Developments in pipeline column separation experimentation

Abstract

This paper summarises developments in column separation experimentation in pipes at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. An experimental apparatus with a 37.2 m copper pipe of 22 mm diameter has been constructed. A very fast closure ball valve has been developed which provides a closure time of 5 to 10 milliseconds. Two problems in the development of the experimental apparatus are discussed in detail. First, a problem was encountered with the placement of two 150 mm long How visualisation polycarbonate sections in the pipeline. The discrete vapour cavity numerical model is used to simulate the effect of the presence of the polycarbonate sections in the experimental apparatus. Second, problems in obtaining accurate pressure readings from strain-gage type pressure transducers have also occurred. Analysis of the experimental results has led to the development of solutions to overcome these problems when investigating column separation in pipelines.