Numerical modelling of heat and mass transfer in a gas pipe conducting system: Application to methane gas

Methane is the principal component of natural gas. In order to be liquefied, it is has to pass through a compression station where its’ temperature is lowered. An experimental investigation of the temperature drop behaviour of methane gas has been carried out. The test section is a horizontal circular tube with an inner diameter of 6 mm, an outer diameter of 8 mm and a length of 1500 mm. The physical parameters of the gas are explicited. Extensive measurements of the temperature along the pipe were realized by considering an air temperature of 26°C. A numerical approach of the heat and mass transfer problem was carried out thanks to the 4th ordered Runge-Kutta method. Numerical results showed a good agreement with experimental data. Key words: Drop, natural gas, temperature, Runge-Kutta, simulation.