Average Temperature of a Gas Column

Average temperature of a gas column is the mean kinetic energy of the gas molecules within a specific vertical column of gas, often measured in an atmosphere.  It is determined by taking the temperature of the gas at different heights in the column and calculating a weighted or simple average, depending on the distribution of mass and temperature across the column.  If the temperature is uniform throughout the column, the average temperature is simply equal to the temperature at any height.

In the atmosphere, however, temperature can vary significantly with altitude due to changes in pressure and density, and specialized models like the lapse rate are used to describe how temperature decreases with height in a stable atmosphere.

 

Average Temperature of a Gas Column formula
\( T \;=\; T_t + T_w  \;/\;  2  \)     (Average Temperature of a Gas Column) \( T_t \;=\;  T -  (T_w  \;/\; 2)  \) \( T_w \;=\; T \; 2  -  T_t \; 2  \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( T \) = Average Temperature of a Gas Column	\(R\)	-
\( T_t \) = Tubing Head Temperature	\(R\)	-
\( T_w \) = Wellbore Temperature	\(R\)	-

 

Average Temperature of a Gas Column formula
\( T \;=\;  1/h  \int_0^h \; T(z) \; dz   \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( T \) = Average Temperature of a Gas Column	\(R\)	-
\( T(z) \) = Temperature as a Function of Height (z)	\(R\)	-
\( h \) = Total Height of the Gas Column	\(ft\)	-