AFT xStream™

Examples - Metric Units

AFT xStream Version 1

Transient Compressible Pipe Flow Modeling
Last Revised August 03, 2021

Dynamic solutions for a fluid world ™

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Contents
Contents

Examples Overview 3
Tank Blowdown Example (Metric Units) 4
Gas Turbine Fuel System Example 42
High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example 57
High Pressure Steam - Forces Example 72
Frequency Analysis - PFA Example 89

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Examples Overview
Example Fluid Pipes Descriptions
An in depth discussion of model building in
Tank Blowdown - Begin-
Nitrogen 2 AFT xStream. Models a simple valve open-
ner
ing during a tank blowdown.
A compressor is passing natural gas
through a heat exchanger before being
used in the combustion baskets of a tur-
bine system. This example evaluates the
Gas Turbine Fuel Sys-
Methane 11 effect the sudden closure of one of the 3
tem
control valves has on the temperature of
the system. The effect of the Minimum
Number of Sections per Pipe parameter is
also shown.
Two turbines in a high pressure steam sys-
tem are simultaneously valved shut as a
bypass line valve is opened. This model
High Pressure Steam -
Steam 12 demonstrates factors to know to evaluate
 Fluid Property Models
which fluid database to use in your system,
as well as demonstrating how to construct
a model in the isometric drawing mode.
Two turbines in a high pressure steam sys-
tem are simultaneously valved shut. This
model demonstrates the transient forces of
High Pressure Steam - the steam within the system as well as the
Steam 14
Forces effect that the transient duration has on
these forces. Finally, this example shows
how to export the force file once the forces
are obtained.
A frequency analysis is performed on a sys-
tem with a positive displacement com-
Frequency Analysis - pressor to determine the acoustical
Methane 5
PFA frequencies for the existing piping con-
figuration using the Pulsation Frequency
Analysis (PFA) module.

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Tank Blowdown Example (Metric Units)

Summary

This example will give you the big picture of AFT xStream's layout and structure. To accomplish this pur-
pose, a model with two pipes and three junctions will be built to capture the system effects when a valve
is opened.

Topics covered
l
Model building basics
l
Entering pipe and junction data
l
Entering transient data
l
Graphing output results

Required knowledge

This example assumes the user has not used AFT xStream previously. It begins with the most basic ele-
ments of laying out the pipes and junctions and solving the transient system via the Method of Char-
acteristics (MOC).

Model file

The file listed below contains a completed version of this example and can be located in the Examples
folder as part of the AFT xStream installation. This file can also be downloaded from the AFT xStream
help site from the Tank Blowdown Example page:

l
Metric - Tank Blowdown.xtr

Step 1. Start AFT xStream

ØTo start AFT xStream, click Start on the Windows taskbar and open AFT xStream. (This refers to the
standard menu items created by setup. You may have chosen to specify a different menu item).

After AFT xStream starts, the Startup window, as shown in Figure 1, appears. This window provides you
with several options before you start building a model: You can open a model that was recently worked
on, browse to a different xStream file, or browse to the xStream Example files. If you have a license for
the xStream PFA add-on module, it can be activated here. The Unit System can also be specified to use
US Only, Metric Only, Both with US Defaults, or Both with Metric Defaults. They can be set as the user
default at this time as well. You can also set the working fluid to AFT Standard Air or another recently
used AFT fluid. You can click the link to "Check for Latest Release" to go to the AFT website to see if you

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 Tank Blowdown Example

have the latest release of AFT xStream. You can also "Subscribe to Receive Notifications" of when
product maintenance releases are available, receive the AFT newsletter, etc. Finally, you can open avail-
able learning resources such as examples.

Note: Be sure to specify either "Metric Only" or "Both with Metric Defaults" and check the box to "Set
As My Default." Also be aware that the first time xStream is started, the Startup window will not
appear as it does in Figure 1, as the center panel will be occupied by modeling preferences.

Figure 1: AFT xStream Startup window

After clicking the "Start Building Model" button in the AFT xStream Startup window, the Workspace win-
dow is initially the active window, as seen in Figure 2. The five tabs in the AFT xStream window represent
the five Primary Windows. Each Primary Window contains its own toolbar that is displayed directly
beneath the Primary Window tabs.
AFT xStream supports dual monitor usage. You can click and drag any of the five primary window tabs
off of the main xStream window. Once you drag one of the primary windows off of the xStream window,
you can move it anywhere you like on your screen, including onto a second monitor in a dual monitor con-
figuration. To add the primary window back to the main xStream primary tab window bar, simply click the
"X" button in the upper right of the primary window.
To ensure that your results are the same as those presented in this documentation, this example should
be run using all default AFT xStream settings, unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise.

The Workspace window

The Workspace window is the primary interface for building your model. This window has three main
areas: the Toolbox, the Quick Access Panel, and the Workspace itself. The Toolbox is the bundle of tools

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 Tank Blowdown Example

on the far left. The Quick Access Panel is on the right. It is possible to collapse the Quick Access Panel
by clicking on the thumbtack pin in the upper right of the Quick Access Panel in order to allow for greater
Workspace area. The Workspace takes up the rest of the window.
You will build your pipe flow model on the Workspace using the Toolbox tools. At the top of the Toolbox is
the Pipe Drawing Tool and Annotation Tool . The Pipe Drawing tool, on the upper left, is used to draw
new pipes on the Workspace. The Annotation tool allows you to create annotations and auxiliary graph-
ics.
Below the two drawing tools are icons that represent the different types of junctions available in AFT
xStream. Junctions are components that connect pipes and also influence the pressure or flow behavior
of the pipe system. The junction icons can be dragged from the Toolbox and dropped onto the Work-
space.
When you pass your mouse pointer over any of the Toolbox tools, a tooltip identifies the junction's func-
tion.

Figure 2: The Workspace window is where the model is built

Step 2. Complete the first Analysis Setup window requirements

ØNext, click Analysis Setup on the Main Toolbar. This opens the Analysis Setup window (see Figure
3). Each panel with an icon next to it needs to have a green check before AFT xStream allows you to run
the Solver.

The Analysis Setup window can also be opened by clicking on the Model Status Light on the Status Bar
at the bottom right corner of the AFT xStream window. Once the Analysis Setup window is fully specified,
the Model Status light in the lower right corner turns from red to green.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 3: The Analysis Setup window tracks the defined and undefined model input

A. Inspect AFT Arrow™ Steady Solution and MOC Steady Solution

AFT Arrow™ Steady Solution and MOC Steady Solution, are both completed when you start AFT
xStream because AFT xStream assigns default solution control parameters for both steady state meth-
ods. In general, you do not need to adjust the values of the steady solution methods.

B. Specify the Fluid panel

ØSelect Fluid from the Analysis Setup window to open the Fluid panel (Figure 4).

This panel allows you to specify the fluid used in the model.
You can select a fluid from the standard AFT xStream fluid database (AFT Standard), select ASME
Steam Tables, select multiple fluids and/or create mixtures using the included NIST REFPROP database
or optional add-on Chempak database, or create custom fluids. Custom fluids are created by opening the
Fluid Database window from the AFT xStream Database menu or by clicking the Edit Fluid List button in
the Fluid Properties window and clicking "Add New Fluid...".

ØSelect the AFT Standard fluid option, then choose "Nitrogen (GN2)" from the list and click the "Add
to Model" button.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 4: The Fluid panel is where you specify the fluid

C. Inspect the Environmental Properties panel

The Environmental Properties panel in the Analysis Setup window allows for the definition of Standard
Conditions as well as the atmospheric pressure and the Reynolds numbers for flow regime transition.
Altering the atmospheric pressure will impact the relationship between gauge pressure and absolute
pressure within the system. Changing the STP will effect the calculation of scfm mass flowrates in the out-
put section (although Ncfm will not be affected). Finally, changing the Reynolds Number transition points
will affect the calculation methodology that AFT xStream adopts. This panel is completed by default and
generally can be left alone. Click OK to save the changes made to the Analysis Setup window and exit.

D. Lay out the model

To lay out the tank blowdown model, you will place a Tank junction, a Valve junction,and an Assigned
Pressure junction on the Workspace. Then you will connect the junctions with pipes.

I. Place the Tank junction

ØTo start, click and drag a Tank junction from the Toolbox and drop it on the Workspace. Figure 5
shows the Workspace with one Tank.

Objects and ID numbers

Items placed on the Workspace are called objects. All objects are derived directly or indirectly from the
Toolbox. AFT xStream uses three types of objects: pipes, junctions and annotations.
All pipe and junction objects on the Workspace have an associated ID number. For junctions, this num-
ber is, by default, placed directly above the junction and prefixed with the letter "J". Pipe ID numbers are

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 Tank Blowdown Example

prefixed with the letter "P". You can optionally choose to display either or both the ID number and the
name of a pipe or junction. You also can drag the ID number/name text to a different location to improve
visibility.
The Tank you have created on the Workspace will take on the default ID number of one. You can change
this to any desired number greater than zero, but less than 100,000.

Editing on the Workspace

Once on the Workspace, junctions can be moved to new locations and edited using the features on the
Edit menu. Cutting, copying, and pasting are all supported. Undo is available for most formatting and
arrangement actions on the Workspace.

Note: The relative location of objects in AFT xStream is not important. Distances and heights are
defined through dialog boxes. The relative locations on the Workspace establish the con-
nectivity of the objects, but have no bearing on the actual length or elevation relationships.

Figure 5: Tank junction placed

II. Place the Valve junction

ØTo add a Valve junction, click and drag a valve from the Toolbox and place it on the Workspace as
shown in Figure 6. The Valve will be assigned the default number "J2".

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 6: Tank Blowdown Model with Valve placed

III. Place an Assigned Pressure junction

ØTo add an Assigned Pressure junction, click and drag an Assigned Pressure junction from the Tool-
box and place it on the Workspace as shown in Figure 7. The Assigned Pressure junction will be
assigned the default number "J3".
ØBefore continuing, save the work you have done so far. Choose Save As... from the File menu
and enter a file name (Tank Blowdown, perhaps) and AFT xStream will append the ".xtr" extension to the
file name.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 7: All junctions placed

IV. Draw a pipe between J1 and J2

Now that you have all of the junctions, you need to connect them with pipes.

ØTo create a pipe, click the Pipe Drawing Tool icon on the Toolbox. The pointer will change to a
crosshair when you move it over the Workspace. Draw a pipe above the junctions, similar to that shown
in Figure 8.

The pipe object on the Workspace has an ID number (P1) that is shown near the center of the pipe.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 8: First pipe drawn

ØTo place the pipe between J1 and J2, use the mouse to grab the pipe in the center and drag it so
that the left endpoint falls within the J1 Tank icon, then drop it there (see Figure 9). Next, grab the right
endpoint of the pipe and stretch the pipe, dragging it until the endpoint terminates within the J2 Valve
icon (see Figure 10).

Figure 9: First pipe partially connected

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 10: First pipe connected

Reference positive flow direction

Located on the pipe is an arrow that indicates the reference positive flow direction for the pipe. AFT
xStream assigns a flow direction corresponding to the direction in which the pipe is drawn. You can
reverse the reference positive flow direction by choosing Reverse Direction from the Arrange menu or
selecting the Reverse Pipe Direction button on the Workspace Toolbar.
The reference positive flow direction indicates which direction is considered positive. If the reference pos-
itive direction is the opposite of that obtained by the Solver, the output will show the flow rate as a neg-
ative number.

V. Add the remaining pipe

A faster way to add a pipe is to draw it directly between the desired junctions.

