Analytical solutions for predicting the maximum pressure drop after pump failure in long-distance water supply project

Abstract

Abstract The water hammer caused by pump failure in a long-distance pressurized pipe system generally poses a severe threat to the safety of the whole system. The maximum pressure drop at the pump end of the discharge line is significant for the safety assessment of the pipelines. In this study, the characteristics of the pump-stopping water hammer and its propagation in the pipelines are analyzed. The formula for predicting the maximum pressure drop is deduced based on the Method of Characteristics and the complete characteristics of the pumps. The application conditions of the formula and the solution procedures are presented as well. In addition, two engineering cases are introduced and the results calculated by the formula are compared with those resulting from the numerical simulation, and the agreement is satisfactory. The formula presented in this study is of simple form, practical and of high precision, and can provide a theoretical basis for the water hammer protection scheme of a long-distance water supply project.