Insights into CFD Modelling of Water Hammer

Abstract

A problem with 1-D water hammer modelling is in the application of accurate unsteady friction. Moreover, investigating the time response of fluid dynamics and unsteady turbulence structures during the water hammer is not possible with a 1-D model. This review article provides a summary of 1-D modelling using the recent finite volume approach and the discussion extends to a quasi-2-D model and historical developments as well as recent advancements in 3-D CFD simulations of water hammer. The eddy viscosity model is excellent in capturing pressure profiles but it is computationally intensive and requires more computational time. This article reviews 3-D CFD simulations with sliding mesh, an immersed solid approach, and dynamic mesh approaches for modelling valve closures. Despite prediction accuracy, a huge computational time and high computer resources are required to execute 3-D flow simulations with advanced valve modelling techniques. Experimental validation shows that a 3-D CFD simulation with a flow rate reduction curve as a boundary condition predicted accurate pressure variation results. Finally, a brief overview of the transient flow turbulence structures for a rapidly accelerated and decelerated pipe flow using DNS (Direct numerical simulation) data sets is presented. Overall, this paper summarises past developments and future scope in the field of water hammer modelling using CFD.