ØActivate the Pipe Drawing Tool again. Position the cursor on the J2 Valve, then press and hold the
left mouse button. Stretch the pipe across to the J3 Assigned Pressure junction, then release the mouse
button. All objects in the model should now be graphically connected as they are in Figure 11.

Save the model by selecting "Save" in the File menu, by clicking the "Save" icon on the Toolbar, or by
entering Ctrl+S.

Note: It is generally desirable to lock your objects to the Workspace once they have been placed. This
prevents accidental movement and disruption of the connections. Locking also helps prevent
accidental deletion of your output once a solution has been completed. You can lock all the
objects by choosing Select All from the Edit menu, then selecting Lock Object from the Arrange
menu. The Lock Object button on the Workspace Toolbar will appear depressed indicating it is
in an enabled state, and will remain so as long as any selected object is locked.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 11: All pipes and junctions placed

E. Define the model components

Object status

Each pipe and junction has an object status. The object status tells you whether the object is defined
according to AFT xStream's requirements. To see the status of the objects in your model, click the light
bulb icon on the Workspace Toolbar (alternatively, you could choose "Show Object Status" from the View
menu). Each time you click the light bulb, "Show Object Status" is toggled on or off.
When "Show Object Status" is on, the ID numbers for all undefined pipes and junctions are displayed in
red on the Workspace. Objects that are completely defined have their ID numbers displayed in black.
(These colors are configurable through User Options from the Tools menu.)
Because you have not yet defined the pipes and junctions in this model, all the objects' ID numbers will
change to red when you turn on "Show Object Status."

Showing undefined objects

Another useful feature is the List Undefined Objects window (Figure 12). This can be opened from the
View menu by clicking on "List Undefined Objects", or by clicking the List Undefined Objects icon on the

Workspace toolbar . All objects with incomplete information are listed. Click on an undefined pipe or
junction to display the property data that is missing. Click the close button on the bottom right to stop
showing this window.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 12: The List Undefined Objects window lets you see the undefined properties for each undefined
object

I. Enter data for Tank J1

As shown in Figure 11, the J1 junction is a Tank junction.

ØTo define the first tank, open the J1 Tank Properties window (See Figure 13) by double-clicking on
the J1 icon. Choose the Finite Tank Model, then enter an Elevation of 0 meters. You can assign any unit
of length found in the adjacent drop down list.

Note: You can also open an object's Properties window by selecting the object (clicking on it) and then
either pressing the Enter key or clicking the Open Pipe/Junction Window icon on the Workspace
Toolbar.

ØEnter a Pressure of 45 bar, a Temperature of 150 deg. C, and a Volume of 8.5 meters3. Also set the
Thermodynamic Process to Adiabatic.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Note: You can specify default units for many parameters (such as feet for length) in the User Options
window, accessed from the Tools menu under Preferred Units.

The highlight feature displays all the required information in the Properties window in light blue. The high-
light feature is on by default. You can toggle the highlight off and on by double-clicking the top part of the
window or by pressing the F2 key. The highlight feature can also be turned on or off in the User Options
window, or accessed from the View menu by selecting the "Highlight in Pipe and Jct Windows" option.
By default, the junction's name is the junction type. The name can be updated by entering it in the Name
field at the top of the window. In Figure 13, the name of Tank J1 is "Supply Tank." The name can be dis-
played on the Workspace, Visual Report, or in the Output.
Most junction types can be entered into a custom Component Database allowing the junction to be used
multiple times or shared between users. To select a junction from the custom database, choose the
desired junction from the Database List in the junction's Properties window. The current junction will get
the properties from the database component.
The "Copy Data From Jct..." list will show all the junctions of the same type in the model. This will copy
desired parameters from an existing junction in the model to the current junction.
The Tank Model tab is the tab that appears first when the Tank junction is opened and contains all of the
inputs required to define the Tank in steady-state. While the Tank Model tab is specific to the Tank junc-
tion, the first tab opened for any junction will contain all inputs required for that junction to be defined.
The Optional tab allows you to enter different types of optional data. You can select whether the junction
number, name, or both are displayed on the Workspace. Some junction types also allow you to provide a
guess for initial pressure as well as other junction specific data. The junction icon graphic can be
changed, as can the size of the icon. Design factors can be entered for most junctions, which are applied
to the pressure loss calculations for the junction in order to give additional safety margin to the model.
Each junction has a tab for notes, allowing you to enter text describing the junction or documenting any
assumptions.
The highlight feature displays all the required information in the Properties window in light blue. The high-
light feature is on by default. You can toggle the highlight off and on by double-clicking anywhere in the
window or by pressing the F2 key. The highlight feature can also be turned on or off in the User Options
window, or accessed from the View menu by selecting the "Highlight in Pipe and Jct Windows" option.
The Status tab will state whether all required input data is present for a given junction. If not, it will list all
inputs that are incomplete.

ØClick OK. If "Show Object Status" is turned on, you should see the J1 ID number turn black again,
telling you that J1 is now completely defined.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 13: Properties window for Tank J1

The Inspection feature

You can check the input parameters for J1 quickly, in read-only fashion, by using the Inspection feature.
Position the cursor on the Tank J1 junction and hold down the right mouse button. An information box
appears, as shown in Figure 14.
Inspecting is a faster way of examining the input (and output, if output results are available) than opening
the Properties window.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 14: Inspect junction properties from the Workspace by clicking and holding the right mouse button

II. Define Valve J2

ØOpen the J2 Valve Properties window (see Figure 15) and enter an elevation of 0 meters.
ØChoose the loss model as Kv and enter a Kv value of 52. This typically represents the valve's Kv dur-
ing steady-state. When the valve is closed during the steady state then opens during the transient (as is
the case for this model), the loss model represents the valve's loss at the end of the transient. Enter an Xt
of 0.7.
ØClick on the Optional tab and, under Special Condition, select Closed. This indicates the valve will be
closed in the steady state.
ØClick the Transient tab and enter the data below for Kv(See Figure 16).

Time (seconds) Kv Xt

0 0 0.7

0.1 52 0.7

240 52 0.7

The first data point (Kv = 0) must match the steady-state value. The transient data represents the valve
initially closed. The valve then opens over a period of 0.1 seconds and stays open.

Note: The initial transient data point is Kv = 0 because we set the Special Condition as Closed under
the Optional Tab. Had we selected none for the special condition, the first data point would have
to be Kv = 52.

The J2 Valve is the element which causes the transient in this model. The purpose of the model will be to
understand how the conditions within the supply tank and discharge pipe change after the valve opens.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

When transient data is entered for a junction, an "XT" symbol is shown next to the junction number on the
Workspace.

Figure 15: Input data for Valve junction J2

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 16: Transient input data for Valve junction J2

III. Define Assigned Pressure J3

ØOpen the J3 Assigned Pressure Properties window (see Figure 17) and enter an Elevation of 0
meters.
ØEnter a Stagnation Pressure of 1 bar and a Stagnation Temperature of 21.1 C.
ØSave the model again before proceeding.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 17: Enter the data for Assigned Pressure J3 in the Assigned Pressure Properties window

IV. Define Pipe P1

The next step is to define all the pipes. Double-click the pipe object on the Workspace.

ØFirst, open the Pipe Properties window for Pipe P1. For Pipe P1, enter a length of 6.1 meters, and
select the Material as Steel - ANSI, nominal 2 inch size, STD (schedule 40) (see Figure 18).

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 18: Properties window for Pipe P1

The Pipe Properties window offers control over all important flow system parameters that are related to
pipes.
The Inspect feature also works within the Pipe Properties window. To inspect a connected junction, pos-
ition the mouse pointer on the connected junction's ID number and hold down the right mouse button.
This is helpful when you want to quickly check the properties of connecting objects. (You can also use
this feature in junction Properties windows for checking connected pipe properties.)
By double-clicking the connected junction number, you can jump directly to the junction's Properties win-
dow, or you can click the Jump button to jump to any other part of your model.
Click OK to finish defining P1.

V. Define Pipe P2

ØOpen the Pipe Properties window for Pipe P2. Enter a length of 457 meters, and select the Material
as Steel - ANSI, nominal 2 inch size, STD (schedule 40).
After defining Pipe P2, the pipes and junctions should be fully defined. Check to see if the Show Object
Status is on. If the model status light is red at this point, see if any of the pipes or junctions have their num-
ber displayed in red. If so, you did not enter all the data for that item.

You can also click the List Undefined Pipes and Junctions icon to show all objects with incomplete
information. Once opened, you can click any undefined pipes and junctions to see which properties
remain undefined.
After defining Pipe P2, the pipes and junctions should be fully defined. Check to see if the Show Object
Status is on. If any of the pipes or junctions have their number displayed in red then there is missing data
for that item, and you should check the input.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

F. Review model data

ØSave the model. It is also a good idea to review the input using the Model Data window.

Reviewing input in the Model Data window

The Model Data window is shown in Figure 19. To change to this window, you can select it from the Win-
dow menu, you can click on the Model Data tab, or you can press Ctrl+M. The Model Data window gives
you a text based perspective of your model. Selections can be copied to the clipboard and transferred
into other Windows programs, or printed out for review. Figure 20 shows an expanded view of the Tran-
sient Data tab from Figure 19. Here all transient input data for the model is shown.
The Model Data window allows access to all Properties windows by double-clicking on any input para-
meter column in the row of the pipe or junction you want to access.

Figure 19: The Model Data window displays all input in text form

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 20: The Transient data tab in the Model Data window displays transient input data

Step 3. Specify the Sectioning and MOC Transient panels

After fully specifying the pipes and junctions, sufficient information exists to run the model in steady-
state. The final Analysis Setup panels need to be specified for transient modeling.
In general, it is a good idea to always run your model in steady-state before running the full transient ana-
lysis to make sure the model is giving reasonable results. However, in this case the model has no flow in
the steady state, and a steady state run is trivial.

A. Specify the Sectioning panel

The next Analysis Setup window panel is Sectioning. The Sectioning panel divides pipes into com-
putation sections in a manner which is consistent with the Method of Characteristics.

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window and select the Sectioning panel (Figure 21). To satisfy the MOC,
the following equation must be satisfied:

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 Tank Blowdown Example

where Δt is the time step, Δx is the section length, and c is the sonic velocity.

ØEnter "1" for the Minimum Number of Sections Per Pipe

The Minimum Number of Sections Per Pipe determines the section length by taking the quotient of the
shortest pipe's length and the Minimum Number of Sections. The number of sections used will impact
both the accuracy and the run time - a larger number of sections will increase the result accuracy, but will
also quadratically increase the run time for the model. The Minimum Number of Sections will be defined
as 1 in this example for expediency, though this -may result in a lower accuracy than when using more
sections. The error in the results due to this sectioning choice will be explored further in a later step.

ØDefine the Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Transient as 930 deg. C.

The Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Transient is used to calculate the maximum sonic
velocity. Since all pipes in the network must be solved together, the time step must be the same for each
pipe. However, the sonic velocity will not be equivalent for all of the pipes. Therefore, the sonic velocity at
the specified maximum temperature is used to find a uniform time step for the system. Without a uniform
time step, the MOC could fail. Choosing a maximum temperature that is much higher or much lower than
the maximum temperature calculated during the run can result in additional uncertainty in the MOC solu-
tion., as is discussed in the Pipe Sectioning - Introduction to Method of Characteristics help topic. It is
generally recommended to choose a conservatively high temperature for the model initially. The results
of the initial run can then be used to refine the Estimated Maximum Temperature During Transient for
subsequent runs.
The Estimated Maximum Pipe Mach Number During Transient is an additional parameter that affects res-
ult accuracy. This variable can be altered by checking the Advanced Options box. Changing this value
effects how the Method of Characteristics is run, and can be effective in increasing the accuracy of mod-
els, particularly those demonstrating low mach numbers. As sonic velocity is achieved, this parameter
does not need to be modified for this example.

