Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340

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Engineering Failure Analysis

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/engfailanal

The vibration analysis model of pipeline under the action of gas

pressure pulsation coupling
Jialin Tian a,b, Changfu Yuan a,⁎, Lin Yang a, Chunming Wu a, Gang Liu a, Zhi Yang a
a
School of Mechatronic Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
b
School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu 610031, China

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Pipeline vibration is the main factor that makes pipeline system can't work properly. And the
Received 6 November 2015 pressure pulsation of the air flow is one of the important factors, which causes the gas pipeline
Received in revised form 9 May 2016 vibration. In order to further understand the influence of the pressure pulsation on the pipeline
Accepted 11 May 2016
system vibration, the analysis model and calculation method of the pressure pulsation and pipe
Available online 12 May 2016
coupling interaction are established. Taking transferring matrix method to calculate the natural
frequency of gas column, and using the stiffness matrix method to obtain the pressure pulsa-
Keywords: tion. According to the interaction force between the pressure pulsation and the pipeline wall,
Pressure pulsation
the equation of forced vibration of pipeline is established, which can obtain the variation trends
Coupling
of vibration displacement and velocity of pipeline system. Using field test data to verify the
Pipeline
Vibration theoretical calculation results, the results of the calculated values and test values are within
Calculation method error limits. The results can provide a theoretical basis for the safety evaluation of oil and
gas pipeline, and provide a reference for the pipeline mechanical properties research.
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction

Nowadays, with the rapid development of the industry, the demand of oil, natural gas and other energy sources is growing.
Therefore, the pipeline system plays an important particularly role in petroleum industry. In pipeline system, the pipeline vibra-
tions cause the pipeline attachment and the connection of the pipeline to loosened and broken. If the influence is slight, it can
cause the pipeline leakage and reduce the pipeline transportation efficiency and life. And if the influence is serious, it will
cause the pipeline to explode, causing serious safety accidents [1–2]. Therefore, relevant scholars have carried out deeply research
on the pipe vibration causes. And the research results show that the main causes of the pipe vibration can be divided into two
categories. Firstly, it is caused by the poor dynamic balance of pipeline structure. Secondly, pipeline system consists of elbow, re-
ducing pipe and other variable cross-section, which will cause the velocity of air flow to change and generate pressure pulsation.
The pressure pulsation interacts with the pipe wall to produce exciting force and compel the pipe to vibrate. And in the transpor-
tation gas, the air flow pulsation is the main factor that caused the vibration of the pipe system [3–6]. Based on above reasons,
scholars have analyzed the airflow pulsation by the theory of plane wave motion, and presented the calculation methods of nat-
ural frequency and airflow pulsation of complex pipe system. And the influence of exciting force on the dynamic response of pipe-
line is analyzed by finite element modeling [7–9]. According to one-dimensional unsteady flow equations, relevant scholars
presented the solving algorithm of one dimensional time domain flow to accurately calculate the pulsation of pipeline port,
which considering the influence of friction resistance that under the condition of strong and weak pulse [10–11]. And the

⁎ Corresponding author.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2016.05.017
1350-6307/© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340 329

calculation method of pulsation velocity in compressor pipeline system is studied by using the principle of sound pressure [12].
However, with the variation of pressure pulsation, the vibration characteristic of the pipeline system under the interaction of
the exciting force and the pipeline wall is not studied.
Based on the past research, in this paper, combined with the actual production situation, the analysis model of gas pressure
pulsation and pipe coupling is established. The influence of key parameters on the exciting force and the vibration change
trend of pipeline system under the interaction of gas pressure pulsation and pipe wall are analyzed by the model. Using field
test data to verify the theoretical calculation results, the research results can provide a theoretical basis for the safety evaluation
of oil and gas pipeline, and provide a reference for the research of the mechanical properties of pipeline.

