15 - Surge and Water Hammer 2-1

CEE 410
Hydraulic Engineering
-Lecture 15
-Unsteady Flow and Surge in Piping Networks
Mark Oleinik, P.E.

Unsteady Flow and Surge in Piping Networks
 Today Takeaway(s),
◦ What is Unsteady Flow and Surge
◦ What Causes Unsteady Flow and Surge
◦ How is it calculated.
◦ What can be done about it.
• What is Unsteady Flow and Surge
“Andrew – attached are files containing

main break and pressure recordings in our
system. They believe that since the new
wtp came on line they are getting more
main breaks. We would like your help in
diagnosing the problem. The one email
has a spreadsheet of all main breaks and
another spreadsheet of the ones they
suspect are related to high peak
pressures. See if you can map out the
high pressure main breaks to give us a
better idea of where they are occurring.”
“I have located all the main break

locations that they gave us which
they said were caused by high
pressures. See attached maps for
locations. In the Southern pdf, I’ve
circled a few areas that look to me
to have a higher concentration of
main breaks that may be worth
investigating further in the model
and for ground elevations. ”
This is Unsteady Flow and Surge

• What Causes Unsteady Flow and Surge?

Eastland Elevated Tank
Woodlake Reservoir and

Pumping Station
Q = 22,000 gpm
--------------- 25 miles – 42 inch main ------------------------


Pumping Station
Q = 22,000 gpm
--------------- 25 miles – 42 inch main ---------------
Recall:
Conservation of Energy -- Bernoulli’s Equation

Conservation of Mass -- Control Volume
Let’s look at the pipeline with the elevated

tank shutoff valve as a control volume.
Pump
Qin = Qout = 22,000 gpm = 31.7 mgd = 49 cfs
V42 = 5.1 fps

• What Causes Unsteady Flow and Surge

2
Bernoulli's Equation: V + P + Z = hgl
2g γ
(What’s Missing?) Elevated

Tank
_________________________________________________________
hgl
_____
Pump
Now – CLOSE THE VALVE!

What Happens Upstream of the Valve?
Elevated
Tank
_________________________________________________________
hgl
Pump
What else do we need to know?

What else do we need to know?
When.
Does all flow stop everywhere in the pipe at the same time?
Pump
• The flow does not stop simultaneously all along the pipe.
• The water at the valve must stop.
• The remainder of the water, all 40,000 tons, continues to flow at 5.1 fps.
• Flow incrementally and progressively stops , working back to the pump.
t=0
•In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.
t=1
•In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.

•In each time period, the pipe walls stretch.
t=2
• In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.

• In each time period, the pipe walls stretch.
• The compression wave travels at the speed of sound, a, of the liquid.
t=3
• In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.

• In each time period, the pipe walls stretch.
• The compression wave travels at the speed of sound, a, of the liquid.
• a can be calculated knowing the liquid and pipe material.
Unsteady Flow and Surge is caused

by rapid changes in fluid velocity. t=4
• How is it calculated?
Rigid Column Theory – The fluid is incompressible and the pipe

walls rigid. Limited application but calculation possible without
Computers.
Elastic Theory – Fluid compressibility and flexure of pipe walls

taken into account. Difficult or impossible to calculate without
Computers.
We will focus on Elastic Theory.

Elastic Theory – How to determine a, velocity of the pressure wave.
E v
ρ
a= ____________________________
1 + Ev D ψ
E e
Elastic Theory – How to determine a, velocity of the pressure wave.
a= E
v
ρ
____________________________
1 + ED ψ
v
E e
a = characteristic wave celerity of the liquid

Ev = bulk modulus of elasticity of the liquid
Ee = Young’s modulus of elasticity for pipe material
ρ = liquid density
D = Inside pipe diameter
ψ = 1 – u² for pipe anchored along entire length
u = Poissions Ratio
Elastic Theory – How to determine a, velocity of the pressure wave in Lexington.
a= E
v
ρ
____________________________
1 + ED ψ
v
E e
Ev = bulk modulus of elasticity of water (20⁰ C) = 45.7 x 10⁶ lb/in²

Ee = Young’s modulus of elasticity for ductile iron = 3.59 x 10⁹ lb/in²
ρ = density of water (20⁰ C) = 1.94 slugs/ft³
D = Inside pipe diameter = 3.5 ft
ψ = 1 – u² for pipe anchored along entire length
u = Poissions Ratio for ductile iron pipe = 0.28
a = 3300 fps
Elastic Theory – Typical Wave Speeds in Ductile Iron and PVC Pipe-
Elastic Theory –
• Joukowski Equation 1898 - The pressure increases approximately

100 ft per fps of velocity change.
So – In Lexington,
V = 5.1 fps
Joukowski: Psurge = 100 ft x 5.1 fps = 510 ft, 240 psi !!
This is a conservative calculation.