Note: Inputting a Maximum Mach number that is lower than the Mach Number the simulation reaches
can cause the MOC to fail. As such, it is highly recommended that an initial run with the model is
completed using the standard value of Mach 1 in order to obtain a reasonable guess of the
Mach number the system will reach.

Notice that the Sectioning Summary underneath the inputs will be partially filled in, though properties like
Estimated Total Steps will be undefined. The MOC Transient panel is required to are required to cal-
culate the Estimated Total Steps. This panel will be defined in the next step.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 21: The Sectioning panel in the Analysis Setup window is used to calculate the time step of the model

B. Specify the MOC Transient panel

The final Analysis Setup panel that has not yet been completed is the MOC Transient panel. This panel
will allow you to specify the time at which the transient starts and stops, as well as how much data to
include in the output file.

ØSelect the MOC Transient panel in the Analysis Setup window (Figure 22). Enter 0 seconds for
Start Time and 240 for Stop Time.

ØClick OK to accept the current settings. The last Analysis Setup panel should be completed. The
model is ready to be solved.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 22: The MOC Transient panel in the Analysis Setup window is used to specify the time span for the
transient and what output data is written

ØSave the model.

Step 4. Run the solver

ØChoose "Run Model..."from the Analysis menu or click the "Run Model" button on the Main Tool-
bar. During execution, the Solution Progress window displays the state of the simulation (Figure 23). You
can use this window to pause or cancel the solver's activity.

The two solvers

AFT xStream has two solvers. The first is called the AFT Arrow™ Steady Solver, which as its name sug-
gests, obtains a steady-state solution to the pipe network. The second solver is called the MOC Solver.
This solves the gas transient equations.
Before a transient simulation can be initiated, the initial conditions are required. These initial conditions
are the steady-state solution to the system. AFT xStream then uses the steady-state solution as initial
conditions for the MOC Solver.
The MOC Solver can be split into two phases: the MOC Steady Solution and the MOC Transient Solu-
tion. When the MOC Solver is initiated, the solution will not be inherently steady. To ensure the MOC solu-
tion is steady when the transient solution begins, the MOC will be run with no user-defined transient for
several blocks of time steps to achieve a steady solution. This is called the MOC Steady solution in AFT
xStream. Once the MOC Steady Solution is reached, the MOC Solver will be run with the user-defined
transients in the MOC Transient Solution.

Note: The MOC Steady Solution should be similar to the AFT Arrow Steady Solution - if the two steady
solutions exceed the allowable relative change, the MOC Transient Solution will be halted.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

ØWhen the solution is obtained, click the Output button to display the text-based Output window.
The information in the Output window can be reviewed visually on the screen, saved to a file, exported to
a spreadsheet-ready format, copied to the clipboard, or printed.

Figure 23: The Solution Progress window displays the state of the simulation

The transient output file

When the MOC Transient Solver runs, the transient output data is written to a file. This file is given the
same name as the model itself with a number appended to the name, and with an ".out" extension appen-
ded to the end. For all transient data processing, graphing, etc., the data is extracted from this file. The
number is appended because AFT xStream allows the user to build different scenarios all within this
model. Each scenario will have its own output file; therefore, the files need to be distinguishable from
each other.
The output file will remain on disk until the user erases it or the model input is modified. This means that if
you were to close your model right now and then reopen it, you could proceed directly to the output win-
dow for data review without re-running your model.

Step 5. Review the Output window

Click Output after the solver is finished. The Output window (Figure 24) is similar in structure to the Model
Data window. Three areas are shown, and you can minimize or enlarge each section by clicking the
arrow next to the General, Pipes, and All Junctions tabs. The items displayed in the tabs can be cus-
tomized with the Output Control window from the Tools drop-down menu.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

The General section will open by default to the Warnings tab if any Warnings or Cautions were
encountered during the simulation. This model should generate a Caution that the Maximum Transient
Pipe Mach Number is at least 0.2 higher than the steady pipe Mach number, which occurs since there is
no flow in the system at steady state. When this Caution is present, the effect of pipe sectioning on res-
ults can be significant. The impact of pipe sectioning will be addressed in greater detail later in Step 10.
The Output window allows you to review both the steady-state and transient results.You can review the
solutions for each time step (i.e., a time history) for which data was written to file. Also, a summary of the
maximum and minimum transient results for each computing station is given on the Transient Max/Min
tab in the pifpe area. These two data sets are located on the Transient Output tab and Transient Max/Min
tab in the pipe area of the Output window (see Figure 25 and Figure 26). Note that in order to display all
pipe stations as shown in Figure 25, the model will need to be set to save data for all stations. By default,
xStream saves all data points. This can be changed in the MOC Transient panel.
Click on the Event Messages By Time tab (See Figure 27). There should be messages indicating that
Valve J2 experienced a near instantaneous choking that dissipated after about 0.06 seconds while
Assigned Pressure J3 experienced choking after 2.33 seconds that lasted until approximately T=128.9
seconds. Choking is an important phenomenon to pay attention to as it indicates that the fluid has
reached sonic velocity. This has significant implications for the MOC calculation method as will be dis-
cussed later.

Figure 24: The Output window displays steady and transient output in text form

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 25: The Output window displays transient data from each time step

Figure 26: The Output window displays the values of steady-state parameters in the pipes tab

Figure 27: The Output window displays event messages about system behavior in the Event Messages by
Time tab

A. Modify the output format

Go to the Transient Max/Min tab in the Output window. If you selected the default AFT xStream Output
Control, the Max. Mass Flowrate and Min. Mass Flowrate should have units of kg/sec (kilograms per
second).
ØSelect Output Control from the Tools menu or the main Toolbar. Open the Transient Results sec-
tion. On the right side of the Transient Results section is the list of currently selected output parameters
(see Figure 28). Click and change the units by clicking the arrow beside the units, and then selecting
kg/hr (kilograms per hour) from the drop down list.
ØClick OK to display changes to the current results. You should see both the Max. Mass Flowrate
and Min. Mass Flowrate in units of kg/hr.
Ø Select Output Control from the Tools menu one more time. Open the Transients Results section.
The Reorder scroll bar on the far right allows you to reorder parameters in the list. You may also reorder
parameters by dragging and dropping the icon just to the left of each parameter within the list of currently
selected parameters.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

ØSelect the Temperature Static parameter and use the Reorder scroll bar to move it up to the top of
the parameter list.
ØClick OK to display the changes to the current results. You will see in the Transient Max/Min table
that the first column now contains Temperature Static. The Output Control window allows you to obtain
the parameters, units and order you prefer in your output. This flexibility will help you work with AFT
xStream in the way that is most meaningful to you, reducing the possibility of errors.
ØLastly, double-click the column header Max. Mass Flowrate in the Transient Max/Min tab. This will
open a window in which you can change the units once again if you prefer. These changes are extended
to the Output Control parameter data you have previously set.

Figure 28: The Output Control window allows for the modification of Parameters shown, Units, and the Order
of Results

B. Graph the results

For transient analyses, the Graph Results window will usually be more helpful than the Output window
because of the more voluminous data.

ØOpen the Graph Results window by choosing it from the Windows menu, clicking the Graph Results
tab, by clicking "Graph Results" from the Solution Progress window after running the model, or by press-
ing Ctrl+G.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

The Graph Parameters menu will automatically be displayed in the Quick Access Panel on the far right of
the Graph Results window, and is where you can specify which graphs to generate. On the Transient
Pipe tab under Select Pipe Stations, expand P2 pipe stations and double-click, or click (Add button)
the outlet station. This pipe computing station correlates to the pipe discharge for the Blowdown Tank
system. Select the Graph Parameter as Temperature Static and set the units to deg C. Add the Para-
meters Velocity and Mach Number (See Figure 29).

Figure 29: The Graph Control tab on the Quick Access Panel allows you to specify the graph parameters you
want to graph in the Parameters/Formatting area

ØClick the Generate button. The graph shows the temperature, velocity, and Mach number at the exit
for Pipe 2 (Figure 30).
You can use the other buttons in the Graph Results window to change the graph appearance and to save
and import data for cross-plotting. The Graph Results window can be printed, saved to file, copied to the
clipboard, or printed to an Adobe PDF file. The graph's x-y data can also be exported to a file or copied to
the clipboard.
Note that the graph guide, located at the top right of the Graph Results window and represented with the
What Would You Like to Do? icon, can guide you through the development of your graph. This feature
can be hidden by clicking on the icon.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 30: The Graph Results window offers full-featured plot generation. The static temperature, velocity,
and Mach number of Pipe P2 outlet are shown

Further review of the graph results in Figure 30 shows that sonic choking occurs after several seconds as
was seen on the Event Messages tab in the Output window, and continues for the next 130 seconds.
Also note that the temperature, velocity and Mach number all rise sharply shortly after the valve opens,
with the Mach number rapidly reaching one. After the initial rise, the temperature and velocity both decay
while the Mach number remains at one. The velocity drops because sonic velocity has a positive cor-
relation with temperature, so as the temperature decays, the velocity required for choked flow also
decreases. It is good to keep in mind this correlation between temperature and sonic velocity. This rela-
tionship is important to understand when looking at systems that encounter choking.
ØIn the Quick Access Panel, open the Transient Jct Tab. Under Select Junctions, add J1 (Supply
Tank). Select the Graph Parameters as Tank Pressure Stagnation and Tank Temperature Stagnation
(see Figure 31). Set the units to bar and deg. C. Click the Generate button. This will show the tem-
perature and pressure in the supply tank (Figure 32).

Note: AFT xStream assumes all pipes are adiabatic (perfectly insulated). Over a 240 second run time
this assumption may not be accurate. Consider this when evaluating simulation results over
longer times.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 31: Graph Parameters window for the Transient Junction graph

Figure 32: The Transient Junction graph shows how variables within a junction change over time. The tem-
perature and pressure of Tank J1 over time are plotted.

This junction graph could be used to determine when certain conditions within the tank were met. For
instance, suppose there was a need to know when the tank pressure dropped below 25 bar. The junction
graph would indicate the tank pressure would reach such a point around 60 seconds after beginning of
the tank blowdown. Also note that the rate of decrease in the tank pressure decays at later time points as
the pressure gradient driving flow out of the tank becomes smaller as time progresses.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Lastly, we will animate the profile of the Blowdown Tank system to show the wave caused by opening the
valve. In the Quick Access Panel, open the Profile tab. Under Plot Single Path, select Pipe 1 and Pipe 2.
After ensuring your length is meters, select the option to Animate Using Output and ensure the Animation
Time Units are set to seconds. Add Parameters until you have 4, then set them to Pressure Static, Tem-
perature Static, Velocity, and Density Static. Set the units to bar, Deg. C, meters/sec, and kg/m3, respect-
ively (see Figure 33).
ØClick the Generate button. This will show an animated profile of the pipe system over the specified
time frame (see Figure 34).

Figure 33: Profile Graph Parameters window

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 34: The Profile Graph show the Maximum and Minimum values of all parameters shown in the Graph
over the specified time Frame. It can also be set to animate the values so that the behavior within the system
as a whole can be observed. The blue line correlates to minimum values, the bright red line shows maximum
value, and the dark red line shows the value at the current timestep.

Take note of the pressure wave that is created at the valve just after animation is started. This wave
travels to the Assigned Pressure junction before reflecting back towards the valve. The amount of time it
takes this wave to travel to the reflection point and back is called the communication time. It should be
noted when creating your transient that any event that occurs over a shorter length of time than the com-
munication time of the system is considered to happen instantaneously.

