Transient Analysis and Design Considerations

for Hydraulic Pipelines Jonathan Funk, EIT

Transient Analysis 2

Objectives

• Develop an intuitive understanding

of water hammer and transient
response

• Present a case study where

transient analysis mattered

• NOT Teach the science of wave

formation and propagation
(too many formulas)

May 29, 2015

Transient Analysis 3

Definitions

Water Hammer (noun)

The concussion and accompanying
noise that result when a volume of
water moving in a pipe suddenly
stops or loses momentum.

Transient Response (noun)

The response of a system to a
change from equilibrium.

Source: water hammer. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved May 19, 2015, from
Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/water hammer

May 29, 2015

Transient Response 4

Everyone’s Favorite Analogy

Flow >

Energy Absorption

May 29, 2015

Transient Analysis 5

Overview So Far

• Decelerating flow increases pressure

• Pressure spikes can travel and
oscillate throughout a pipeline
• Design for transient pressures!
(not just “Steady State”)
• Prevent or absorb pressure spikes

May 29, 2015

Transient Analysis
Case Study – Skookum Creek Power Project6

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 7

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 8

March 11, 2011

Skookum Creek Power Project 9

• Located near Squamish, BC

• 6.4 km FRP & Steel pipeline
• 1.8 – 2.2 m diameter
• 340m elevation change
• 9,900 L/s design flow
• Rated Capacity: ~25 MW

March 11, 2011

Skookum Creek Power Project 10

Hydraulic Scenarios
• Power Generation = Flow x Pressure = $ (Steady State)
• Normal shut-down – No long-term damage (Transient)
• Emergency shut-down – No short-term damage (Transient)
• Needle Valve Failure – Survivability (Transient)

May 29, 2015

 Transient Analysis 11

Max HGL Envelope

Pressure Rise
∆P
Reservoir
Hydraulic Grade Line (Steady State)
∆P

Flow > ∆P

Min HGL Envelope Gate valve

∆ ∆
(negative pressure)
where
∆P = change in head (m) (pressure rise)
a = wave speed (m/s) (“communication” speed)
g = acceleration of gravity (m/s2)
∆V = change in velocity (m/s)

May 29, 2015

Transient Analysis 12

Negative Pressure & Cavitation

Siphon

-14 psi

At standard temperature and

pressures, cavitation starts
at -10m HGL (-14 psi)

May 29, 2015

Skookum Creek Power Project 13

Design Limitations
• Topography
• Hydrology & Wetlands

• Old Growth Management

Areas (protected)

• Site Access (de-activated

forest service roads)

• Geotechnical Conditions

• Max/Min Elevations

• Hydraulics!

May 29, 2015

Skookum Creek Power Project 14

Steady State Analysis

• More headloss = less pressure = less power generation

• Design flow and pipeline deterioration

• Siphon! Hard to release air. Closer to Cavitation.

• Remote site considerations

Recommendation: Eliminate Siphon

May 29, 2015

Normal Operations (12 minute shut-down) 15

Outcomes
• Nothing to worry about

• Ongoing, successful operation

May 29, 2015

Emergency Shut-down 16

Max Transient HGL

Min Transient HGL

Negative Pressure Surge Tower

Initial Outcomes
• Negative Pressures (enough for cavitation)
• Initial ‘Emergency Period’ too short
• Additional protection required
• Recommendation: Add a Surge Tower

May 29, 2015

Emergency Shut-down (90 seconds) 17

Surge Tower

Final Outcomes
• Determined 90 second threshold for emergency shut-down
• Addition of surge tower (doubles as air release)
• Successfully completed project, potential problems
prevented

May 29, 2015

Transient Analysis 18

Overview

• ∆P ∝ ∆V (“is proportional to”)

• Design for pressure spikes (not just steady state)
• -14 psi = Cavitation (please avoid)
• Change flows as slow as you can manage
• Transient Analysis is understanding and
mitigating these phenomenon

May 29, 2015

Transient Analysis 19

Common Sources of Water Hammer

• Valve Operation (Fast AND Slow)
• Pump Start-up / Pump Shut-down
• Power Failure
Mitigation
• Perform a transient analysis
• Slow down your flow changes (prevention!)
• Pressure relief / vacuum break
• Combination air release / vacuum valves
• Surge tanks

May 29, 2015

Special thanks to:
Adrian Gygax (Gygax Engineering Associates)
Peter Zell (Run of River Power)
Ted Steele (KWL)
Steve Mills (KWL)

Transient Analysis and Design Considerations

for Hydraulic Pipelines Jonathan Funk, EIT