Pipeline systems

Pipeline systems form the lifeline of modern society, because they are the most efficient transportation mode for liquids and gases. Deltares investigates the properties and functions of an extensive range of pipeline systems spanning the water, gas, oil, power, process, chemical and food industries. Our activities include innovative system analysis and design, safety questions (waterhammer), contract research on multiphase flow phenomena, field measurements, troubleshooting and training courses.  

Analysis and Design

We use in-house developed advanced flow simulation software, WANDA  to analyse the steady and dynamic behaviour of fluids in pipe systems. This includes the investigation of normal and emergency operations, like pump trips, pump starts and emergency shut down procedures. The control strategy and the design of control systems have become an integral part of our specialist advice on pipe systems with an ever-increasing complexity. These analyses allow energy consumption to be minimized, safe operational control procedures to be defined and waterhammer provisions to be designed. We use generic 3D simulation software for detailed flow analyses of critical geometries and components.  

Contract research on multiphase flow phenomena

Deltares utilises an extensive range of experimental facilities. The latest being the Large Scale Multiphase Flow Facility which enables contract research on one-phase (water or air), two-phase (water-air) and three-phase (water-air-sediment) flows in horizontal and arbitrary inclined pipelines. The CAPWAT joint industry project is currently investigating capacity reducing gas pockets in pressurized wastewater mains, which cause an estimated CO2 emission of 10000 ton/year and many superfluous investments in the infrastructure.  

The flow facility furthermore enables performance evaluations of critical pipe system components, like air valves, pigging units, separators etc. Other facilities allow the testing of components for sustainable energy production and the investigation of dynamic component behaviour. We also uses experimental facilities to optimize hydraulic structures such as pump sumps and intakes and outfalls.

Field measurement and troubleshooting

Deltares frequently performs incident and post mortem analyses, as well as field measurements for clients to determine actual flow conditions. We investigate and solve bottlenecks in transportation pipelines and process systems. Those bottlenecks are regularly caused by unanticipated multiphase flow phenomena.

Deltares has the hydraulic experts, experimental facilities and latest software to answer the present and future questions of all parties involved in pipelines from the upstream to the downstream end.