2. Analysis model

2.1. Calculation of natural frequency of the pipeline system

As is shown in Fig. 1, in order to analyze the pipeline vibration caused by pressure pulsation, a pipe vibration model that com-
posed of straight pipe and elbow is established. For the model, the port 1 is connected to the compressor exhaust cylinder, and
the port 4 is connected to the segregator. The diameter of port 4 is smaller compared with the size of the separator, regarding it as
an opening. Neglecting the influence of gravity, structural damping and external extrusion pressure, the equation of the pipe lat-
eral free vibration is given by

4 2 2 2
∂ y 2∂ y ∂ y ∂ y
EI þ Mv þ 2Mv þ ðM þ mÞ 2 ¼ 0: ð1Þ
∂x4 ∂x2 ∂x∂t ∂t

Where EI is the flexural rigidity of pipeline, N/m2; M is the unit length mass of gas, kg; v is the average velocity of gas, m/s; y is
the lateral displacement of pipeline, m; x is the axis coordinate of pipeline, m; t is the time variable, s; m is the unit length mass of
pipeline, kg.
Because the flow rate of gas is much lower than the speed of sound, the influence of flow rate can be neglected, then the Eq.
(1) become the general vibration equation of the pipe beam. The three-dimensional beam element model is used to deal with the
finite element discretization of the pipe system. Then piping vibration differential equation can be expressed as

″ 0
½My þ ½C y þ ½K y ¼ f F g: ð2Þ

Where [M] is the total mass matrix of the system; [C] is the composite damping; [K] is the total stiffness matrix of the system;
y″ is the acceleration vector; y′ is the velocity vector; y is the nodal displacement vector; {F} is exciting force vector.
The total mass matrix of the system can be written as
2 3
m1
6 m2 7
6 7
6 m3 7
½M  ¼ 6
6
7:
7 ð3Þ
6 m4 7
4 ⋯ 5
mn

The total stiffness matrix can be written as

2 3
k1 þ k2 −k2 ⋯
6 −k2 k2 þ k3 −k3 ⋯ 7
6 7
6 −k3 k3 þ k4 ⋯ 7
½K  ¼ 6
6
7:
7 ð4Þ
6 −k4 k4 þ k5 7
4 ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ 5
⋯ −kn kn þ knþ1

Fig. 1. Pipeline system structure diagram.

330 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340

The composite damping can be written as

½C  ¼ α ½M  þ β½K : ð5Þ

Where α, β is Rayleigh coefficient.

In the gas pipeline, when the diameter and the length ratio is very small, the parameters (pressure, density, velocity, etc.) of
each point on the same cross section can be considered to be equal. According to the theory of plane wave motion, the continuity
equation and the axial movement equation of gas in the pipeline are obtained.
Continuous equation is determined as

∂ρ ∂ρ ∂u
þu þρ ¼ 0: ð6Þ
∂t ∂x ∂x

Motion equation is determined as

∂u ∂u 1 ∂p
þu ¼− : ð7Þ
∂t ∂x ρ ∂x

Assuming that the gas obeys the regulation of the ideal gas and the wave process is a reversible adiabatic process, the energy
equation can be expressed as
 
∂p 2
¼a ð8Þ
∂ρ s

pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a¼ kgRT : ð9Þ

Where ρ is propagation velocity of sound in the medium, m/s; k is the gas adiabatic index; g is the gravity acceleration, m/s2; R
is the gas constant; T is the gas thermodynamic temperature, K.
Handling Eq. (8) into Eq. (6), the continuity equation can be given by

∂p ∂p 2 ∂u
þ u þ ρa ¼0 ð10Þ
∂t ∂x ∂x

8
< u ¼ u0 þ ut
p ¼ p0 þ pt ð11Þ
:
ρ ¼ ρ0 þ ρt

Where u, p, ρ are respectively instantaneous values of velocity, pressure and density; u0, p0, ρ0 are respectively the average
values of velocity, pressure and density; ut, pt, ρt are respectively the pulsating values of velocity, pressure, and density.
For the air flow in the pipeline, the pulsation value is smaller compared with average value. So, the values that pulsating
values partial derivative of its independent variables x and t are taken as first order trace.
Handling Eq. (11) into Eq. (6), and the partial derivative of x is expressed as

∂2 pt ∂2 ut ∂2 u
þ ρ0 þ ρ0 u0 2t ¼ 0: ð12Þ
∂x 2 ∂t∂x ∂x

Handling Eq. (10) into Eq. (10), and the partial derivative of x, t are respectively written as
!
2 2 2
∂ ut 1 ∂ pt ∂ p
¼− þ u0 2t ð13Þ
∂x2 ρ0 a2 ∂t∂x ∂x

!
2 2 2
∂ ut 1 ∂ pt ∂ pt
¼− þ u0 : ð14Þ
∂x∂t ρ0 a2 ∂t 2 ∂x∂t

The wave equation of pressure pulsation is obtained by the Eqs. (12)–(14).

