AFTFathomInstructions PDF

AFT Fathom Seminar
Week of 22 May, 2017

Introduction
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F1. Overview of AFT Fathom
F2. Hydraulic Solution Methodology
F3. Demonstration Problem - Sizing a Pump
F4. Understanding Solution Control Options
F5. AFT Fathom Hands-On Modeling
F6. Troubleshooting AFT Fathom Models
F7. The Five Primary Windows
F8. Pipe and Junction Details
F9. Special Topics
F10. Using the Scenario Manager
F11. Customizing Fathom and Using Databases
F12. Introduction to AFT Fathom Modules
F13. More AFT Fathom Hands-On Modeling
About Applied Flow Technology
 Applied Flow Technology (AFT), founded in 1993, is a world

leader in providing high quality software to analyze flows,
pressures and transients in systems with pipes, pumps and
valves
 Customers in 70+ countries
 Representatives in 32 locations around the world
Intro - 1
AFT Fathom™ 9
 Models incompressible network pipe systems

– Liquid and low velocity gas systems
 Models open and closed systems
 Models systems that are pressure, gravity or pump driven
 Models heat transfer and system energy balance
 Offers broad range of innovative reporting features
– Printed output is of report quality
 Offers customizable component and property databases
– Cost calculations
– Rheological data handling to support non-Newtonian fluids
Intro - 2
AFT Fathom™ Add-On Modules
 XTS – eXtended Time Simulation

– Simulate dynamic behavior of systems over time
– Models open infinite and closed finite tanks of constant and varying
cross section
– Supports user defined time and event transients of pumps, valves
and other components
 GSC – Goal Seek & Control
– Automatically determines input variables that will yield specified
output values
– Extends Fathom’s control simulation capabilities to include remote
sensing
 SSL – Settling Slurry simulation
– Simulates settling slurry behavior
– Simulates pump performance degradation
Intro - 3
AFT Arrow™ 6
 Models compressible network pipe systems

– High to low velocity gas systems
– High to low pressures
 Models open and closed systems
 Accurately models
– Real gases
– Heat transfer
– Highly compressible (sonic and near sonic) systems
 Balances flow and energy throughout the system
 Offers broad range of innovative reporting features
 Offers customizable component and property databases
 Includes high accuracy steam/water properties to ASME
Intro - 4
AFT Arrow™ Add-On Module
 GSC – Goal Seek & Control

– Automatically determines input variables that will yield specified
output values
– Extends Arrow’s control simulation capabilities to include remote
sensing
Intro - 5
AFT Impulse™ 6
 Models waterhammer/surge flow in pipe networks

 Models system transients caused by
– Sudden valve closures
– Pump startups and shutdowns including pump inertia effects
– Relief valve cracking
– Events defined within the system (e.g. flow, pressure, etc.)
 Includes modeling of
– Control and relief valves, vacuum breaker valves, pumps,
accumulators and surge tanks
 Includes a steady-state solver to determine initial conditions
 Calculates unbalanced transient forces
– Forces can be graphed or exported as Force/Time data files
 Can also import AFT Fathom models
Intro - 6
AFT Impulse™ Add-On Module
 SSL – Settling Slurry simulation

– Simulates settling slurry behavior
– Simulates pump performance degradation
Intro - 7
AFT Mercury™ 7
AFT Titan™ 4
 Models and designs network pipe systems
 Combines a powerful hydraulic solver and flexible graphical
interface with an advanced optimization engine
– Automatically selects best pipe and component sizes to minimize
initial or life cycle cost, size or weight using IntelliFlow®
 Ability to apply multiple constraints to pipes and junctions
 Cost optimization may include;
– non-recurring costs (materials and installation)
– recurring costs (energy and maintenance) including time varying
cost (energy costs varying with time)
 Offers customizable engineering and cost databases
 Includes powerful modeling and output capabilities
of AFT Fathom 7 and Arrow 4
Intro - 8
Additional Software Products
 Chempak™ Property Database

– Property database of ~700 fluids
– Ability to define static pre-mixtures
– Dynamic mixing capability in Arrow
 Chempak Viewer™ 2.0 & Chempak Add-in™ (for Excel)
– Viewer allows use of Chempak as a stand alone application
– Add-in makes all of the Chempak functions accessible within an
Excel spreadsheet
 SteamCalc™ 2.0
– High accuracy ASME steam/water library for Windows and Excel
Intro - 9
Product Applications
 AFT products are being successfully applied to a broad range

of industrial systems:
– Power generation systems
– Chemical and petrochemical systems
– Oil and gas production, transportation, refining and delivery
– Automotive systems
– Aerospace systems
– Air conditioning and refrigeration systems
– Pulp and paper processing
– Fire suppression
– Water and Wastewater treatment plant design
– Mining processing and support systems
– Municipal water distribution
Intro - 10
AFT Flow Expert Package™
 Provides consulting services beyond typical technical support

requests on the installation, upgrade assistance, and
functionality of AFT software.
 Access to a consulting engineer assigned as your primary
point of contact.
 Package Options: Blocks of 5 hours, 10 hours and 20 hours
 Typical ways to use your hours:
– Receive online training on specific topics of your choice
– Request help on model results interpretation
– Get a second opinion of your assumptions, modeling choices
and reports
Intro - 11
AFT Flow Expert Package™ (2)
 Additional ways to use your hours:

– Have an expert double check your modeling input and point out
common modeling mistakes or suggest better ways to model the
desired behavior
– Receive guidance in how to model pumps and pump-system
interaction, relief valves and relief systems, surge suppression
equipment, slurry pipelines, system transients, and anything
having to do with flow in pipe systems
– Discuss with an expert alternative solutions for hydraulic
problems
– Help launch AFT software within your company and reduce your
learning curve
– Help new hires get acquainted with AFT software
Intro - 12
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Nomenclature
A cross-sectional flow area of a pipe H head
c p specific heat, constant pressure HGL hydraulic gradeline (same as head)
C D discharge coefficient J Jacobian matrix
C V valve coefficient k thermal conductivity
C HW Hazen-Williams factor K loss factor
D diameter of a pipe K constant for Power Law fluid
f friction factor K sprinkler fire sprinkler loss factor
f T turbulent friction factor (used by Crane, 1988) L length of a pipe
•
F error value in mass balance m mass flow rate
g gravitational constant n general constant
h internal convection coefficient n constant for Power Law fluid
h enthalpy, static Nu Nusselt Number
Nomenclature (2)
P o pressure, stagnation T temperature, static
P w wetted perimeter U overall heat transfer coefficient
q heat rate to a pipe V velocity
Q volumetric flow rate x distance along pipe centerline
q" heat flux z elevation
r radius α, µ, θ angle
r relaxation β diameter ratio
R, R' resistance ε roughness
R c coefficient of rigidity ν, µ kinematic viscosity, dynamic viscosity
Re Reynolods Number ρ density
Subscripts
i junction at which solution is sought
j junctions with pipes connecting to junction i
o stagnation
∞ infinity, far away, ambient
AFT Fathom General Description
 General purpose pipe network incompressible flow analysis

 Drag-and-drop graphical interface
 Calculates pressure drop, flow distribution and (optionally)
energy balance in pipe networks
 Implements Newton-Raphson matrix techniques to solve 3
equations:
– Continuity (Mass) Equation
– Momentum (Bernoulli) Equation
– Energy Equation (optional)
F1 -1
AFT Fathom General Description (2)
 Can model systems in any generalized configuration

– Open or closed systems
– Branching systems
– Looping systems
 Can model any fluid in which the viscosity is Newtonian
 Can model non-Newtonian fluids using Power Law and
Bingham Plastic
 Can model variable fluid properties
 English and SI units supported
F1 -2
Components That Can Be Modeled
 Branching section (up to 25 pipes)

 Known pressure or flow boundaries
 Pumps
– Pump curves follow a polynomial equation or can be linearly
interpolated
– Centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps
 Pressure and flow control valves
 Relief valves and check valves
F1 -3
Components That Can Be Modeled (2)
 Spray discharge nozzles

 Heat exchangers
– Hydraulic losses
– Heat transfer
 General fittings and components where the resistance curve
follows a polynomial relationship
– Also can be modeled as linearly interpolated data
 Piping insulation
F1 -4
Engineering Limitations
 No practical software limit to model size

 Flow is steady-state, incompressible, liquid-full and one-
dimensional
 No limit on number of fittings (i.e., Fittings & Losses)
 No limit on number of pumps, control valves, etc.
 No limit on number of custom components, fluids or pipe
materials
F1 -5
Fathom 9 Startup Window
F1 -6
Primary Windows
 The AFT Fathom modeling process flows through five Primary

Windows
– Workspace
– Model Data
– Output
– Visual Report
– Graph Results
 The Primary Windows offer a mixture of graphical and text-
based features to assist in the modeling process
 Tabbed Primary Windows allow for easier navigation
 Robust usage of dual monitors is supported
– Can drag the Primary Window tabs into their own
separate window
F1 -7
Primary Window Process Flow
Model Data
Visual Report
Workspace Output
Graph Results
F1 -8
Workspace
 Multiple features available with Quick Access Panel
– Can pin Quick Access Panel to the Workspace or minimize with
thumbtack to allow for more Workspace area
This tool is used to

Minimize Quick
draw new pipes
Access Panel with
thumbtack
This tool will add annotation
to the workspace
Quick
These icons represent Access
different components Panel
F1 -9
Quick Access Panel – Activate Modules
 Ability to activate GSC, XTS, SSL, APS, and ANS Modules
F1 -10
Workspace - Editing Features
 Cut, copy, paste, delete, duplicate and undo features

supported
 Workspace can be sized to fit the model
 You can zoom out to see a larger area
 Objects can be selected as a group in several ways
– Selecting the components by dragging the mouse over them
– Using the SHIFT key while clicking on the objects
– Using Select Flow Path on the Edit menu
– Using the Select Special tool on the Edit menu
– Using Groups / Select on the Edit menu
– Using the Select All feature
F1 -11
Workspace – Editing Features (2)
 The Reference Flow Direction of a pipe can be changed

