PIPENET Vision Training Manual Chapter

PIPENET VISION
TRAINING MANUAL
TRANSIENT MODULE
CHAPTER 1
BASIC CONCEPTS AND INTRODUCTORY EXAMPLES
Revision 2.1, February 2016

PIPENET VISION TRAINING MANUAL TRANSIENT: CHAPTER 1
PAGE 1 OF 51 REVISION 2.1, FEB 2016
1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................2
2. COMPONENTS AND LIBRARIES ..................................................................................................................2
3. CREATING A NETWORK ...............................................................................................................................3
3.1 UNITS ............................................................................................................................................................3
3.2 DRAWING IN THE SCHEMATIC W INDOW............................................................................................................3
3.3 COMPONENT PROPERTIES ..............................................................................................................................4
3.4 COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS.........................................................................................................................4
3.5 MORE ON NODES ...........................................................................................................................................4
3.6 FITTINGS .......................................................................................................................................................4
3.7 USING THE DATA W INDOW .............................................................................................................................5
3.8 CHECK NETWORK ..........................................................................................................................................5
4. FORCES ..........................................................................................................................................................6
5. THE SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT ...............................................................................................................7
5.1 FLUID PROPERTIES .........................................................................................................................................7
5.2 AMBIENT CONDITIONS.....................................................................................................................................7
5.3 SIMULATION TIME AND TIME-STEP ...................................................................................................................7
5.4 GRAPHICAL/TABULAR TIMES AND TIME-STEP ...................................................................................................7
5.5 STEADY STATE AND RUN-IN TIME ....................................................................................................................8
6. CALCULATION RESULTS .............................................................................................................................9
6.1 SCHEMATIC VIEW ...........................................................................................................................................9
6.2 OUTPUT REPORT............................................................................................................................................9
6.3 GRAPHS ........................................................................................................................................................9
6.4 FORCES ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
7. PIPENET TRANSIENT COMPONENTS – QUICK REFERENCE ............................................................... 11
8. INTRODUCTORY EXAMPLES .................................................................................................................... 17
8.1 SINGLE PIPE PROBLEM ............................................................................................................................... 17
8.2 THREE-PIPE PROBLEM ................................................................................................................................. 41
9. CONCLUDING REMARKS .......................................................................................................................... 51
1. Introduction
The PIPENET Transient module models flows and forces in pipe networks and how they
evolve with time. The results calculated can be displayed as graphs or tables in a report file.
The Transient module has two options, Spray and Standard. The Standard option is the
default general use option, whilst the Spray option is for the analysis of fire protection systems
in accordance with either NFPA or FOC rules.
Other sources of information on using PIPENET Transient are:

 The Help menu system
 The Training manuals and data files (supplied on the PIPENET CD)
 Demonstrations (supplied on the PIPENET CD)
2. Components and Libraries
A PIPENET network model is constructed from Components. Most of these are components
through which fluid flows, such as pipes, valves, pumps, or tanks. Additional components
allow you to model control systems, such as sensors and PID controllers which change the
state of other components when certain conditions occur in the network. We will provide a full
summary of the components offered by PIPENET later in this chapter.
Many aspects of the components you create will be common to many projects. For example,
although the length and position of a specific pipe will be specific to the project in which it is
used, the schedules of available pipe materials and diameters can be common to several
projects. PIPENET promotes data reuse and consistency via the idea of a Library which
contains the reusable data for:
 Pipe schedules
 Fittings
 Valves
 Pumps
Other components such as caissons or PID controllers have no reusable aspects and are
always defined in-situ.
Library data is created via the Libraries option in PIPENET’s menu bar. When you save your
work, the library information is saved to a file with a .SLF (Sunrise Library File) suffix, and the
project-specific information is saved to an .SDF (Sunrise Data File). You can reuse an SLF
file in another project by opening it as a System Library.
When you later re-open your project (SDF) file, any libraries which it references will be
opened for you automatically.
3. Creating a Network
3.1 Units
For each measure (length, flow rate, etc), you can choose the units which you want to use
and the number of decimal places to display, using the Options | Units menu.
3.2 Drawing in the Schematic Window
Once you have created any library data you need, you can create the components in your
network.
Components can be placed directly in the Schematic Window using the mouse. Components
through which fluid flows have one or more Flow Nodes drawn as solid black dots. Where
flow nodes of different components coincide, the components are automatically connected in
the network. Similarly, components which are part of a control loop have Information Nodes
which are connected where they coincide.
Components are automatically assigned a unique label by PIPENET. Prefixing labels with a
tag (e.g. RING/27) is recommended, to improve readability and increase the number of
different components that can be labelled.
Options | Display Options allows you set up an isometric or plan grid to help you input the
data, and choose whether or not you want to display node and link labels. If you have an
existing drawing in Metafile or AutoCAD DXF format, you can use View | Import Graphical
Underlay to display it. For large networks, you might want to use the overview window (View
| Schematic overview) to help you navigate around the network.
Schematic drawings are NOT to scale!
3.3 Component properties
The Properties of a component appear in the Properties Window (if it is not visible use
View│Properties) to make the properties of a particular component appear in the property
window click on the component in the Schematic window.
The properties window allows certain aspects of a component to be edited. For example the
properties of a pipe that can be altered are Label, Type, Diameter, Length, Net-height
change, Roughness and Additional k-factor. If a property cannot be edited by the user, it will
appear greyed-out.
3.4 Component specifications
The Specification of a component is a description of how it behaves as time passes.

