A Generalized Procedure for Pipeline Hydraulic Components in Quasi-Two-Dimensional Unsteady Flow Analysis

Abstract

Quasi-two-dimensional (2D) modeling of unsteady flow is important for the accurate prediction of flow and pressure in pipeline systems. In this study, a generalized method is developed to consider various inline components such as junctions and inline valves for quasi-2D method of characteristic (MOC). The occurrence of vaporous cavitation is incorporated into the developed scheme under transient conditions. To address the discharge and pressure profile at the generalized component, a procedure is proposed to obtain the convergence satisfying the characteristic equations and hydraulic structure function. The validity of the developed method is tested for two different pipeline systems. Good agreements of transient pressure between simulations and experimental results are obtained, thus demonstrating the predictability of the developed method for junctions and inline valves with vaporous cavitation.