800 Surge Pressure

Abstract
This section presents the basic physical principles involved in surge and a method
for approximating surge pressure in simple cases. In addition, it identifies two
computer programs available within the Company for analysis of complex fluid
pressure transients.

Chevron Corporation

Contents

Page

810

Introduction

800-2

820

Maximum Surge Pressure in a Simple Case

800-2

830

Surge Computer Programs

800-7

840

References

800-7

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800 Surge Pressure

Fluid Flow Manual

810 Introduction
If a valve is closed rapidly in a line containing flowing liquid, the inertia of the
flowing liquid will increase the pressure at the valve. This effect is called surge,
and the increase in pressure is called surge pressure. Surge can cause extremely
rapid changes in pressurerapid enough to cause the metallic percussions
commonly called water hammer. The surge pressure wave will then propagate back
up the line, and may cause mechanical damage.
Water flowing at 10 ft/sec can generate a surge pressure rise of about 500 psi. Bulk
modulus values for hydrocarbons are generally lower than for water, but surge pressures are still significant considerations in designing hydrocarbon piping systems.
See Figures 800-1 through 800-3.
This section provides a method for approximating the maximum surge pressure in a
simple system. Because of nonlinear elements in the analysis, a more thorough
calculation of surge pressure can be a complex problem. See Section 840 for
sources providing more general solution techniques.

820 Maximum Surge Pressure in a Simple Case

The simplest case is of flow through a line starting at a vessel and ending at a valve
(see Figure 800-4).
When the valve is closed, the kinetic energy of the flowing liquid is converted to
surge pressure as the liquid compresses and the pipe wall stretches. The conversion
of kinetic energy to surge pressure propagates in a wave upstream to the vessel at
the velocity of sound in the liquid, followed by a return negative pressure wave
back to the valve. This cycle repeats with diminishing intensity until damped
completely.
To a first approximation, the magnitude of the surge pressure is directly proportional to the change in velocity. It follows that maximum surge pressure occurs
when the flow is stopped completely and quickly. To calculate surge pressure, the
velocity of sound in the liquid must be calculated using Equation 800-1.

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800-2

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Fig. 800-1

800 Surge Pressure

Average Bulk Modulus for Crude Oil, Fuel Oil, Gas Oil, and Gasoline

Chevron Corporation

800-3

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800 Surge Pressure

Fig. 800-2

Fluid Flow Manual

Average Bulk Modulus for Lubricating Oils

January 1990

800-4

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Fluid Flow Manual

Fig. 800-3

Bulk Modulus of Water

Fig. 800-4

SurgeSimple Case

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800 Surge Pressure

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Fluid Flow Manual

144Kg
------------------------------KDC
1 + -------------

Et
(Eq. 800-1)

where:
= speed of sound through liquid in pipe, ft/sec
K = bulk modulus of liquid, psi. For hydrocarbon liquids, see Figures
800-2 and 800-3; for water, see Figure 800-4.
= density of liquid, lbm/ft3
g = 32.2 ft lbm/sec2 lbf
D = inside diameter of pipe, inches
t = wall thickness of pipe, inches
E = modulus of elasticity of pipe material, psi
C = constant which depends on pipe fixity
= 0.91 for line anchored against axial movement
= 0.95 for unrestrained line
A pressure disturbance generated at the valve will propagate back to the vessel and
return to the valve in a propagation time equal to 2L/ (where L = line length
between vessel and valve in feet). If the valve closing time (T) is less than 2L/, the
surge pressure can be approximated by
V
2L
P = ---------------- for T < ------
144g
(Eq. 800-2)

where:
P = surge pressure, psi
V = total change in velocity, ft/sec
T = valve closing time, sec
2L/ = propagation time, sec
This solution is only an approximation tailored to this simple case. For example,
this equation is not valid if the valve closing time is greater than 2L/. Section 840,
references 1, 2, and 3, presents general techniques for calculating surge pressure
accurately and in more complex situations.

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Fluid Flow Manual

800 Surge Pressure

830 Surge Computer Programs

The SURGE computer program available on the VM mainframe engineering
program library (HOVMA) is described in Section 1100 and Appendix H of this
manual. This software performs a rigorous analysis of pressure transients for
common applications.
The HYDRESS computer program calculates fluid transients in small-diameter flexible conduits (instrument control and subsea lines) and is available on VM Houston
(OELIB).

840 References

Chevron Corporation

1.

Symposium on Surges in Pipelines, The Institution of Mechanical Engineers,

Proceedings 1965-66, Vol. 180, Part 3E.

2.

Hydraulic Transients, Rich, G. R., Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1963.

3.

Hydraulic Transients, Streeter, V. L., Wylie, E. B., McGraw-Hill, 1967.

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