The effect of water hammer on a confined air pocket towards flow energy storage system

This research studies the behavior of a fully confined air pocket under the effect of water pulses induced by a water hammer phenomenon using several experimental tests in a pressurized transient condition. A compressed air vessel (CAV) has been tested under transient conditions to show its ability to absorb the pressure surges and to demonstrate the energy storage capability of the air pocket. Proper dimensionless parameters are introduced and the relationship between governing factors is analyzed. Smaller sizes of air pocket lead to higher pressures, and there exists a critical size associated with the higher pressure value depending on the flow velocity.