Computation of Energy Dissipation in Transient Flow

Abstract

A new model for the computation of unsteady friction losses in transient flow is developed and verified in this study. The energy dissipation in transient flow is estimated from the instantaneous velocity profiles. The ratio of the energy dissipation at any instant and the energy dissipation obtained by assuming quasi-steady conditions defines the energy dissipation factor. This is a nondimensional, time-varying parameter that modifies the friction term in the transient flow governing equations. The model was verified for laminar and turbulent flows and the comparison of measured and computed pressure heads shows excellent agreement. This model can be adapted to an existing transient program that uses the well-known method of characteristics for the solution of the continuity and momentum equations.