Pressure Surge Analysis for the Chemical and Process Industries

Keywords: pressure surge, transient analysis, long pipe runs, plant safety, continuous process, network diagrams, pumps and valves.

The science and engineering of pressure surge analysis is here presented from the viewpoint of the process industries, including the fertiliser industry. Other industrial examples, e.g. power generation and water distribution, have also been used to illustrate its wider application. The paper draws attention to why surge analysis is required, its underlying physical basis, the data requirements for a complete study, and the place of engineering judgement. The various points are then illustrated with the help of a case example from the water industry. The points of general interest to the process industries are restated in the concluding remarks. The analyses reported were carried out using the HYPSMOP computer program, further details of which are given in the acknowledgements.

R S Silvester, PhD, CEng, MIMechE., Fluid Systems Consultancy, Bedford, UK.

28 Pages, 19 Figures, 3 References.