TransAct. An interactive transient analysis program for pipelines

The program TransAct is designed to analyze a wide range of transient responses that may have been caused by a complex combination of control actions. For example, there may be the simultaneous closure of two different valves while a pump is undergoing power failure in a series pipeline system. During the simulation, the user can alter initial settings to observe the effect of closing or opening valves or changing control device settings. In effect, the user becomes a system operator who is responding to the developing transient condition in the line. TransAct produces a variety of complementary graphical output such as three dimensional time-space-head diagrams, summary profiles of head versus time or head versus distance, energy 'phase-diagrams' and animated head profiles to facilitate interpretation of a system's response. Not only is this information of use to system designers who wish to configure a system in a comprehensive manner, it clearly has implications to system operators who need to develop insight into the nature of transients in pipeline systems.