 The selected objects can be renumbered
– Manually
– Renumber Automatic
– Renumber Wizard
– Renumber Increment
 The Find tool will move the Workspace window to show a pipe
or junction
 Search tool on the main Toolbar allows user to search for
pipe/junction numbers, names, and notes
– Similar to how a search engine finds a website
F1 -12
Workspace - Platform for Data Entry
 All pipe and junction objects placed onto the Workspace are
interactive
 To open the Properties window for data entry, just double-click
the graphical object
– Alternatively, you can select the object by clicking on it once and
then press the Enter key
– Or you can select the object by clicking on it once and then click
on the Open Pipe/Jct Window button on the Workspace Toolbar
 The Properties windows are the primary manner in which
component data is entered
 The Global Pipe Edit and Global Junction Edit windows can
speed up data entry
F1 -13
Workspace - Reporting
 The Workspace image can be sent to printers and plotters
 Print Preview allows page customization
– The image can be sized on the page
– A company logo and custom text can be added
F1 -14
Model Data Window
 Model Data is broken into three sections

– General Data
– Pipe Data
– Junction Data
 Each section can be re-sized or collapsed allowing the user to
focus on any of the sections
 User can select all or portions of the Model Data Window
content for printing
– Print format window allows customizing of content
– User can also select the font
F1 -15
Model Data Window (2)
 With a Workspace printout and the complete Model Data

printout, the input can be printed in its entirety
 Properties windows for data entry can be opened by double-
clicking the far left column
F1 -16
Output Window
 The Output window is the primary vehicle for communicating

the results of an analysis in text form
 Output Window is broken into three sections
– General Results
– Pipe Results
– Junction Results
 Each section contains tabs to permit quick viewing of output
by type
F1 -17
Output Window (2)
 User can select all or portions of the Output Window content

for printing
– Print format window allows customizing of content
– User can also select the font
 User can sort output according to any of the columns for quick
review of data extreme maximums and minimums
 Output Window content is specified by Output Control
Window
F1 -18
Visual Report Window
 Visual Report allows user to display input and output results

together with pipe system image
F1 -19
Graph Results Window
 The Graph Results Window allows creation of full-featured

Windows graphs
F1 -20
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Introduction
 AFT Fathom uses the Newton-Raphson Method to solve the

flow distribution in a pipe network
– The Newton-Raphson Method for pipe networks is a matrix
method
 This method gained favor with the introduction of the digital
computer
 The technique has been considered standard industry
practice for 40 years
F2 -1
Pressure Definitions
 Conflicting definitions exist in the literature for total and

stagnation pressures
 AFT Fathom terminology
1ρ 2+ ρ =
P+ V gh Const
2
}
}
Static Hydrostatic
Dynamic
(or Velocity)
 Ptotal = Pstagnation = Pstatic + Pdynamic

 AFT Fathom uses the term Pstagnation and not Ptotal
 Input pressures in Fathom, such as assigned pressure
junction, default to Pstagnation for input
F2 -2
Basic Laws of Pipe Flow
 Mass Conservation
m = ρAV
 Momentum Equation (Bernoulli)

1 1
P1 + ρV12 + ρgh1 = P2 + ρV22 + ρgh2 + ∆Ploss
2 2
 The dynamic pressure and static pressure can be combined

into the stagnation (total) pressure, and the solution is then for
total pressure
– Therefore, the momentum equation becomes
Po ,1 + ρgh1 = Po , 2 + ρgh2 + ∆Ploss
F2 -3
Law of Friction
 Traditional method of friction loss calculation uses the Darcy-

Weisbach friction factor, f
L 1 2
∆Ploss = f  ρV 
D2 
 The friction factor is not a constant, but a function of the pipe

wall characteristics and the Reynolds number
F2 -4
Law of Friction (2)
 AFT Fathom uses the iterative Colebrook-White correlation for

turbulent flow and the traditional laminar flow equation when
laminar
−2
 ε 
f = 1.14 − 2 log +
9.35
 D Re f

 (Re > 4000)
  
(Re < 2300)

64
f =
Re
 Special friction models available for pulp and paper stock and
crude oil
F2 -5
Modified Form for Law of Friction
 Basic law
L 1 2
∆Ploss = f  ρV 
D2 
 Substituting mass flow rate definition
L  1  m  
 2
∆Ploss = f ρ 
D  2  ρA  

 Defining new term, where R is a pipe resistance

∆Ploss = Rm 2 L 1 
R= f  
2 
D  2 ρA 
 Bernoulli’s equation then becomes
Po ,1 + ρgh1 = Po , 2 + ρgh2 + Rm 2
F2 -6
Balancing Mass at Branches
 Applying law of mass conservation to a branching section

n
∑ m
j =1
ij =0
 Substituting yields the following equation to be solved for

every branch, i
 Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ) 
0.5
sgn (Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ))

n

∑  Rij 
=0
j =1
 
where sgn = ±1 depending on flow direction
F2 -7
Balancing Mass at Branches (2)
 Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ) 
0.5

n

∑  Rij 
=0
j =1
 
 The objective is to find all of the P values that satisfy the

above equation applied to every branch
 We will then have a solution for two unknowns:
– pressure at all junctions
– mass flow rate in all pipes
F2 -8
Solving the Equations
 We need to solve as many equations as there are flow splits

 All of the equations are non-linear
 AFT Fathom uses the Newton-Raphson Method to solve the
system of equations
– Newton-Raphson is an iterative method used to solve for roots of
equations
F2 -9
Solving the Equations (2)
 Initially the pipe flow rates are not known so an error, F, exists
at each branch
 Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ) 
0.5

n

∑  Rij 
= Fi
j =1
 
 The objective is to use the Newton-Raphson Method to drive

all of the F errors to zero (within some tolerance)
F2 -10
The Newton-Raphson Method
 The procedure for applying Newton-Raphson to a single

equation is as follows:
1) Take a guess at the solution to function F
2) Calculate an improved guess using the following equation:
F ( xi )
xi +1 = xi −
F ' (xi )
3) Substitute the improved guess back into the above equation
until the change in x is small
F(x)
F(xi)
-F'(xi)
x
xi xi+1 F2 -11
Solving the System
 When applied to a system of equations with P as the

unknown, Newton-Raphson looks as follows
→ → →
−1
P o ,new = P o ,old − J FF
where P is the vector of pressures and JF is the Jacobian matrix of

error function derivatives - both of a size, n, which is the number of
branches (i.e., equations in the system)
 ∂F1 ∂F1 ∂F1 

 ∂P ∂P
o,1 o, 2 ∂Po,n 
 
 ∂F 2 ∂F 2 ∂F 2 
  
J F =  ∂Po,1 ∂Po,2 ∂Po,n 
 
  
 ∂F n ∂F n ∂F n 
  
∂ P
 o,1 o,2∂ P ∂ Po,n 
F2 -12
Derivative Terms in Jacobian
 The diagonal derivative terms in the Jacobian can be

calculated analytically
 Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ) 
0.5
Fi = ∑ sgn (Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ))

n

 Rij 
j =1
 
∂Fi n 
− 
=∑ 

0. 5
0.5 
 (Po, j − Po,i + ρg (h j − hi )) − 0.5
∂Pi j =1  Rij 
 The off-diagonal terms can also be calculated analytically
∂Fi  0.5 
= 0.5 (Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ))
− 0.5
∂Pi  Rij 
F2 -13
Solving the Matrix
 Rather than inverting the Jacobian matrix, it is usually faster

to solve a linear system of equations as follows
→ → →
P o ,new = P o ,old − z
→ →
−1
z=J F F
→ →
JF z = F
 We need to solve for the values in vector, z, that satisfy the
above
F2 -14
Solving the Matrix (2)
 Use Gaussian Elimination to solve for z

– By multiple substitutions, we progressively eliminate terms in JF
and eventually obtain the identity matrix, where all terms are
zero except the diagonal, which is unity
→ → →
P o ,new = P o ,old − z
– We then have the solution for z, which can be substituted back

into the original equation above to improve our guess for all of
the pressures in the pressure vector
F2 -15
Test Problem #1
P = 200 psig P = 175 psig
1 2
h = 0 feet h = 0 feet
pipe 1 pipe 2
4
Steel - ANSI pipe, STD schedules
h = 0 feet Fluid is Water @ 70 deg F
pipe 3 pipe f L (ft) D (in)

1 0.01685 100 4
2 0.01742 75 4
P = 160 psig 3 0.01567 125 6
3
h = 0 feet Jct P (psig)
1 200
2 175
In this test problem, pipe 3 160
resistances can be calculated
based on known friction
factor (shown in the table) F2 -16
To start the solution, we need to guess P4,
Test Problem #1 (2) so guess 180 psig
0.5
 Pj − Pi 
[ ]
sgn (Pj − Pi ) 
n
F =∑  NOTE: Elevations are all the same, so
 Rij 
j =1
  hydrostatic head losses are ignored!
0.5 0.5 0.5
 P −P   P −P   P −P 
F = [sgn (P1 − P4 )] 1 4 
 + [sgn (P2 − P4 )] 2 4 
 + [sgn (P3 − P4 )] 3 4 

 R1− 4   R2− 4   R3− 4 
F = −288.37
− 0 .5 − 0.5 − 0.5 − 0.5 − 0.5 − 0.5
F'= P1 − P4 + P2 − P4 + P3 − P4
R10−.54 R20−.54 R30−.54 Solution shown in Test1.xls
F ' = −19.62
F (Pold )
Pnew = Pold −
F ' (Pold )
F2 -17
Note: All pressures here are stagnation
Convergence
 When the changes in pressure, flow rate and temperature

decrease to some small amount, the calculation is converged
 Different criteria can be applied for identifying convergence
– Percentage change in result
– Absolute change in result
 We will cover convergence in a later section
F2 -18
Flow Rate Updates
 The previous example focused on the pressure solution

 In practice, after the pressure solution was obtained a new
flow solution would be calculated
 The new flows would then be compared against the old flows
 If the flows changed too much they would be updated and the
pressure solution repeated
 This whole procedure would be repeated until flow and
pressure updates were small
F2 -19
Solver Flow Chart
Update Hydraulic
Start Losses and Pumps
Solve Junction
Pressures
No
No Yes
Converged ? > Max Iterations ? End
Yes
Recalculate Mass Recalculate
Flow Rates Temperatures
No
No Yes
Yes
Recalculate
Temperatures
No No
Converged ? > Max Iterations ?
Yes Yes
Return End
F2 -20
Known Flow Vs. Known Pressure
Junctions
 At all system boundaries AFT Fathom must solve for either
flow or pressure
 User cannot specify both flow and pressure at the same point
because there would be nothing for AFT Fathom to solve
 Either the flow rate calculation or the pressure calculation
must be available to AFT Fathom
F2 -21
F3. Demonstration Problem – Sizing a
Pump
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Pipes
 AFT Fathom uses two system constructs: pipes and junctions

