Sonic Choking

Gas systems with high velocity flows are at risk of experiencing sonic choking, which effectively limits the flow rate through the system. A system with a large pressure differential from source to supply may initially appear to have the capability to deliver more flow than possible due to this phenomenon.

AFT Arrow accurately models sonic choking and indicates where it will occur in a compressible gas piping system, including systems with sonic choking at multiple points along a single flow path. AFT Arrow can also report the sonic area for junctions, showing the user what margin is available before sonic choking will occur and allowing more intelligent adjustments to the model.

Resources:

Blog – A Triple Choke Example: Why Getting Choked Flow Right Matters

Product Tip – Is This Valve Choked?

Technical Paper – Gas Flow Calculations: Don’t Choke