Sensitivity parameters during the emptying maneuvers in water pipelines

Abstract

Emptying pipelines can be critical in many water pipelines because subatmospheric pressure troughs are reached due to the expansion of entrapped air, which could cause considerable damage to the system depending on both installation conditions and stiffness pipe. This paper shows the sensitivity analysis for the mathematical model proposed by the authors, where the main hydraulic and thermodynamic parameters are analyzed (internal pipe diameter, friction factor, pipe slope, polytropic coefficient, air valve diameter, air pocket size and time maneuvering of the drain valve). Two cases were analyzed: (i) a pipe with the upstream end closed, and (ii) a pipe with an air valve installed in the upstream end. The results show that in the Case No.1, pipe slope, polytropic coefficient and air pocket size parameters are very sensitive on the subatmospheric pressure troughs, and on the other hand in the Case No. 2, the majority of parameters are very sensitive during the emptying process.

Keywords

• válvulas de aire
• interfaz aire-agua
• vaciado
• análisis de sensibilidad
• fenómenos transitorios
• redes de abastecimiento de agua