Numerical Modelling and Simulation of Two-Phase Flow Flushing Method for Pipeline Cleaning in Water Distribution Systems

Abstract

Secondary pollution by microorganisms and substances peeling off from the “growth ring” causes clean water deterioration during the water distribution process. In order to reduce the secondary pollution, our previous research investigated the best settings of a two-phase flow flushing method for pipeline cleaning in water distribution systems experimentally, and a case study was carried out for comparison of the efficiencies between two-phase and single-phase flow methods. In this paper, based on the results of the experimental study, numerical modelling and a simulation study are carried out by FLUENT to evaluate the performance of the two-phase flow flushing method for removal of the “growth ring”. Results: the simulation results match the experimental results; pressure, water-phase flow velocity and water-phase volume ratio distributions in a section of pipe are simulated and analysed; the shear force against time in a period is obtained; elbow pipes cause flushing energy loss, and therefore, at most one section of elbow pipe is flushed in one flushing period.

Keywords

• two-phase flow
• pipeline cleaning
• growth ring
• water quality
• water distribution