∂2 pt ∂2 pt  2  2
2 ∂ pt
þ 2u0 þ u0 −a ¼ 0: ð15Þ
∂t 2 ∂x∂t ∂x2
 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340 331

Taking separating variable method to solve Eq. (15), the pressure pulsation equation can be determined as

jωðt−x=aÞ jωðtþx=aÞ  jωt

pt  ¼ Ae þ Be ¼p e : ð16Þ

In the same way, the instantaneous velocity equation can be determined as

1  jωðt−x=aÞ jωðtþx=aÞ

 jωt
ut  ¼ Ae −Be ¼u e ð17Þ
ρ0 a

8 
< p ¼ Ae−jωx=a þ Bejωx=a
 1  −jωx=a jωx=a
 ð18Þ
:u ¼ Ae −Be
ρ0 a

pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi plural harmonic solution and pulsation velocity plural harmonic solution; ω
Where pt*, ut* are respectively pressure pulsation
is the angular frequency of the fluctuations; j ¼ −1 is imaginary unit; A and B are constants determined by boundary conditions.
According to the air flow pulsation and vibration of the pipeline, the transfer matrix of different pipeline elements can be ob-
tained [13].
For the straight section 1–2 in Fig. 1, the analysis model shown in Fig. 2 is established.
By solving Eqs. (16), (17) and (18), the relationship equation between pulsation pressure and pulsation velocity is given
by
0 ω ω 1
   cos l −jρ0 a sin l1−2   
p2 B a 1−2 a C p1
 ¼ @ −j ω ω A  : ð19Þ
u2 sin l1−2 cos l1−2 u1
ρ0 a a a

So, the transfer matrix of straight section 1–2 can be expressed as

0 ω ω 1
cos l1−2 −jρ0 a sin l
B a a 1−2 C
M1−2 ¼ @ −j ω ω A: ð20Þ
sin l1−2 cos l1−2
ρ0 a a a

In the same way, for the straight section 2–3 and 3–4 in Fig. 1, the transfer matrix are respectively written as
0 ω ω 1
cos l2−3 −jρ0 a sin l
B a a 2−3 C
M2−3 ¼ @ −j ω ω A ð21Þ
sin l2−3 cos l2−3
ρ0 a a a

0 ω ω 1
cos l3−4 −jρ0 a sin l
B a a 3−4 C
M3−4 ¼ @ −j ω ω A: ð22Þ
sin l3−4 cos l3−4
ρ0 a a a

According to matrix calculation method and plane wave principle, the relationship equation of port 1and port 4 can be obtain-
ed by transfer matrix Eqs. (20), (21) and (22).
     
p4 p1
 ¼ M 1−2  M2−3  M 3−4  ð23Þ
u4 u1

Because the natural frequency of the gas column has no relationship with the amplitude, the p⁎ or u⁎ can be set to 1 when it is
not 0, which will not affect the calculation of the natural frequency of the gas column. As is shown in Fig. 1, the port 1 is closed

Fig. 2. Straight section 1–2.

332 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340

and port 4 is opening, then the boundary conditions can be given by

 
p1 ¼ 1; u1 ¼ 0
  ð24Þ
p4 ¼ 0; u4 ¼ 1

Handling Eq. (24) into Eq. (23), it can get

   
0 1
¼ M 1−2  M2−3  M 3−4 : ð25Þ
1 0

According to Eq. (25), a nonlinear equation f(ω) = 0 of ω is derived. And all ω meeting f(ω) =0 are belonging to natural fre-
quency of gas column. The nonlinear equation has innumerable solutions, but only prior natural frequencies solutions are ade-
quate in the actual engineering. Normally, the natural frequency of gas column in the top 8 order can meet the needs of the
project.