Elastic Theory –
• Method of Characteristics
• Solved via computer analyzed using commercial software.
• Hammer - haestad Methods

• Surge - KYPipe
• AFT (Applied Flow Technology)
• Flowmaster
• HYTRAN 2.7 (Shareware)
• Surge Control Equipment Vendors
Be Careful!
• How is it calculated
• What do we know?
• Water mains breaks have increased in frequency since the new WTP has gone on-
line.
• Field monitoring has detected significant pressure spikes, both + and -.
• Joukowski equation results in a maximum potential surge pressure of 240 psi.
• The speed of the pressure wave is about 3300 fps.
• Rapid changes in fluid velocity can cause significant pressure spikes.
But, what is Rapid?

• All systems have a characteristic distance, L, and characteristic

time T.
• L is the longest path from the source of the surge to a point

of wave reflection. In this case it is the elevated tank.
• T is the time is takes a pressure wave to travel from the

source of the surge, to the point of reflection and back to the
source.
T = 2 L/a
• We used the closed valve example to demonstrate the phenomena.

No valve slammed shut here.
• What could have happened here that could have initiated a

pressure wave?

Pumping Station
Q = 22,000 gpm
--------------- 25 miles – 42 inch main ---------------
• Correct! Starting and stopping the pump.

Starting the pump causes the flow velocity to change from 0 up
to 5.1 fps. Obviously this doesn’t happen instantly, like closing a
valve. How long does it take?
• The operator reports the pump is started by a variable
frequency drive (VFD). It takes a very long time, 45 seconds, to
get up to full speed, so this cannot be the problem,
Right?
 The characteristic time for this system is:
◦ T = 2L/a = 2*(25 m)*5280/3300 fps = 80 seconds
◦ So, the 45 second pump start time is too short to effectively

control pressure surge.
◦ So, how to we keep this water system from coming apart every
time the pump is started?
• How is it calculated? Pump Affinity Laws
300 Q varies with speed
H varies with speed²
250 P varies with speed³
200
Head - Ft
Static Head
150
100
50 1800 rpm
1500 rpm
1200 rpm
0
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
Discharge - GPM
What part of the 45 second ramp time is effective?

•How is it calculated?
Correct! 10 Seconds, pressure wave will travel 3300 fps x 10 s = 33,000 ft
Elevated
Tank
_________________________________________________________
_____
Pump
Elevated
Tank
T = 10 seconds
_____
Pump
Elevated
Tank
T = 10 + t seconds
_____
Pump
Max hgl = + surge t = 80 seconds = L/a
Elevated
Tank
Static hgl
• Pressure wave reaches the tank
• Friction attenuates the surge
• Elevated tank relieves the pressure surge (why?)
• Entire line is at maximum surge pressure
• Elevated tank reflects the pressure wave (why?)
Pump
• How is it calculated.
• A negative pressure wave then reflects back to
Max hgl = + surge the source of the wave.
Elevated
Tank
Static hgl
-2t
-
Min hgl = - surge
t
t
Pump
t = 160 seconds = 2L/a=T
• Pressure wave reaches point of origination

• Entire line is at its minimum surge pressure
Elevated
•Now what happens? Tank
Min hgl = - surge
Pump
Max hgl = + surge
Steady –state pumping hgl

Elevated
Tank
Static hgl
Min hgl = - surge
Pump
Correct! – Wave continues to bounce back and forth in system until
friction dampens it out and system reaches equilibrium at pumping hgl.
Now – do we see any of these phenomena in our pressure trace?
• Pump Start? Upsurge?

• Static P should be about 132 psi?
• 416 Glenwood = 865 ft msl • Pump Stop? Downsurge?
• Eastland Tank of = 1170 ft msl
Does field data match theory?

Theory vs Field Observations.

• Distribution System
• Multiple pipe sizes
• Multiple pipe materials
• Multiple connections
• Pipe unknowns
• Valve and position unknowns
• Pipe material is not uniform – Gaskets are compressible.
• Air entrained in water

• Multiple elevated tanks and wave reflection points.
Q?
New Reports from the Front.

Δ Q = 5 mgd!
So ∆ V = 0.8 fps
∆ H = 80 ft, 35 psi
New Reports from the Front.