C. View the Visual Report

The Visual Report allows you to show text output alongside the model schematic. This is useful to quickly
show pertinent information in relation to location in the model. The Visual Report can also animate the
transient pipe results in a color animation overlaid on the model.

ØChange to the Visual Report window by choosing it from the Window menu, clicking the Visual
Report tab or by pressing Ctrl+I. The Visual Report window allows you to integrate your text results with
the graphic layout of your pipe network. The Visual Report Control window should open automatically
when accessing the Visual Report window for the first time. The Visual Report Control window can also
be opened from the Visual Report Toolbar or the Tools menu. Note that the parameters present in Visual
Report Control are determined by the parameters selected in Output Control.

ØSelect "Max Temperature Static" and "Min Temperature Static" in the Pipe Transient Output area
of the Visual Report Window as shown in Figure 35. Click the Show button. This will generate the Visual
Report window graphic seen in Figure 36.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

It is common for the text in the Visual Report window to overlap when first generated. You can change
this by selecting smaller fonts or by dragging the text to a new area to increase clarity. You can also use
the Visual Report Control window to display units in a legend to increase the clarity of the display. These
adjustments have already been done in Figure 36. This window can be printed or copied to the clipboard
for import into other Windows graphics programs, saved to a file, or printed to an Adobe PDF file.

Figure 35: The Visual Report Control window selects content for the Visual Report window

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 36: The Visual Report integrates results with model layout

D. Examine the Effect of Sectioning

In AFT xStream, sectioning plays an important role in model accuracy. Due to how the MOC operates,
accuracy increases with the number of sections you have in the model. To illustrate this, the model was
re-run with a Minimum Number of Sections Per Pipe of 6. Comparing Figure 32 to Figure 39, values such
as the tank temperature and pressure for Tank J1 remain similar with the increase in the number of sec-
tions. However, values such as the maximum temperature reached in Pipe 2 (Figure 24 and Figure 37),
changed substantially. This value increased from 919 deg. C to 1203 deg. C. This change in the max-
imum temperature indicates that the difference in sectioning has significant implications if your interest is
in the conditions in the blowdown pipe. It should be noted that changing the Minimum Number of Sec-
tions Per Pipe from one to six caused the computation time of the model to increase from 5-6 minutes to
3.5 hours. Therefore, it is of critical importance to balance accuracy and computation time when using
AFT xStream. This idea is discussed in more detail here.
Due to the long run time, it was not sensible to ask you to run the 6 section scenario as a part of this
example. If you are interested, you may want to run this scenario overnight.

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 37: Transient Min/Max window for modified sectioning

Figure 38: Temperature, velocity, and Mach number for the discharge of Pipe P2 with 6 sections minimum per
pipe

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Figure 39: Temperature and pressure stagnation for Tank J1 with 6 sections minimum per pipe

Figure 40: Profile Graph for Tank Blowdown system with 6 Sections Minimum Per Pipe where the blue line
represents the minimum value, the bright red line represents the maximum value and the dark red line rep-
resents the value at the current time step

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 Tank Blowdown Example

Conclusion

You have now used AFT xStream's five Primary Windows to build and analyze a simple gas transient
model.

- 41 -
Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Summary

A compressor feeding natural gas to combustion baskets in a Turbine Fuel System has one of its 3 con-
trol valves close instantaneously. The effect of this transient event on the temperature, pressure, and
velocity of the system is observed.

Topics covered

This example will cover the following topics:

l
Modeling a valve closure as a transient event
l
Modeling a heat exchanger
l
Using the Scenario Manager in AFT xStream
l
Indicating the importance of the Estimated Maximum Temperature During Transient
l
Creating animated profile graphs

Required knowledge

This example assumes the user has already worked through the Beginner: Tank Blowdown example, or
has a level of knowledge consistent with that topic.

Model file

The file listed below contains a completed version of this example and can be located in the Examples
folder as part of the AFT xStream installation. This file can also be downloaded from the AFT xStream
help site from the Gas Turbine Fuel Example page:

l
Metric - Gas Turbine Fuel System.xtr

Step 1. Start AFT xStream

Open AFT xStream. Click "Start Building Model".

Step 2. Specify the Fluid panel

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window by clicking Analysis Setup on the Main Toolbar. Under the
"AFT Standard" fluid option, select "Methane" from the list and click the "Add to Model" button. Click OK.

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Note: Methane is used to model natural gas in order to minimize the run time. If you need to model a
real natural gas mixture, then instead of using the AFT Standard fluids database, it would be bet-
ter to use the NIST REFPROP database or the optional Chempak add-on.

Step 3. Build the model

A. Place the pipes and junctions

At this point, the first panels should be completed in the Analysis Setup window. The next step is to
define the pipes and junctions. In the Workspace window, assemble the model as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Layout of gas turbine fuel system

B. Enter the pipe and junction data

The system is in place but now the input data for the pipes and junctions needs to be entered. Enter the
following data in each Pipe and Junction Properties window. Enter the data shown below
All Pipes are Stainless Steel - ANSI, Schedule 10S, and have standard roughness. The rest of the pipe
information is as follows:

Pipe # Size (inches) Length (meters)

1 8 23

2 8 7.5

3 8 1.5

4 5 1.5

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Pipe # Size (inches) Length (meters)

5 5 1.5

6 8 1.5

7 5 1.5

8 5 1.5

9 8 1.5

10 5 1.5

11 5 1.5

Because several of the pipes are the same, you can use the Global Pipe Editing tool to speed up the pro-
cess of entering the data. The Global Pipe Editing tool allows you to apply changes to multiple pipes at
the same time. Select Global Pipe Edit either from the Edit Menu, or by selecting the "Global Edit" drop-
down on the toolbar and selecting the "Global Pipe Edit" option. This will open the Global Pipe Edit win-
dow. Select pipes P4, P5, P7, P8, P10, and P11 from the list of pipes as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Global Pipe Edit window

After selecting the pipes, click the "Select Pipe Data" button. This will open a template Pipe Properties
window for entering the data to be applied to all of the selected pipes. Fill out the data for the selected
pipes. When you have entered all of the data for the pipes, close the Pipe Properties window by selecting
OK. The Global Pipe Edit window will now display a list of all of the parameters that may be applied to the
selected pipes. The parameters are categorized as they are displayed on the tabs in the Pipe Properties

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

window. For this example, you want all of the parameters for all of the selected pipes to be updated to the
specified values. This can be accomplished by selecting the "All" button above the list of parameters. The
Global Pipe Edit window should now appear as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Global Pipe Edit window with all pipe parameters selected for updating

Apply the changes to the selected pipes by clicking the "Apply Selections" button. AFT xStream will notify
you that the changes have been completed. Select OK. At this point, all of the changes have been
applied but not saved. If you wish to cancel all of the changes you just implemented, you may do so by
clicking Cancel on the Global Pipe Edit window. Save the applied changes by clicking OK.

Notes: The "Guide >>" button in the Global Edit windows may be used as a reminder of the required
steps for the global edit process if needed.

1. Assigned Flow J1
a. Name = PD Compressor
b. Elevation = 0 meters
c. Mass Flow Rate =41,400 kg/hr

Note: Be advised that the unit for mass flow is not the default as it is kg/hr as opposed to
kg/s.

d. Temperature = 21 deg. C
2. Heat Exchanger J2

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

a. Name = Natural Gas Heater

b. Elevation =0 meters
c. K = 6.6
d. Steady Heat Rate =1,035 kW
3. Valve J3
a. Elevation = 0 meters
b. Kv = 8,650
c. Xt = 0.3
4. Valve J5
a. Name = Diffusion Gas FCV
b. Elevation = 0 meters
c. Kv = 80
d. Xt = 0.7
5. Valve J8
a. Name = Premix Gas FCV #1
b. Elevation = 0 meters
c. Kv = 170
d. Xt = 0.7
6. Valve J11
a. Name = Premix Gas FCV #2
b. Elevation = 0 meters
c. Kv = 170
d. Xt = 0.7
e. Click on the Transient Tab and enter the following data

Time (seconds) Kv Xt

0 170 0.7

0.01 0 0.7

2 0 0.7

7. Assigned Pressures J6, J9, J12

a. J6 Name = Combustion Basket #1
b. J9 Name = Combustion Basket #2
c. J12 Name = Combustion Basket #3
d. Elevation = 0 meters
e. Stagnation Pressure = 15.7 bar
f. Temperature = 60 deg. C.
8. Junctions J4, J7, J10
a. Elevation = 0 meters

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

C. Check if the pipe and junction data is complete

ØOpen the List Undefined Objects window from the View Menu or the Workspace Toolbar to
verify if all pipes and junctions are specified. If not, the incomplete pipes or junctions will be listed. If
undefined objects are present, go back to the incomplete pipes or junctions and enter the missing data.

Step 4. Specify the Sectioning panel

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window from the toolbar and select the Sectioning panel. Set the Minimum
Number of Sections Per Pipe to 8 sections and the Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Tran-
sient to 60 deg. C.

Note: If following along in the completed model file, the Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature Dur-
ing Transient will have a different value. This will be discussed in Steps 8 and 9.

Figure 4: Sectioning panel for Turbine Fuel System

Step 5. Specify the MOC Transient panel

ØOpen the MOC Transient panel in the Analysis Setup window. Enter the Stop Time as 2 seconds.
Verify the "All" radio button is selected under Pipe Stations To Include In Transient Output File. Click the
OK button.

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Step 6. Create scenarios to model different sectioning setups

A. Create scenarios

In this model, the following three types of Sectioning cases for the system are to be evaluated:

1. 8 Sections Minimum per Pipe

2. 4 Sections Minimum per Pipe
3. 2 Sections Minimum per Pipe

To evaluate the three cases, we will utilize the Scenario Manager to create three scenarios for the three
cases.
Open the Scenario Manager on the Quick Access Panel. Create a child scenario by either right-clicking
on the Base Scenario and then selecting Create Child, or by first selecting the Base Scenario on the

Scenario Manager on the Quick Access Panel and then selecting the Create Child icon .Enter the
name "8 Sections Minimum Per Pipe" in the Create Child Scenario window, and select the OK button.
The new "8 Sections Minimum Per Pipe" scenario should now appear in the Scenario Manager on the
Quick Access Panel below the Base Scenario. Select the Base Scenario. Create another child and call it
"4 Sections Minimum Per Pipe". Finally, create one more child and call it "2 Sections Minimum Per Pipe".
The Child Scenarios should now be displayed as shown in Figure 5.

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Figure 5: The Scenario Manager on the Quick Access Panel displays the scenario tree which allows you to
create scenarios and keep them organized within the same model file

B. Set up scenarios

Since the "8 Sections Minimum Per Pipe" scenario has the same setup as the Base Scenario, we do not
need to modify it. Select the "4 Sections Minimum Per Pipe" scenario by double-clicking the name in the
Scenario Manager.

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window from the Main Toolbar. Click on the Sectioning panel and change
the Minimum Number of Sections Per Pipe to 4 then click OK.

ØOpen the Child Scenario "2 Sections Minimum per Pipe". Open the Analysis Setup window from
the Main Toolbar. Open the Sectioning panel and change the Minimum Number of Sections Per Pipe to 2
then click OK.

Step 7. Run the first scenario

ØDouble-click the "2 Sections Minimum Per Pipe" scenario in the Scenario Manager. Select "Run
Model" on the toolbar. AFT xStream will prompt you to save, then will open the Solution Progress win-
dow. This model is estimated to run in approximately one minute, but the run time is dependent on the
speed of your computer.

