Compressible Pipe Flow with Friction and Gravity

Abstract

A viscous one-dimensional compressible pipe flow under gravity effect is studied analytically. The compressible one-dimensional pipe flow with friction is called Fanno flow and the solution is given by analytical formula. In gas dynamics, the gravity effect is minimal and it is not included in the equations. However, it was shown by the present author that the elevation of a pipe could change the flow conditions in a one-dimensional compressible potential flow under gravity. The sonic condition is reached at the maximum height for an inviscid pipe flow. In this paper, the gravity effect is extended to the viscous one- dimensional pipe flow. Subsonic–supersonic transition is also possible by up and down of the pipe as in the inviscid flow, and it is found that the sonic condition deviates from the peak position of the pipe.