Transient Analysis and Design Considerations

for Hydraulic Pipelines

Jonathan Funk, EIT

Transient Analysis

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

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

Everyones Favorite Analogy

Flow >

Energy Absorption

May 29, 2015

Transient Analysis

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

Case Study Skookum Creek Power Project6

Transient Analysis

May 29, 2015

May 29, 2015

March 11, 2011

Skookum Creek Power Project

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
P

Reservoir
Hydraulic Grade Line (Steady State)

Flow >

Min HGL Envelope

P
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)
(m/s)
V = change in velocity

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