Stokes functions and limitations

Stokes was originally created as a simple and intuitive program for gas pipelines hydraulic calculation. Now it is also possible to calculate pipelines with liquids (as the formulas match with the formulas for low-pressure gas) what shows Stokes’ advantages and disadvantages.

What is Stokes made for

Stokes is designed for isothermal single-phase flow of gas/liquid pipeline networks hydraulic calculation. In the program it is assumed that all pipes are round, liquids are incompressible and gases compressibility factor = 1.

Thus, Stokes can be used to calculate pressure losses in:

• low and high pressure gas pipelines (up to 1.2 MPa),
• pipelines for cold water supply,
• oil pipelines (for single-phase and isothermic flow).

What Stokes is NOT suitable for

Stokes is not suitable when you need circulation, non-round pipes, multiphase flow, open channel flow, strength calculations.

For example, you'd better look for some other program for calculations:

• main gas pipelines (above 1.2 MPa),
• heating and hot water supply networks,
• ventilation systems,
• field gas and oil pipelines,
• sewage,
• water supply systems with storage tanks.

Perhaps something from other developers' programs will suit you for such tasks: Politerm Zulu*, EPANET (free), Aspo-Pris.