ARTICLE:

• TRANSIENT HEAT TRANSFER IN BURIED PIPELINES DURING HYDROSTATIC TESTING  download article

Paul Cooper
Faculty of Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW 2522, Australia

Yoyong Arfiadi
Faculty of Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

Andrew Croker
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Menai, NSW, Australia

Muhammad N. S. Hadi
Faculty of Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW 2522, Australia

ABSTRACT

This paper describes results of a numerical analysis of transient heat transfer in buried pipelines during filling and subsequent pressurisation with water as part of the process of hydrostatic leak testing. Two models were used, the first being a transient, two-dimensional conduction analysis of the temperature in the buried pipeline and surrounding soil at the inlet to the pipeline using a commercial finite element code. The second analysis was a purpose-built, two-dimensional, finite difference, transient conduction analysis to model temperature distribution along the axis of the pipeline during both filling and stabilisation periods of the hydrostatic test. The results presented herein provide new information on the thermal characteristics of pipelines, which will be of assistance in the improvement of the efficiency of hydrostatic testing of pipelines.

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341-348 pages

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