Transient Analysis
Paterson & Cooke’s pipeline engineers perform in-depth hydraulic transient flow analysis on water and slurry pipeline systems
Experienced and knowledgeable engineers simulate a range of operating conditions to ensure a robust and cost-effective solution for each system. The analysis includes the unique requirements and operating scenarios of pump and pipeline systems, considering normal operational sequences, abnormal events, and system control. Often transient analysis is also employed for incident investigations.
Typical systems regularly analysed are:
- Long distance concentrate slurry and water pipelines: centrifugal and positive displacement pumped systems and gravity pipelines
- Tailings pumping systems and return water pipelines
- Mine backfill pumped and gravity systems
Transient Analysis Projects from around the world
P&C completed the detailed design, engineering and commissioning support of the 186 km long phosphate ore pipeline from Khouribga Mine to Jorf Lasfar and the feeder pipeline systems from the process plants to the pump head station. The head station receives ore of different grades from the feeder stations and pumps the ore in separate batches via the main DN 900 diameter pipeline to the terminal that delivers different grades of ore to dedicated storage tanks. A choke station at the terminal ensures that the system remains fully pressurised flow at all times to prevent slack flow.
Commissioned in 2014, the system transports 38 MTA of phosphate ore and is the highest capacity ore slurry pipeline in the world, providing a significant proportion of global phosphate demand.
P&C provides ongoing technical and management support to IMERYS in Brazil that operates a long-distance kaolin transport pipeline. The support includes annual management, training, technical audits, and identification and implementation of technical projects. These projects include ongoing maintenance and system upgrades as required and recently included the detailed design, construction support, and commissioning of a 23 km section of replacement pipeline.
Since 2014, Anglo American has been operating the 520 km long Minas Rio iron ore concentrate pipeline - the longest slurry pipeline in the world. P&C provides ongoing supporting pipeline integrity activities, planning and providing invaluable insight into the unique operation of this long-distance pipeline system with tight-lined positive displacement pump booster stations.
After completing a comprehensive backfill test campaign and developing a backfill strategy as part of the front-end engineering, P&C completed the detailed engineering for the backfill preparation plant and underground distribution system for the Kamoa underground mine. P&C also provided construction and commissioning assistance and developed the backfill management system, as well as providing classroom and practical training for the operators and local workforce.
Paterson & Cooke completed the detailed design of the 219 km long water pipeline from Jorf Lasfar to the Khouribga area. The pipeline will have an annual capacity of 80 million cubic metres when completed. The DN 1300 pipeline will deliver water to a number of OCP operations and potentially other users in the region.
Paterson & Cooke completed the basic engineering of the 187 km long water pipeline from Safi to the Benguerir area. The pipeline will have an annual capacity of 100 million cubic metres when completed. The project will deliver water to OCP operations along the central axis and to Marrakech.
