Oscillations in Closed Surge Tanks

Abstract

Abstract The existing methods of predicting the oscillations in a closed surge tank are very lengthy unless drastic simplifications are made. In this paper a new and quick procedure is explained for calculating the maximum pressure and expansion of the air, which result from a sudden shutdown of the plant. Friction is taken into account, both in the pipe and also in any arrangement placed between the pipe and the tank to damp the oscillations, but the compression and expansion of the air must be assumed isothermal. Small-scale experiments confirmed the expectation that the observed maximum pressures would be greater than the theoretical. The shutdown of a big plant is, however, not instantaneous, and the theory may be expected to yield results sufficiently accurate for the purpose in view.