DONATE

IAHR Document Library


« Back to Library Homepage « Journal of Hydraulic Research 2012 Issue 2

Transient vaporous cavitation in viscoelastic pipes

Author(s): Alexandre K. Soares; Dídia I.C. Covas; Nelson J.G. Carriço

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Cavitation; fluid transient; polyethylene pipe; viscoelasticity; water hammer

Abstract: The research focuses on the analysis of transient cavitating flow in polyethylene pipes, which are characterized by a viscoelastic–rheological behaviour. A hydraulic transient solver incorporating the description of the rheological–mechanical behaviour of these pipes and the cavitating pipe flow has been developed. Both the discrete vapour cavity model and the discrete gas cavity model have been used to describe transient cavitating flow. These assume that discrete air cavities are formed at fixed pipe sections and consider a constant wave speed in the pipe reaches between the cavities. An experimental programme was conducted in a pipe-rig composed of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline. Numerical results have been compared with collected data resulting in a good agreement. Effects related to the viscoelasticity of HDPE pipes and to the occurrence of vapour pressures during the transient events are also discussed.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2012.669143

Year: 2012

Copyright © 2024 International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research. All rights reserved. | Terms and Conditions