Compressible Fluid Flow
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Abstract
The environmental engineer designs and/or specifies various systems in which gases are the fluid medium. Such gases include air, digester gas, molecular oxygen, chlorine, ozone, natural gas, and carbon dioxide. These gases are compressed, conveyed, dispersed, and diffused for a variety of purposes. Some gaseous systems, such as those providing molecular oxygenation, chlorination, and ozonation are largely manufacturer-designed, with the prime design engineer's role being mainly that of selection and specification. On the other hand, aeration systems, and to a lesser extent, digester gas systems, entail the more detailed involvement of the environmental engineer. In all cases a basic understanding is desirable. The compressibility, or density variation, of gases introduces additional considerations that must be taken into account. Gas properties are addressed first, followed by sections on flow through pipes and fittings, certain types of flow meters, and dynamic and positive displacement blowers and compressors. In addition to addressing those practical applications, this chapter provides background for addressing gas distribution conduits (i.e., spatially-decreasing flows) in subsequent chapters.