in practical combinations of P2 /P1 and the pipe-friction parameter fL/D.