2.2. Pressure pulsation calculation

As shown in Fig. 3, the nodes are respectively 1, 2, 3 and 4.The upstream and downstream pressure pulsation and pulsation
mass flow of each node are indicated, where the subscript indicates the number of nodes and the superscript indicates the
pipe section. At the same time, p1⁎, p2⁎, p3⁎, p4⁎ are total pressure fluctuation of each node; ξ1⁎, ξ2⁎, ξ3⁎, ξ4⁎ are total pulsation mass
flow of each node.
Any complex pipeline system is made up of basic units that have a corresponding entry (upstream) and exit (downstream).
Each component's exit is the entrance to the next component. Normally, the pulsation state in the pipeline is determined by
the corresponding pressure pulsation p⁎ and the pulsation mass flow rate ξ⁎. At the same time, in order to facilitate the calcula-
tion, the pressure pulsation and the pulsation mass flow are considered as the plural. In this paper, the stiffness matrix method is
used to calculate the pressure pulsation p⁎ and the pulsation mass flow rate ξ⁎ that at the junction of the pipe element.
 
ξ ¼ ρ0 su ð26Þ

According to the relationship expression Eq. (26) between the pressure pulsation p⁎ and the pulsation velocity u⁎, the relation-
ship equation between the pulsation velocity of n order and the pulsation mass flow of n order can be expressed as
 
ξn ¼ ρ0 sun : ð27Þ

According to the relational expression Eq. (28) between the pulsation mass flow ξup⁎, the pressure pulsation pup⁎ of the up-
stream and the pulsation mass flow ξdown⁎, the pressure pulsation pdown⁎ of the downstream in the straight pipe section, the stiff-
ness equation of straight section in Fig. 3 can be calculated.
0 1
  s s
ξup

B cthða þ jkÞl − cschða þ jkÞl C p 
 ¼@ a a A up
 ð28Þ
ξdown s s pdown
− cschða þ jkÞl cthða þ jkÞl
a a

Where s is the cross-sectional area of straight section, m2; l is the length of straight section, m; k = 2πf′/a; f′ is the pipeline
excitation frequency, Hz.
Then stiffness equations of straight section 1–2, 2–3 and 3–4 are respectively given by
0 1
! s s !
ξ1;n
1−2
B cthða þ jkÞl1−2 − cschða þ jkÞl1−2 C p1−2
¼@ a a 1;n
A 1−2 ð29Þ
1−2 s s
ξ2;n − cschða þ jkÞl1−2 cthða þ jkÞl1−2 p2;n
a a

Fig. 3. The distribution diagram of pressure pulsation and pulsation mass flow.
 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340 333

0 1
! s s !
B a cthða þ jkÞl2−3 − cschða þ jkÞl2−3 C p2−3
2−3
ξ2;n a 2;n
2−3 ¼@ s s A 2−3 ð30Þ
ξ3;n − cschða þ jkÞl2−3 cthða þ jkÞl2−3 p3;n
a a

0 1
! s s !
3−4
ξ3;n B cthða þ jkÞl3−4 − cschða þ jkÞl3−4 C p3−4
3−4 ¼ @ as a
s A 3;n
3−4 : ð31Þ
ξ4;n − cschða þ jkÞl3−4 cthða þ jkÞl3−4 p4;n
a a

Do the following settings:

0 1 0 1
s s
1−2 1−2
B cthða þ jkÞl1−2 − cschða þ jkÞl1−2 C
@ a11 a12 A
¼@ a a A
1−2 1−2 s s
a21 a22 − cschða þ jkÞl1−2 cthða þ jkÞl1−2
a a

0 1 0 1
s s
B a cthða þ jkÞl2−3 − cschða þ jkÞl2−3 C
2−3 2−3
@ a11 a12 A
¼@ s a A
2−3 2−3 s
a21 a22 − cschða þ jkÞl2−3 cthða þ jkÞl2−3
a a

0 1 0 1
s s
3−4 3−4
B cthða þ jkÞl3−4 − cschða þ jkÞl3−4 C
@ a11 a12 A
¼@ a a A:
3−4 3−4 s s
a21 a22 − cschða þ jkÞl3−4 cthða þ jkÞl3−4
a a