Step 8. Review the results

ØClick the Output button. This will take you to the Output window, which will display any warnings if
they exist. There should be a warning indicating that the maximum transient pipe temperature was higher
than the estimate as well as a caution that the maximum transient pipe mach number was significantly
lower than the estimate (see Figure 6). The Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Transient is
critical to the calculation of transient conditions due to its necessity in the Method of Characteristics. A
review on how the MOC handles sectioning and tabulation can be found here.
The Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Transient is used to calculate the sonic velocity of the
fluid, which is then used to create the upper boundary of the characteristic grid. If the maximum tem-
perature during the transient exceeds the specified Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Tran-
sient and the flow is sonic, the Method of Characteristics may have to extrapolate data, which can lead to
instability and will stop the transient solver. In this model, sonic velocity was not reached when the tem-
perature was higher than the estimated maximum. However, to ensure that this model can handle sonic
flow, we will re-run the model with a higher Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Transient.
The Maximum Transient Pipe Mach Number error indicates that error could be introduced through hav-
ing a Mach Number substantially lower than the Maximum Transient Pipe Mach Number used for the cal-
culation (in this case, the xStream default value of one). This caution will be ignored in this example for
simplicity.

Figure 6: The maximum transient pipe temperature exceeds estimated maximum temperature warning indic-
ates that the model is at risk of instability if changes are made

- 50 -
 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Step 9. Adjust the Sectioning panel

ØDouble-click "Base Scenario" in the Scenario Manager. Open the Analysis Setup window from the
Main Toolbar and select the Sectioning panel. Change the Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature Dur-
ing Transient to 80 deg. C. Click OK.

Note: It is essential that this change is made in the Base Scenario so all scenarios are updated.

Step 10. Re-run the model and review results

A. Review Output window

ØDouble-click the "8 Sections Minimum Per Pipe" scenario. Select "Run Model" from the Analysis
menu, then proceed to the Output window. There should be a caution indicating that the maximum tran-
sient pipe mach number was significantly lower than the estimate. Disregard this error as discussed in
Step 8. Select the Transient Max/Min tab (Figure 7). Here we can see that the maximum temperature in
the inlet lines to the combustion baskets is 72.7 deg. C and occurs in the inlet line to combustion basket
1.

Figure 7: Transient Max/Min tab in the Output window

B. Graph the results

Go to the Graph Results window by clicking on the Graph Results tab or pressing Ctrl+G on the key-
board.
Create a graph that shows the temperature over time at the entrance to Combustion Basket #1 using the
following steps:

1. From the Graph Control tab on the Quick Access Panel, select the Transient Pipe tab as shown in
Figure 8

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

2. Select Pipe P5 and add the outlet station

3. Verify that the time units are set to seconds
4. In the Parameters definition area, select "Temperature Static" and specify "deg. C" in the drop-
down box under "Units"
5. Click the Generate button

The results (see Figure 9) confirm the maximum temperature of 72.7 deg. C shown in the Transient
Max/Min tab in the Output window. Additionally, it is important to note that the maximum temperature
occurs at 0.6 seconds before returning to the previous steady state temperature of 60 deg. C after the
flow has normalized.
To easily recreate this graph in the other scenarios or in the future, it can be added into the Graph List

Manager on the Quick Access Panel. After generating the graph, click the "Add Graph to List" icon on
the Graph Results Toolbar (or simply right-click the graph itself and choose "Add Graph to List"). Give the
graph a name, such as "Combustion Basket #1 Temperature vs Time", then click OK. The graph will be
added to the currently selected folder in the Graph List Manager. Note that graphs added to the Graph
List Manager are not permanently saved until the model is saved again. Also be aware that only the
graph templates are saved as opposed to the graph data.

Note: The legend was removed from the graph below due to it's redundancy. Therefore, your graph
may appear different.

Figure 8: Graph Parameters for Combustion Basket #1 Inlet Pipe

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Figure 9: Combustion Basket #1 Temperature vs Time Graph

C. Animate the results

We will create a graph that models the temperature, pressure, and velocity along the flow path between
the positive displacement compressor and Combustion Basket #1. To do this:

1. Create a new graph tab by clicking the "New Tab" button

2. Select the Profile tab under the Graph Control tab in the Quick Access Panel. Alternatively, you
can access the Select Graph Parameters window by clicking on the "Select Graph Parameters"
icon located at the top left of the Graph Results window.
3. Select pipes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
4. Select the option to Animate Using Output.
5. Ensure that the animation time used is seconds.
6. Select Temperature Static as a parameter.
7. Add Pressure Static and Velocity Parameters to the Parameters Window.
8. Click Generate.

To view the animated profile, scan the QR code to the left

OR
Follow this link: https://bit.ly/3p3E5sP

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

You should generate a graph that looks like the one shown in Figure 10. Playing the animation reveals
that the highest temperature in the system is observed at the J2 heat exchanger. It should also be noted
that the rise to this maximum temperature occurs when the pressure wave from the valve closing passes
through this junction. This heightened temperature is not immediately seen by the combustion baskets
downstream, however, as the gas velocity throughout the system drops immediately following the valve
closure. Instead, the heightened temperature moves slowly downstream until the gas wave is reflected at
the positive displacement compressor and passes through the heat exchanger going the opposite dir-
ection. This causes the local gas velocity to rise and causes the temperature wave to move downstream
towards the combustion baskets more quickly. This wave eventually reaches combustion basket #1 at
T= 0.5 seconds, at which point the inlet to the combustion basket reaches its maximum temperature.
Click the "Add Graph to List" icon and give it a name such as "Combustion Basket #1 Profile". Click OK to
add the Graph to the Graph List.

Note:Figure 10 has had the axes titles modified to increase clarity.

Figure 10: Graph Parameters for Combustion Basket #1 Profile

- 54 -
 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Figure 11: Combustion Basket #1 Profile

Note: You can make similar graphs for combustion basket #2. To do so, change the pipe used in the
temperature vs time graph to pipe 8, and change the pipes in the animated profile graph to 1, 2,
3, 6, 7, and 8. This would generate similar graphs to the ones seen in and Figure 10.

Step 11. Run the other scenarios and graph the results

Using the Scenario Manager, load the other two scenarios and run them.
Create the same graphs you created for Step 10 for each of the scenarios by double-clicking on the
graph names in the Graph List Manager. This will reveal that the general behavior of the graph is the
same for all 3 scenarios, but that the maximum temperature rises as the section count is increased.
The numerical maximum temperature can be found in the Output window of each scenario and is sum-
marized in Table 1. For these cases the maximum temperatures differ by 2.5 degrees.

Table 1: Summary of maximum Static Temperature for the three cases

Case Max Transient Temperature (deg C)

8 Sections 77.7

4 Sections 76.0

2 Sections 75.2

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 Gas Turbine Fuel System Example

Conclusion

Use of transient conditions within a valve junction allowed us to model the effects of an unexpected valve
closure in a system. While this example was focused on temperature, it also showed that values such as
pressure and velocity can be tracked by AFT xStream.
Additionally, this example identifies the Estimated Maximum Temperature During Transient as a critical
variable in the tabulation of the transient results. This value sets the boundary for the characteristic grid
the Method of Characteristic uses. If sonic choking occurs at a temperature higher than the estimated
maximum, the model may not converge. As such, this value should be conservatively high on early runs
of a model and then refined once the temperature that the transient approaches is known.

- 56 -
High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Summary

This example evaluates two turbines in a high pressure steam system that are simultaneously valved off
as a bypass line valve is opened. The focus will be the transient behavior in the bypass line in response
to simultaneous transient events. Whether or not condensation occurs will also be evaluated through the
use of different Fluid Property Models.

Topics covered
l
Using the isometric grid to create a model
l
Creating systems with multiple transients
l
Evaluating the selection of a fluid property model

Required knowledge

This example assumes the user has already worked through the Beginner: Tank Blowdown example, or
has a level of knowledge consistent with that topic.

Model file

The file listed below contains a completed version of this example and can be located in the Examples
folder as part of the AFT xStream installation. This file can also be downloaded from the AFT xStream
help site from the High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example page:

l
Metric - High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models.xtr

Step 1. Start AFT xStream

Open AFT xStream. Click "Start Building Model".

To ensure that your results are the same as those presented in this documentation, this example should
be run using all default AFT xStream settings, unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise.

Step 2. Specify the Fluid panel

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window from the Main Toolbar and open the Fluid panel. Under the "AFT
Standard" fluid option, choose "Steam" from the list and click the "Add to Model" button. Click OK.

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Step 3. Build the model

A. Place the pipes and junctions

The next step is to define the pipes and junctions.

Isometric Drawing Mode

The previous example models were drawn using the default Pipe Drawing Mode, 2D Freeform.
AFT xStream has two additional available drawing modes, 2D Orthogonal and Isometric. In this model,
the isometric mode is used to visually interpret pipe layout and provide a better understanding of the sys-
tem when analyzing calculated forces.

1. From the Arrange menu, select the option to Show Grid

2. Open the Arrange menu again, go to Pipe Drawing Mode, and select Isometric
3. Place the junctions as shown in Figure 1
4. Click the Pipe Drawing Tool and draw the pipes in the model as shown. When drawing segmented
pipes such as P5, a red dashed preview line will show how the pipe will be drawn on the isometric
grid. As you are drawing a pipe, you can change the preview line by clicking any arrow key on your
keyboard or scrolling the scroll wheel on your mouse.
5. Use the Rotate Icons buttons on the Workspace Toolbar, or right-click on the junction and select
the Auto-rotate option to automatically align the junction with the connected pipes. Alternatively,
Customize Icon can be selected from the right-click menu to manually choose an icon/orientation.
6. The grid can be shown or turned off in the Arrange menu, as shown in Figure 2

Note: You can hold the "Alt" key while adjusting a pipe by the endpoint to add an additional segment.
This can be used with the arrow key or mouse scroll wheel to change between different preview
line options.

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Figure 1: The isometric layout with the grid shown

Figure 2: The isometric layout with the grid turned off

B. Enter the pipe and junction data

The system is in place but now the input data for the pipes and junctions needs to be entered. Double-
click each pipe or junction and enter the following data in the Pipe or Junction Properties window.
All pipe materials are User Specified in this model (see Figure 3). Use the Absolute Roughness of Steel
(0.004572 cm) as the Friction Model, along with the following data:

Note: The pipes below are user defined as they utilize non-standard pipe sizes.

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Pipe # Inner Diameter (cm) Length (meters)

1 34 30.5

2 30.5 20

3 30.5 15

4 30.5 4.5

5 30.5 4.5

6 15.5 2

7 10 2

8 15.5 3

9 15.5 1.5

10 15.5 6

11 49 6

12 49 1.5

Figure 3: User Specified Pipe Properties window

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

1. Assigned Pressure J1
a. Name = High Pressure Steam Inlet
b. Elevation = 0 meters
c. Static Pressure = 170 bar
d. Temperature = 570 deg. C
2. Area Change J2
a. Type = Conical Transition
b. Angle = 45 degrees
3. Branch J3,J4,J7,J9 
a. Elevation = 0 meters
4. Assigned Flowrate J5,J6
a. J5 Name = Turbine 1
b. J6 Name = Turbine 2
c. Elevation = 0 meters
d. Mass Flowrate = 228600 kg/hr

Note: Ensure that you change the unit in the Mass Flowrate from kg/s to kg/hr, as kg/hr
is not the default unit.

e. Temperature =570 deg. C

5. Dead End J8  
a. Elevation = 0 meters
6. Branch J10, J12
a. Elevation = 1.5 meters
7. Valve J11
a. Kv = 2600
b. Xt = 0.7
c. Elevation = 1.5 meters
d. In the optional tab, set the special condition to closed
e. Click on the Transient Tab and enter the following data

Time (seconds) Kv Xt

0 0 0.7

2 2600 0.7

5 2600 0.7

8. Assigned Pressure J13

a. Name = Steam Bypass Outlet
b. Elevation = 0 meters
c. Static Pressure = 30 bar
d. Static Temperature = 350 deg. C

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

C. Check if the pipes and junctions are specified

ØClick the List Undefined Objects button to see if the model is fully defined. If it is not, the undefined
pipes and junctions window will show a list of incomplete items. If undefined objects are present, go back
to the incomplete pipes or junctions and enter the missing data.