 Pipes are conduits for steady-state*, incompressible,
one-dimensional, Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluid flow
 The flow rate through the entire length of the pipe is always
constant
 Because pipes have constant diameters, the fluid velocity is
also constant
– Average densities are used in pipes with heat transfer (log mean
temperature based densities for convection)
F3 -1
* XTS module allows transient flow in pipes
Pipes (2)
 Each pipe must be connected to a junction on each end

 A pipe differs from a junction in that it has a reference positive
flow direction
– To say a pipe has a flow rate of 1 ft3/sec is meaningless unless
the flow direction is specified.
 In cases where there is uncertainty about flow direction, you
do not need to specify the actual flow direction in a pipe
– AFT Fathom sorts out the true physical flow directions of the
system you define
– However, the pipe orientation is critical when using pressure-
dependent junctions like pumps and control valves
F3 -2
Junctions
 Junctions are connector points for pipes

 Junctions are elements at which flow balances are made
 Some junction types can only connect to one pipe while
others can connect with up to twenty-five
 AFT Fathom provides a total of twenty-three junction types
F3 -3
Junctions (2)
 In addition to balancing flow and energy, junctions also

influence the flow or pressure behavior of the system
– Reservoir and assigned pressure junctions apply a constant
pressure head at a location and the flow is free to adjust in
whatever manner is consistent with the governing equations
– An assigned flow junction applies a known flow rate at its
location, allowing the pressure to adjust to that level dictated by
the governing equations
 The twenty-two standard junction types allow you to specify
special kinds of irrecoverable pressure losses or fluid
behavior
 Junctions communicate with each other through the pipes
connecting them
F3 -4
Creating Objects
 Pipe and junction objects are created using the Workspace

Toolbox
– New pipes and junctions can also be derived from previous ones
by duplication
 Pipes are drawn on the Workspace
 Junctions are dragged from the Toolbox
F3 -5
Creating Objects (2)
 Pipe and junctions have default numbers assigned

– Users can reassign numbers
– Pipes numbers are displayed near the pipe center preceded by a
"P"
– Junction numbers are displayed over the junction icons
preceded by a "J"
– Pipes also have a direction arrow displayed with the number to
indicate the positive flow direction
F3 -6
Moving Objects
 The objects on the Workspace can be moved individually or

as groups
 To move an object, select it, drag it within the Workspace, and
drop it in the desired location
– When an object is dragged off the existing Workspace area, the
Workspace is expanded accordingly
 The pipe object can be stretched by grabbing the handles at
the pipe endpoints and moving an endpoint to a new location
F3 -7
Moving Objects (2)
 To prevent accidental movement of objects, lock the objects

on the Workspace
– The Lock feature is accessed from the Edit menu or the lock
button on the Toolbar.
 To group multiple objects for movement or other operations,
hold down the SHIFT key when selecting the objects
 Objects can also be selected by using the Selection Tool on
the Workspace toolbar
– Click on the Workspace and drag the mouse to draw a box
around the objects
– Holding down the SHIFT key while drawing multiple boxes
permits multiple sets of grouped selections
F3 -8
Connecting Pipes and Junctions
 Pipe and junction objects can be placed anywhere on the

Workspace
 Connectivity ONLY exists between pipes and junctions
– There are no junctions that connect to junctions, and no pipes
that connect to pipes
 The model connectivity you establish on the Workspace
remains only as long as you maintain the graphical objects in
their current visual relationship to each other
– The most certain way to maintain the connectivity of your model
is to Lock the objects to the Workspace so they cannot be
moved
F3 -9
Editing Objects
 The objects you place on the Workspace can be edited with

the editing commands from the Edit menu or the Workspace
Toolbar
 Objects can be cut, copied, pasted, duplicated, and deleted
 These operations can be performed on individual objects or
on groups
 One level of undo is available for each editing operation
through the Edit menu
F3 -10
Lay Out the Model
 Closed loop system

 Need to find the pumping requirements
 Model looks as below
F3 -11
Using the Checklist
 The Checklist tracks the status of your model

– Communicates what items must be completed before you can
run the model
You can open the

Checklist box from the
Toolbar, View menu, or
Quick Access Panel
F3 -12
Using the Checklist (2)
 The first item is always checked off because AFT Fathom

assigns default Solution Control parameters
– The default Solution Control parameters work satisfactorily in
most cases
 The fourth item is disabled because no costs are applied by
default
 The fifth and sixth items may not be visible or may be
disabled depending on GSC and XTS module usage
F3 -13
Checklist – Quick Access Panel
 Checklist status is available from Status Light on the Quick

Access Panel
Status Light
F3 -14
Using the Object Status Feature
 Each pipe or junction object requires some minimum input

data
 Until each object has the required input, it is "undefined"
 The Show Object Status feature checks the required data for
each object and reports to the user which objects are and are
not defined
– Undefined object numbers change color (to red by default)
– Right clicking on an object will display a listing of the input,
output, and undefined items for that object
F3 -15
Using the Object Status Feature (2)
 Show Object Status is toggled on and off from the Workspace

Toolbar (flood light) or the View Menu
 Show Object Status should be used selectively because it
slows down the Workspace graphics if left in the ON state
– For large models, users should turn it ON only when needed
F3 -16
Using Undefined Objects Window
 Opened from the View menu, undefined pipes and junctions

are displayed in lists
 Click on a pipe or junction to see undefined properties
F3 -17
Solution Control Window
 Solution Control Window is opened from the Analysis Menu or

by clicking the Solution Control in the Checklist area of the
Quick Access Panel.
 This window gives user control of how the Solver behaves
 The default parameters are sufficient for the majority of
analyses
F3 -18
Output Control Window
 Output Control Window is opened from the Tools Menu or by

clicking the Output Control icon on the Toolbar
 Users can modify and keep Output Control formats for future
use
F3 -19
Output Control Window (2)
 Output Control offers users control over the following items:

– The pipe and junction output parameters to be included in the
output
– The engineering units in which the output parameters will be
expressed
– The order in which the output parameters will appear
– The title appearing on the output report
– Reference information to keep with model
– Special summary reports
– The minimum number of significant digits to appear in the output
parameters
– What actions are to be taken with the Output when it is created
and other formatting options
F3 -20
System Properties Window
 System Properties Window is opened from the Analysis Menu

or by clicking Systems Properties on the Checklist in the
Quick Access Panel
 This window allows the user to input the fluid properties
– Density
– Dynamic Viscosity
– Vapor Pressure (optional, used for cavitation and NPSH
checking only)
F3 -21
System Properties Window (2)
 Fluid properties can be entered directly or selected from the

database of fluids
– Users only need to enter a temperature for fluids in the AFT
Standard database and the physical properties are calculated
– ASME water data and most Chempak fluids require pressure
and temperature
– The AFT Standard fluid database is customizable
 Other options include:
– Choice of viscosity model (i.e, non-Newtonian models)
– Selecting variable fluid property model
– Heat transfer modeling
– Change gravitational acceleration, atmospheric pressure, and
transition Reynolds numbers
F3 -22
Cost Setting Window
 Cost Calculations are enabled on the Analysis Menu

– Pump Energy Only or Full Cost Calculations can be calculated
 Cost Settings Window is opened from the Analysis Menu or
clicking the Specify Cost Settings on the Checklist in the
Quick Access Panel when Cost Calculations are being
calculated
 Various costs can be calculated such as material, installation,
and operation/energy
F3 -23
Entering Pipe and Junction Data
 Data for pipes and junctions are entered into Properties

Windows
 Properties Windows are opened either by double-clicking or
single-click then pressing enter for the pipe or junction of
interest
– Properties windows may also be opened by double clicking an
object within the Model Data and Output windows
 Data can also be entered through Global Edit Windows
F3 -24
Input Data For Pipes
 For the demo problem we will modify the data for each pipe
individually
– The data can also be entered using Global Pipe Edit
 All pipes must have data for
– Length
– Diameter
– Roughness
 In addition, each pipe must have two connecting junctions
F3 -25
Input Data For Junctions
 All junctions must have

– Elevation data
• Connecting pipes are assumed to travel linearly between junctions
– Sufficient number of connecting pipes
• Number of connecting pipes is different for each junction type
 There are twenty-three different junctions
F3 -26
Data For Bend Junctions
 Use standard elbow for all bends

– Bend junction K factors may depend on diameter
– Diameter is picked up from upstream pipe
 All Bend junctions must have two connecting pipes
F3 -27
Data For Heat Exchanger
 Heat Exchanger junctions require two connecting pipes

 This junction type does model heat transfer, but we will ignore
heat transfer for this demo
 Most common way to model the heat exchanger loss is to use
a General Polynomial loss model
– Models a resistance curve based on raw data
– Raw data can be from vendor or operating data
F3 -28
Data For Assigned Pressure
 Assigned Pressure junctions can have from one to twenty-five

pipes
 This junction type is an infinite fluid source sufficient to
maintain the specified pressure
– Flow does not balance through an Assigned Pressure junction
 When used in a closed system such as this one, the flow
appears to balance because of the overall system flow
balance
 If heat transfer is being modeled, the Balance Energy option
should be selected
F3 -29
Data For Pump
 Pump junctions require two connecting pipes

 Pumps can be modeled with a pump curve, a fixed flow or
fixed pressure/head rise
– The fixed flow model is useful for sizing or modeling
displacement pumps
– The fixed pressure/head rise may useful when you know the
pressure/head rise, but its primary use is with the GSC module
 Pump curves can be generated from raw data
– Data can come from vendor or operating data
F3 -30
Inspecting Objects
 The data in a pipe or junction can be reviewed quickly using

the inspection feature
 Inspecting is done by pressing down the right mouse button
on the graphical pipe or junction
 Inspecting is much quicker than opening the Properties
Window
– Using the inspection window also does not clear the output
results as opening a Properties window can
F3 -31
Inspecting Objects – Quick Access Panel
 Pipe and Junction input/output data can be viewed in Quick