Specifications are also viewed and edited in the properties window. To see the specification
of a component, click on the Information Node that is attached perpendicularly to the
component in the schematic window (it is drawn as a thick circle).
3.5 More on nodes
We have mentioned two kinds of node above:

 A Flow Node - a physical point in the network, through which fluid flows.
 An Information Node - these are used to attach specifications to components, and to
connect together components into a control loop.
 If a flow node is a point at which fluid enters or leaves the network, it is also referred to
as an Input/Output node.
Input/Output nodes have a specification attached, that describes the boundary value
pressures and flow rates with respect to time.
3.6 Fittings
Some examples of fittings are bends, butterfly valves or tee-bends in pipes. They can be
added to a selected pipe using the Fittings tab of the Properties window.
Alternatively, if the k-factor of the fittings on a pipe is known, then the fittings do not need to
be modelled explicitly, and the k-factor can be entered as an “additional k-factor” in the pipe
properties.
3.7 Using the Data Window
The Data Window is an invaluable tool for viewing and editing your network in tabular form,
and/or selecting results that you want PIPENET to calculate. If it is not visible you can enable
it with View│Data Window.
Within the Data Window, the data tab displays tables showing all objects of the same type
that are drawn in the Schematic window. There is a wide range of choices for the “object
type” such as
 Any component type (pipe, pump, caisson, etc)
 Nodes
 Specifications
You can sort the items within the data tab to quickly identify those of interest, and clicking on
a row in the table will highlight the corresponding item in the schematic. There are copy and
paste facilities to make the same change to multiple rows, and you can even copy data to and
from a Spreadsheet program!
We will discuss other tabs of the Data Window later.
3.8 Check Network
We recommend that you check your network for basic errors before attempting a full
calculation, using this toolbar button:
4. Forces
PIPENET allows you to define the forces which you wish to measure using the Forces tab of
the Data Window. Forces may be Simple or Complex.
To define a Complex Force, you need to supply PIPENET with a connected series of
components, and two end conditions - one at the inlet and one at the outlet to the component
series. Each end condition requires:
 The surface normal to the pipe direction, facing outward from the “Control volume”
containing the selected components
 Whether the end condition is “rigid” (such as an elbow or a section of piping) or
“elastic” (such as a hose or an open tank)
The resultant force on the component series will be calculated by summing:

 The External Body Force, which includes the weight of the components and the fluid
in them.
 The static force (due to fluid pressure)
 The dynamic force (due the momentum change of the fluid)
 Frictional force
A Simple Force is a special case in which all of the components lie in a straight line on the
same axis. In this case the surface normal at both the inlet and outlet can be deduced and do
not need to be specified by the user. There is no external body force option, as its direction is
unlikely to be along the common axis. Simple Force is usually the appropriate choice for third
party force analysis programs.
Note that the momentum change is measured according to the difference in orientation of the
inlet and outlet surface normals, not according to the geometry of any components used. In
practice, a force should only use a sequence of components with no internal elastic joints or
anchors. Sequences which do not meet these criteria should be sub-divided into smaller
component sequences.
5. The Simulation Environment
As well as the network components, there are some additional parameters which we need to
specify to determine the outcome of the simulation.
5.1 Fluid properties

The fluid properties can be defined in Options│Fluid,
5.2 Ambient conditions

The ambient conditions are defined in Options│Module options. PIPENET needs to know
these conditions in case air enters the system.
5.3 Simulation Time and time-step

The Simulation Time is the length of time that the simulation runs for.
The Calculation time-step controls the number of calculations that occur during the
simulation. Smaller time-steps lead to a higher degree of accuracy but more calculations and
a longer run time. The maximum allowed calculation time-step is the time taken for a
pressure wave to travel the length of the shortest elastic pipe in the network (you can use
short pipes as opposed to elastic pipes to increase the time-step).
Both are found in Options│Module options.
5.4 Graphical/Tabular Times and time-step

