2D CFD Modeling of Rapid Water Filling with Air Valves Using OpenFOAM

The rapid filling process in pressurized pipelines has been extensively studied using mathematical models. On the other hand, the application of computational fluid dynamics models has emerged during the last decade, which considers the development of CFD models that simulate the filling of pipes with entrapped air, and without air expulsion. Currently, studies of CFD models representing rapid filling in pipes with entrapped air and with air expulsion are scarce in the literature. In this paper, a two-dimensional model is developed using OpenFOAM software to evaluate the hydraulic performance of the rapid filling process in a hydraulic installation with an air valve, considering different air pocket sizes and pressure impulsion by means of a hydro-pneumatic tank. The two-dimensional CFD model captures the pressure evolution in the air pocket very well with respect to experimental and mathematical model results, and produces improved results with respect to existing mathematical models.