A Turbulent Hybrid Model to Simulate a Partially Pressurized Flow

Abstract

People often experience unpleasant situations related to water supply or wastewater network dysfunction. For example, a wrong procedure of filling a discharge pipe or a sudden thunderstorm may modify the flow structure. Over or under pressures will induce overflows, cavitation phenomenon, or pipes bursting. In this background and through the present work, we initially attempt to simulate the transient pressure profile along a partially filled pipe. Flow is modeled by a turbulent hybrid model, including near and far from the wall domain. However, for calculus, the volume of fluid VOF method is used first, then coupled to level set one LSCVOF. Numerical results reveal that the pipe is fully pressurized when the VOF method is used and when the LSCVOF is applied. Furthermore, simulation results present a good correlation compared to the stationary state, which is more important as the level set is associated. Therefore, the most recommended method to simulate transient flow through the partially filled conduit is the LSVOF one.