Influence of the elastic behaviour of liquids on transient flow from pressurised containments

Abstract

Release of liquids from vessels and pipelines is a very important scenario in consequence assessment. When the operating pressure is significant, its evolution and the corresponding discharge rate are affected by the elastic behaviour of the liquid. Bulk modulus is the key-driver of the related fluid-dynamics and is expected to govern the elastic-to-atmospheric pressure transition. Despite the well known physical background, the availability of release models relevant to the elastic phase is rather poor, compared to those relevant to vapours, gases and atmospheric liquids. On the other hand, if the operating pressure is high, release times and dynamics are expected to be strongly affected by the elastic behaviour and prediction of release time and flow rate is fundamental. This article carries outs a general analysis of the elastic behaviour of liquids, including water and hydrocarbons. Lumped (vessel-type) and distributed (pipeline) parameters systems have been modelled with the aim to characterize the pressure evolution during the elastic phase and to evaluate the significance of the associated duration. The findings have shown that, depending on pressure and geometric features, the importance of the elastic phase is high and that the availability of reliable and relatively simple models could be beneficial in consequence assessment. The approach is strictly valid for non-boiling liquid, but accounting for vaporisation of flashing or boiling liquids such as LPG and LNG would not imply significant complications.