Computer-based method of design and modeling of transient flow in crude oil pipeline system

The utilization of computational fluid dynamics tools continues to gain growing interest from pipeline designers and transient flows simulators. Transient flow software with robust graphical user interface (GUI) features is arguably preferred because of cost effectiveness and being straightforward in use. In this study, a transient solver with credible GUI is applied to design a computer-based model of a 52 km crude oil transportation pipeline system and used to explore different common transient flow events such as sudden valve closure and pumps tripped instantaneously. The simulation results suggest that 15 seconds of discharge valve closure time during crude oil loading and off-loading operation was reasonable for a pipeline system with functionable pressure relief system, and approximately 80% of hydraulic pressure in the pipeline system was mitigated aided with the use of pressure relief valves. The effect of transient flow regime during pumps tripped within 5 seconds was significant on the pipeline system, which resulted in pressure wave propagation and pump cavitation occurrences. Therefore, a modified design rule was proposed for computer-based modeling of transient flow, which could support the training program of flow engineers for predicting, risk mitigation, and impact assessment of similar pipeline systems at the optimization design stage.