Taking into account the same pressure of the pipe junction point and continuous flow condition, the boundary conditions can
be expressed as
8  1−2  1−2 2−3
>
> ξ ¼ ξ1;n ; ξ2 ¼ ξ2;n þ ξ2;n ¼ 0
> 1
>
< ξ ¼ ξ2−3 þ ξ3−4 ¼ 0; ξ ¼ ξ3−4
3 3;n 3;n 4 4;n
 1−2  1−2 2−3 ð32Þ
>
> p1 ¼ p1;n ; p2 ¼ p2;n ¼ p2;n
>
>
:  2−3 3−4  3−4
p3 ¼ p3;n ¼ p3;n ; p4 ¼ p4;n

According to Eqs. (29), (30), (31) and (32), the total stiffness equation of the pipeline system is given by
2 1−2 1−2
3
2  3 a11 a12 0 02 3
ξ1 6 1−2 7 p1
6 ξ 7 6 1−2 2−3
a22 þ a11
2−3 76  7
6 2 7¼6 a21 a12 0 76 p2 7
 : ð33Þ
4ξ 5 6
6 2−3 2−3 3−4 3−4 7
74 p 5
3
 4 0 a21 a22 þ a11 a12 5 3
ξ4 3−4 3−4 p4
0 0 a21 a22

Handling Eq. (24) into Eq. (33), it can get

2 1−2 1−2
3
2  3 a11 a12 0 02 3
ξ1 6 1−2 7 p1
607 6 1−2 2−3
a22 þ a11
2−3 76  7
6 7¼6 a21 a12 0 76 p2 7
: ð34Þ
405 6 6 2−3 2−3 3−4
7
3−4 74 p 5
 4 0 a21 a22 þ a11 a12 5 3
ξ4 3−4 3−4 0
0 0 a21 a22

Based on known conditions that p4⁎ = 0, the Eq. (34) can be simplified and be written as
2 1−2 3
2  3
1−2 2 3
ξ1 a a12 0
6 11 7 p1
4 0 5 ¼ 6 1−2 1−2 2−3 2−3 74 p 5: ð35Þ
4 a21 a22 þ a11 a12 5 2
0 2−3 2−3 3−4 p3
0 a21 a22 þ a11

In the reciprocating compressor with a single-cylinder single-acting cylinder, port 1 is connected to the cylinder exhaust side.
So, the boundary conditions of the pulsation mass flow of input port 1 and the Fourier analysis of flow excitation can be defined
334 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340

as follows.
8
>
>
0 0
180 ≤α ≤270 ; ξt ¼ 0
>
>
>
> 0 0
< 270 ≤αZ ≤360
>
2π
; ξt ¼ 0:24ð sinα þ 0:15 sin2α Þ
1 ð36Þ
> an ¼ ξ cosnαdα; ðn ¼ 0; 1; 2⋯Þ
>
> πZ 0 t
>
>
>
> 1 2π
: bn ¼ ξ sinnαdα; ðn ¼ 1; 2⋯Þ
π 0 t

Where ξt is instantaneous pulsation mass flow rate, kg/s; α is crank angle, rad/s; an, bn are Fourier coefficient.
q
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi


ξ1;n ¼ a2n þ b2n cosðnωt þ an Þ ð37Þ

Handling the Eq. (37) into Eq. (35), p1⁎, p2⁎ and p3⁎ can be obtained.

2.3. Exciting force analysis

As is shown in Fig. 3, the point 2 is in the elbow which is the junction of the straight pipe 1–2 and 2–3,and the point 3 is in
elbow which is the junction of the straight pipe 2–3 and 3–4. If the airflow flows stably, the force at both ends of the elbow is
F′ = p0s (p0is average pressure of fluid in pipe, MPa; s = πd2/4, m2; d is pipe inside diameter, m). Then the resultant force of the two
forces can be given by

θ
F ¼ 2p0 s sin : ð38Þ
2

If the air flow in the pipe is pulsating, it will have an impact on the elbow. The shocking exciting force is given by

   θ
ΔF ¼ pn max −pn min s sin : ð39Þ
2

Where pnmax⁎ and pnmin⁎ are respectively the maximum and the minimum pressure pulsation of gas at the point n.

