Approximate approach for improving pressure attenuation accuracy during hydraulic transients

Abstract

The quasi-steady friction model is generally adopted in water hammer simulation in pipe network systems, which cannot accurately reflect the attenuation of pressure, while the existing unsteady friction model is challenging to use in complex pipe network systems. In this study, a convenient method for treating the friction term is proposed based on the Moody diagram. The attenuation process of water hammer pressure can be accurately reflected by reading the relationship curve between Reynolds number and the Darcy friction factor in the pipeline transient process. Combined with the classical water hammer experiment and the long pipe valve closing experiment in our laboratory, the accuracy of this model is verified, and the influence of absolute roughness (e) and Reynolds number (Re) on the model was analyzed as well. The results show that the pressure attenuation using the Method of Characteristics (MOC) and the proposed friction model has a good agreement with the experimental data. The absolute roughness has little influence on the results in hydraulically smooth pipe, while the minimum Reynolds number has a significant influence. When selecting the minimum Reynolds number, 2% ∼ 5% of the initial flow rate is recommended for calculation.