Pressure Variation: Water Pipe on Seabed & Boat Connection

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    Pressure Variation
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the pressure variation in a water-filled horizontal pipe located on the seabed, particularly in relation to a boat connected to the pipeline at a depth of 100m. Participants explore how pressure changes with the movement of the vessel and the implications of varying vertical distances in a closed liquid-filled pipe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the pressure read at the vessel changes by 0.5 bar due to the vessel's 5m bobbing, while the subsea pressure in the pipeline remains unchanged.
  • Another participant questions the interpretation of the pressure change, noting the need for clarification on the total variation of 10m (5m up and 5m down).
  • A hypothetical scenario is presented regarding a vertically oriented closed liquid-filled pipe shaped like a spring, questioning whether pressure varies at just one end or both ends when the vertical distance changes.
  • It is proposed that the pressure difference between both ends of the pipe varies with vertical distance, but the pressure at a single end is not clearly defined.
  • One participant expresses a belief that pressure varies only at the lower end of the pipe according to the formula rho x g x h, while the upper end remains unchanged.
  • A later reply introduces a perspective from a colleague with a PhD in physics, stating that pressure changes at both ends of the pipe, while the average pressure at the midpoint remains constant in a closed system.
  • The difference between the top and bottom pressures is said to vary according to rho x g x h.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding whether pressure changes at one or both ends of the pipe, with multiple competing views presented throughout the discussion. The overall discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Assumptions about the system's volume and the nature of pressure in a closed system are not fully explored, leaving some aspects of the discussion open to interpretation.

jamese
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If we have a water filled horizontal pipe on seabed with 200 bar in it.

And boat with a flexible downline is connected to the pipeline in 100m of water depth.

a) If the vessel bobs up and down by 5m I think that the pressure in the pipeline read at vessel changes by 0.5 bar each way, due to the vessel moving up and down on a virtual 2000m long hydraulic grade line?

b) But subsea the pressure in the pipeline does not change, since the pipeline position does not change on the virtual hydraulic grade line?

Are a) and b) correct?

Thanks
 
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jamese said:
up and down by 5m
... implies +/- 2.5 m?
jamese said:
changes by 0.5 bar each way,
... implies +/- "?"
 
Hello,

I mean a total variation of 10m.

5m up and 5m down,

Thanks
 
To phrase the question another way;

Imagine we have a vertically orientated closed liquid filled pressurized pipe.

The pipe is shaped like a spring; such that the vertical distance between the two ends can be varied whilst keeping it liquid filled.

If we vary the vertical distance between the two ends, does the pressure vary at just one end or at both ends?
 
jamese said:
does the pressure vary at just one end or at both ends?
"The pressure difference between both ends" varies with vertical distance. Pressure at a single end is not defined by the statement given.
 
Thanks for your response.

OK agreed on the pressure difference between both ends varying in accordance with vertical distance.

With respect to whether pressure varies at both ends or just one end;

I am tempted to believe that pressure just varies at the lower end, in accordance with rho x g x h.
And the pressure at the upper end remains unchanged.

Is the above correct?

Thanks
 
(assuming no change in system volume)

I clarified this further with my colleague (PHD in physics and works with fluid dynamics).

Weirdly (to me anyway) apparently the pressure will change at the top and bottom of the pipe.

The difference between top and bottom varies in accordance with rho x g x h, however the average pressure (the pressure at the vertical midpoint) always remains the same in a closed system.

He made an OLGA model to demonstrate this.
 

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