Graphical time is the period of time that will be displayed on the graph. The graphical time-
step affects the number of data points used to construct the graph. Again a smaller time-step
means more data points, which increases the display accuracy but also the time required to
write the results file and draw the graph.
The tabular time-step, called output time-step is the time-step used in the table of results.
Both the graphical and tabular controls are found in Calculation│Output
If the graphical or tabular time-steps are smaller than the calculation time-step then they will
be used as the calculation time-step.
5.5 Steady state and Run-in Time
The simulation requires that the system be in its “normal” steady state before the
perturbations under study are made. PIPENET can usually determine this steady state for
you, because is the system is set up with reasonably plausible parameters and left to run, it
will naturally converge towards its steady state,
The Run-in Time is the period of time for which the system is left to run before the simulation
proper is started, in order that the simulation begins in the steady state. PIPENET will
estimate a suitable value for the time necessary, but you can override it using Calculation
Options | Initial State.
Where control systems are used, it is more likely that the user will need to use a degree of
trial and error to determine an optimal run-in time (this is because the interactions between
different parts of the network are more complex and so the system may take longer to settle
down into a steady state).
In extreme cases, Calculation Options | Initial State also allows you to provide an “initial
guess file” which specifies the steady state of the system, though this is rarely needed.
A useful tip to check whether the amount of run-in time chosen is sufficient is to allow the
system to remain unchanged for the first couple of seconds of the simulation time (i.e.
arrange the perturbations to happen after a few seconds, not at time zero) Your result
graphs against time should then show a brief flat line at the start, proving that the system is
steady prior to the perturbation.
6. Calculation results
When you have everything ready to your satisfaction, use Calculate | Go or the toolbar
button to perform the calculation. There are several ways in which you can examine the
results.
6.1 Schematic view
PIPENET Transient allows you to annotate links and nodes on the schematic view with the
results of your calculations. Use the toolbar selectors that look like this:
You may want to change the number of decimal places displayed, which you can do using the
Display Precision fields in Options | Units.
The red buttons allow you to ask for links and nodes to be coloured according the magnitude
of the quantity concerned. PIPENET will automatically divide the range of values into
coloured-coded sub-ranges, or you can choose your own ranges using the Colouration
menu.
6.2 Output report
Calculate | Go will ask you for a location where it will generate a .OUT file, which you can
open with Output | Report. This contains:
 Summary of the network and environment
 Maximum/minimum pressures, forces and pressure envelope
 Additional tables that you can request using the Data Window Tables tab
6.3 Graphs
6.3.1 Creating graph data

Graphs are a key feature of PIPENET Transient, clearly communicating how a chosen
variable (such as pressure or flow rate) varies over time at a chosen point in the network.
The raw graph data is created in a .RES file whose location you specify when you invoke the
calculation.
Because there is a lot of computation and disk space required for the graph data, PIPENET
only generates the data for certain variables and network locations which you can choose.
You need to make this choice before you perform the calculation, either by:
 Right-clicking on one or more network components, and using the Select Results
menu. This is generally the easiest way for simple networks.
 Using the Data Window Result Graphs tab.
Note that pipes, unlike all other components, have a choice of whether the observed quantity
is to be measured against time or against distance along the pipe.
Also note that Forces, unlike all other observables can only be chosen via using the Results
Graph Tab.
6.3.2 Viewing graphs in the Graph Viewer

There are two ways to invoke the Graph Viewer:
 Right-click a network component, and use the View Results menu
 Use Output | Graphs
Once the Graph viewer is running, you have a variety of options at your disposal, such as:
 Selecting and overlaying different graphs
 Annotating the graphs
 Choosing fonts and line styles
 Zooming and Printing
 Opening a previously created .RES file.
6.4 Forces
When there is pressure surge, pipe systems often become damaged because of transient
hydraulic forces. Pressure surges can produce large unbalanced forces, which can be
particularly dangerous especially if the system is not well supported. The definitive method
for determining whether a system can sustain damage is by calculating the transient hydraulic
forces and performing pipe stress analysis calculations (using programs such as Caesar II or
Rohr 2).
It is clear, therefore, that hydraulic transient forces are of fundamental importance. In

PIPENET VISION, both the change in the pressure and the momentum are used to calculate
hydraulic forces.
The Transient module offers a choice of calculating either the total forces or just the dynamic
forces. The total force is the sum of the steady state and dynamic forces. Information about
forces can be viewed in the output report or the Graphic Viewer as described above.
In addition, details of each force are output to a .FRC file, whose location you specify when
you start the calculation. This file contains the information that is typically required by third
party force analysis tools.
7. PIPENET Transient Components – Quick Reference
7.1 Pipes
(Elastic) Pipe
 These are the normal pipes to use for modelling with PIPENET Transient. They are
assumed to have a uniform circular cross sectional area
Short Pipe
 The Short Pipe is used to model incompressible flow through a rigid pipe. Pressure
transients are assumed to travel across the short pipe instantaneously.
 Because PIPENET Transient determines the calculation time step according to the
shortest elastic pipes in the network, using a short pipe as a replacement for an elastic
pipe can offer great savings in computational time.
Pipe Bundle
 Models a bundle of connected pipes that have the same diameters and lengths
 Typically used to model heat exchanges and condensers
 Breaks and leaks can be modelled.
 It is assumed that fluid inside the pipe is a liquid, and the outside environment is at a
constant pressure if a break or leakage is modelled.
Compressible Pipe
 The compressible pipe is specialised to simulate the first path of a shock wave caused
by a sudden increase in pressure at the inlet of the pipe, such as when a pressure
relief valve opens very rapidly.
 It is rarely used.
7.2 Fittings
Fittings
For example bends, tee-pieces, and filters, these do not appear explicitly as components, but
are added to pipes via the Fittings Tab in the Properties window
As noted earlier, you do not need to model fittings explicitly if you know their k-factor.
7.3 Pumps
Simple Pump
 Provides a pressure increase which depends on the pump speed and performance
(pressure vs. flow-rate) curve
 A variety of ways are provided to define the performance curve in the library
 This model simulates the behaviour of a pump in the positive quadrant only (positive
rotor speed, positive flow rate and positive pump head)
Turbo Pump
 Like a simple pump but with the added feature that it can ‘spin-down’ due to a pump
failure
 Uses Suter Characteristic Curves, which define pressure head and torque as a
function of flow rate and pump speed over all possible operating conditions
 This model simulates the behaviour of a pump in all four quadrants (any combination of
rotor speed, flow directions and pump head)
Inertial Pump
 Works like a simple pump at the steady state, but can simulate transient behaviour
during start-up and stopping
 Suter curves are not required for an inertial pump.
 This model simulates the behaviour of a pump in the positive quadrant only.
7.4 Valves
Valves are components that have variable resistances to flow, causing a pressure drop
across the valve.
Operating Valve
 General purpose valve whose setting is specified by the user through its information
node
Regulator Valve
 Models a pressure control valve that has a controllable reaction time.
 PIPENET calculates the valve position is calculated so that a specified pressure
upstream or downstream of the valve is maintained
7.5 Non-Return Valves
Non-return Valves have the characteristic that little to no fluid is allowed to flow in the
negative direction.
Non-return Valve
 Allows unrestricted flow from the input to output node, but prevents all flow in the
reverse direction.
Check Valve
 Models a swing-gate type non-return valve
 A certain amount of flow is permitted in the reverse direction, according to the flow and
pressure near the valve and the valve's physical characteristics.
Fluid Damping Check Valve

