A. Anderson et al., SEVERE PRESSURE SURGES IN A SIMPLE PUMP-PIPELINE-VALVE SYSTEM (AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT), Process safety progress, 16(1), 1997, pp. 18-22
A simple case study of a relatively high-friction pipeline with pump-a
ssisted gravity flow (e.g., for high viscosity fluids such as hydrocar
bon products) illustrates three features which lead to unexpectedly hi
gh transient pressure surges for which conventional alleviation practi
ces (such as extended valve-closure times or surge-relief devices at t
he pump discharge) are ineffective: (i) the use of a valve to control
flow in a long or high-friction pipeline; (ii) a system with a valve c
losure a significant distance downstream of a pump; and (iii) a system
where surge protection is located a significant distance away from a
control valve.