Modeling Vaporous Cavitation in Transient Pipe Flow Using the Zielke’s Friction Model

Abstract

This study provides a theoretical and numerical modeling of transient vaporous cavitation in a horizontal pipeline, anchored to the upstream reservoir. The model approach is, essentially, based on that of the column separation model (CSM). The basic system of partial differential equations to solve is a hyperbolic type and adapts perfectly to the method of characteristics. This code, allows us, taking into account the unsteady part of the friction term, to determine at any point of the pipe, and at each instant, the average piezometric head, the average discharge and the change in volume of the vapour cavity. This study illustrates the effect of the presence of air pockets, resulting in cavitation, on the amplitude of the pressure wave. The calculation results are in good agreement with those reported in the literature