Hydraulic Transient Analysis of a Petroleum Pipeline Transporting Dual Purpose Kerosene Using Modelling and Simulation Approach

Abstract

Hydraulic transient analysis of a pipeline transporting dual purpose kerosene (DPK) was carried out in this research using simulation approach. Many petroleum pump stations and pipelines experience leakages and failures at their nodes due to changes in flow parameters that lead to hydraulic transient. Such types of unsteady situations are encountered frequently in pipelines where the valves are suddenly closed. WANDA Transient 4.5.1210 commercial software was used for the analysis of hydraulic transient. Variation in pressures and discharges with respect to time after the closure of a gate valve at the downstream of a pipeline were observed. It was observed in the study that pressure at node F rise significantly up to about 1354 kPa against the initial inlet pressure of 120 kPa due to the instantaneous valve closure and it was also observed that pressure at node B drops to a negative pressure of -101 kPa and hence the formation of cavitations at that node B and pipe P2. The analysis showed that the magnitude of the pressure surge decreases as the valve closure is increased. The research recommended that surge tanks should be installed at node F to stabilize the pressure surge and also air vessels are to be installed at nodes B to curtail damages due to cavitations.