 A kind of check valve with a translating disk and plug
 The flow in the forward and reverse directions depends on the hydrodynamic forces
acting on a valve plug and damping disk.
Inertial Check Valve

 Models a check valve with a swing door hinged at the top.
 Offers a detailed mechanistic model that takes into account parameters such as
damping, the spring constant and the mass of the disc
 The valve setting is determined by pressure and flow in the vicinity of the valve.
7.6 Relief Valves
Relief valves have the characteristic that the fluid is allowed to flow out if the pressure
becomes too high
Liquid Surge Relief Valve

 Used to relieve pressure surges
 This valve allow fluid to flow out if the pressure is too high
Bursting Disc
 Protects the system from high pressures
 If the defined rupture pressure is reached, the disc will open in a time specified by the
user and will not shut again during the simulation
Pressure Surge Release

 Modelled on a Daniel Model 762 gas loaded relief/back pressure control valve
 Regulates and controls maximum pipeline pressures, or maintains a minimum back

pressure in a system
Vacuum Breaker
 Allows air at atmospheric pressure into the system thereby compensating for cavitation
 The air is expelled to the atmosphere when the system pressure begins to rise again
7.7 Tanks
Accumulator
 Consists of a sealed cylinder or sphere with a single inlet/outlet
 Trapped air acts as a cushion against pressure surges
 Simulation stops if the accumulator drains completely.
Surge Tank
 Consists of an open-ended tank in which the fluid can rise/fall as pressure surges
occur near its inlet/outlet
 Simulation stops if the surge tank drains (when dry pipe model is inactivated) or
overflows during the simulation
Receiving Vessel
 Identical to a surge tank, but allows overflow out of the tank
 Weir crests can be specified
 Simulation stops if the receiving vessel drains completely (when dry pipe model is
inactivated).
Simple Tank
 A pressurised tank with constant internal pressure
 An inlet located at the top of the tank allows the fluid to flow into the tank and an outlet
located at the bottom of the tank allows the fluid to flow out the tank.
 Simulation stops if the simple tank drains completely or the inlet flow rate is negative.
7.8 Caissons
One Node Caisson

 Pipe that is sealed at one end with an air inlet/outlet valve, with the other end
connected to the network
 Can be used to models pipes which are part-filled or dry.
 Simulation stops if the simple tank drains completely or the fluid reaches the critical
depth.
Two Node Caisson Type One

Same as the one-node caisson except:
 It has a built in non-return-valve at the caisson outlet (so the caisson will drain if the
flow reverses)
 There is also a built in air valve just before the built-in non-return valve which is the
only path for an air exchange with the ambient atmosphere
 If the caisson fills it behaves as a Short Pipe
Two Node Caisson Type Two

Differs from the type one caisson in that:
 The valve is opened or closed automatically according to pressure difference and fluid
level specifications
 When the pipe is full the elastic pipe model is used (instead of the short pipe model)
7.9 General pressure loss
General Pressure Loss

 Used to model a pressure drop where the resistance factor varies with flow-rate in a
complex relationship (beyond, say, the operating valve models provided).
7.10 Control Systems

Control systems can be introduced into a network to allow components such as valves or
pumps to react to changes in pressure at a node or flow rate between two nodes
7.10.1 Sensors
All of the sensors listed below can be analogue or digital. They accept the same input, but
the output of digital is discrete, and digital has an additional “scan frequency” parameter.
Flow Sensor
 Provides an instantaneous reading for the flow rate
Pressure Sensor
 Provides an instantaneous reading for the pressure
Pressure Difference Sensor

 Provides an instantaneous reading for the pressure difference
Transfer Function
 Models the dynamics – i.e. response characteristics – of a device such as a sensor, a
valve, or a pump
PID Controller
 Takes a signal from a sensor or transfer function and converts it to a control signal for
the device to be controlled
 Enables a target value (of flow-rate, pressure or pressure-difference) to be specified for
an area/the system to tend to.
 There are three types of controller; P – proportional, I – integral, D – differential. These
can be used can be used in isolation or conjunction to give a wide range of controller
behaviours.
Cascade PID Controller