Access Panel
– Click the “Property” tab on Quick Access Panel
– Select a pipe or a junction on Workspace
F3 -32
Model Data Window
 The Model Data window is useful for reviewing the text input
for the model
– All data can be printed out for documentation
 Model Data can be accessed from the Model Data Primary
Window tab from the Window menu
 Use the Model Data window to do a quick sanity check of the
input
– Incorrect units or a typo become more obvious in Model Data
 Double-clicking the far left column of the tables opens the
appropriate Properties Window
F3 -33
Running Models - Solution Progress
Window
 When a model is complete, the Run command is enabled
 The model can be run by choosing Run from the Analysis
Menu or clicking the appropriate toolbar icon
 When a model is running, the Solution Progress Window
displays
 The Solution Progress Window shows the status of the
Solver's progress towards convergence
F3 -34
Running Models – Solution Progress
Window (2)
 The Solution Progress Window allows you to Cancel or Pause
the run so that Solution Control parameters can be modified
– Modifying Solution Control parameters during runtime may help
for difficult models
 When the solution converges, you are notified
 When you select View Output, you are immediately taken to
the Output Window
F3 -35
Output Window
 The Output Window displays text output for your model and is
accessed from the Primary Window tabs or the Window menu
 The Output Control Window allows you to customize the
content of the output
 Each section may have multiple tabs to quickly view data by
type
 Print Content allows you to select the content of the printed
report
F3 -36
Output Window (2)
 Transfer Results to Initial Guesses saves the current output

results as the initial conditions
– Transfer Results to Initial Guesses is accessed from the Edit
menu of the Toolbar (push pin)
 Warnings are placed into the General Results section
– When warnings exist the text color is changed to red
 Sort allows you to sort the Output according to one of the
columns
 Double-clicking the column header allows you to change the
units for that column
F3 -37
Enter a Pump Curve
 Now that we know the pressure/head requirements for the

pump we can enter a pump curve
 You can enter raw pump data for the pump of interest and
rerun the model
F3 -38
Graph Results
 Graphs are created with the Graph Results Windows

– This window is one of the Primary Window tabs
– Graph Results can also be accessed from the Window menu
 Various parameters can be graphed by using the Graph
Control area on the Quick Access Panel on the Graph Results
window
 The graph can be printed, copied to the clipboard, or saved to
a file
 The graph x-y data can be exported to a file or copied to the
clipboard
F3 -39
Visual Report
 Visual Report allows you to see the results superimposed on

the Workspace graphic
– This is one of the Primary Window tabs
– Visual Report can also be accessed from the Window menu
 The Visual Report Control allows you to select the type of
results you want to see
 You can print the image at full size or fit it to a single page
with Print Special
 Text locations are automatically saved with the model
F3 -40
US
Input Data for Demo 1
Fluid is water at 70F Heat Exchanger Data is
0 psid @ 0 gpm
All pipe is 3“, STD (schedule 40), Steel – 20 psid @ 200 gpm
ANSI 80 psid @ 400 gpm
Assigned Pressure is set to 20 psig, Pump is 200 gpm for sizing, then
Stagnation 170 ft. @ 0 gpm
150 ft. @ 100 gpm
All elbows are Standard Elbows 120 ft. @ 200 gpm
80 ft. @ 300 gpm
F3 -41
SI
Input Data for Demo 1
Fluid is water at 20C Heat Exchanger Data is
0 bar (0 kPa) @ 0 m3/hr
All pipe is 3" (7.8 cm ID) STD (schedule 40), 1.5 bar (150 kPa) @ 50 m3/hr
Steel - ANSI 6 bar (600 kPa) @ 100 m3/hr
Assigned Pressure is set to 2 barG (200 Pump is 50 m3/hr for sizing, then
kPa-g), Stagnation 55 m @ 0 m3/hr
52 m @ 25 m3/hr
All elbows are Standard Elbows 45 m @ 50 m3/hr
30 m @ 75 m3/hr
F3 -42
F4. Understanding Solution Control
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Solution Control Window Summary
 The Solution Control Window is opened from the Analysis

Menu
 Solution Control is one of the Checklist items
– Solution Control is required for every model
 AFT Fathom provides robust Solution Control defaults
 Parameters that can be modified include tolerance, relaxation
and maximum iterations
 You can also keep track of the iteration history
F4 -1
Solution Control Window Summary (2)
Tolerance tab -
General tab -
F4 -2
How To Use Solution Control
 In general, the defaults provided by AFT Fathom are sufficient

to guide a model to convergence
 It is recommended you avoid changing the Solution Control
parameters unless you understand how to use them or it is
recommended by AFT or a more experienced user
– The danger is that it is possible to modify the Solution Control
parameters in such a way that the model will converge on the
wrong answer
 We will cover different convergence strategies later in the
seminar
F4 -3
Tolerance Summary
 There are three tolerance inputs for the three variables

– Head/Pressure (at all junctions)
– Flow Rate (in all pipes)
– Temperature (at all junctions)
 Each tolerance has four criteria to choose from
– Absolute
– Relative
– Either Absolute or Relative
– Both Absolute and Relative
F4 -4
Tolerances and Convergence
 When solution iterations are performed, the values of all

junction pressures and pipe flow rates progress from the initial
guesses (which are incorrect) to the true results (which satisfy
the governing equations)
 The solution method needs to have a criteria to decide when
the results are good enough so it can stop iterating
– The tolerance values are the criteria the solution method
compares against to decide to stop iterating
F4 -5
Tolerances and Convergence (2)
 The best way to determine whether results are converged is

to compare the results of the current iteration to those of the
previous iteration
– If the results do not change appreciably then the final results
have been obtained
 Each iteration AFT Fathom does this check and when the
change in results for all the pipes and junctions is less than
the specified tolerance, it considers the results converged
F4 -6
Relative Tolerance
 The relative tolerance approach does the comparison of

current vs. previous on a relative change (i.e., percentage
change) basis
If (For All Junctions)

(Pj ,new - Pj ,old ) < TOL Then
Pj ,new
Convergence = True
Else
Convergence = False
End If
F4 -7
Relative Tolerance (2)
 Relative tolerance is the AFT Fathom default because it is the

most robust
– AFT Fathom uses 0.0001 (i.e., 0.01%) as the criteria for both
pressure and flow
 This method is especially good for systems with largely
different flow rates because each flow rate must converge to a
percentage value only
 One drawback of this method is if systems have zero or near
zero flow rates
F4 -8
Absolute Tolerance
 The absolute tolerance approach does the comparison of

current vs. previous on an absolute change basis (i.e.,
number of gpm's)
If (For All Junctions) Pj ,new - Pj ,old < TOL Then
Convergence = True
Else
Convergence = False
End If
F4 -9
Absolute Tolerance (2)
 Absolute tolerance has units associated with it

 This method is good for systems with flows that are all of a
similar magnitude
 Typically, both tolerance settings will give (and should give)
the same answer
– Usually relative tolerance is more efficient and reliable
F4 -10
Tolerance Application: Test Problem #1
1 2
P = 200 psig pipe 1 pipe 2 P = 175 psig

h = 0 feet h = 0 feet
4
h = 0 feet
pipe 3
P = 160 psig
h = 0 feet 3 pipe L (ft) D (in) rho (lbm/ft3)
f
1 0.0219 100 4 62
2 0.0156 75 4 62
3 0.0180 125 6 62
F4 -11
Tolerance Application: Test Problem #1
(2)
 Note that this convergence and tolerance is for pressure
Iter # (psig) -------------(lbm/s)------------- (lbm/s) (lbm/s/psig) --- (psig)

P4 M1 M2 M3 F F' REL CHNG ABS CHNG
1 180.0000 115.3464 -78.9048 -313.5906 -277.1489 -18.6139 --- ---
2 165.1106 152.3476 110.9691 -158.5207 104.7960 -23.3027 9.0178E-02 1.4889E+01
3 169.6078 142.1903 81.9409 -217.3503 6.7810 -21.2485 2.6515E-02 4.4972E+00
4 169.9269 141.4418 79.4792 -220.9305 -0.0095 -21.3129 1.8780E-03 3.1913E-01
5 169.9265 141.4429 79.4827 -220.9255 0.0000 -21.3128 2.6127E-06 4.4398E-04
6 169.9265 141.4429 79.4827 -220.9255 0.0000 -21.3128 6.8205E-12 1.1590E-09
7 169.9265 141.4429 79.4827 -220.9255 0.0000 -21.3128 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
F4 -12
Solver Flow Chart
Update Hydraulic
Solve Junction
Pressures
No
No Yes
Yes
No
No Yes
Yes
Recalculate
Temperatures
No No
Yes Yes
Return End F4 -13

Relaxation Overview
 Relaxation slows the amount of flow rate change allowed by

the solution
 Relaxation is like a damping factor that smoothes the
convergence process while also slowing the process
 Relaxation is applied to the flow rate and pressure update for
all pipes, i
 
m i ,new  r m i , new  m i ,old  m i ,old pi ,new  rp ( pi ,new  pi ,old )  pi ,old
 Relaxation is always greater than zero and less than or equal

to one
– Relaxation of 1 is the same as no relaxation
– Relaxation of 0 would never update the flow rates
F4 -14
Relaxation Overview (2)
 Fathom will automatically reduce flow relaxation if dictated by

the solution progress
 Keep the flow rate relaxation at least one or two orders of
magnitude larger than the relative tolerances
 If you use fixed relaxation values -
– For flow, typical settings for highly non-linear models are from
0.1 to 0.001
– For pressure, 0.5 or 1 is recommended
F4 -15
Relaxation Application
 Calculate the new flow rates for several values of relaxation
Old Flow Rate Ideal New Flow New Flow Rate

Relaxation
(lbm/s) Rate (lbm/s) (lbm/s)
1 10 20 20
0.5 10 20 15
0.2 10 20 12
0.1 10 20 11
0.05 10 20 10.5
0 10 20 10
F4 -16
Completing the Picture on Tolerance
 The Solution Progress Window (which displays while the
Solver is running) communicates the maximum out of
tolerance junction pressure and pipe flow rate
 Junction pressures are solved first, then the pipe flow rates
and temperatures are updated
F4 -17
Using Transfer Results to Initial Guesses
Feature
 The Output Window has a feature called Transfer Results to
Initial Guesses
– Transfer Results can be accessed from the Edit menu or the
toolbar (push pin)
 This feature takes the current results and transfers them to
the initial guess for each pipe and junction
 In some cases this makes the model run much faster in the
future
 Transfer Results to Initial Guesses can be always enabled
with the Output Control window
F4 -18
Maximum Iterations
 The Maximum Iterations parameters restricts the total number

of iterations for the Solver to calculate
 The Maximum Iterations can be as high or as low as you want
- it has no effect on the behavior of the Solver
 The purpose of this parameter is to keep the Solver from
searching forever for a solution it cannot obtain
 Most models will converge within 50,000 iterations, which is
the default
 We have seen some models run for up to 50,000 iterations
– These models are usually special case models
F4 -19
Iteration History
 A history of the most out of tolerance pipes and junctions is

optionally maintained
– This feature is enabled in the Solution Control Window on the
General tab
– To view the iteration history click on the History button before
clicking View Results for a converged solution of before clicking
on Cancel for a paused solution
 This feature can be very helpful when debugging a model
F4 -20
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Introduction to Scenario Manager
 The Scenario Manager allows you to keep variants of a model

all with the same model
 The types of changes that can be made are very broad
– Junctions can be turned on and off to evaluate different
operating conditions
– Pipe and junction data can be varied to parametrically evaluate
competing designs
– You can build an existing system as your base model then add to
the system to evaluate expansion possibilities on the existing
system
– You can easily evaluate different working fluids by setting them
up as different children scenarios
F5 -1
Introduction to Scenario Manager (2)
 Scenarios are created, manipulated, and loaded using the

