A parametric sensitivity analysis of numerically modelled piston-type filling and emptying of an inclined pipeline with an air valve

Abstract

Filling and emptying operations should be planned by engineers in operational stages to prevent a system failure depending on reaching extreme low pressure values. In this sense, a compression of an air pocket produces pressure surges, while an expansion generates troughs of subatmospheric pressure. A sensitivity analysis of main hydraulic and thermodynamic parameters was conducted based on a mathematical model developed by the authors. A case study was selected to see the influence of different parameters. When the filling operation is performed, the more sensible parameters are pipe slope, air valve size, internal pipe diameter, and friction factor; while, the emptying operation shows that air valve size, air pocket size, pipe slope, and internal pipe diameter are the more sensible parameters. © 2018 BHR Group.