 Similar to a PID controller, but the set point (i.e. target value) does not have to be
constant throughout the simulation. It can be time, pressure, flow-rate or pressure-
difference dependent or may be the output of another control system.
Switch
 Used to operate components according to a specific time or a pressure, flow-rate or
pressure difference reading
Signal Selector
 Used to select the minimum or maximum of two input signals, or to operate according
to the first signal until a designated time and the second signal thereafter.
8. Introductory Examples
In the following examples, the standard Windows menu style is used (under Window | Use
Windows menu style), as opposed to the PIPENET style (Window | Use PIPENET menu
style). If the latter were used, the menu headings would be slightly different (for example,
there is an Init Menu with the PIPENET style), and the some of the dialog boxes would be
slightly different in appearance.
8.1 Single Pipe Problem
In this problem, the model consists of a single pipe and a valve. The following cases are to
be considered.
 Case 1: A single pipe with a valve, which closes in 1 second

 Case 2: A single pipe with a valve, which closes in 5 seconds
 Case 3: Add a non-return valve at the inlet, and close the valve in 1 second
 Case 4: Add a pump at the inlet, and close the valve in 1 second.
The Standard Option of PIPENET VISION Transient Option is to be used for all four cases of
this problem.
8.1.1 Case 1
In this problem, there is a single pipe with a valve, and the valve closes in 1 second.
The following diagram illustrates the PIPENET VISION schematic, which represents the
network for the first two cases.
Please do not input the schematic at this stage, as it is better to input certain preliminary data
before entering the network.
Units
Metric units are to be used, but with diameters in inches, pressures in bar Gauge, and flow
rates in m³/hr.
On the page from Options | Units, choose “User defined”. Next, double-click on “Diameter”,
and select “in”, for inches. Also, double-click on “Pressure”, and select “bar Gauge”. For the
flow rate, double-click on “Flow type”, double-click on “Volumetric flow”, and then select
“m³/hr”.
Simulation time
The simulation time (from Options | Module options) is to begin at zero seconds, and end at
20 seconds. Also, a user-defined time step of 0.01 seconds is to be used.
Pipe Schedule
The pipe schedule (from Options | Pipe types) is AnsiB3610, Schedule40, which is one of
the built-in types.
Fluid properties
The fluid is water at 20°C, which is one the built-in fluids of PIPENET VISION.
The Network
Enter the network.

Pipe Data
Enter the following values for the pipe (which has no fittings).
Pipe length = 100 m

Pipe diameter = 1 inch
Pipe elevation = 0
The properties window dialog box for the pipe is shown below.
It can be seen that the wave speed is calculated to be 1426.59 m/sec.
Valve Data
Choose the flow coefficient, Cv, for the valve to be 10 m3/hr, bar1/2, and select a linear opening
profile. As described before, this data can be input directly into the dialog box for the valve,
without using the library.
The input of the network itself is now complete. However, the operating conditions and the
required output data remain to be specified.
Operating Conditions
The following conditions are to be specified.
Inlet pressure of pipe = 3 bar G

Outlet pressure of valve = 1 bar G
To enter a specification, click on the relevant node, to reveal the properties window for the
node, and then enter the data as shown below.
Valve Closure
The data and dialog box for the valve closure are as follows.
Type of closure = Ramp function

Start time of ramp = 2 seconds
Start value = 1 (Fully open)
Stop time of ramp = 3 sec
Stop Value = 0 (Fully closed)
Exponent = 1 (Linear closure)
Graphical Output
Specify the graphical output for all variables of the pipe using the following procedure.
 Select View | Data window, and click on the Result Graphs Tab.
 Click on the ellipsis (i.e., “…”) under “Variable against Time”.
 Choose “Pipe” from the pull-down menu.
In a similar manner, select all of the variables for the valve.
Tabular Output
Use the following steps to select the pressure at four equally spaced points on the pipe.
 Select a Data Window (from View | Data window).

 Select the Tables Tab.
 Click on Add to enter new table.
 Enter a title for the table, and press the carriage-return key.
 Click on the ellipsis (i.e., “…”), and use the two pull-down menus to choose Pipe 1.
 Tick the box entitled “Pressure at n points”, and enter 4 in the next cell.
The completed dialog box is shown below.
General Data for Output Files
The time step for graphical output is to be 0.01 seconds.
A certain amount of experience is needed to specify a suitable value for the time step for
graphical output. In this example, the pipe lengths are 100 m, and the order of magnitude of
the wave speed is 1000 m/sec. The time step for the calculation would, therefore, be
approximately 0.1 sec, and so it would take around 0.2 sec for the pressure wave to travel
from one end of a pipe to the other, and then return. Therefore, a time step for graphical
output of 0.01 sec would provide 40 points between the peaks in pressure as the wave travels
back and forth twice between two consecutive peaks.
It should also be noted that, in this simulation, the time step for graphical output would be the
controlling factor in determining the calculation time step. The reason is that the graphical
output time step is smaller than the time step for numerical stability. The calculation time step
must be less than or equal to (a) the time step for numerical stability, (b) the time steps for
tabular output, (c) the time step for graphical output, and (d) the time step for forces output.
Alternatively, as is shown in the dialog box below, the user can directly specify the calculation
time step (which is the case in this simulation).
User defined
time step
Under Calculation | Options…, click on the Output Tab. Next, specify the name of the output
files and the name of the file for graphical output. Also, enter a value for the time step for
graphical output. A file name for the standard output (which contains tabular output) is
mandatory, as PIPENET VISION always writes out items such as diagnostics, maximum and
minimum pressures, input data and other useful information about the simulation, even if
tabular results are not required. The graph data file contains the numerical values that are
used to create the required graphs.
Time step for