Scenario Manager window
 The Scenario Manager can be opened from the Tools menu in
the Workspace window, the Scenario Manager button on the
toolbar, or Quick Access Panel
From Quick
Access Panel
F5 -2
Hydraulics Tutorial
 In the system below, assume all pipes have the same

diameter, length and roughness
– Which pipe has the highest flow rate?
– Which pipe has the highest pressure?
– Which pipe has the highest inlet Hydraulic Gradeline and the
highest outlet Hydraulic Gradeline (HGL)?
2 Ref: Hydraulics Tutorial.fth
F5 -3
3
Hydraulics Tutorial Part II
 In the system below, assume all pipes have the same

diameter, length and roughness
– Which pipe has the highest flow rate?
– Which pipe has the highest pressure?
– Which pipe has the highest inlet Hydraulic Gradeline and the
highest outlet Hydraulic Gradeline (HGL)?
2
Ref: Hydraulics Tutorial.fth
3
F5 -4
US
Build Model of Hand Calculated System
 Test Problem #1 (TEST1.FTH / Test Model 1). What is the

(stagnation) pressure at junction 4? What is the flow rate in
each pipe?
 Note h is elevation and Po is stagnation pressure
1 2
pipe 1 pipe 2 Po = 175 psig
Po = 200 psig h = 0 feet
h = 0 feet Water at 70 F
4 Steel - ANSI Pipe, STD (schedule 40)
h = 0 feet
pipe L (ft) D (in)
pipe 3 1 100 4
2 75 4
3 125 6
Po = 160 psig
3
h = 0 feet
F5 -5
US
Modify Test Model #1
 Change elevation data (TEST1.FTH / Test Model A). What is

the stagnation pressure at 4? What is the flow rate in each
pipe?
1 2
pipe 1 pipe 2 Po = 175 psig
Po = 200 psig h = 20 feet
h = 10 feet
Water at 70 F
4
Steel - ANSI Pipe, STD (schedule 40)
h = 5 feet
pipe L (ft) D (in)
pipe 3 1 100 4
2 75 4
3 125 6
Po = 160 psig
3
h = 30 feet
F5 -6
US
Pumped System
 Determine the pump head and power (ideal) for the following
system
– Water system at 70 degrees F
– Reservoir at 10 feet elevation needs to be pumped up a hill to a
reservoir at 200 feet elevation
– Flow requirement is 500 gpm
– The total pipe length is 1000 feet
– The pipe is 4 inch Schedule 40 Steel – ANSI
– Pump elevation = 0 feet
 Model Test 2.FTH / Test 2
F5 -7
US
Pumped System (2)
 Hints:
– The pipe depths at the reservoirs do not affect the answer -
assume 10 feet
– The pump should be as close to the supply reservoir as possible
to maximize pump suction pressure - assume 10 feet distance
from the supply reservoir
F5 -8
US
Pumped System Modification #1
 On the previous pumped system, what must the pipe size be

to achieve a fluid velocity under 6 ft/s?
 Model TEST2.FTH / Test 2A
F5 -9
US
 It is proposed to add a filtering system into the previous

pumped system before the pump
 The filter has the following properties
– At 250 gpm it has a 5 psi pressure drop
 What is the new pump requirement for the 4 inch piping
system?
 Model TEST2.FTH / Test 2B
 Hint:
– The filter only has one data point, but it can be assumed to
follow the square law of pressure drop vs. flow rate (use the “fill
as quadratic” feature)
F5 -10
US
Control Valve Problem
 Determine the minimum pipe size for the following problem

– Water system at 70 degrees
– Reservoir at 40 feet elevation is flowing downhill to a reservoir at
10 feet
– Desired flow is 250 gpm
– Control valve must have at least 8 psi drop to ensure control
over lifetime of system
– The total pipe length is 200 feet
– Nominal Steel – ANSI pipe sizes are required
 Model TEST3.FTH
F5 -11
US
Control Valve Problem (2)
 Hint:
– The control valve location does not affect the answer - assume it
is in the middle of the pipe
– Note that there are several approaches to solve this problem
F5 -12
SI
Build Model of Hand Calculated System
 Test Problem #1 (TEST1 (SI).FTH / Test Model 1). What is the

(stagnation) pressure at 4? What is the flow rate in each pipe?
 Note h is elevation and Po is stagnation pressure
1 2
pipe 1 pipe 2
Po = 13 barG Po = 11 barG
h = 0 meters h = 0 meters
4 Water at 20 C
h = 0 meters Steel – ANSI Pipe, STD (schedule 40)
pipe 3 pipe L (m) D (in) D (cm)

1 30 4 10.2
Po = 10 barG 2 23 4 10.2
3 3 38 6 15.4
h = 0 meters
F5 -13
SI
Modify Test Model #1
 Change elevation data (TEST1 (SI).FTH / Test Model A).

What is the stagnation pressure at 4? What is the flow rate in
each pipe?
1 2
pipe 1 pipe 2
Po = 13 barG Po = 11 barG
h = 3 meters h = 6 meters
4 Water at 20 C
h = 1.5 meters Steel – ANSI Pipe, STD (schedule 40)
pipe 3 pipe L (m) D (in) D (cm)

1 30 4 10.2
2 23 4 10.2
Po = 10 barG 3 38 6 15.4
3
h = 9 meters
F5 -14
SI
Pumped System
 Determine the pump head and power (ideal) for the following
system
– Water system at 21 degrees C
– Reservoir at 3 meters elevation needs to be pumped up a hill to
a reservoir at 60 meters elevation
– Flow requirement is 110 m3/hr
– The total pipe length is 300 meters
– The pipe is 4 inch (10.23 cm ID) Schedule 40 Steel – ANSI
– Pump elevation = 0 meters
 Model Test 2 (SI).FTH / Test 2
F5 -15
SI
Pumped System (2)
 Hints:
– The pipe depths at the reservoirs do not affect the answer -
assume 3 meters
– The pump should be as close to the supply reservoir as possible
to maximize pump suction pressure - assume 5 meters distance
from the supply reservoir
F5 -16
SI
 On the previous pumped system, what must the pipe size be

to achieve a fluid velocity under 2 m/s?
 Model TEST2 (SI).FTH / Test 2A
F5 -17
SI
 It is proposed to add a filtering system into the previous

pumped system before the pump
 The filter has the following properties
– At 60 m3/hr it has a 0.35 bar (35 kPa) pressure drop
 What is the new pump requirement for the 4 inch (10.23 cm
ID) piping system?
 Model TEST2 (SI).FTH / Test 2B
 Hint:
– The filter only has one data point, but it can be assumed to
follow the square law of pressure drop vs. flow rate (use the “fill
as quadratic” feature)
F5 -18
SI
Control Valve Problem
 Determine the minimum pipe size for the following problem

– Water system at 21 degrees C
– Reservoir at 12 meters elevation is flowing downhill to a
reservoir at 3 meters
– Desired flow is 60 m3/hr
– Control valve must have at least 0.5 bar (50 kPa) drop to ensure
control over lifetime of system
– The total pipe length is 60 meters
– Nominal Steel – ANSI pipe sizes are required
 Model TEST3 (SI).FTH
F5 -19
SI
Control Valve Problem (2)
 Hint:
– The control valve location does not affect the answer - assume it
is in the middle of the pipe
– Note that there are several approaches to solve this problem
F5 -20
Review Simple Pumped System
 Open model TEST6.FTH

– Model has known inflow of 100 gpm
– Model has a centrifugal pump with pump curve
– Change valve loss K factor from 10 to 25 and observe where the
pump operates before and after
 With the increased valve resistance, why doesn’t the pump
operating point change?
 If the pump operation doesn't change, what does change?
F5 -21
Known Flow Boundary Observation
 Model TEST6.FTH demonstrates the effect of changing

known flow boundaries
 Because flow rate is fixed at boundary, it is the boundary
pressure (at J1) that changes
F5 -22
Hydraulics Tutorial Answers
V A2 VB2 fL V 2
 From Bernoulli’s equation: PA  ghA    PB  ghB   
2 2 D 2
fL V 2
 But VA = VB and PA = PB, therefore: ghA  ghB  D 2
fL  g h A  hB 
 Substituting flowrate for velocity and letting: R   2 Q2 
 2DA  R
 The elevation difference, hA - hB, is the same for all pipes,

therefore all pipes have the same flowrate:
pA
pB
hA
1
hB
F5 -23
3
Hydraulics Tutorial Answers (2)
V A2 VB2 fL V 2
 From Bernoulli’s equation: PA  gh A    PB  ghB   
2 2 D 2
 The velocity in Tank A is zero, therefore the inlet pressure for

each pipe is:
PA  gh A  Pinlet  ghinlet or Pinlet  PA  g h A  hinlet 
 All pipes have the same PA , but Pipe 3 has the largest h
and therefore has the highest pressure
pA
pB
hA
1
hB
F5 -24
3
Hydraulics Tutorial Answers (3)
 From previous slide: PA  gh A  Pinlet  ghinlet
 The definition of HGL is: HGL A 

