Identification of Resistance Coefficients for Section of Water Pipeline Network in Case of Intermediate Withdrawals or Injections of Water
Abstract
This study introduces a new approach for identifying hydraulic resistance coefficients (roughness, minor losses, and friction factor) in pipeline network sections with intermediate water withdrawals or injections, using only endpoint measurements. The approach combines the Colebrook-White equation for turbulent flow modeling with stochastic methods to address parameter variability and uses regression analysis to derive equivalent friction factor relationships, utilizing only endpoint pressure, flow rate, and temperature measurements. Analytical formulas were developed to determine resistance coefficients without solving complex nonlinear systems. The method’s efficacy was validated through application to the Astrakhan-Mangyshlak pipeline (Kazakhstan), demonstrating accurate parameter estimation under real-world conditions. The developed approach enables accurate identification of resistance coefficients through simplified endpoint-only measurements, providing a computationally efficient alternative to traditional methods that can be directly applied to operational diagnostics in large-scale pipeline networks with limited sensor coverage.