Abstract
Water hammer can result in the rupture of pipes, and significant damage to pipe supports is inevitable during the operation of an offshore plant. In this study, the dynamic behaviors of the water hammer caused by closing valves and starting pumps for the seawater treatment system were evaluated by using the 1D numerical simulation model based on the method of characteristics. Before conducting an analysis of a complex piping network, the 1D numerical simulation tools were validated by a comparison between the numerical results and the results from both static and transient experiments that have been conducted in other studies. For the case study, the effects of valve flow characteristics and valve closing time on surge pressure were investigated, and the equal percentage butterfly valve was recommended in order to reduce the surge pressure with a shorter valve closure time and lower weight compared to other valve types.
Highlights
The seawater distribution system in an offshore structure is designed to provide seawater at appropriate pressures for the water injection system, heat exchanger, and utility water service.For economic reasons, engineers determine the optimized pipe size considering design loading conditions with a safety margin in order to minimize the required overall cost
Kwon [4] investigated the transient flow in a piping system using both experimental and numerical models, and it was shown that the numerical method could simulate the transient flow due to the water hammer well using the 1D method of characteristics (MOC)
The 1D numerical simulation model was validated by comparing the thenumerical numerical results the results fromstatic bothand static and experiments transient experiments results withwith the results from both transient performed performed in other studies
Summary
The seawater distribution system in an offshore structure is designed to provide seawater at appropriate pressures for the water injection system, heat exchanger, and utility water service. Kwon [4] investigated the transient flow in a piping system using both experimental and numerical models, and it was shown that the numerical method could simulate the transient flow due to the water hammer well using the 1D method of characteristics (MOC). In order to overcome the limitations of the 3D CFD model, the 1D–3D coupling method was introduced [8] In this coupling method, the compressible water hammer can be simulated by utilizing the advantages of the 1D and 3D approaches. The water hammer that occurred in an offshore floating production unit was investigated with various operating scenarios using 1D numerical simulation based on MOC which is shown as a proper method to be applied for the piping system. The effects of the primary factors, such as the characteristics of the valve and the valve’s closure time were analyzed, and recommendations were suggested with the goal of preventing or reducing the damage caused by water hammer
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