PA
g
 hA
 Therefore: HGLA  PA  hA HGLinlet 

Pinlet
 hinlet HGL A  HGLinlet
g g
 The inlet HGL of all pipes is equal as is the outlet HGL of

all pipes. Inlet HGL - outlet HGL is equal to the difference
in reservoir liquid heights.
pA
pB
hA
1
hB
F5 -25
3
Hydraulics Tutorial Part II Answers
V A2 VB2 fL V 2
2 2 D 2
fL V 2
 But VA = VB and PA = PB, therefore: ghA  ghB  D 2
g h A  hB 
 Substituting flowrate for velocity: Q 2  R
 But pipes 1 and 2 do not exit at hB: g h A  hB 
Q32 
 Pipe 3 has the highest h, therefore: R
– Pipe 3 has the highest flow rate g h A  h2 
Q22 
R
pA
pB
hA 1 g h A  h1 
Q12 
h1 R
2 h2
hB
3
F5 -26
Hydraulics Tutorial Part II Answers (2)
V A2 VB2 fL V 2
2 2 D 2
 The velocity in Tank A is zero, therefore the inlet pressure for

each pipe is:
PA  gh A  Pinlet  ghinlet or Pinlet  PA  g h A  hinlet 
 All pipes have the same PA , but Pipe 3 has the largest h
and therefore has the highest pressure
 Pipes 1 and 2 have the same exit pressure, equal to PA
pA
pB
hA 1
h1
2 h2
hB
3
F5 -27
Hydraulics Tutorial Part II Answers (3)
PA  gh A  Pinlet  ghinlet

 From previous slide:
 The definition of HGL is: HGLA  PgA  hA
 Therefore at each pipe inlet:
PA Pinlet
HGL A   hA HGLinlet   hinlet HGL A  HGLinlet
g g
 All pipes have the same inlet HGL
 The exit HGL’s are: HGL3 
PB
g
 hB
 Pipe 1 has the largest exit HGL HGL2 

PB
 h2
g
P
pA HGL1  B  h1
pB g
hA 1
h1
2 h2
hB
3
F5 -28
US
Answers to Problems
 TEST1 (US)
– Stagnation Pressure at J4: 169.8 psig
– Mass Flows: 164.7, 77.6, -242.4 lbm/sec
– Volumetric Flows: 1186.6, 559.3, -1745.8 gpm
 TEST1a (US)
– Stagnation Pressure at J4: 178.1 psig
– Mass Flows: 146.7, 62.0, -208.6 lbm/sec
– Volumetric Flows: 1056.4, 446.3, -1502.8 gpm
F5 -29
US
Answers to Problems (2)
 TEST2 (US)
– Original system: DH = 319 ft, Power = 40.25 hp
– TEST2A: With 6 ft/s velocity limit - use 6 inch pipe
– TEST2B With filter: DH = 365.2 ft , Power = 46.08 hp
– Ways to eliminate error: 1) Higher tank, 2) Pressurize Tank, 3)
Lower pump elevation, 4) booster pump, 5) Parallel filters
 TEST3 (US)
– 4 inch pipe, pressure drop across valve is 10.0 psid
F5 -30
SI
Answers to Problems
 TEST1 (SI)
– Stagnation Pressure at J4: 10.69 barG
– Mass Flows: 79.3, 32.3, -111.6 kg/s
– Volumetric Flows: 285.9, 116.5, -402.4 m3/hr
 TEST1a (SI)
– Stagnation Pressure at J4: 11.26 barG
– Mass Flows: 71.7, 24.8, -96.5 kg/s
– Volumetric Flows: 258.5, 89.4, -347.9 m3/hr
F5 -31
SI
Answers to Problems (2)
 TEST2 (SI)
– Original system: DH = 93.4 m, Power = 27.9 kW
– TEST2A: With 2 m/s limit – use 6 inch pipe (15.4 cm ID)
– TEST2B With filter: DH = 105.4 m, Power = 31.5 kW
– Ways to eliminate error: 1) Higher tank, 2) Pressurize Tank, 3)
Lower pump elevation, 4) booster pump, 5) Parallel filters
 TEST3 (SI):
– 4 inch (10.23 cm ID) pipe, pressure drop across valve is 0.6586
bar
F5 -32
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Getting the Right Results
 There are a number of modeling problems AFT sees

frequently
 This section offers numerous strategies and suggestions for
approaching modeling problems
F6 -1
Resistance Curves
 AFT Fathom gives you a lot of power and flexibility in

modeling components
 There are some pitfalls when entering resistance curves (i.e.,
general polynomials) for junctions
 If you want a fixed pressure drop, be careful assigning only
the "a" constant
– If the flow is too low to get the pressure drop you want, a high "a"
constant will essentially be an infinite resistance
– This makes the flow solution essentially zero, which is a problem
for iterative Solvers like AFT Fathom
– The results will probably be incorrect anyway
F6 -2
Resistance Curves (2)
 Make sure your resistance curve is realistic

– Good practice is to always include the zero flow data point in
your curve fits
F6 -3
General Input Errors
 AFT Fathom offers significant help for identifying connection

errors, but data entry errors can be hard to find
 Finding input errors in pipe and junctions can be tedious
– Each object needs to be checked individually
 The Model Data Window lets you look at all pipes and junction
data in column format
– This is much easier to check than workspace objects
 Each column should be scanned down to see if there are any
unit errors or numbers that are wildly different than the others
– Example, all pipe lengths in miles but one is in feet
F6 -4
Use the Sort Feature
 If a big model runs but the results look incorrect, use the Sort
feature in the Output Window to look for extremes in velocity,
pressure drop or other parameters
 An input error (like incorrect diameter) may be easier to see
by its effect on the results
F6 -5
Tee/Wye Junctions Complications
 Tee/wye junctions are frequently misused

– If tee losses have a small effect on this system, Branch junctions
or simple tee loss models may be preferred
 On some models with multiple Tee/Wye junctions the flow split
dependence causes convergence problems with the Relative
Tolerance Method
 In such cases the Absolute Tolerance method is better
F6 -6
Try Absolute Tolerance
 Some models converge much better with absolute tolerance

than relative tolerance
 What this usually means is that there is at least one element
of the model that is close to the real answer in absolute terms
but does not lock in on a relative (percentage) basis
 Absolute Tolerance is the only change required for some
problem models
F6 -7
More on Absolute Tolerance
 Some models converge

very slowly
– You get the feedback on
the Solver activity in the
Solution Progress Window
 It is often easier to see
where the Solver is going in
absolute terms than it is in
relative terms
 Some models that are
converging slowly do not
appear to be converging on
a relative tolerance basis
even though they are
F6 -8
More on Absolute Tolerance (2)
 If you choose only relative tolerance or only absolute, the

other out of tolerance value is shown on the Solution Progress
window in a gray box
– You can monitor the progress of unused tolerance values even
though the Solver does not use them for convergence (unless
you change the setting in Solution Control)
F6 -9
Solver Flow Chart
Update Hydraulic
Solve Junction
Pressures
No
No Yes
Yes
No
No Yes
Yes
Recalculate
Temperatures
No No
Yes Yes
Return End F6 -10

Turn Off Parts of the Model
 AFT Fathom's Workspace makes it easy to turn off large

sections of a model so a portion of it can be run
 Turning off parts of the model can help isolate the problem
portion of the model
F6 -11
Online Content
 You can access video tutorials and “Tips and Tricks” articles
through Help Files
F6 -12
Send the Model to AFT
 If all else fails you can send the model to AFT

 We need to run some models in source code to help identify
the problem
 We place a great deal of emphasis on quality technical
support
 Send model to AFT by email at support@aft.com
 Request support from our website in our Support Center
F6 -13
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
The Five Primary Windows
 Workspace window
– Where you build the model visually and see the model layout
 Model Data window
– A text-based complement to the Workspace window
– Shows input data in text form
 Output window
– Displays the results of the analysis in text form
– Lets you produce attractive, effectively organized printed output
reports
F7 -1
The Five Primary Windows (2)
 Visual Report window

– Merges the output data with the pipe system layout from the
Workspace
– Allows customized layout of the information for documentation
and presentation purposes
 Graph Results window
– A full-featured, customizable Windows plotting capability
– Results can be viewed in a variety of ways for evaluating system
performance or identifying important trends
F7 -2
The Workspace Window - Editing
 You can zoom out to see a larger area

– By using the Zoom control or clicking on the + or - magnifying
glasses on the toolbar
 Objects can be selected as a group in several ways
– Using the mouse to highlight pipes and junctions
– Using the SHIFT key while clicking on the objects
– Using Select Flow Path on the Edit menu
– Using the Select Special tool on the Edit menu
– If a group or groups have been defined, by selecting Groups on
the Edit menu
F7 -3
The Workspace Window - Selection Tool
Dragging left-to-right selects all Dragging right-to-left selects all objects

objects completely within the selection completely or partially within the selection
box box
F7 -4
The Workspace Window – Other Features
 The Reference Flow Direction of a pipe can be changed

 The selected objects can be renumbered in three ways
– "Automatic Renumber“, "Renumber Increment" and "Renumber
Wizard"
 The Find tool will move the Workspace window to show a pipe
or junction
 Notes may be added with Annotation tool
 A background may be displayed
– Especially useful in conjunction with Snap
 A bitmap file may be displayed as a Workspace background
F7 -5
The Workspace Window - Arranging
 The selected objects can be scaled or flipped

 The selected objects can be aligned
The assembly flipped vertically and horizontally

F7 -6
The Workspace Window - Rotating
 A group of pipes and junctions can be rotated
F7 -7
The Workspace Window - Zoom to Fit
 The Workspace can be "zoomed to fit" so that the entire

model is visible
Zoom to Fit
F7 -8
Quick Access Panel – Overview Map
 Drag the View Port over large models to zoom in on the

Overview Map
View
Port
Access to Overview Map

F7 -9
Workspace - Annotation Manager
 Annotations can be hidden and displayed in scenarios of your

choice
F7 -10
Using Select Special
 Select Special is a powerful tool which selects or deselects

objects based on certain criteria
 If accessed from the Workspace it will select objects on the
Workspace
 If accessed from other windows it will select items in a list box
 It can set the list box items based on what is selected on the
Workspace
F7 -11
Using Select Special (2)
 Criteria options include

– What is selected on the Workspace
– Objects which are open
– Objects with the Special Conditions set
– Objects within a range of ID numbers
– Junctions of a certain type
– Pipe diameter or length
 Invert will select objects not selected and deselect objects
which are selected
 You can perform several selection operations at a time
F7 -12
Select Special Example
 Select everything except the Heat Exchanger junctions

1) Select Junction Type, Heat Exchanger,
then click the Select Junctions button
2) Choose Invert to select

3) Select all all of the non-Heat
pipes Exchanger junctions F7 -13
The Model Data Window
 The three areas of the Model Data window show all the
information about the model
 Detailed information about the Pipe Fittings & Losses can be
displayed in the Pipe data area
 Model Data is a valuable tool for identifying modeling errors
 Use the Model Data Control to customize what is displayed
 You can optionally show just the pipes and junctions in which
you are interested
 You can select just the data in which you are interested
F7 -14
The Model Data Window (2)
 Arrow buttons collapse input section

