Surge Tank Behavior in the Presence of a Traveling Pressure Wave

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the response of surge tanks under traveling pressure waves. The study involves measuring the maximum amplitude of mass oscillation within surge tanks of varying diameters and pipe friction levels, establishing the relationship between pipe friction and oscillation amplitude, and examining how surge tank diameter influences pressure suppression. The study found that increasing the surge tank diameter reduces the maximum water surface level (Zmax) up to a certain point, which is a diameter of 7 meter, beyond which further increases in diameter the Zmax remains almost constant. Additionally, higher tunnel roughness leads to a linear relationship between Zmax and friction factor with negative slop dampening the pressure fluctuations in an effectively way.