graphical output
Performing the Calculation
The calculation is carried out when the user either (a) selects Calculate | Go… then clicks on
the OK Button, or (b) clicks on the Calculate Button. Both of these methods are illustrated in
the following diagrams.
Calculate
Command
Calculate
Button
The Status Bar indicating the progress of the calculation is shown below.
Viewing the Graphical Results
The details of output control are shown in Section 1 of this document.
The following procedure can be used to view the inlet pressure of the valve.
 Select Output | Graphs… or click on the Graph Button.

 Ensure that the Time Graphs Tab is selected.
 Click on the triangle next to the directory tree (to see the directory tree).
 Click on the triangle next to “All variables of pipe 1”.
 Tick the box for ”Inlet pressure of valve 1”.
The other graphs that have been requested can be viewed using a similar procedure.
Graph Button
The required graph is shown below.
Viewing the Tabular Results
The tabular results are present in the output report file, which can be viewed either from
Output | Report… or by clicking on the Browse Output Button. The user then needs to select
an appropriate browsing option (namely, Output browser, Write, or Word) and click on the OK
Button.
Browse-output
Button
Data for the maximum and minimum pressures in the system appear in the output file, as
follows.
PRESSURE EXTREMA
----------------
Maximum pressure is 19.9819 bar G

on pipe 1 at the outlet
at time 3.000000 seconds
Minimum pressure is -13.3651 bar G

on pipe 1 at the outlet
at time 3.140000 seconds
The following results for the pressures along the pipe are present in the output file.
Pressures for four equally spaced points on Pipe 1
PIPE PIPE PIPE PIPE

1 1 1 1
Time P(0.0) P(33.3) P(66.7) P(100.0)
seconds bar G bar G bar G bar G
0.000 3.000 2.387 1.773 1.160

1.000 3.000 2.387 1.773 1.160
2.000 3.000 2.387 1.773 1.160
3.000 3.000 7.968 13.466 19.982
4.000 3.000 -2.434 -8.176 -9.586
5.000 3.000 8.917 11.828 12.271
6.000 3.000 -1.366 -2.949 -3.446
7.000 3.000 4.579 6.159 6.752
8.000 3.000 3.555 2.624 2.046
9.000 3.000 1.776 0.871 0.991
10.000 3.000 4.647 6.457 7.711
11.000 3.000 0.864 -1.249 -2.242
12.000 3.000 5.543 7.205 7.595
13.000 3.000 0.651 -0.396 -0.677
14.000 3.000 4.349 5.266 5.586
15.000 3.000 2.763 2.078 1.728
16.000 3.000 2.603 2.530 2.691
17.000 3.000 3.759 4.528 4.929
18.000 3.000 1.892 0.771 0.163
19.000 3.000 4.437 5.531 5.884
20.000 3.000 1.475 0.669 0.456
Minimum 3.000 -5.454 -10.309 -13.365

Maximum 3.000 11.717 16.736 19.982
It is clear from the graphical and tabular results that cavitation must be modelled (as the
minimum pressure is less than the vapour pressure of the fluid).
Therefore, vapour cavitation is enabled by selecting the appropriate option under Options |
Module options.
The following graph for the pressure at the valve inlet is then obtained.
The cavitation option is to remain enabled for the other three cases of this introductory
problem.
8.1.2 Case 2
In this case, there is a single pipe with a valve, which closes in 5 seconds. Note that vapour
cavitation is enabled.
The specification for the valve operation is changed as follows.
The calculation is performed again, and the following graph is obtained.

The maximum pressure for this case is considerably less than that in Case 1. Also, there are
no cavitation effects now.
8.1.3 Case 3
For this case, there is a non-return valve at the inlet, and the valve is closed in 1 second.
The non-return valve is added to the network before Node 1, as follows.
The specification on Node 1 needs to be removed.

A specification is to be added to the new Node 5 as follows.
The specification for valve closure should be changed from 1 second to 3 seconds.
Also, the simulation should run from 0 to 10 seconds (in Options | Module options and
Calculation | Options… | Output).
The following pressure graph is obtained for the inlet to Valve 1.
The problems for Cases 1 and 3 are very similar, yet the results are significantly different. In
fact, it is clear that the final steady-state pressure for Case 3 will be above the inlet pressure
of the system. Why?
The answer is as follows. When the valve closes, the fluid in front of the valve immediately
stops. However, the fluid at the inlet of the pipe continues to move. The fluid is able to move
because the part of the pipe immediately in front of it stretches, and the fluid compresses.
When this fluid tries to move back out of the pipe, it is not able to do so, owing to the
presence of the non-return valve. So, a small amount of additional fluid becomes trapped in
the pipe, which causes the final pressure in the pipe to increase to a value above the inlet
pressure of the system. This phenomenon is sometimes called “line packing”.
It is possible to confirm this explanation by looking at the flowrate at the inlet of the pipe in
Case 1. It can be seen that there is reverse flow at the inlet. The non-return valve in Case 3
prevents this reverse flow.
8.1.4 Case 4
In Case 4, a simple pump is added at the inlet, and the valve closes in 1 second.
The data for the simple pump is as follows.
Flow rate, m³/hr Pressure, bar