 Each section can be resized manually
F7 -15
The Output Window
 The Output window is the primary vehicle for communicating

the results of an analysis in text form
 The Output Control, on the Tools Menu, is used to customize
the Output window
– You choose the output parameters and units for the pipes and
junctions
– You set the order of the parameters in the output
– You choose what general information to display in the output
– You enter a title and reference information
– You select the number of digits and numerical display options
F7 -16
The Output Window (2)
 You can optionally show only the pipes and junctions in which
you are interested
 Special report tables in the General Output include:
– Summary for Pump, Valve, Heat Exchanger and Reservoir data
in the General section
– Warnings regarding solution
– Differences in parameters from one junction to another (Junction
Deltas)
 Double clicking on an item will open its Properties window in
read-only format
F7 -17
The Output Window (3)
 Double-clicking the column header allows you to change the

units for that column
 Dragging the column can change the order displayed
 Arrow buttons collapse input section
 Each section can be resized manually
F7 -18
Using The Output Control
 Example: Open “Cooling System.fth” and load Base Scenario

 Set the following Output Control parameters:
– Volumetric Flow Rate (gal/min)
– Static inlet Pressure (psia)
– Static outlet Pressure (psia)
– Pressure Loss Static Total (psid)
– Show only junctions 1, 3, and 4
– Show only pipes 1 and 2
F7 -19
Using the Output Control (2)
F7 -20
The Visual Report Window
 Integrates the pipe system layout from the Workspace window

with information in text form
 The values to be shown may come from the Model Data
values or the Output results
 Text can be moved to give the best visual presentation
 Notes may be added using the annotation button on the
toolbar
 The content is controlled using the Visual Report Control
window
– You choose the parameters to show
– You select to show the title and additional information
– You choose font, symbols and legend options
F7 -21
Using Visual Report Control
 Choose the parameters you want to be displayed
These parameters will be

shown on the Visual Report
F7 -22
Using Show Selected Options
 Each object can be set to show any combination of object,

name, number and data
Don’t show name or data for the
junctions
Only show the data for

pipes (no name or number) F7 -23
Using The Color Map
 A Color Map can be used to visualize values of various

parameters by coloring the pipes, for example,
– You can show graphically where high velocities or reverse flows
are located
– You can better visualize the pipe diameters or lengths in a model
F7 -24
Using the Color Map (2)
The Color Map in the

legend
Pipes are colored according

to max static pressure
F7 -25
Graph Results Window
 Generate highly interactive and quality printed graphs

 Plot multiple types of graphs:
– Pump vs System Curve
– Profile Plots
– Gradeline
• Elevation, HGL, and EGL
– Selected Solutions
– Transient (only with XTS module)
– Slurry System Curve (only with SSL Module)
 Graph x-y data can be copied directly to the clipboard
 You can graph multiple parameters on Stacked Graphs with a
common X-axis
 You can create dual Y-axis graphs
F7 -26
Graph Control on the Quick Access Panel
 Graphs may be saved as Graph List Items in folders in the

Graph List Manager and quickly regenerated after rerunning
the model or running other scenarios
 Multiple profile plots can be cross-plotted using Workspace
Groups
 Each type of graph is defined on color-differentiated tabs
– Select the tab to view the applicable parameters for that graph
type
 Can perform extensive graph formatting from the Formatting
flyover panel
F7 -27
Graph Control on Quick Access Panel (2)
 Graph Control is a tab on the

Quick Access Panel (QAP)
– Allows for easy graph
generation and configuring
F7 -28
Graph List Manager
Update Current
Add Graph to List
Graph in List
 Graph folders can be created to organize your graph list items
Graph Folders
Graph List Items
F7 -29
Graph Tabs
 Graph Tabs allow for multiple graphs

– Graph Tabs can be tiled
F7 -30
Graph Guide
 The Graph Guide helps you build graphs using Direction

Bubbles
Graph Guide
F7 -31
Stacked Graphs
 Stacked graphs can show different parameters using the

same X-axis for easy comparison
F7 -32
Dual Y-Axis Graphs- Different Parameters
 Two different parameters can be shown on the same graph

using a second Y-axis
F7 -33
Dual Y-Axis Graphs- Same Parameter,
Different Units
 Dual Y-axes can be used to show the same parameter with
different units
F7 -34
Design Alerts on Graphs
 The Design Alerts can be cross-plotted to show, for example,

maximum operating pressure
– Design alerts are set in the Graph Control next to the parameter
F7 -35
Cross-Plot Graphs Using Groups
 Multiple pipe sequences can be plotted as profile graphs
F7 -36
Zoom and Pan on Graphs
 To pan, hold the left mouse key and drag the mouse
 To zoom, click on graph and scroll the mouse wheel
 To zoom on an axis, place mouse over axis and use scroll
wheel
 Can use range finder to zoom in on desired portions of the
graph
F7 -37
Graph Formatting
 The formatting control can be accessed on a flyover panel

on the QAP
 Title and axis texts can be
changed
 The Size All - and +
buttons are convenient to
change all at once
 The axis scales and tick
marks can be set
F7 -38
Graph Formatting (2)
 Right-clicking on the Title or an axis allows quick editing
 Right-clicking on the graph

brings up a menu of additional
functions and formatting options
- Formatting is listed at the
bottom
F7 -39
Other Graph Functionality
 Crosshairs can be shown to call out a data point

 A range finder (shown at the bottom) can be used to zoom
into a portion of the graph
F7 -40
Other Graph Functionality (2)
 Right-clicking on a graph list folder allows:

– Printing all graphs in the folder
– Generating all graphs in the same tab or separate tabs
– Renaming, moving and deleting
 Data points for each series are grouped together and can be
displayed in a list
– Clicking on a point on the graph with the crosshair selected will
highlight the data in the list
– Clicking on data in the list will select the point on the graph
– Can convert points of interest to annotations on the graph
F7 -41
Create Graphs from the Workspace
 Right-click on objects on Workspace to directly generate a

graph
F7 -42
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Pipe and Junction Details
 Pipes and Junctions are defined using Property windows

 The Global Edit windows allow you to change data for several
pipes or junctions at the same time
 The required data in each Property window can he highlighted
– This allows you to easily see what data is needed or missing
 A note can be saved for each pipe and junction
 Right clicking on a pipe or junction will display an input and
output summary
 The Quick Access Panel can also be used to review the input
and output of a pipe or junction
F8 -1
Pipe Fittings & Losses
 Multiple fittings & losses can be added to any pipe

Losses are grouped by
type
Specify the Quantity in the list
The losses in the pipe of this

type are listed here
User Favorites allow for much

The picture helps
faster navigation to frequently
describes the loss F8 -2
used fittings
Pipe Fittings & Losses (2)
 All of the losses are listed on the Summary tab
F8 -3
Equivalent Length Option for Pipes,
Valves, and Elbows
 Equivalent Lengths can be enabled with Extended Options
from Analysis Menu
– Can apply to valve and bend junctions and Pipe Fittings and
Losses
F8 -4
Design Alerts
 Design Alerts allow you to specify maximum or minimum

parameters that if exceeded will generate special output
information
– Design Alerts can be specified in the Pipe and Junction Property
windows or the Design Alert Manager located in the Tools menu
for pipes and junctions
F8 -5
Design Alert Manager
 Design Alert Manager accessed from Tools menu allows quick

and global Design Alert allocation to pipes and junctions
List of Existing
Design Alerts
Specify
Pipes/Junctions
Define Design to apply Design
Alert maximum Alert to
or minimum
criteria
Create/Edit
Design Alert
F8 -6
Design Alerts Example
 Open Cooling System.fth from disk and specify the following

Design Alerts with the Design Alert Manager
– Design Alert Name = 300 GPM Minimum Volumetric Flow Rate
• Pipes P10, P12, P13, P15, P16, and P17
– Design Alert Name = 3 psid Maximum HX Stagnation Pressure
Loss
• Heat Exchangers J9, J12, and J14
– Design Alert Name = 85 psia Minimum Pump Discharge
Pressure
• Pumps J4 and J7
 Run model and observe pipe output
F8 -7
Heat Transfer In Pipes
 Heat transfer can be calculated using one of six models

– Adiabatic (default)
– Isothermal
– Convective heat transfer
– Convective heat transfer and heat flux
– Constant heat flux
– Constant heat rate
F8 -8
Heat Transfer In Pipes (2)
 Convective heat transfer thermal model with one external

insulation layer shown below
Pipe Wall
Insulation
Ambient Convection
F8 -9
Heat Transfer in Pipes (3) – Results
Diagram
 Pipe Heat Transfer output can be viewed on the Heat Transfer
tab in the Pipes section of the Output window
– Clicking the Show box in the
Results Diagram area displays
piping heat transfer information
on an intuitive pipe diagram
F8 -10
US
Calculate Heat Transfer In A Pipe
 Calculate heat transfer in a pipe (TEST4.FTH)

– Fluid is water at 150 degrees F
– Length is 500 feet
– Steel – ANSI 4 inch Schedule 80
– Inlet pressure is 50 psig
– Inlet temperature is 150 degrees F
– Ambient temperature is 50 degrees F
– There is one layer of insulation 1” thick with a thermal
conductivity of 2 Btu/hr-ft-R
– External convection coefficient is 10 Btu/hr-ft^2-R
– Fluid internal convection coefficient is calculated by Fathom
using a correlation, and the pipe wall resistance is calculated
using the material database
– Flow is 10 lbm/s
– All elevations are zero
F8 -11
US
Calculate Heat Transfer In A Pipe (2)
 What is the exit temperature (deg. F)?

 What is the Heat loss (Btu/sec)?
 What is the maximum insulation surface temperature (found
on the Heat Transfer tab)?
F8 -12
SI
Calculate Heat Transfer In A Pipe
 Calculate heat transfer in a pipe (TEST4 (SI).FTH)

– Fluid is water at 65 degrees C
– Length is 150 meters
– Steel – ANSI 4 inch (9.72 cm ID) Schedule 80
– Inlet stagnation pressure is 3.5 bar (350 kPa)
– Inlet temperature is 65 degrees C
– Ambient temperature is 10 degrees C
– There is one layer of insulation 3 cm thick with a thermal
conductivity of 3.5 W/m-K
– External convection coefficient is 60 W/m^2-K
– Fluid internal convection coefficient is calculated by Fathom
using a correlation, and the pipe wall resistance is calculated
using the material database
– Flow is 4.5 kg/sec
– All elevations are zero
F8 -13
SI
Calculate Heat Transfer In A Pipe (2)
 What is the exit temperature (deg. C)?

