Parallel Accelerated Fifth-Order WENO Scheme-Based Pipeline Transient Flow Solution Model

Abstract

The water hammer phenomenon is the main problem in long-distance pipeline networks. The MOC (Method of characteristics) and finite difference methods lead to severe constraints on the mesh and Courant number, while the finite volume method of the second-order Godunov scheme has limited intermittent capture capability. These methods will produce severe numerical dissipation, affecting the computational efficiency at low Courant numbers. Based on the lax-Friedrichs flux splitting method, combined with the upstream and downstream virtual grid boundary conditions, this paper uses the high-precision fifth-order WENO scheme to reconstruct the interface flux and establishes a finite volume numerical model for solving the transient flow in the pipeline. The model adopts the GPU parallel acceleration technology to improve the program’s computational efficiency. The results show that the model maintains the excellent performance of intermittent excitation capture without spurious oscillations even at a low Courant number. Simultaneously, the model has a high degree of flexibility in meshing due to the high insensitivity to the Courant number. The number of grids in the model can be significantly reduced and higher computational efficiency can be obtained compared with MOC and the second-order Godunov scheme. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the acceleration effect in different grids. Accordingly, the acceleration effect of the GPU technique increases significantly with the increase in the number of computational grids. This model can support efficient and accurate fast simulation and prediction of non-constant transient processes in long-distance water pipeline systems.