4.0 3.0
3.0 3.9
2.0 4.6
0.0 5.3
This pump data can be entered after selecting Libraries | Pump Coeffs. unknown.
The data for the pump can be entered after the New Button has been pressed. Once the data
has been entered, the dialog box is as follows.
The network schematic must be modified to include the pump, whose type is to be “Water
Pump”.
The pressure specification (of 3 bar G) at Node 5 must be removed.
Please note that the input pressure of the pump (at Node 6) must be set to 0 bar G as shown
below (and not 3 bar G). The reason is that the pump will set the pressure at what was the
input node in the previous simulation.
Also, the pump’s information node (i.e., the node above the pump) must be set to 1 (to
indicate that the pump is operating at full speed).
Graphical results for the non-return valve can be selected by right clicking on the valve in the
Schematic Window, then choosing “Select Results” and “All”. In a similar manner, graphical
results can be selected for the pump.
Next, run the calculation, and observe the differences. The following graph can be displayed
in the graph viewer by ticking the two boxes “Inlet pressure of non-return valve 1” and “Outlet
pressure of non-return valve 1”.
8.2 Three-pipe problem
We now consider a network that contains three pipes.
8.2.1 Case 1
Use the model from Case 4 of the previous problem, and remove the operating valve that lies
beyond Pipe 1. Next, add two pipes, as shown below, each followed by a control valve. Note
that a pipe with change in direction can be created as follows.
 Click on the pipe symbol.

 Left click at the point where the pipe is to begin, and move the cursor in the required
direction of the pipe.
 Hold down the Shift Key at the point where the direction is to change, and left click.
 Release the Shift Key, and continue moving the cursor.

 Left click at the end point of the pipe.
Note that, if more changes in direction are required, the Shift Key should be held down until
after the last change in direction has been entered.
Both valves are of flow-coefficient type, with a linear opening profile, and a flow coefficient of
10 m3/hr Bar1/2. The closure times for the valves are prescribed (on the information nodes)
using power ramps, with the following values.
 Valve 1: start time = 1, start value = 1, stop time = 2, stop value = 0, exponent =1.
 Valve 2: start time = 5, start value = 1, stop time = 7, stop value = 0, exponent =1.
The closure time for Valve 2 is longer because it is expected that this valve will be the main
cause of the pressure surge.
Pipes 2 and 3 have the same properties as Pipe 1. The attributes of Pipe 1 can be copied to
Pipes 2 and 3 as follows. Firstly, right click on Pipe 1 and click on “Copy Ctrl+c”.
Next, right click on Pipe 2 and click on “Paste Ctrl+v”.
Similarly, right click on Pipe 3 and click on “Paste Ctrl+v”. The diameters and lengths of Pipes
2 and 3 should be set as 1 inch and 100 metres respectively.
A pressure of 0 bar G is to be set as inlet and outlet specifications (at Nodes 6, 8, and 10), as
these nodes are open to the atmosphere.
The other data for this problem is the same as that in the Single Pipe Problem above.
Select all of the graphical results for the two operating valves (by right clicking and choosing
“Select Results” then “All”).
After the calculation is run, the following graph of the inlet pressure of Valve 1 against time is
obtained.
8.2.2 Case 2
In this problem, accumulators are added to the network from the previous case.
Accumulators and air vessels are often used as surge suppression devices. They suppress
pressure surges in two different ways.
Firstly, they may be installed in a position where a vacuum pressure might be created. They
allow water to be released into the system, and so reduce the severity of the vacuum. The
objective is to eliminate the possibility of cavity separation, since subsequent cavity collapse
can potentially cause a large pressure surge.
Alternatively, they can be placed near a device that causes pressure surges, such as a
rapidly closing valve. Here, the accumulator could act as cushion, and so suppress the level
of the surge.
In this example we shall consider the latter case. For this reason, two accumulators are
installed just in front of the operating valves.
The following data is used for the two accumulators.
Diameter = 12 inches
Height = 1 metres
Reference fluid depth = 0.2 metres
Reference gas temperature = 25 degrees Celsius
Reference gas pressure = 0.1 bar Gauge
Graphical results can be selected for the accumulators by right clicking, then choosing “Select
Results” and “All”.
The simulation time needs to be increased, as it may take considerably longer for a system
with accumulators to reach equilibrium. The following value is used (in Options | Module
options).
Simulation time = 120 seconds
Ensure that this value is used for the graph data as well (in Calculation | Options… |
Output).
Once the simulation has been run, the inlet pressure of Valve 2 and the fluid height of
Accumulator 2 can be plotted on the same graph (by ticking the two relevant boxes).
In order to reduce the cost of building a system, it might be of interest to know how a
reduction in the accumulator size affects the behaviour. So, we now use another set of data,
which is as follows.
Diameter = 6 inches
Height = 0.25 metres
Reference fluid depth = 0.2 metres
Reference gas temperature = 25 degrees Celsius

