Evaluación Hidráulica del Flujo Transitorio en Tuberías de Alta Carga con Ramales en Zonas de Alta Densidad Urbana

Transient flow analysis studies the hydraulic behavior of incompressible flows affected by time, especially in the face of sudden pressure variations caused by operations such as pump start-up, valve maneuvers or the presence of air in the system. The article presents the details of a project executed in the province of Pichincha, specifically in the urban area of the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador, with the objective of guaranteeing for the future an adequate supply of drinking water for the northern sectors of the city. Given the importance of this resource, it is necessary to ensure its supply in optimal conditions of quality and quantity, and to minimize the risk of damage to pipes and accessories. For the study, an unsteady flow analysis was carried out in a pipeline with two branches, using numerical modeling with HAMMER V8i software (series). The simulation, based on the characteristics method, established the minimum operating times of control devices,to prevent hydraulic transients that could compromise the integrity of the system. Relevant physical parameters such as design flow rates at different stages, pipe material, reservoir location and tentative air valve arrangement were defined. The results were contrasted with the maximum allowable working pressure for the pipeline, evaluating its behavior against different creep limits and verifying the thicknesses of the sheet metal according to the American Water Works Association AWWA-M11 standard. Finally, pressure envelopes were presented to visualize the critical points of the system and facilitate decision making in its design and operation.