Transient & Surge Related Pipe

Bursts, Water Loss & Damage

Prevention
Brad Clarke
Singer Valve Inc., Surrey, B.C.,
Canada
Transient Behavior
Basic Description
Pressure fluctuations that develop in a
pipe when the flow of liquid is suddenly
changed.
Also know as Water Hammer
Typical Causes of
Transients/Surges
Loss of power at a pump station.
Pump station PLC malfunction.
Inadequate pump control valves (single
speed motors only).
Rapid closure of gate valves or butterfly
valves within a distribution system.
Consequences of Transient
Damage & Pipe Bursts
Examples of potential damage and loss of water
as caused by transients and the resultant pipe
bursts
Consequences of Transient
Damage & Pipe Bursts
Service interruption
Road closures
Consequences of Transient
Damage & Pipe Bursts
Pump & manifold damage
Maintenance & repair cost
Potential litigation
Lost water
Analyses, Formulas & Modeling
Without in-house expertise, it is always
strongly recommended utilities retain a
qualified engineering firm to provide a
professional review of the system in
question.
Engineers use the following two formulas
extensively when reviewing transients.
A variety of modeling options are also
available
Analyses, Formulas & Modeling
Surge Formula:
H = (A/G)V
Where H = Surge (feet/meters)
Where V = Change in Velocity in Pipe (fps/mps)
Where G = Acceleration Due to Gravity Constant 32
ft/s
2
or 9.1 m/s
2
Where A = Wave speed (consult pipe manufacturers for
accurate data. i.e. DI Pipe = 4,000/fps or 1250/mps &
PVC Pipe = 1,500/fps or 470/mps)
Note: Wave speed is a function of the pipe material.
Analyses, Formulas & Modeling
Critical Time Formula:
Critical Time = 2L/A
Where L = Length of Pipe
Where A = Wave speed (see previous
slide)
The above formula calculates how long
the resulting surge will take to return to the
source (cause).
Analyses, Formulas & Modeling
Modeling example as supplied by Associated
Engineering, Saskatoon, Canada.
Predicted pump station pressure response for existing
system with existing undersized surge tank.
Time (s)
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

H
e
a
d

(
m
)
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Analyses, Formulas & Modeling
Modeling example as supplied by Associated
Engineering, Saskatoon, Canada.
Predicted pump station pressure response with
surge anticipating valves option
Time (s)
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

