K factor (crude oil refining)
The K factor or characterization factor is a systematic way of classifying a crude oil according to is paraffinic, naphthenic, intermediate or aromatic nature. 12.5 or higher indicate a crude oil of predominantly paraffinic constituents, while 10 or lower indicate a crude of more aromatic nature. The K factor is also referred to as the UOP K factor or just UOPK.[1]
In the oil and gas engineering industry as well as many other industries, the K-factor formula is used to calculate head loss across fittings or a set of fittings in a piping system. The formula may be expressed as:[2][3][4]
- ∆h = K v 2/ 2g
CAUTION: The "K-values" for characterization liquids to be separated by distillation are supposed to facilitate vapor-liquid equilibrium calculations. The "K" values in this equation are for pressure drop calculations in pipe and associated fittings. Please see[5] for K-Factors used in crude oil refining.
where, when using the customary U.S. units:
- ∆h = head loss in feet of fluid
- K = the frictional coefficient
- v = the fluid velocity in ft/s
- g = acceleration due to gravity = 32.17 ft/s2
where, when using the SI metric units:
- ∆h = head loss in metres of fluid
- K = the frictional coefficient
- v = the fluid velocity in m/s
- g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s2
See also
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Pressure drop calculations Scroll down to page 3 (of the 5 pdf pages) entitled "Pressure drop in fittings ...".
- ↑ Pipe Fittings Loss Calculations with K Factors
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (See Equation (2) on page 188)
- ↑ Vapor-liquid K values
External links
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