Introducing a Newly Developed Computer Software to Analyze Fluid Transients in Pressurized Pipeline Systems

Abstract

AbstractChanges in flow rates in pressurized pipeline systems, due to power loss in a pump, opening or closing of a valve, load rejection by a turbine, etc., may lead to unsteady conditions called fluid transients or water hammer in the pipeline, which, in turn, can lead to dangerous consequences. This potential phenomenon must be checked during the design phase of pipeline systems in order to prevent such dangerous situations. For this purpose, many software programs have been developed worldwide to analyze fluid transients. In this study, a computer software was developed that analyzes this type of flow in pipeline systems using C# programming language. In addition to simulating and solving problems in transient flows in pipeline systems, this will help the purpose of having a free domestic transient flow software for education and research purposes, avoiding expensive alternatives. The method of characteristics is used to solve the nonlinear, hyperbolic partial differential equations of unsteady pipe flow. The developed software was tested using various well-known benchmark cases for validation purposes. It was shown that the computed results of the new software are very similar to those obtained in the literature, proving the accuracy and reliability of the new program. In future studies, it is hoped that the program will be more comprehensive with more boundary conditions added to the program. In this paper, the developed program and some of its important features will be introduced, and validation of the program with certain benchmark studies will be provided.