Water Hammer Analysis in the main pipe-line for the proposed Taq-Taq Dam irrigation project in Iraq

Abstract

A water hammer is a common problem occurring in water distribution systems, such as water transport pipelines. Transient hydraulic occurs in the distribution system, which may cause system failure due to pipe collapse or bursting. In this paper, an irrigation pipeline system of the proposed Taq-Taq dam (north-eastern part of Iraq) is used to represent the common situation of lifting water from the dam reservoir to another higher reservoir (irrigation project reservoir) through a pipeline. The transmission line is subject to a potential water hammer where the water level in two main reservoirs is controlled at both ends. The hydraulic simulation model used in the design and analysis of hydraulic and transverse behaviour (water hammer) was adopted by a software named Bentley HAMMER through two scenarios (with and without control device). An operational control measure was proposed to be adopted by a surge tank for minimizing the probability of the occurrence of the water hammer, also to protect the dam from this problem. The results showed that using of surge tank protects the pipe network effectively from the effect of water hammer. Distribution profiles of velocities and pressures on the pipeline indicate that the water hammer on the pipeline was clearly reflected.