Reference gas pressure = 0.1 bar Gauge
In this case, the simulation time is reduced:
Simulation time = 30 seconds
(for graphical output as well).
The corresponding graph for this case is as follows.
It can be seen that the first arrangement is quite satisfactory in reducing the pressure surge;
however, the second arrangement is not as effective.
8.2.3 Case 3
An alternative network is used in Case 3, in which there is a piping arrangement in front of the
accumulators. The idea is to allow water to enter the accumulator quickly, but come out of it
slowly.
The network is to be modified in the vicinity of Accumulator by inserting three pipes and a
non-return valve, as follows.
 Right click on Node 3 and select “Explode Node”.

 Left click on Node 3, and move it onto Node 13, until a red “M” (for merging) is
displayed.
 Release the left-hand mouse button.
 In the dialog box that appears, select “Yes”, to merge the flow nodes.
 Left click towards the top of the accumulator, and extend it upwards.
 Left click on the accumulator node (Node 12), and move it upwards.
 Click on the pipe icon, and create a new pipe between Nodes 13 and 12.
 Create two pipes and a non-return valve between Nodes 13 and 12.
Repeat the process for Accumulator 2.
The data for the two pipes that allow flow out the accumulators (i.e., Pipes 4 and 7) is as
follows. Please note that these pipes have an additional K-factor of 1500, representing a
throttle in the line, which offers a further resistance to flow out of the accumulators.
The data for the pipes that admit flow into the accumulators (i.e., Pipes 5, 6, 8, and 9) is
shown below.
Next, change the simulation end time to be 20 seconds.
One important point to consider is that we have now introduced short pipes into the system.
Therefore, PIPENET VISION would now choose a very small value for the calculation time
steps. However, we have already selected a user-defined time step (of 0.01 seconds) to
override the time step required for numerical stability (as can be seen from Options | Module
options).
As a matter of interest, we can see how the pipes have been divided for the calculation. To
view this information, use Calculation | Options… | Output, and then click on the Time Step
Button. Please note that, in this case, the dialog box has a scroll bar, as it is not possible to
see all of the pipe data at once.
What is of most interest is to see how the pressure surge in the system is affected. The
following graph illustrates the effect of pressure surge in the system. It clearly shows the
benefits of installing a pipe work system in front of the accumulator.
9. Concluding Remarks
In this document, we have discussed most of the basic concepts of the Transient Module.
In order to ensure that the input data is reasonable, great care must be taken to set up a
problem for the Transient Module. In the program, a large set of partial differential equations
must be solved, along with a mixture of ordinary differential equations and algebraic
equations. This is an extremely difficult problem to solve as it is.
We have seen how to set up simple examples. In the following sections, we shall discover
how to set up more practical problems.

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PIPENET VISION

BASIC CONCEPTS AND INTRODUCTORY EXAMPLES

Revision 2.1, February 2016

Other sources of information on using PIPENET Transient are:

2. Components and Libraries

3.2 Drawing in the Schematic Window

Schematic drawings are NOT to scale!

3.3 Component properties

3.4 Component specifications

The Specification of a component is a description of how it behaves as time passes.

3.5 More on nodes

We have mentioned two kinds of node above:

3.7 Using the Data Window

We will discuss other tabs of the Data Window later.

3.8 Check Network

The resultant force on the component series will be calculated by summing:

5. The Simulation Environment

5.1 Fluid properties

5.2 Ambient conditions

5.3 Simulation Time and time-step

Both are found in Options│Module options.

5.4 Graphical/Tabular Times and time-step

Both the graphical and tabular controls are found in Calculation│Output

5.5 Steady state and Run-in Time

6.1 Schematic view

6.2 Output report

6.3.1 Creating graph data

 Using the Data Window Result Graphs tab.

6.3.2 Viewing graphs in the Graph Viewer

It is clear, therefore, that hydraulic transient forces are of fundamental importance. In

7. PIPENET Transient Components – Quick Reference

7.5 Non-Return Valves

Fluid Damping Check Valve

Inertial Check Valve

7.6 Relief Valves

Liquid Surge Relief Valve

Pressure Surge Release

 Regulates and controls maximum pipeline pressures, or maintains a minimum back

One Node Caisson

Two Node Caisson Type One

Two Node Caisson Type Two

7.9 General pressure loss

General Pressure Loss

7.10 Control Systems

Pressure Difference Sensor

Cascade PID Controller

8.1 Single Pipe Problem

 Case 1: A single pipe with a valve, which closes in 1 second

Enter the network.

Pipe length = 100 m

It can be seen that the wave speed is calculated to be 1426.59 m/sec.

The following conditions are to be specified.

Inlet pressure of pipe = 3 bar G

Type of closure = Ramp function

In a similar manner, select all of the variables for the valve.

 Select a Data Window (from View | Data window).

The completed dialog box is shown below.

General Data for Output Files

The time step for graphical output is to be 0.01 seconds.

Time step for

Performing the Calculation

Viewing the Graphical Results

The details of output control are shown in Section 1 of this document.