Transient hydrodynamics of in-line valves in viscoelastic pressurized pipes: long-period analysis

Abstract

The literature contains few reports devoted to the analysis of the effects of a partially closed in-line valve on the characteristics of transients in viscoelastic pressurized pipes. In this paper a contribution to the analysis of the long-period behavior of pressure is offered from both the experimental and numerical modeling point of view. In the first part, laboratory tests and the related results—noticeably extensive with respect to the existing literature—are examined. More precisely, the dependance of the damping of the dimensionless pressure maximum values on the initial conditions and in-line valve local head loss coefficient is shown. In the second part, a 1-D numerical model is developed by determining its parameters within a physically based procedure. Model parameters are obtained by considering transients in a constant-diameter pipe (single pipe) and then exported to the case of pipes with a partially closed in-line valve (in-line valve pipe). Moreover, particular attention is devoted to the modalities of specifying boundary conditions. In particular, the quasi-steady-state approach is followed for determining the transient local head loss due to the partially closed in-line valve and the actual supply conditions and characteristics of the maneuver are taken into account. Finally, the effect of unsteady friction and viscoelasticity is examined in both single and in-line valve pipes.