Dimensionless Pressure Response Analysis for Water Supply Pipeline Systems with or without Pumping Station

Abstract

Dimensionless governing equations of unsteady flow and solutions for the pipeline systems having a surge tank were developed. Frequency domain pressure response expressions for two widely used water supply systems were analyzed in dimensionless frequency and time domains. One is the simple reservoir pipeline surge tank valve system and the other is the pipeline system with pump and check valve protected by surge tank. Two different dimensionless expressions for the surge tank were developed and the performance of two expressions was compared. The frequency response pattern of impedance at the downstream valve indicated that the system resonance was determined by the lengths of the main pipeline and the connector and the locations of the surge tank and check valve for the protection of the pumping station. The difference between the simple pipeline system and that of a pump with a check valve was expressed in terms of the phase difference in frequency response distribution. The integrated pressure response for the protected pipeline section was evaluated considering the impact of surge protection in the frequency domain. A better understanding of system behavior can be obtained in terms of specific component isolation both in the frequency and time domain pressure responses. The driven responses in the frequency and time domain can be an important basis for optimum design and operation conditions of water supply systems in dimensionless space.