Abstract
The rapid filling process in pressurized pipelines has been extensively studied using mathematical models. On the other hand, the application of computational fluid dynamics models has emerged during the last decade, which considers the development of CFD models that simulate the filling of pipes with entrapped air, and without air expulsion. Currently, studies of CFD models representing rapid filling in pipes with entrapped air and with air expulsion are scarce in the literature. In this paper, a two-dimensional model is developed using OpenFOAM software to evaluate the hydraulic performance of the rapid filling process in a hydraulic installation with an air valve, considering different air pocket sizes and pressure impulsion by means of a hydro-pneumatic tank. The two-dimensional CFD model captures the pressure evolution in the air pocket very well with respect to experimental and mathematical model results, and produces improved results with respect to existing mathematical models.
Highlights
Filling and emptying processes in pressurized pipelines are common practices when it comes to carrying out maintenance and repair work on networks by technical personnel [1].When such activities are carried out, an interaction between two fluids occurs inside the pipelines: air and water
The authors of [16] presented a mathematical model to simulate rapid filling processes and to simulate the hydraulic and thermodynamic variables in an experimental facility of 7 m length and 63 mm DN of nominal diameter, where they determined that mathematical model is suitable for the reproduction of the first oscillation in the pressure evolution and extreme values of pressure during the filling process
This paper presents the results of 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the rapid filling process of water with an air valve
Summary
Filling and emptying processes in pressurized pipelines are common practices when it comes to carrying out maintenance and repair work on networks by technical personnel [1].When such activities are carried out, an interaction between two fluids occurs inside the pipelines: air and water. Air entrapped in pipes has been a problem that causes (i) increases in the absolute pressure of the system, (ii) vibrations in the system due to abrupt changes in velocity, and (iii) corrosion due to temperature changes [2] When it comes to filling processes, the water that enters the system by means of a hydraulic impulsion begins to occupy the space occupied by the air, generating the compression of the air pocket, which causes overpressures [3,4,5,6]. The authors of [14,15] have proposed a mathematical model for the analysis of hydraulic transients that occur during rapid filling They have obtained good approximation of the maximum pressures reached within a cast-iron pipeline of 1020 m length and DN400 of nominal diameter. The authors of [17] displayed the limitations of one-dimensional models under certain scenarios that can be overcome using of two- and three-dimensional models
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