H
e
a
d

(
m
)
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Changing Factors & System Life
Pressure has a direct influence on water loss,
leakage & pipe bursts.
Failure pressure gradually reduces as pipes
deteriorate through age (and possibly corrosion),
local and seasonal factors.
Burst frequency starts to increase significantly
Following charts courtesy of Julian Thornton &
Alan Lambert
Changing Factors & System Life
Changing Factors & System Life
Transient Data Loggers
Example of a
pressure transient
logger
Can detect peaks and
troughs by logging
data in minute
timeframes (one
second intervals, if
required).
Vast Array of Devices & Strategies
Stronger pipe work to withstand
pressure surges
Reroute piping
Additional pipe supports
Change of pipe material to one with
a lower modulus (i.e.
thermoplastic pipe materials)
Flow control valves
Air/vacuum release valves
Intermediate check valves
Non-slam check valves
Bypass valves
Gas accumulators
Liquid accumulators
Surge tanks
Surge shafts
Surge anticipation valves
Relief valves
Bursting discs
Increase diameter of pipeline to
reduce average velocity
Variable speed drives
Soft starters
Valve closure and opening times
Increased inertia of pumps and
motors (i.e. flywheels or by
selection)
Minimize resonance hazards with
additional supports
Investment in additional
engineering
Key Devices to be Reviewed
Rupture discs/burst discs
Surge tanks/surge drums
Diaphragm operated control valves
1. Pressure relief valves
2. Surge anticipating relief valves
3. Rate of rise relief valves
4. Surge anticipating relief valves (electrically
timed closure after power failure at pumps)
5. Pump control valves
Rupture/Burst Discs
Usually made from
graphite or stainless steel
sheet
Breaks or shatters at
predetermined pressure
Isolation valve is
manually closed at time
of failure
Design must allow for
discharge
Surge Tanks/Drums
Surge Tanks/Drums
Design and Operation
Concerns
Size and real estate
required cost!
Heating of building in
colder climates.
Maintenance of air
compressor and tank to
maintain optimum levels
of air and fluid (ie tank
becomes waterlogged).
Theft of compressor and
air equipment.
Loss of power.
Note: Water is allowed out
of tank to prevent column
separation, when
transient returns the tank
acts like a relief valve
(cushion) to prevent
overpressure.
Pressure Relief Valve
Responds only to a high
pressure wave
Set slightly higher than
standard operating
pressure
Sizing rule of thumb 25%
of forward flow
Valve will reset and close
after transient event
finishes
Plan for discharge
Pressure Relief Valve
Typical application of relief valve. Valve is set slightly higher than
normal operating pressure. When transient event occurs, valve
opens at high pressure setting and discharges water until transient
event has terminated at which time valve resets and closes.
Surge Anticipating Relief Valves
Reacts to period of low
pressure after a power failure.
Valve requires significant static
pressure to operate properly
(100 ft/30 m)
Sizing is critical (25% of
forward flow rule of thumb) for
valve to close after failure.
Sensing line must be
connected to header.
Often used when valve sizing
is determined to be 6
(150mm) or larger.
Surge Anticipating Operation
Surge Anticipating Relief Valves
Surge anticipating valves react to low pressure after a
power failure but have the added safety of a high
pressure relief setting as well.
Surge Anticipating Relief Valve
(electrically timed closure after power failure at pumps)
Low pressure pilot replaced with a solenoid valve, high pressure pilot remains as manual back-
up.
Valve starts opening instantly on power loss.
No downstream static pressure is required as valve closes by way of a timer.
Timing for closing is coordinated with the critical period.
Surge Anticipating Relief Valve
(electrically timed closure after power failure at pumps)
Surge Anticipating
Panel comes with
built in battery back
up.
Pressure switch
required to sense low
pressure after power
failure or any other
cause.
Rate of Rise Relief Valve
Similar to Surge
Anticipating Valve.
Uses a Nitrogen Bladder
to sense rapidly
increasing pressure.
Does not require
downstream static
pressure to function
(advantage if minimal
topography).
Sizing is not critical as
valve will close with full
functionality after
transient event is finished
Pump Control
Diaphragm operated pump control valves are
normally only required if you are using Single
Speed motors on your pumps!
If you are utilizing VFDs on your pumps you
would not normally require pump control valves.
If you are using single speed motors you can be
at risk of creating significant transients/water
hammer at start up and shut down of the pumps.
Pump Control Valve (In Line or
BPC booster pump control valve)
Pump initiates against a closed
valve.
Solenoid receives a signal at
pump start up to open the
valve.
Valve is manually adjusted for
opening and closing speeds
(generally slowly)
At pump shut down the
solenoid is de-energized and
the electrical limit switch then
shuts pump off when valve is
nearing closure.
Valve usually oversized to
minimize pressure loss.
Pump Control Valve (in line or BPC
booster pump control valve)
Pump control panel
(or series of relays)
interfaces with
solenoid and limit
switch located on
the Pump Control
Valve
Pump Control Valve (deep well or
bypass)
Pump starts against an open
by-pass valve.
Solenoid receives a signal at
pump start up to close the
valve.
Valve is manually adjusted
for opening and closing
speeds (generally slowly)
At pump shut down the
solenoid is de-energized and
the electronic limit switch
shuts pump off when by
pass valve is nearing a fully
open position.
Pump Control Valve (deep well or
bypass)
Requires significant
static pressure on
system (elevation
downstream) to
function properly (plus
50 ft or 15 m)
Advantageous as
valve is smaller, no
head loss through
valve and debris is
discharged to sump.
Conclusions
Always consult with an engineer with that
is experienced in transient analyses.
There is a wide variety of solutions
available and often combinations of these
solutions can be best practice.
Diaphragm operated control valve
solutions can be a very reliable,
economical approach.
Conclusions - Continued
Pump stations should always be
designed with some form of relief or
protection against the eventuality of
transients.
Pump Control Valves are only required if
Single Speed motors are utilized in a
pump application. Variable speed motors
negate the need for pump control valves
Conclusions - Continued
Water loss, maintenance costs and
litigation can be greatly reduced with the
proper application of relief valves or
alternate design solutions.
An existing system encountering
transients can be easily retrofitted
providing sound protection.
References
Associated Engineering Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Transient Problems Identified Through Analysis and Pump Station Capacity
Realized October 23 26, 2007
Eric Gaudet & Bob Hawbolt
Mech 441 Water Hammer Rick Sellens
Geoffery D. Stone
Julian Thornton / Alan Lambert
Pressure Management Extends Life & Reduces Unnecessary Energy Costs
IWA Water Loss Task Force
Dr. Kuberan Anandarajah
SVM Malaysia
Mays, L.N.
Water Distribution Systems Handbook
McGraw Hill, 2000
NBC Pipe Burst Image