Investigation of severe water hammer in a large pump station: Case study

Robert Keller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Hoppers Crossing Pumping Station comprises two wells, each of which contains four pumps. Both wells may be considered as separate hydraulic entities as they are each supplied by separate suction lines from the penstock chamber. Within a well, each pump discharges into a rising main, which rises vertically for 40 m. A pair of rising mains then discharges into a common discharge main that runs horizontally before discharging into the delivery chamber. Each pump can discharge up to 8 m3/sec. An incident during commissioning tests demonstrated the potential for severe transients to occur in the rising mains. The particular incident occurred during rapid pump delivery valve closure on one pump. Investigation of the incident included detailed pressure and flow measurements under gentle transient conditions and the development of a numerical model. The model was verified against the detailed field measurements. The investigation showed that the cause of the incident was column separation in the rising main. No structural modification could be practically introduced to protect the system against column separation. Numerical simulations were then performed that led to the development of valve operating protocols to avoid unacceptable transients. It was shown that unacceptable transients could be avoided, even during rapid total valve closure, if the valve was closed very rapidly over the first 72% and slowly over the final 28% of closure.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPipelines 2014: From Underground to the Forefront of Innovation and Sustainability - Proceedings of the Pipelines 2014 Conference
Subtitle of host publicationPortland, OR, USA; 3-6 August 2014
EditorsShah Rahman, David McPherson
Place of PublicationReston Virginia USA
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers
Pages1392-1401
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9780784413692
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
EventPipelines 2014: From Underground to the Forefront of Innovation and Sustainability - Portland, United States of America
Duration: 3 Aug 20146 Aug 2014
https://ascelibrary.org/doi/book/10.1061/9780784413692

Conference

ConferencePipelines 2014
Abbreviated titlePipelines 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States of America
CityPortland
Period3/08/146/08/14
Internet address

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