I have an existing system that needs a new pump station. The system was set up with a reservoir rather than the tanks that are actually there. I need to establish the pumping system upstream of the distribution system. There are two tanks, 1 MG and 0.5 MG, upstream of the distribution pumps, which convey water through a common pipeline to the new pumps. There will be five new pumps, each pump will convey 560 GPM at 85 psi. I cannot figure out how to set up the tank/ reservoir to not empty while using this new pump station, testing from fire flow.
Hello Alexis,
Usually you don't want the tanks to fall below a particular level or empty when running your analysis. To simulate this as per field conditions, check what is upstream of the two tanks. How are they filling? Is there another tank or source which is filling them?
If the tanks are being filled at a constant rate throughout you can assume a reservoir upstream of these tanks to fill them both. If you have the variation in HGL upstream of the tanks, you can apply a reservoir pattern too.
If you know the inflows at each of the tanks, you could also use a negative demand (inflow) with a pattern to simulate flow in the tanks.
Once the upstream hydraulic boundaries are established, you can setup controls on your pumps to start and stop ensuring that the tanks are not emptying and there is adequate supply downstream.
Let me know if this helps.
Regards,
Yashodhan Joshi