Step by Step Guide

In this guide we will be building a model using a simple dxf with centreline. It will include water supply and de-watering. This model is built during standard Pumpsim™ training.

Building the Main Skeleton using DXF

  1. First go to File>Import and select your dxf file.
  2. Click on import.
  3. To transform all centreline to dxf (pipes?), go to the draw tool drop down and select convert centreline.
  4. Loop around the model to create pipes on the whole model.
  5. It is good practice to run a simplification/binding tool after importing from a centreline dxf, as the pipes might not all be connected. To do this, go to Tools>Filter and simply run with the default setting.

Water Supply

  1. First place a tank at the top of the model by clicking on the pipe end.
  2. Place a demand device on a loose end in the middle of the model. See screenshot.
  3. To add a Jumbo for example, click the preset button and add a Jumbo. If unsure about the discharge coefficient, click on the calculator and enter operating pressure (7 bar) and flow (5 l/s). Minimum pressure 2 bar and maximum pressure 10 bar.
  4. Then select the Jumbo in the drop down and press OK.
  5. Simulate .There should be a lot of warnings, they will be due to the end pipes not being set to open or closed. To close them all, click on select all in the warning box and edit.
  6. Select close in the edit box. The simulation will now run fine.
  7. Select the edit tool and loop through the model to edit pipes. Change the pipes to Poly PN12 100 mm.

  1. Add 2 more demand devices at the lower level and run a simulation.
  2. Warnings should appear showing that the pressure is too high. We will use a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) set to 6 bar to reduce the pressure.
  3. Click on the automatic valve tool , and add it before the junction going to the jumbos. Select the PRV option at 6 bar. Simulate.

Channels

Channels are used to bring the water from the jumbos to dams where the water can be pumped from. The channels will follow a similar path to the pipes along the decline.

  1. Select the pipes along which the channel will be running using the select tool.
  2. Click on duplicate then click on one of the pipes and type -3 m in offset Z.
  3. While the new pipes are selected, double click on edit.
  4. Select channel, rectangular and enter 500 mm for both height and width.
  5. The channel needs to be connected to the jumbo, to do that click on the move function then select the channel end and move it to connect to the jumbo.
  6. Place a tank at the end of the channel. Make sure the channel connects to the top of the tank by making the "height of the pipe connection" equal to the height of the tank. Simulate.

  1. Repeat for the other jumbo.

Pumping

The water will now be pumped from tank to tank to the surface.

  1. Draw some pipes from the lower tank heading away from the decline.
  2. Click on the last pipe and enter 65 m in offset Z.
  3. Join the pipe to the tank at the same level.
  4. Place a pump close to the bottom tank.
  5. Use a fixed flow of 50 l/s.

  1. Repeat for upper levels.

Dynamic simulation

If we run the dynamic simulation now, the tanks will be empty and the pumps will run dry. To avoid this, a script can be setup for the pump to stop when the water level drops too low and to start up again when the water level is high.

  1. Open the scenario editor
  2. Enter a scenario name, e.g. "Pump management".
  3. Then click the button in the Events table.
  4. Select Below for the Event.
  5. Click on the red arrow then select the lower level tank.
  6. Enter a water level (1 m) or percentage (20 %).
  7. Select Stop as the Action.
  8. Click on the red arrow then select the lower level pump.
  9. Press OK and then add another event using the same tank and pump combination, but this time set the pump to start when the water level is above 80 %.
  10. Redo for the upper level pump station.
  11. Edit the surface tank and check the "Hold Level" option for now. This will keep the water level in this tank constant during the dynamic simulation.
  12. Run the simulation.
  13. To increase the length of the simulation, use the settings menu found below the Dynamic Simulation button.