Investigation of Pressure Transients and Wave Propagation Effects in a Pressurized Petroleum Pipeline using WANDA Transient Software

Abstract

Pressure transients and effects of wave propagations due to instantaneous valve closure in a pipeline transporting premium motor spirit (PMS) were investigated using simulation approach in this paper. Pressure transient investigation and analysis are often more significant than the steady state analysis that hydraulic Engineers usually use in pipeline design because almost all pipelines experience pressure transient in their operations. Pressure transient analysis helps to understand the additional loads a pipeline can be subjected to as a result of instantaneous valve closures. In this paper, WANDA Transient 4.5.1210 commercial software was used for the analysis of the pressure transients due to instant valve closure in a petroleum pipeline. Three different instantaneous valve closure times of 4.5, 9 and 18 seconds were used in this investigation. It was observed in this research that rise in pressure is highest (1304 kPa) at node F (the node where the valve closure takes place) against the inlet pressure of 120 kPa and also there is drastic drop in pressure (-53.7 kPa) at node B (a node just upstream end of the pump). Also, cavitations were observed at Node B due to the development of negative pressure as a result of the valve closure. The research recommends that surge tank should be installed at node F to stabilize the pressure surge and also air vessels are to be installed at node B to curtail damages due to cavitations.