• What can be done about it.
◦ Velocity Control
◦ Pipe Material
◦ Pressure Relief Valves
◦ Surge Tanks
◦ Air-Vacuum Valves
◦ Surge Anticipation Valves
Control Measures-
◦ Velocity Control
 Larger Diameter Pipe
 Variable Speed Drives
 Motor Controlled Discharge Valves
Interior booster pumps.

◦ Pipe Material – Use less rigid pipe.

◦ Pressure Relief Valves

Surge Tanks
What’s wrong with this picture?

As hgl drops below pipe profile, P goes negative-
• Pipe can collapse,
• If P < -14 psi a vapor cavity can form
• When hgl recovers vapor cavity can collapse,
causing a pressure surge- Elevated
Tank
hgl
Revised Pipeline Profile

Pump
Air Vacuum Valve at high

point opens, allows air in, Elevated
avoids vapor cavity and Tank
potential pipe collapse.
hgl
Revised Pipeline Profile

Pump
◦ Surge Anticipation Valves

Opens prior to arrival of pressure wave and releases it as it arrives.
OCV
ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC SERIES
118Electrical power connection to
pumping system for opening on loss or
power or on a pressure switch low
pressure signal.
Valve closes after (adjustable)
predetermined time on power failure or
low pressure opening.
Hydraulic, pilot operated, high pressure
relief opening.
Available with Surge Commander
electronics package (Model 118-4).
Remember This - Surge Happens!

• You don’t have to do precise calculations – Understand the potential causes
of surge and water hammer and incorporate flexibility into your design to
prevent it and, if that system fails, relieve it .
• Ask “old guys” for help and support.
• Sleep at night rule -

Elevated
Tank
Pump
Elevated
Tank
Pump

15 - Surge and Water Hammer 2-1

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CEE 410

Mark Oleinik, P.E.

“Andrew – attached are files containing

“I have located all the main break

This is Unsteady Flow and Surge

• What Causes Unsteady Flow and Surge?

Eastland Elevated Tank

Woodlake Reservoir and

--------------- 25 miles – 42 inch main ------------------------

• What Causes Unsteady Flow and Surge?

Eastland Elevated Tank

Woodlake Reservoir and

Conservation of Energy -- Bernoulli’s Equation

• What Causes Unsteady Flow and Surge?

Let’s look at the pipeline with the elevated

Qin = Qout = 22,000 gpm = 31.7 mgd = 49 cfs

V42 = 5.1 fps

• What Causes Unsteady Flow and Surge

(What’s Missing?) Elevated

Now – CLOSE THE VALVE!

What else do we need to know?

What else do we need to know?

•In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.

•In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.

• In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.

• In each time period t, an increment of the flow compresses.

Unsteady Flow and Surge is caused

Rigid Column Theory – The fluid is incompressible and the pipe

Elastic Theory – Fluid compressibility and flexure of pipe walls

We will focus on Elastic Theory.

Elastic Theory – How to determine a, velocity of the pressure wave.

Elastic Theory – How to determine a, velocity of the pressure wave.

a = characteristic wave celerity of the liquid

Ev = bulk modulus of elasticity of water (20⁰ C) = 45.7 x 10⁶ lb/in²

• Joukowski Equation 1898 - The pressure increases approximately

This is a conservative calculation.

• Hammer - haestad Methods

But, what is Rapid?

• All systems have a characteristic distance, L, and characteristic

• L is the longest path from the source of the surge to a point

• T is the time is takes a pressure wave to travel from the

• We used the closed valve example to demonstrate the phenomena.

• What could have happened here that could have initiated a

Eastland Elevated Tank

Woodlake Reservoir and

• Correct! Starting and stopping the pump.

 The characteristic time for this system is:

◦ T = 2L/a = 2*(25 m)*5280/3300 fps = 80 seconds

◦ So, the 45 second pump start time is too short to effectively

What part of the 45 second ramp time is effective?

Correct! 10 Seconds, pressure wave will travel 3300 fps x 10 s = 33,000 ft

• Pressure wave reaches point of origination

Min hgl = - surge

Max hgl = + surge

Steady –state pumping hgl

Min hgl = - surge

• Pump Start? Upsurge?

Does field data match theory?

Theory vs Field Observations.

• Air entrained in water

Theory vs Field Observations.

New Reports from the Front.

Theory vs Field Observations.

◦ T = 2L/a = 2(25 m)5280/3300 fps = 80 seconds