THEORETICAL OVERVIEW

OF SURGE ANALYSES
3 December 2001
Prof SJ van Vuuren
University of Pretoria
Tel: +27 012 420 2438
Website:
http://www.up.ac.za/academic/civil/divisions/water.html

Layout of Presentation
Introduction
Basic theory of transient flows

Rigid Column Theory

Elastic Theory
Influence of pipeline support on wave celerity
Propagation of transient waves

Theory for non-instantaneous disturbances

Calculation of transient pressures
Causes of transient flows
Fluid transient risk assessment procedure
(TRAP)
Surge protection options
Computer-aided transient analysis

Introduction
What is surge?
Variation in pressures that are generated
by a change in the operational status

How are surge waves

created?
Foreseen operational changes
Unforeseen operational changes
Layout changes

Basic theory of transient flow

RIGID COLUMN THEORY
H =

L dv

g dt

ELASTIC THEORY (RIGID PIPE)

P= cV0

Where:
P = pressure fluctuation ( N / m 2 )
C = wave celerity for a rigid pipe ( m / s)
= unit mass of water ( kg / m3 )
V0 = flow velocity (m / s)

Basic theory of transient flow

ELASTIC THEORY (RIGID PIPE) (Continued)
c' = c

Where:

1
K D
1 +
D t
c ' = wave celerity for an elastic pipe (m / s )
K = bulk mod ulus of water( N / mm2 )*
E = elasticity of pipe material ( N / mm2 )*
D = diameter of pipe ( m)
t = wall thickness of pipe ( m)
*Values of K and E are shown in Annexure 1

Basic theory of transient flow

SUPPORT OF THE PIPELINE
Case 1: Anchored at upstream end

C =1

Case 2: Anchored throughout against longitudinal movement

C1 = 1 2

PROPAGATION OF TRANSIENT WAVES

Transient flow theory for noninstantaneous disturbances

REQUIREMENTS
elasticity
effect of losses
non-instantaneous valve movement
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL FORMULAE
u

H
H c 2 u
+usin +
+
=0
x
t g x

H u u du
+
+ =0
x 2 D dt

Visualizing the movement

Visualizing the movement

Visualizing the movement

Surgemov1.mov

Surgemov2.mov

Calculation of transient
pressures

arithmetic
graphic
characteristics
algebraic
implicit
linear
wave-plan
other

Causes of transient flows

Pump start-up
Pump trip
Variation in demand
Unintentional changes in operational
position of control valves

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Checklist of fault conditions
TRAP

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Checklist of fault conditions
Design/Installation
The route of the pipeline is changed?
The demand on the system is increased?
The basic design data is unreliable by x % (e.g. heads,
flows, component operating characteristics, materials
specifications, fluid properties and quality, etc.)?
Changes are made to the system design?

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Checklist of fault conditions
Normal operation
The power fails to the motors driving the pumps?
The pump delivery valve is closed in t seconds?
One pump trips but others keep running?
An operator opens/shuts valve y too quickly?
The demand on the system is increased?

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Checklist of fault conditions
Hazardous operation
A pump is re-started within t seconds of being tripped?
A control or emergency shut-down valve is shut rapidly?
An operator opens/shuts valve y too quickly?

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Checklist of fault conditions
System malfunction
Component x malfunctions (e.g. an automatic control
valve, pressure relief valve, vacuum breaker, etc.)?
The surge suppression strategy/control devices
malfunction?

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Action Description

Objective

Describe the system which normally

consists of pumping stations, pipelines,
control equipment, demand centres, etc.
Define the operating regimes and the
operational limits of the system.

Obtain the characteristics

of the system

Define the operating regimes and the

operational limits of the system.

Quantify the operational

scenarios

List all the possible causes that can change

the steady state situation and distinguish
between: internal and external factors that
can result in transients (Use Annexure 2).
The bottom line: What can go wrong,
where, how, and why? How will the flow
be influenced?

All the operational

variances should be
identified

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Action Description

Objective

Draw a longitudinal section and

The difference between the
determine the hydraulic grade lines
residual pressures and
(both for static and dynamic conditions). permissible internal pressures
will indicate the ability of the
system to handle higher
pressures.

Determine the celerity, pipeline period,

pump rundown time, valve operation
and the Joukowskys head for all the
situations listed in 3

First indication of the

magnitude of the transient
pressures

Review options for a control and

transient suppressions strategy

Cost effective control

Consider the influence of future

extensions or alterations to the system

Ultimate solution for possible

future system application

Fluid Transient Risk

Assessment Procedure (TRAP)
Action Description
8

Objective

Prepare specifications for detailed computer Optimal surge analysis

analysis
Refine the control measures

Finalize the design, and prepare operational

constraints and guidelines in accordance
with the validated control and suppression
strategy

Ensure long term

efficiency

10

Devise test programme for commissioning

procedures

Successful
implementation

10

Surge protection options

Pump start-up
Pump trip

Surge protection options

Surge tank

Air valve

Reflux valve

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Surge protection options

Where is the transient
event initiated?
Upstream end
Pressure
rises first

Pressure
drops first

Air vessel /
accumulator

Air vessel /
accumulator

Check valve

By-pass

Relief
system
Surge shaft

Check valve
Vacuum
breaker

An intermediate point
No

No

Can a Bypass device

help ?
Yes

Downstream end
Pressure
rises first

Pressure
drops first

Air vessel /
accumulator

Air vessel /
accumulator

Relief
system

Feed tank

Surge shaft
Select and/or Design

Surge shaft
Vacuum
breaker

Could secondary devices elsewhere in the system be of benefit ?

e.g. Air valves, Feed tanks, surge shafts, etc.
Select and/or Design

Surge protection options

Summary of Water Hammer Protection
Method of protection (in
approximate order of
increasing cost)

Required range of
variables

Inertia of pump

MN 2
> 0 .01
wALH 02
cV0
>> 1
gH0

Pump bypass reflux valve

Remarks

Approximate only
Some water may also be
drawn through the pump

In-line reflux valve

cV0
>1
gh

Normally used in conjunction

with some other method of
protection. Water column
separation possible

Automatic release valve

cV0
<< 1
gH0

Pipeline profile should be

convex downwards. Water
column separation likely

2L
> 5 sec s
c

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Surge protection options

Summary of Water Hammer Protection
Method of protection (in
approximate order of
increasing cost)

Required range of
variables

Air vessel

cV0
<1
gH0

Pipeline profile preferably

convex downwards

cV0
>1
gh

H = pressure head at tank,

Pipeline profile should be
convex upwards

Discharge tanks

Surge tanks

Limited height

Remarks

Pipeline profile should be

near hydraulic grade line to
limit the height of tank
(practical)

A = Pipeline cross -sectional area (m)

L = pipeline length (m)

c = wave celerity (m/s)

M = moment of inertia of rotating parts of pump, motor and entra ined water (nm)

g = gravitational acceleration (m/s)

N = pump speed (rpm)

h = pressure head at an intermediate section of the pipeline (m)

w = weight of water per unit volume (Nm)

H0 = pumping head above suction reservoir level (m)

Computer-Aided Transient
Analyses
Surge 5

13

THEORETICAL
OVERVIEW OF SURGE
ANALYSES

THANK YOU !

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