3. Vibration calculation results and analysis

Based on the established calculation formula, the calculations and examples are analyzed. Numerical parameters are shown in
Table 1, including pipeline parameters, working medium parameters and so on.
According to the engineering practice, the top 8 order natural frequency of the pipeline system can be obtained based on the
established natural frequency calculation formula of gas column in the pipeline system. The calculation results are shown in Table 2.
As shown in Table 2, the natural frequency of gas column is increasing with the order increasing, and because the nonlinear
function f(ω) = 0 is consists of trigonometric functions and has stable periodic variation, the natural frequency value of each order
is close to integer multiple of the fundamental frequency (n = 1).
Based on meeting the actual engineering, the top 8 order mass flow is taken into account to facilitate the computation. And the
changes of the pressure pulsations at the point 2 and 3 in Fig. 3 are obtained by Eqs. (35) and (37).

Table 1
Numerical parameters.

Parameter name Parameter values

The unit length mass of the pipeline/(kg/m) 42.75

The average density of natural gas ρ0/(kg/m3) 0.7174
The gas adiabatic index k 1.4
Gravity acceleration g/(m/s2) 9.8
Gas constant R/(kg·m/(kg·K)) 29.3
Gas thermodynamic temperature T/(K) 388.8
The length l1–2 of the straight pipe1–2/(m) 3
The length l2–3of the straight pipe2–3/(m) 1.5
The length l3–4of the straight pipe3–4/(m) 1.5
Section diameter d/(mm) Ø219 × 2.8
θ1 , θ 2 π/2, π/2
Pipeline excitation frequency f'/(Hz) 7.3
Rayleigh coefficientα, β 0.02, 0.01
 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340 335

Table 2
Calculation results of the natural frequency of gas column.

Modal order n Natural frequency of gas column fn (Hz)

1 16.4583
2 49.3750
3 82.2917
4 115.2083
5 148.1250
6 181.0417
7 213.9583
8 246.8750

As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the pressure pulsation shows periodic fluctuation with the time changing. The amplitude of the
pressure fluctuation at point 2 that is closer to the input port 1 is higher than the point 3.
According to the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Eq. (39) to analysis the exciting force along with the change of angle.
As shown in Fig. 6, in a cycle, when θ varies from 0 to π, the exciting force is increasing with the increase of angle. And the
angles corresponding to the maximum value at points 2 and 3 are the same, which is 3 rad. Therefore, when the pressure pulsa-
tion is constant, if the angle θ is smaller, the exciting force at points 2 and 3 will be smaller. Then elbow with a smaller curvature
should be adopted as far as possible in the pipe system.
According to the Eq. (39) and Table 1 to calculate the exciting force at points 2 and 3, then by using the Eq. (2) to analyze the
variation relationships of the vibration displacement and the velocity of the pipe system.
As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, when the pipe system is subjected to the exciting force, in Fig. 7, the vibration displacement at
the points 2 and 3 produces periodic vibration with the change of exciting force. And the vibration displacement presents peri-

Fig. 4. Variation of pressure pulsation at point 2 of pipeline system.

Fig. 5. Variation of pressure pulsation at point 3 of pipeline system.

336 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340

Fig. 6. At points 2 and 3 of the pipeline system, the relationship between exciting force and angle.

Fig. 7. The vibration displacement at points 2 and point 3 of the pipeline system.

Fig. 8. The vibration velocity at the point 2 and point 3 of the pipeline system.
 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340 337

Fig. 9. The frequency domain of vibration displacement at points 2 and 3 of pipeline system.

odic, which change from large to small at the initial stage, then from small to large, and from large to small once more. In Fig. 8,
the vibration velocity at the points 2 and 3 presents periodic vibration opposite regulation, and has an opposite variation relative
to the vibration displacement at the initial stage. At the same time, the vibration displacement and velocity of the point 3 are
stronger than those at the point 2.
As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, it can be seen that the energy concentration points of vibration displacement and velocity at the
points 2 and 3 are the vicinity of 14.5 Hz and 29.5 Hz, which are respectively about two multiples and four multiples to the ex-
citation frequency (f' = 7.3 Hz), and close to the natural frequency (fn = 16.4583 Hz) of gas column in Table 1. Therefore, the
vibrations at points 2 and 3 are closely related to the pressure pulsation.

