A natural gas (methane) pipeline is to be designed to transport the gas at a rate of 50,000 scfm. The pipe is to be 6 in. ID, and the maximum pressure that the compressors can develop is 10,000 psig....

A natural gas (methane) pipeline is to be designed to transport the gas at a rate of 50,000 scfm. The pipe is to be 6 in. ID, and the maximum pressure that the compressors can develop is 10,000 psig. The compressor stations are to be located in the pipeline at the point at which the pressure drops to 100 psi above that at which choked flow would occur (this is the suction pressure for the compressors). If the design temperature for the pipeline is 608F, the compressors are 60% efficient, and the compressor stations each operate with three stages and interstage cooling to 608F, determine

(a) The proper distance between compressor stations, in miles.

(b) The optimum interstage pressure and compression ratio for each compressor stage.

(c) The total horsepower required for each compressor station.