Pipeline transient hydraulics: Surge in pipelines and valve selection

摘要

There are a wide range of situations where transient events can take place. These situations can range from small-scale, household events to larger operational events on pipelines or within processing facilities. Household transient events can occur when a faucet or tap is closed rapidly. This creates water hammer, which creates a knocking sound that resonates throughout the house. Closing the faucet results in a sudden blockage of the flow and since water is an incompressible fluid, a pressure surge wave travels backwards through the piping system. Such a pressure surge can result in exceeding the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of the system and a corresponding failure of the piping system.