4. Field test verification

In order to verify the correctness of the analysis model and calculation method, the related experiments were carried out. As
shown in Fig. 11, firstly, the excitation frequency of the signal generator should be equal to the natural frequency of the gas in the
pipeline. Then the gas column generates resonance in pipeline, and the signal receiver receives a strong resonance frequency,
which is displayed on the oscilloscope in the form of sudden increase in ripple. What's more, the resonance frequency is the nat-
ural frequency of the gas column in the pipeline system.

Fig. 10. The frequency domain of vibration velocity at points 2 and 3 of pipeline system.
338 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340

Fig. 11. The experiment of gas column natural frequency. 1. Signal generator, 2. experimental pipeline, 3. signal receiver, 4. oscilloscope.

Fig. 12. Field test.

As shown in Fig. 12, the M01MINI with a comprehensive equipment condition analysis system is used to test the vibration
characteristics of pipeline system. In the experiment, in order to prevent the mutual influence of each compressor unit, the
other units are closed to run, and only the test unit is running. The vibration sensor is connected to the M01MIN and placed
on the elbow to test the vibration and record data. After the test, making the M01MIN connect to a computer with software of
Condmaster Nova, and putting the data in M01MIN into Condmaster Nova, the vibration displacements, vibration velocities and
vibration accelerates in elbows can be obtained.
As shown in Fig. 13, it can be seen that the error between the test value and the calculation value of the gas column natural
frequency is within 10%, which shows that the natural frequency calculation method and the model of the gas column are
feasible.

Fig. 13. The calculation value and test value of gas column natural frequency of pipeline system.
 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340 339

Fig. 14. The test frequency spectrum of vibration displacement at point 2 of the pipeline system.

Fig. 15. The test frequency spectrum of vibration displacement at point 3 of the pipeline system.

As shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, it can be seen that the energy concentration points of vibration displacement at the points 2
and 3 are mainly concentrated in the vicinity of 15.625 Hz and 31.25 Hz, which are respectively closed to the energy concentra-
tion points of f = 14.5 Hz and f = 29.5 Hz in Fig. 9. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, the energy concentration points of
vibration velocity at the points 2 and 3 are mainly concentrated in the vicinity of 15.625 Hz and 31.25 Hz, which are respectively
close to the energy concentration points of f = 14.5 Hz and f = 29.5 Hz in Fig. 10. What's more, as shown in Figs. 14–17, all the
frequencies of salient points are concentrated on the integer multiple of the excitation frequency (f' = 7.3 Hz) or the natural fre-
quency of the gas column around. Therefore, the method and model are feasible in this paper. By this way, the approximate fre-
quency range of the strong points in pipeline system can be obtained.

Fig. 16. The test frequency spectrum of vibration velocity at point 2 of the pipeline system.
340 J. Tian et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 66 (2016) 328–340

Fig. 17. The test frequency spectrum of vibration velocity at point 3 of the pipeline system.

5. Conclusions

By considering the influence of pressure pulsation on the pipe vibration, the pipeline vibration analysis model and the calcu-
lation method that including the pressure pulsation parameters are established. And under the action of pressure pulsation, the
natural frequency of the gas column, the pressure pulsation, the vibration displacement and velocity of the pipeline system are
calculated. Comparing the calculation results with the field test results, it can be seen that the results are within the error limited
range and the reliability of the model and calculation method are verified.
Analyzing the gas column natural frequency of the pipe system, it can be obtained that the natural frequency will increase to
an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency with the modal order increasing. At the elbow, due to the periodic fluctuation of
the pressure pulsation, the exciting force is produced. It acts on the elbow and makes the elbow generate periodic vibration. From
the calculation results and the field test results, it can be found that the vibration strength will become stronger when the fre-
quency is closing to the integer multiples of the fundamental frequency and the natural frequency of the gas column. Therefore,
there is a close relationship between the intense vibration and gas pressure pulsation at the elbow.
In the analysis of the pipeline system vibration, when the coupling effect of pressure pulsation and pipeline system is consid-
ered, it is more realistic to reflect the vibration of the pipeline. And it has important reference values to prevent pipeline vibration
and improve the transporting efficiency of pipeline system.

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