Author(s): Mahmood Naghash; Chester Feldman
Linked Author(s): Mahmood Naghash
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The effect of a surge control structure in lowering the maximum transient pressures for a once-through cooling water piping system is determined through numerical simulation with a maximum and minimum pressure envelope for the entire piping system being determined. The piping system model included two parallel pumps, pump discharge valves, pump discharge air/vacuum valves, a condenser and condenser water boxes, a surge control structure, and a seal well structure. The numerical simulation was performed with and without inclusion of surge control structure for the worst-case operating scenario. The numerical model used was a typical hydraulic transient computer code for liquid systems based on the method of characteristics. From the results, the inclusion of surge control structure significantly lowered the magnitude of maximum pressures experienced by the piping system and equipment and prevented column separation and rejoining. The lower experienced system pressures decreased the design pressure rating of the equipment and piping, thus resulting in decreasing the installation cost of the system. Furthermore, the addition of surge control structure arrested propagation of transient pressures thus protecting downstream piping, allowing it to function as a gravity system.
Year: 2013