Step 4. Specify the Sectioning panel

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window and select the Sectioning panel. Specify the Minimum Number of
Sections Per Pipe as 1 and the Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature During Transient to 600 deg. C.

Figure 4: Sectioning panel for High Pressure Steam System

Step 5. Specify the MOC Transient panel

ØOpen the MOC Transient panel from the Analysis Setup window. Enter the Stop Time as 5 seconds.
Click the OK button.

Step 6. Run the model

ØSelect "Run Model" from the Main Toolbar. The model has an estimated run time of 5 minutes, but
the run time is dependent on the speed of your PC.

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Step 7. Graph the results

A. Graph the transient pressures at the turbines

ØGo to the Graph Results window. The first graph we make will show the Static Pressure at the
entrance to the steam turbines.

1. From the Graph Control tab on the Quick Access Panel, select the Transient Pipe tab
2. Select the pipe P5 outlet station
3. Ensure that time units are set to seconds
4. In the Parameters definition area, select "Pressure Static" and specify "bar" in the dropdown box
under Units
5. Click Generate

This will generate the graph shown in Figure 6. The pressure variation is difficult to see using the default
y-axis scale so we will adjust the scale using the following steps:

1. Right-click the y-axis

2. Uncheck the Auto Scale box
3. Set the Minimum to 150 bar, the Maximum to 190 bar, and Major Val to 10 (see Figure 7)

The graph should now match Figure 8. When the model contains multiple transient events, transient pipe
graphs allow the user to see the cumulative impact of the events on system pressure. Note that the first
peak contains an oscillation, which is attributable to the opening of the bypass valve.

Note: The legends in the graphs have been removed for clarity.

Figure 5: Graph Parameters for Inlet Pressure to Turbines

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Figure 6: Static pressure at steam turbine 2 entrance

Figure 7: Axis Modification Window opened by right-clicking the y-axis

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Figure 8: Static pressure at steam turbine 2 entrance with modified y-axis

B. Create a profile of the bypass line temperature and pressure

We also will animate the profile of the bypass line temperature and pressure in order to determine
whether condensation occurs.

1. Click the "New Tab" button to create a new graph.

2. From the Graph Control tab on the Quick Access Panel, select the Profile tab (Figure 9)
3. Select pipes 6, 8, 9, and 10
4. Verify the Length unit is set tometers
5. Next to Animate Using, verify "Output" is selected, and verify "seconds" are the selected Anim-
ation Time Units
6. Add a second parameter in the parameters definition area, then specify one parameter to be
"Pressure Static" and the other to be "Temperature Static"
7. Change the Pressure Static units to " bar" and the Temperature Static units to "deg. C"
8. Click the Generate button
9. Click the Play button to review the graph

Note: If you wish to adjust the speed of the transient in the profile, you can use the Speed Slider in the
upper right-hand corner of the Graph Results window to speed up or slow down the animation.

Figure 10 is useful to determine whether or not condensation occurs in the system, as well as under-
standing the cause of condensation. Condensation can occur by a rise in pressure, a decrease in tem-
perature, or a combination of both. It should be noted that this saturation check would need to be run
using your own saturation data because the AFT Standard fluid database does not contain vapor liquid

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

equilibrium (VLE) information. This limitation of the AFT Standard database is further discussed in Step
8.

Figure 9: Graph Parameters for bypass line profile

Figure 10: Bypass line animation profile

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

To view the animated profile, scan the QR code to the left

OR
Follow this link: https://bit.ly/34vw8mE

C. Graph the mass flow rate and pressure drop through the bypass valve

Lastly, we shall create a graph to show the mass flow rate and the pressure drop through the bypass
valve to gain insight into how the flow develops in the bypass line.

1. Click the "New Tab"button to add a new graph tab

2. From the Graph Control tab on the Quick Access Panel, select the Transient Jct tab
3. In the Select Junctions section, select J11 and click the ">" arrow
4. Add a second parameter in the Select Parameters section. Specify the parameters as "Mass Flow
Rate Inlet" and "Pressure Drop Stagnation Total".
5. Set the units for Mass Flow Rate Inlet to "kg/hr" and Pressure Drop Stagnation Total to "bar"
6. Click Generate

As shown in Figure 12, the flow rate increases and the pressure drop decreases as the valve opens over
time. While the observed trends for mass flow rate and pressure drop are typical for a valve that is open-
ing, it is still worthwhile to make Transient Jct graphs when multiple transient events occur in order to fully
understand the interactions between them.

Note: Figure 12 has modified axes titles and its legend removed for clarity.

Figure 11: Bypass valve mass flow and pressure drop Parameters

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Figure 12: Bypass valve mass flow rate and pressure drop transient

Step 8. Results of Other Databases and Discussion

A. Review the results of other databases

In addition to the AFT Standard fluid database, the model built in this example was run using the
Chempak, NIST REFPROP, and ASME Steam databases. Similar results to the AFT Standard Fluid run
were obtained for both the bypass valve and the turbine pressure vs time graph, so these results are not
shown below. Nevertheless, it is sensible to run your system using different fluid property models as they
have been known to impact results. One distinct advantage of the non-AFT Standard fluid databases is
the capability to identify when saturation conditions occur. If using Chempak, NIST REFPROP, or
ASME Steam Tables, the Temperature Saturation parameter can be added to the bypass line profile
graph from Step 7 as a secondary y-axis. The resulting graph using NIST REFPROP is shown in Figure
13. As the difference between Chempak, ASME Steam, and NIST REFPROP for this example is neg-
ligible, only the results from NIST REFPROP are shown. Note that the minimum temperature reached at
J11 is 37.2 degrees Celsius lower in the AFT Standard fluid database run compared to the
NIST REFPROP run.

Note: The axes of the below graphs were modified for clarity.

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Figure 13: Bypass line profile obtained using NIST REFPROP

To view the animated profile, scan the QR code to the left

OR
Follow this link: https://bit.ly/3oXJAt0

B. Advice for preliminary runs

Obtaining final results from AFT xStream will require multiple iterations. To effectively work through those
iterations, we recommend the iterative process begins with the following steps:

Step 1: Run the steady-state model

It is recommended that the first runs are completed using a simplified version of your model in the
AFT Arrow™ Steady-State Solver with each fluid property model before considering transient conditions.
This will allow for larger issues in the model to be caught before having to commit to MOC Transient
Solver runs, which are more time consuming. This also can inform the types of variables that need to be
considered during refined runs (i.e. if the AFT Arrow™ steady state runs are close to the saturation tem-
perature, condensation is a phenomenon that should be monitored in subsequent runs).

Step 2: Complete a transient run using an AFT Standard fluid with minimal sectioning

You should then run your simplified model in the MOC Transient Solver using an AFT Standard fluid with
minimal sectioning. This is not always possible, such as when mixtures are present, but this step should
always be attempted if allowable. This will allow for larger issues to be caught before committing to exten-

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

ded run times. Only after you are satisfied with the model should you attempt increasing the number of
sections.

C. Selection of fluid property model for final runs

A number of factors must be taken into consideration while selecting the fluid property model for an AFT
xStream model. If saturation data is not needed, there are no mixtures, and the compound is present in
the AFT Standard database, it is recommended that the AFT Standard database be the first database
used. AFT Standard has the shortest run times of the four databases and is an excellent choice for early
runs focused on troubleshooting the model. However, if there is a need to model mixtures or if saturation
is possible, and simplifying the system is not possible, initial runs should be conducted with
NIST REFPROP or Chempak.
NIST REFPROP and Chempak both have greater accuracy than AFT Standard, can represent mixtures,
and contain VLE data. It should be noted that the saturation data is limited to predicting the presence of
saturation conditions as opposed to modeling the behavior of the multi-phase mixture. However, both
have slower run times than AFT Standard. Chempak runs faster than NIST REFPROP with comparable
accuracy. However, Chempak is an optional add-on while the NIST REFPROP database comes stand-
ard with AFT xStream.
Lastly, ASME Steam provides a well-established, trustworthy source of steam data. ASME Steam has
the longest run times of the four, and it is recommended that a high processing power computer paired
with ample time be used to run your analysis if this database is selected. If either of those elements is
unavailable, it is recommended that one of the three other databases be used, with the added note that
NIST REFPROP is the most similar in accuracy to ASME steam. Table 1 summarizes this example's run
time with the four different fluid property models. The run times will be affected by the specifications of
your computer as well as the memory available.
Table 1 shows data for runs conducted on the computers at AFT as of publication in 2021. Additionally,
Table 2 provides a database compatibility chart to assist with fluid property model selection.
It should be noted that if a tremendous amount of accuracy is needed, appropriate database selection
will not be sufficient to give a high accuracy model. The single parameter that will have the greatest effect
on accuracy is the Minimum Number of Sections per Pipe in the Sectioning panel. Ultimately, appropriate
sectioning remains the single most important factor in creating a high accuracy model and should be
weighed just as heavily as the fluid database when setting the parameters your transient gas system
uses.

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 High Pressure Steam - Fluid Property Models Example

Table 1: Comparison of High Pressure Steam System run times

High Pressure Steam System Run Times

Fluid Property Model Run Time

AFT Standard - 1 Section 2-3 minutes

Chempak - 1 Section 8-10 minutes

NIST REFPROP - 1 Section 0.9-1.4 hours

AFT Standard - 10 Sections 1.6-2 hours

ASME Steam - 1 Section 3.9-4 hours

Table 2: Compatibility chart for fluid property model selection for final runs

Model Requirements
Fluid Data-
base Condensation Complex User Spe-
Mixtures
Data Needed Systems* cified Fluids

AFT Standard P P

NIST
P P P
REFPROP

Chempak P P P

ASME Steam P

* Evaluating the complexity of a system is most easily done in early runs of the model. It is suggested that
all early runs should be run with a version of AFT Standard if they can, and the run time recorded. This
run time should inform your decision on which fluid database is needed to run the more thorough runs
when high accuracy results are needed. As seen from Table 1, the run times can vary wildly between the
4 databases, so make sure you evaluate your time constraints and accuracy needs when weighing this
decision. Factors that can impact the run time include the ratio in the length of the smallest pipe to the
largest pipe, presence of mixtures, usage of Junctions containing resistance curves, and the presence of
sonic choking.

Conclusions

The mass flow rate through the bypass line was modeled and the cumulative effect of multiple transient
events was observed. Additionally, it was determined that condensation does not occur in this system
through the utilization of the NIST REFPROP database.

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High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Summary

Two turbines in a high pressure steam system are simultaneously valved off, which causes the system to
experience transient forces. This example describes how to determine the imbalanced transient force
data for the piping system during the steam flow transient. It also evaluates the effect of varying the time
to close the valves on force magnitude. Lastly, this example shows how to export the force results to a
force file to use in piping stress software.

Topics covered
l
Calculating the forces associated with a transient event
l
Using the Scenario Comparison Tool to compare scenarios
l Exporting force sets to CAESAR II®

Required knowledge

This example assumes the user has already worked through the Beginner: Tank Blowdown example, or
has a level of knowledge consistent with that topic.

