Water column separation, the rupture of water
columns in pressurized pipelines, can be triggered
by low- or negative-pressure transients when the
pressure falls to vapor pressure, causing the water to
vaporize and effectively dividing the water column.
This phenomenon must be avoided because it reduces system performance, generates annoying vibrations
and noise, and severely damages equipment.
In this article, a Lagrangian method that implements
the numerical discrete vapor cavity model is
proposed for simulating transient water column
separation. This robust and straightforward model
greatly improves the reliability of Lagrangian-based
network transient analysis models and produces
results identical to those obtained from an Eulerian-
based implementation approach.
Using the proposed model, utilities will be better
able to identify regions in the distribution system
that are susceptible to low- or negative-pressure
surges and devise effective strategies to
control transients. Installation of properly
designed surge-protection devices can help prevent
water column separation and avoid potential
pathogen intrusion. Includes 27 references, table, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 101 - No. 6 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 760 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 10 |
| Published : | 06/01/2009 |
