A Finite-Volume approach for water-hammer events with column-separation

An explicit Finite-Volume method based on Godunov-type schemes is here presented and applied to Water-Hammer (WH) events with column-separation. The Homogeneous Equilibrium Model is here employed. The governing equations are thus the mass, momentum and energy non-linear conservation laws. This makes it possible to account for the non-linear convective terms which are significant when the wave speed is low due to vapor bubbles, and for the non-isothermal behavior of the fluid flowing in pipelines. The equation of state is based on the 1984 NBS/NRC steam water Tables. In addition, skin friction, gravity, non-instantaneous valve closure and pipe hoop elasticity are taken into account in the present model. Predictions of such a novel numerical approach are compared with published experimental data and numerical results of WH with column-separation.