Model file

This example uses the following file, which is installed in the Examples folder as part of the AFT xStream
installation. This file can also be downloaded from the High Pressure Steam - Forces Example topic on
the Product Help Site:

l
Metric - High Pressure Steam - Forces.xtr

Step 1. Start AFT xStream

Open AFT xStream. Click the Start Building Model.

Step 2. Specify Fluid

ØSelect Fluid from the Analysis menu to open the Fluid panel in the Analysis Setup window. For this
example, select the AFT Standard fluid option, then choose "Steam" from the list and click the "Add to
Model" button. Click OK.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

At this point, the first five items are completed in the Analysis Setup window. The next step is to define
the pipes and junctions.

Step 3. Build the model

A. Place the pipes and junctions

This example will be created in the isometric view in order to get a greater feel for the pipe layout.

1. From the Arrange menu, select the option to Show Grid

2. Open the Arrange menu again and select the Isometric option under Pipe Drawing Mode
3. Place the junctions as shown in Figure 1
4. Click the pipe tool and draw the pipes in the model as shown
5. Use the Rotate Icons button, or right click on the junction and select Auto-rotate Icon to align the
junction with the connected pipes. Alternatively, the Customize Icon option can be selected from
the right-click menu to manually choose an icon/orientation.
6. The grid can be shown or turned off in the Arrange menu, as shown in Figure 2

Note: You can hold the "Alt" key while adjusting a pipe by the endpoint to add an additional segment .
This can be used with the arrow key or mouse scroll wheel to change between different preview
line options.

Figure 1: Model layout with grid

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 2: Model layout without Grid

B. Enter the pipe data

The system is in place, but now the input data for the pipes and junctions needs to be entered. Double-
click each pipe or junction and enter the following data in the Pipe or Junction Properties windows.
All pipes in the model are User Specified and utilize a User Specified Friction Model with an Absolute
Roughness of 0.005 cm.

Pipe Internal Diameter (cm) Length (meters)

1 33.6 4

2 33.6 12

3 27 4

4 27 4

5 27 10

6 27 13

7 27 2

8 27 1.5

9 20.5 6

10 27 1.5

11 20.5 6

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Pipe Internal Diameter (cm) Length (meters)

12 16.5 15

13 16.5 3

14 16.5 3

C. Enter the junction data

1. Assigned Pressure J1
a. Name = High Pressure Steam Inlet
b. Elevation = 0 meters
c. Static Pressure = 16.7 MPa
d. Static Temperature = 570 deg.C
2. Branch J2, J4
a. Elevation = 0 meters

3. Area Change J3

a. Elevation = 0 meters
b. Type = "Conical Transition"
c. Angle = 45 degrees
4. Branch J5, J6, J7, J13
a. Elevation = 4 meters
5. Branch J8, J9, J11
a. Elevation = 2 meters
6. Assigned Flow J10, J12
a. J10 Name = Turbine 1
b. J12 Name = Turbine 2
c. Elevation = 2 meters
d. Mass Flow Rate = 62.75 kg/sec (to each turbine)
e. Temperature = 570 deg. C
f. On the Transient tab enter the following data for both Assigned Flow junctions:

Static Tem-
Time Mass Flow
perature (deg.
(seconds) Rate (kg/sec)
C)

0 62.75 570

0.1 0 570

1 0 570

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 3: Transient data for Assigned Flow junctions J10 and J12

7. Branch J14
a. Elevation =7 meters
8. Dead End J15
a. Name = Bypass Valve
b. Elevation = 7 meters

D. Check if the pipes and junctions are specified

ØClick the List Undefined Objects button to see if the model is fully defined. If it is not, the undefined
pipes and junctions window will show a list of incomplete items. If undefined objects are present, go back
to the incomplete pipes or junctions and enter the missing data.

Step 4. Specify the Sectioning panel

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window from the Main Toolbar and select the Sectioning panel. Define
the Minimum Number of Sections Per Pipe as 1 section and the Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature
During Transient as 600 degrees C.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 4: Sectioning panel for high pressure steam system in the Analysis Setup window

Step 5. Specify the MOC Transient panel

ØOpen the MOC Transient panel from the Analysis Setup window. Enter the Stop Time as 1
second. Click OK to close the Analysis Setup window.

Step 6. Specify Force Sets

We will first add one Force Set from the Workspace.

ØOn the Workspace, right-click on pipe P2 and from the right-click menu select "Create a Force Set
with Selected Pipe." Select the Use Pipe Information radio button and uncheck the "Include Appended
Text" option (Figure 5). Click Create. This will open the Forces panel of the Analysis Setup window. The
Forces panel should appear as shown in Figure 6.

AFT xStream can only determine axial forces down a pipe in the direction defined as forward by the force
set definition. As such, AFT xStream has no knowledge of the three-dimensional orientation of a given
force set. For example, a vertical pipe and a horizontal pipe that both have the same force magnitude
would be indistinguishable in AFT xStream. The force set definition informs the sign of the force, with a
positive value indicating a force pushing from the start location to the end location, and a negative value
indicating the converse.
If a more robust view of the 3D orientation of the pipes is required, directional information can be entered
using the optional Force Unit Vector columns. The Force Unit Vectors do not impact AFT xStream's cal-
culations, but may be useful if it is desired to export the output to piping stress analysis software as dis-
cussed in Step 12

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Note: Only single pipes can be added as a "Difference" force set type from the Workspace. Also note
that difference forces should strictly be used between 2 90 degree angle pipe fittings.

Figure 5: Adding force set from Workspace using the right-click menu

Figure 6: High Pressure Steam System Force input in the Analysis Setup window

The remaining force sets will be defined inside the Forces panel.

ØDefine a force set by clicking "New", selecting the Force Type (in this example, we will be using "Dif-
ference"), entering a name, and defining the starting and ending locations of the force set. Set up the
force sets as shown in Figure 7. Click OK to exit the Analysis Setup window.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 7: Completed Forces panel in the Analysis Setup window

Step 7. Add child scenarios using Scenario Manager

A. Create scenarios

In this model, we will evaluate three different valve closure durations for the system:

1. 0.1 Second Valve Closure

2. 0.25 Second Valve Closure
3. 0.5 Second Valve Closure

We will create three child scenarios to model the three cases.

ØGo to the Scenario Manager on the Quick Access Panel. Create a child scenario by either right-
clicking on the Base Scenario and then selecting Create Child, or by first selecting the Base Scenario on

the Scenario Manager on the Quick Access Panel and then selecting the Create Child icon . Enter
the name "0.1 Second Valve Closure" in the Create Child Scenario window, and click OK. The new "0.1
Second Valve Closure" scenario should now appear in the Scenario Manager on the Quick Access Panel
below the Base Scenario.

ØRight-click the Base Scenario in the Quick Access Panel. Create another child and call it "0.25
Second Valve Closure". Finally, create one more child and call it "0.5 Second Valve Closure". The child
scenarios should now be displayed as shown in Figure 8.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 8: Completed Scenario Manager for High Pressure Steam - Forces

B. Define the child scenarios

Since the "0.1 Second Valve Closure" scenario uses the same transient definitions as the base scenario,
we do not need to modify it. We will set up the remaining scenarios using the following steps:

1. Open the "0.25 Second Valve Closure" scenario by double-clicking the name in the Scenario Man-
ager
2. Open the Assigned Flow Properties window for Assigned Flow J10 and open the Transient tab.
Enter the following data:

Time (seconds) Mass Flow(kg/sec) Static Temperature (deg. C)

0 62.75 570

0.25 0 570

1 0 570

3. Enter the same Transient Data for Assigned Flow J12

4. Open the Child Scenario "0.5 Second Valve Closure" from the Scenario Manager
5. Open the Assigned Flow Properties window for Assigned Flow J10 and open the Transient tab.
Enter the following data:

Time (seconds) Mass Flow(kg/sec) Static Temperature (deg. C)

0 62.75 570

0.5 0 570

1 0 570

6. Enter the same Transient Data for Assigned Flow J12

Step 8. Compare child scenarios using the Scenario Comparison Tool

The three scenarios created should be identical except for the different transient data. To confirm the
scenarios are otherwise identical, we will use the Scenario Comparison Tool.

1. Load the "0.1 Second Valve Closure" scenario from the Scenario Manager
2. In the Tools menu, select the Scenario Comparison Tool

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

3. In the Scenario Comparison - Selection window (Figure 9), select "Siblings"

4. Click "Show Comparison"
5. In the Scenario Comparison Grid, set the "Item" and "Parameter" sliders to show "Differences".
Also set the "Highlight Unique Values" slider to "Yes".

The Scenario Comparison Tool will run a comparison of all Pipe and Junction Properties as well as the
General Properties used in each scenario and highlight any differences in the Scenario Comparison
Grid. In this model, the only highlighted differences should be for the "First Transient Data" parameter for
junctions J10 and J12 (Figure 10). Note that each column in the Scenario Comparison Grid is highlighted
in a different color. This indicates that each scenario possesses a unique value for the given parameters.
Click close to exit the Scenario Comparison Tool.

Figure 9: Scenario Comparison Tool - Selection window

Figure 10: Scenario Comparison Grid of the 3 scenarios

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Step 9. Run the first scenario

ØDouble-click the "0.1 Second Valve Closure" child scenario in the Scenario Manager. Ensure
that all force sets are set to be applied in the Forces panel of the Analysis Setup window (the forces panel
should appear as it does in Figure 7). Select "Run Model" from the Analysis menu. This will open the
Solution Progress window. This model has an estimated run time of 1 minute, but the run time is depend-
ent on the speed of your computer.

Step 10. View the results

A. Open the Forces tab

ØIn the Output window, click on the Forces tab. This will show the maximum force observed in the
defined force sets, as well as provide information about how the force segments were defined.

Figure 11: Forces tab in the Output window for the "0.1 Second Valve Closure" scenario

B. Graph the force results

ØOpen the Graph Results window. We will create a graph that shows the transient forces over time for
the force sets. To do so, perform the following steps:

1. Select the Forces tab on the Graph Control tab on the Quick Access Panel, as shown in Figure 12.
2. Select "All" force sets to be graphed.
3. Verify the Force Units Primary Y is set to "N."
4. Verify that Time Units is set to "seconds."
5. Verify that the Time Frame is set to "All times."
6. Click Generate.

This should generate the graph shown in Figure 13.

Add the graph to the Graph List Manager by right-clicking the graph results window and selecting "Add
Graph To List...". Name the graph "Force Sets" and click OK.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 12: Graph parameters for force sets

Figure 13: Graph for forces of the "0.1 Second Valve Closure" scenario

Note that at t = 0 seconds, there are no force imbalances for any of the force sets. This is expected since
the sum of forces across a piping run between two elbows equals zero in a steady state system. If a Point
or Exit type force set were used instead of a Difference type force set, then a non-zero force may be
encountered during the steady state.
Additionally, some traditional methods of analyzing force sets will not yield the same results as AFT
xStream since they may not include friction or momentum effects in their force balances. Traditional
methods can yield significantly different results and indicate incorrect, non-zero forces during steady
state conditions.
There are two important points to be observed here:

1. AFT xStream calculates transient fluid forces. This does not include piping, component, or fluid
weight, or any other forces external to the piping. A comprehensive analysis of pipe loading must

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

separately include these items.

2. Ignoring friction and momentum force balance components will result in force imbalances that do
not exist.

Step 11. Run the other child scenarios

ØRun the other two child scenarios and load the Forces tab and the "Force Sets" graph list item for each.
The results are seen below in Figures 14-17.

