DHI SOLUTIONS

Hydraulic Transient Analysis

Simulating system behaviour under various operating conditions for more
reliable and safer operations

Pressure waves can have dramatic effects

Hydraulic transients (HT), also called pressure surge
or water hammer, are planned or accidental changes of SUMMARY
conditions in a water distribution network, e.g. by
opening or closing a pump or valve. As a result, a Client
 Water Utilities
pressure wave is generated which travels through the
 Industrial Pipeline Systems
pipe network. Sudden changes resulting in extensive
 Hydropower
pressure waves can have dramatic effects, ranging
from pump defects to catastrophic pipeline failures.
Transient events can also have significant water Problem
quality and health implications.  HT analysis is essential for system design
 HT are dangerous in operation
 HT analysis is difficult

Solution
Analysis of system behaviour under HT
conditions; identification of particularly
dangerous conditions; establishing safe
operating environment

Benefits
 Safe design and operation under standard and
emergency scenarios
 Specifically tailored solutions

Pipe networks can suffer major damage from hydraulic

transients, at the worst resulting in catastrophic
pipeline failures

Establishing a safe operating environment

Surge modelling provides the most effective means of
identifying weak spots in the network and predicting
possible effects of hydraulic transients under different
standard and emergency scenarios. Moreover, the
models evaluate possible precautions and
countermeasures to establish a safe operating
environment. Model analyses are designed to predict
extremes of pressure, both maximum and minimum,
which may potentially develop within the system
during its operating lifetime and the probability of Hydraulic transients in the cooling water system of
occurrence of each extreme event, as well as its nuclear power plants require thorough investigation
consequences.
Design and operations
The transient analysis is best used in conjunction with DHI carries an enormous library of various hydraulic
a hydraulic network model and includes additional
and surge protection devices as well as a variety of
information such as the operating time for equipment
transient sources to be included in the models.
or the time for quiescent conditions to develop after
flow changes. Hydraulic transient analysis will be done using MIKE
Hydraulic Transient Analysis
Simulating system behaviour under various operating conditions for more
reliable and safer operations

URBAN FGDHT (Flow Gradient Hydraulics) Solutions MIKE URBAN FGDHT can MIKE URBAN FGDHT can
Software. DHI accurately analyses hydraulic behaviour of model the following transient model the following surge
sources: protection devices:
your pipeline system under pressurized, transitional or
cascading flow conditions. Benefits of DHI hydraulic  valve closure (open to close,  open surge tank,
transient analysis are safe design and operation of the close to open, any position,  spilling surge tank,
and to partial),  one way surge tank,
pipeline systems. Moreover, you will be provided with a  valve opening,  gas vessel (air chamber),
detailed report, recommendations and assistance in field  pump, controlled shutdown,  surge tank with orifice,
 pump start-up,  surge tank with bladder,
tests. The key information at your fingertips is specifically  pump trip-off,  variable area surge tank,
tailored to your needs based on dialogue and needs  rapid demand change,  differential surge tank,
assessment.  rapid pressure change,  pressure relief valve,
 single source, multiple  anti-slam valve for air
sources, release/vacuum valve,
MIKE URBAN FGDHT provides the following analysis and
 turbine (speed, no load),  surge anticipation valve,
methods:
 turbine (load rejection),  surge attenuating air.
 Built-in steady-state engine  turbine (load acceptance),
 Transient force computation engine  turbine (demand change),
 Pump and turbine modeling for fixed and variable speed units  turbine (start-up),
using four quadrant curve characteristics  turbine (shut down),
 Rule-based control analysis  rupture disk,
 Simulation of numerous surge mitigation and protection devices  pipe or a valve break
 Simulation of multiple transient sources including gate and
valve movements, pump and turbine activities, and others

Consequences of hydraulic transients

Our software was developed to analyse system
behaviours under various unsteady flow conditions and
to help you to understand the consequences of hydraulic
transients. These consequences include maximum and
minimum pressures in the system, occurrences of local
vacuum conditions and/or cavitations at specific
locations. These occurrences can be either within specific
devices or within a pipe. Additional behaviours that are
analysed are hydraulic vibration of a pipe, string
oscillations or rapid movement of the water masses, and
risk or occurrence of contamination at cross-connections.
Accurate modelling helps to identify and isolate
conditions that deserve particular attention.

Illustration of the MIKE URBAN FGDHT software – user

interface. DHI’s software analyses hydraulic system
behaviour under various conditions, allowing for safe and
reliable design and operation of your pipeline system

DHI provides specifically tailored solutions for proper the Basis of Design Report to help decide upon the
pipework design required facilities and to identify differences between
alternative operating parameters. Hydraulic transient
Hydraulic Transient Analysis in Project Design: from studies are generally completed during the Preliminary
beginning to end Design as their results on pressures, flows and
September 2011

Hydraulic transient studies are especially important in
the design of water distribution systems. The severity of
transient pressures must be determined so that the
pipework can be properly designed to withstand these
additional loads. The studies are commonly included in
performance estimates are utilized in the later design
stages. Design modifications in the Final Design stage may
require repetition of transient runs to verify or modify
results. DHI will provide you with a range of tools for time
efficient model adjustments and modifications.

Contact: Petr Ingeduld - pi@dhigroup.com