This paper investigates the transient flow and pressure developments in a piping network due to design parametric and operational variations. Numerical simulations using both the method of characteristics and the finite difference formulation are performed and compared. The transient fluid pressure pulsations in the pipes are examined in both the time and frequency domains using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. The parametric studies consider changes in i) the main pipe size, ii) the valve closing time at the branch outlet, iii) the piping system configuration (both single and multiple branched systems), and iv) the frequency of pressure pulsation at the branch outlet (manifold effect). The paper discusses the sensitivity of the transient fluid pressure and the excitability of the piping natural frequencies at various locations of the pipes, due to valve closing and manifold effects at the branch outlet. The effects of resonance due to pressurefrequency variation at the branch outlet are also studied and general conclusions are drawn from these results.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Topics:
Pipes, Pressure, Transients (Dynamics), Valves, Fluid pressure, Manifolds, Algorithms, Computer simulation, Design, Fast Fourier transforms, Pipe sizes, Piping systems, Resonance, Unsteady flow
1.
Budny, D. D., Hatfield, F. J., and Wiggert, D. C., 1990, “An Experimental Study on the Influence of Structural Damping on Internal Fluid Pressure During a Transient Flow,” ASME JOURNAL OF PRESSURE VESSEL TECHNOLOGY, Vol. 112, Aug.
2.
Contractor, D. N., and Conway, A. B., 1986, “Minimizing Waterhammer Transients in a Series Pipeline,” Forum on Unsteady Flow, pp. 16–18.
3.
Gillessen
R.
, and
Lange
H.
,
1988
, “
Water Hammer Production and Design Measures in Piping Systems
,”
International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping
, Vol.
33
, pp.
219
–
234
.
4.
Moody, F. J., 1991, “A Survey of Fluid Transient Studies—1991,” ASME JOURNAL OF PRESSURE VESSEL TECHNOLOGY, Vol. 113, May.
5.
Movahed, M. A., and Gronig, H., 1986, “Pressure Wave Damping in Branched Pipes With Arbitrary Angles,” International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, Vol. 23.
6.
Shin, Y. W., and Wiedermann, A. H., 1992, “A Method for Suppression of Pressure Pulses in Fluid-Filled Piping—Part 1: Theoretical Analysis,” ASME JOURNAL OF PRESSURE VESSEL TECHNOLOGY, Vol. 114, Feb.
7.
Suo, L., and Wylie, E. B., 1990, “Complex Wavespeed and Hydraulic Transients in Viscoelastic Pipes,” ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, Vol. 112, Dec.
8.
Tullis, J. P., Hydraulics of Pipelines, 1989, Wiley-Interscience Publ.
9.
Watters, G. Z., 1984, Analysis and Control of Unsteady Flow in Pipelines 2nd Edition, Ann Arbor Science Book.
10.
Walters, T. W., 1990, “Rocket Propellant Line Waterhammer Transients in a Variable-g Environment,” Forum on Unsteady Flow.
11.
Wiggert, D. C., Hatfield, F. J., and Stuckenbruck, S., June 1987, “Analysis of Liquid and Structural Transients in Piping by the Method of Characteristics,” ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, Vol. 109.
12.
Woods, R. L., 1986, “A Review of Current Trends in Fluid Transmission Line Dynamic Representations,” Forum on Unsteady Flow.
13.
Youtsos
A. G.
,
1989
, “
High Frequency Response Evaluation of Piping Systems
,”
International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping
, Vol.
36
, pp.
269
–
287
.
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 1996
 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.