Figure 14: Forces tab in the Output window for "0.25 Second Valve Closure" scenario

Figure 15: Graph for forces of the "0.25 Second Valve Closure" scenario

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 16: Forces tab in the Output window for the "0.5 Second Valve Closure" scenario

Figure 17: Graph for forces of the "0.5 Second Valve Closure" scenario

These figures show that the maximum force magnitude increases as the valve closes faster. Typically,
the more rapidly a change occurs, the more severe the resulting forces are. Therefore, a utility of AFT
xStream would be to evaluate the correlation between transient event duration (e.g., valve closing time)
and the resultant force magnitudes.

Factors affecting the timing and magnitude of forces

Pipe sectioning, the selection of fluid property model, and specification of Maximum Pipe Mach Number
During Transient can have a significant effect on the accuracy of the forces calculated by AFT xStream.
This effect was not significant in the system built within this example. The results for altering each of
these three parameters are shown (Figures 18-20), however, so that you may see the impact of changing
these three parameters. Note that in Figure 19, ASME Steam, Chempak, and NIST REFPROP are super-
imposed on each other, indicating no meaningful difference for this case.
If you wish to learn more about the effect of altering these 3 factors with regards to force, the click here to
go to the Transient Sensitivity Analysis Tutorial.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 18: Effect of sectioning on High Pressure Steam - Forces model. All runs use the AFT Standard fluid
database and a Maximum Pipe Mach Number During Transient of 1.

Figure 19: Effect of fluid property model on High Pressure Steam - Forces model. All runs use a Minimum
Number of Sections Per Pipe of 1 and an Estimated Maximum Pipe Mach Number During Transient of 1.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 20: Effect of Maximum Pipe Mach Number During Transient on High Pressure Steam - Forces model.
All runs use the AFT Standard fluid database.

Step 12. Export CAESAR II Force file

ØOpen the Output window, and click on the File menu. Select "Export Force File..." and choose
"CAESAR II® Force File." This will open the export file window shown in Figure 21.

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 High Pressure Steam - Forces Example

Figure 21: Export CAESAR II® Force File window

The force sets to include in the force file may be individually selected, along with how frequently data
points are saved. The number of data points that will be in the file is also displayed for the given setting.
This number should not exceed the maximum number of data points allowed for the relevant piping
stress software, which in the case of CAESAR II® is 2500.
If unit vector information has been entered in the Forces panel, the Export Unit Vector option can be used
to include this information in the exported file. Similar methods to those described above can be used to
export force files to ROHR2®, TRIFLEX®, and AutoPIPE®.

Conclusion

We created a force model to calculate the forces experienced as a result of two simultaneous closures in
a steam header. We also identified how the length of the transient can have a significant impact on the
forces a system experiences. Finally, we discussed how to export these forces into a force file to be used
in pipe stress analysis software.

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Frequency Analysis - PFA Example

Summary

A frequency analysis is performed on a system with a positive displacement compressor to determine the
acoustical frequencies that need to be evaluated for the existing piping configuration.

Topics covered
l
Using the PFA module to identify natural acoustic frequencies
l
Defining valid sectioning and simulation duration settings for pulsation analysis

Required knowledge

This example assumes the user has already worked through the Beginner: Tank Blowdown example, or
has a level of knowledge consistent with that topic.

Model file

The file listed below contains a completed version of this example and can be located in the Examples
folder as part of the AFT xStream installation. This file can also be downloaded from the AFT xStream
help site from the Frequency Analysis - PFA Example page:

l
Metric - Frequency Analysis PFA.xtr

Step 1. Start AFT xStream

Open AFT xStream.
From the Startup window under the "Activate Modules" section in the center panel, select the PFA (Pulsa-
tion Frequency Analysis) option to activate the PFA module. If AFT xStream is already running, choose
Activate Modules from the Tools menu, then check the box next to PFA to activate the module.

Step 2. Specify the Fluid panel

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window and select the Fluid panel. Under the "AFT Standard" fluid option,
choose "Methane" from the list and click the "Add to Model" button. Click OK.

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Step 3. Build the model

A. Place the pipes and junctions

The next step is to define the pipes and junctions. In the Workspace window, assemble the model as
shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Layout of frequency analysis model

B. Enter the pipe and junction data

The system is in place but now we need to enter the input data for the pipes and junctions. Enter the fol-
lowing data:
All Pipes are Steel - ANSI, STD (schedule 40), and have standard roughness. The rest of the pipe inform-
ation is as follows:

Pipe # Length (meters) Size (inches)

1 8 10

2 8 10

3 8 10

4 80 16

5 3 6

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

1. Assigned Flow J1
a. Elevation = 3.5 meters
b. Name = PD Compressor
c. Mass Flow Rate =40 kg/sec
d. Temperature = 38 deg. C
2. Valve J2
a. Elevation =3.5 meters
b. Kv = 385
c. Xt = 0.8
3. Branch J3
a. Elevation = 3.5 meters
4. Valve J4
a. Elevation = 0 meters
b. Kv = 1380
c. Xt = 0.7
5. Assigned Pressure J5
a. Elevation = 0 meters
b. Stagnation Pressure = 0 barg
c. Temperature = 38 deg. C
6. Dead End J6
a. Elevation = 3.5 meters
b. Name = Closed Valve

C. Check if the pipe and junction data is complete

ØTurn on List Undefined Objects from the Main Toolbar to verify if all data is entered. If it is not, the
undefined pipes and junctions window will show a list of incomplete items. If there are undefined objects,
go back to the incomplete pipes or junctions and enter the missing data.

Step 4. Specify the Sectioning panel

ØOpen the Analysis Setup window from the Main Toolbar and select the Sectioning panel. Define the
Minimum Number of Sections per Pipe as 8 sections and the Estimated Maximum Pipe Temperature Dur-
ing Transient as 65 deg. C.

Step 5. Specify the MOC Transient panel

ØOpen the MOC Transient panel. Enter the Stop Time as 2 seconds.

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Step 6. Specify the Pulsation panel

ØOpen the Pulsation panel. The Pulsation panel is used to specify the location and magnitude of the
pulse applied to the system, as well as the parameters required to generate the forcing function for fre-
quency analysis.

Define the Pulsation inputs as follows (Figure 2):

1. Check that junction J1 is selected for the pulse to be applied at. Note that the pulse may only be
applied at Assigned Flow junctions.
2. For Magnitude, ensure that Automatic (Twice Steady-State Flow) is selected.
3. Under Frequency Analysis, define the Cutoff Frequency as 200 Hz and verify that the Minimum
Number of Frequency Samples is set to the default value of 1000.

Figure 2: Pulsation panel in the Analysis Setup window with all pulsation settings defined

Now that all of the pulsation inputs are defined, look at the Pulsation Summary at the bottom of the win-
dow. The defined Cutoff Frequency and the Minimum Number of Frequency Samples will affect the num-
ber of sections and the simulation duration that are required to run the analysis. If the number of sections
is insufficient, then the time step will be too large to capture the specified Cutoff Frequency. Similarly, if
the simulation duration is too small, then the number of time steps will not accommodate the Minimum
Number of Frequency Samples.
Checking the Pulsation Summary for this example, the Minimum Sections Required for Cutoff are 2, and
the Minimum Simulation Duration Required for Min. Samples is 0.79 seconds. Both of these require-
ments are satisfied by the current model settings. The "Update For Me" button can be used to auto-
matically change the minimum number of sections and/or the minimum simulation duration if they are
insufficient. Click OK to exit the Analysis Setup window.

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Step 7. Run the model

ØSelect "Run Model" from the Main Toolbar. This will open the Solution Progress window. This model
has an estimated run time of 5 minutes, but the run time is dependent on the speed of your PC.

Step 8. Review the frequency results

ØOpen the Graph Results window. The first step will be to generate a plot of the pressure in each of
the pipes to ensure that the simulation duration was long enough for the response to stabilize. Create the
pressure graph as follows:

1. Select the Transient Pipe tab in the Graph Control tab in the Quick Access Panel
2. Add the inlet and outlet station for each of the pipes
3. Under Select Parameter choose "Pressure Static" and verify "bar" are the selected units
4. Click Generate

The pressure graph should appear as shown in Figure 3. Note that there is a small perturbation in the
pressure when the pulse is applied to the system, though the pressure results completely stabilize by the
end of the run. If the pressure results were still changing at the end of the run, the model should be re-run
with a longer simulation duration.

Figure 3: Pressure Static in each of the pipes for the frequency analysis

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Next, graph the acoustic frequency response as follows:

1. Click the "New Tab" button

2. Select the Frequency tab in the Graph Parameter section of the Quick Access Panel (Figure 4)
3. Add the inlet and outlet station for each of the pipes
4. Verify that the pressure units are set to bar
5. Click Generate

Figure 4: Graph Parameters section for the frequency analysis

Identify excitation frequencies to study

From the graph in Figure 5, there are several frequencies that produce a large pressure response. Points
on the plot with a large response magnitude are easily identified by finding local maxima on the graph.
These maxima are the acoustic natural frequencies that are potentially the most damaging when excited
by a positive displacement compressor. These frequencies can also be caused by equipment that con-
tributes large pressure drops, such as control valves.
Two natural frequencies are identified for the system based on the peaks in the graph at roughly 27 Hz
and 54 Hz. Note that the number of sections used for the analysis may affect the location of the peaks, so
it is prudent to run the analysis with more sections to reduce uncertainty in the results. It is also recom-
mended to analyze frequencies near identified peaks (for example, analyzing 52 and 56 Hz for the peak
at 54 Hz) to account for potential shifting of the frequency peaks that can result from the assumptions
made for the frequency analysis in AFT xStream.

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Figure 5: Acoustical frequency graph for the positive displacement compressor system

Step 9. Determine the pressure response

The identified excitation frequencies can now be used to determine the pressure response in the system
caused by the pulsation at the compressor.
To do determine the pressure response of the excitation frequencies, complete the following steps:

1. In the Scenario Manager, right-click on the base scenario and choose "Create Child". Name the
child scenario "27 Hz".
2. In the Analysis menu, go to Pulsation Frequency Analysis and select Ignore. This will disable the
PFA module for the child scenario while still preserving the PFA settings in the base scenario.
3. Open the Assigned Flow Properties window for junction J1
4. In the Transient tab, clear the pulse transient data by clicking Edit Table under the transient table
and choosing Clear All Data
5. Check the box next to Periodic Flow. Define the Frequency as 27 1/s and the Flow Amplitude as 5
kg/sec (Figure 6).
6. Click OK to close the Properties window

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Figure 6: Assigned Flow Properties window with Periodic Flow transient applied

The model is now updated to represent the pulsation at the positive displacement compressor that will
excite the system. Run the model, then navigate to the Graph Results window. This scenario will run
faster than the base scenario (about 2 minutes).
In the Graph Results window, generate a graph of the static pressure following the same process used to
create Figure 3. However, only include the pipe P1 outlet station. The resulting graph is shown in Figure
7. These pressure results can be used to check for compliance with standards such as API 618.
For comparison, this model can also be run at one of the frequencies which gave a lower amplitude, such
as 14 Hz. At 14 Hz, a lower amplitude pressure response is produced, as can be seen in Figure 8.

Note: The pulsation observed in this model represents a pure sin wave. Real systems might have a dif-
ferent forcing function.

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AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Figure 7: Pressure Static response at 27 Hz frequency

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 AFT xStream Add-on Module - PFA Example

Figure 8: Pressure Static response at 14 Hz frequency

Conclusion

The PFA add-on module for AFT xStream can be used to apply a pressure pulse to the system in order to
identify acoustic frequencies which may result in damage. These frequencies can be used in further
pulsation analysis to determine if pulsation mitigation is required, and what mitigation would be effective.

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