van Zyl, J.E., Lambert, A.O. and Collins, R. orcid.org/0000-0001-5449-8535 (2017) Realistic modeling of leakage and intrusion flows through leak openings in pipes. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 143 (9). ISSN 0733-9429
Abstract
The hydraulics of leakage and intrusion flows through leak openings in pipes is complicated by variations in the leak areas owing to changes in pressure. This paper argues that the pressure–area relationship can reasonably be assumed to be a linear function, and a modified orifice equation is proposed for more realistic modeling of leakage and intrusion flows. The properties of the modified orifice equation are explored for different classes of leak openings. The implications for the current practice of using a power equation to model leakage and intrusion flows are then investigated. A mathematical proof is proposed for an equation linking the parameters of the modified orifice and power equations using the concept of a dimensionless leakage number. The leakage exponent of a given leak opening is shown to generally not be constant with variations in pressure and to approach infinity when the leakage number approaches a value of minus one. Significant modeling errors may result if the power equation is extrapolated beyond its calibration pressure range or at high exponent values. It is concluded that the modified orifice equation and leakage number provide a more realistic description of leakage and intrusion flows, and it is recommended that this approach be adopted in modeling studies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017 ASCE. This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Civil and Structural Engineering (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 20 Jul 2017 07:57 |
Last Modified: | 20 Jul 2017 07:57 |
Published Version: | http://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001346 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Society of Civil Engineers |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001346 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:119085 |