 What is the Heat loss (kW)?
 What is the maximum insulation surface temperature (found
on the Heat Transfer tab)?
F8 -14
Optional Pipe Information
 For each pipe you can  You can close the pipe by
choose to display the ID setting the Special
number, name, Nominal Condition
Size, Type/Schedule,
or any combination
 An initial guess flow rate
can help the Solver reach
convergence faster
 Design factors add safety
margin to calculations
 Change pipe line thickness
and color
F8 -15
The Junction Property Window
 Each junction type uses a different Property window

 Each junction must have an elevation
 You can choose junctions from a Custom Component
database list (if you create one) to specify the junction
 Junctions with two pipes connected may have outlet
elevations specified different than the inlet
 Junctions which can connect to more than two pipes will show
the connected pipes in a table in which you can enter loss
factors and individual elevations
F8 -16
Optional Junction Information
An initial guess pressure (and
temperature, if heat transfer is
modeled) can help the Solver
reach convergence faster
For each junction you can

choose to display the ID number,
name, both or neither on the
Workspace
Design factors add safety

margin to calculations
The size of each individual

junction icon be changed
Some junctions have Special Conditions which can be set to

override the default behavior of the junction. Usually this will turn
off or close the junction to flow. Relief valve will be open when
the Special Conditions are set
F8 -17
Global Pipe Editing
 Global Pipe Edit, on the Edit menu, assists you in making

large scale changes to your model
 To globally edit the pipe data
– Select the pipes to change from the list, or use the Select
Special tool
– Click on the Select Pipe Data button to show the Pipe Property
window
– Enter the data you want to change and click OK
– Choose the parameters to be changed and click the Apply
Selections button
– Confirm that you want to change the selected pipes by clicking
OK or Cancel the change
F8 -18
Global Pipe Editing (2)
1) Choose 4) Apply the

which pipes data
to edit
3) Choose
which
parameters
2) Select the to change
data which
then displays
at the right
F8 -19
Global Junction Editing
 You can change the general data or junction specific data

 To globally edit the common junction data
– Select All Junctions in the drop-down list box
– Click Select Common Junction Data
– Enter the new data in the Common Junction Data Edit window
and click OK
– Check the boxes on the right to select the parameters to be
changed
– Click on the Apply Selections button.
F8 -20
Global Junction Editing (2)
Choose which
junctions to edit
Enter the Choose which

new data parameters to change
F8 -21
 To globally edit specific junction data

– Select option for Specific Data For… and then the junction type
in the drop-down list box and choose the junctions to change
– Click on the Select Junction Data button to show the Property
window for the junction type (the button will display the junction
type)
– Enter the data you want to change and click OK
– Choose the parameters to be changed and click the Change
Selections button
F8 -22
Choose the
junction type
Choose which
parameters to
change
Choose which
junctions to edit
F8 -23
Design Factors
 Design Factors are available for pipe friction, junction friction,

fitting losses, pump curves and heat transfer
– These can be used as safety factors in the design
– They can be set for each pipe/junction or globally
F8 -24
US SI
Answers to Problems
 TEST4 (US): T Outlet = 135.8 deg. F, Q = -142.4 Btu/s, T

Insulation = 115 deg. F
 TEST4 (SI): T Outlet = 57.04 deg. C, Q = -149.7 kW , T
Insulation = 42.83 deg. C
F8 -25
F9. Special Topics
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Pumps
 Pumps can be modeled with pump curves, fixed flows or fixed

pressure/head rise
 Pump curves introduce a strong non-linearity into the model
– Multiple pumps in parallel frequently require lower flow rate
relaxation values
 The pump pressure/head is listed in the General Results
section of the output
F9 -1
Pumps (2)
 Using undersized or oversized pumps can lead to modeling

results that do not reflect reality
– In the case of an undersized pump with hydrostatic head greater
than shut off, Fathom will model backflow with the pump at shut
off head where, in reality, the pump head will be different
– An oversized pump may be at runout, which is not modeled
(Fathom extrapolates based on the curve fit - you can specify an
end of curve flow rate so Fathom will warn you if the solution is
beyond the rate of flow)
F9 -2
Pumps (3)
 Variable speed pumps can be modeled by entering the pump

speed
 Pump runout can be indentified
 Viscosity corrections using Hydraulics Institute Standard can
be applied
 Control to a flow rate, suction or discharge pressure can be
performed
 Variable NPSH curves can be entered
 Efficiency/power data can be entered
– Fathom will determine power usage and proximity to BEP
F9 -3
Working with Pump Data and Results
Pump data can be

entered for the head
curve, NPSH and
efficiency. Data is input
in the Pump
Configuration window.
The Pump Summary

is included in the
General Results of
the Output window
F9 -4
Pump Summary
 The Pump Summary report in the output window gathers all

pump data into one location for convenient review
– Pump head and pressure rise
– Pump horsepower - ideal if no efficiency curve data is provided
or brake horsepower if efficiency curve is provided
– Pump speed
– NPSHA and NPSHR
– BEP and percent of BEP (if efficiency or power data is entered)
– Viscosity correction constants CQ and CH (only if viscosity
corrections are used)
F9 -5
Pump Summary (2)
 Pump Summary output parameters configured in “Pumps”

button of Output Control and displayed on Pump Summary
tab in General Section of Output window
Results Diagram is a useful feature to

display corresponding output parameters on
a diagram of what the component looks like
F9 -6
Variable Speed Pumps
 If a speed other than 100% is entered for a pump, AFT

Fathom will modify the pump curve according to the pump
affinity laws
– Head ratio is related to speed ratio by square law
2
H1  n1 
  
H 2  n2 
– Flow ratio is related to speed ratio linearly
Q1 n1

Q2 n2
F9 -7
Variable Speed Pumps (2)
 The pump curve equation looks as follows, where s is the speed

ratio
H1  a  bQ1  cQ12  dQ13  eQ14
H1 a bQ1 cQ12 dQ13 eQ14
H 2  2  2  2  2  2  2
s s s s s s
Q1  sQ2
a bsQ2  csQ2  d sQ2  esQ2 
2 3 4
H 2  2  2
 2
 2

s s s s s2
a bQ
H 2  2  2  cQ22  sdQ23  s 2 eQ24
s s
F9 -8
 For several speed ratios, the pump curves look as follows:

20
100
15
80%
Head (ft)
10
60%
5
0
0 50 100 150 200
Flow Rate (GPM)
F9 -9
 For variable speed pumps

Fathom can calculate the
speed required to deliver a
specified discharge
pressure/head or flow
– You cannot simultaneously
input the speed because
that is what is being
calculated
– Fathom disables the speed
input field
F9 -10
 The required speed is displayed in the Pump Summary of the

Output window
 Remember: The head rise and flow rate displayed in the
Pump Summary for a variable speed pump is the new head
rise & flow rate established from the affinity laws
– Not the head rise and flow rate of the original pump curve
entered
F9 -11
US SI
Variable Speed Pumps Example
 Open "Variable Speed Pumps.fth" from disk (or "Variable

Speed Pumps (SI).fth” for metric)
– Create a new scenario and make it current
– Set pump J7 to Controlled Pump (Variable Speed) 400 gpm /
100 m3/hr
– How do the pump flows compare to the Base Scenario?
 Create a new scenario below the scenario created above
– Set pump J4 to 90% speed
– How do the pump flows compare to the previous scenario?
Why?
F9 -12
Cavitation and NPSH
 AFT Fathom will calculate local static pressures for the

purpose of identifying cavitation
– The vapor pressure of the fluid must be entered into System
Properties
– The Restricted Area must be input for the junction so AFT
Fathom can perform the local pressure calculation
 AFT Fathom does not model cavitation - rather, it identifies
where it occurs in the system
 If NPSH data is entered for a pump, AFT Fathom will check
the required NPSH (i.e., NPSHR) vs. that which is available
(i.e., NPSHA)
 NPSHA and NPSHR are displayed in the Pump Summary
 AFT Fathom models variable NPSH curves
F9 -13
Pump Configurations
 Pump data can be entered for multiple configurations

– The default is a single configuration
 A pump configuration is a pump with a specific impeller trim
and operating speed
 Multiple impeller trims and operating speeds can be specified
as part of the pump, then a particular combination can be
chosen
F9 -14
Pump Configurations (2)
 Data for NPSH and Efficiency (or Power) is optional

– These parameters do not affect the solution
– They are used only for diagnostics
 With Efficiency/Power data, Fathom determines the Best
Efficiency Point (BEP) and the proximity of the operating point
to BEP
F9 -15
 The Pump Configuration window is opened from the Pump

Properties window
– Click the Create button to input a new configuration
F9 -16
 Multiple configurations are displayed on the Pump Properties

window in dropdown lists for selection
F9 -17
Pump Configurations – Reference
Density
 Pump curves in terms of head and volumetric flow rate DO
NOT change with density
– Curves in terms of pressure or mass flow rate ARE dependent
on density
 Power curves DO change with density
Specific Gravity of
pump test fluid is S.G.
1.03
F9 -18
Pump Impeller Modifications
 Users can input impeller modifications

– Pumps curves (and NPSH and efficiency/power curves) will be
automatically adjusted
 Impeller modification can be of two types:
– Ratio from a single curve
• Entered as percent
– Interpolation between two curves
• Entered as absolute diameter
F9 -19
Pump Impeller Modifications (2)
 Entering "Ratio as Percent" will use affinity laws for impellers

to adjust the selected pump curve data
 This feature is available whenever a pump curve is entered
F9 -20
Pump Impeller Modifications (3)
 Entering "Actual Impeller Trim" will interpolate between the

closest impeller data
– Affinity laws are used in the interpolation
 This feature only available with multiple configurations
F9 -21
Pump Impeller Information in Output
 Pump Summary in Output window can show impeller

information
F9 -22
One Pump Can Represent Multiple
Pumps
 A single pump can represent multiple identical pumps in
parallel or series
F9 -23
Multiple Pumps in Output
 Multiple pump representation can be displayed in the Output
F9 -24
Parallel and Series Composite Pump vs.
System Curves
 Steps to plot a composite Pump vs. System curve for multiple
pumps
F9 -25
System Curves – With A Throttling Valve
 A throttling valve with a specific loss will change the system
curve
F9 -26
System Curves – With A Control Valve
 When “Neglect Pressure Drop” is selected for the control
valve the Pump and System curves will NOT intersect at the
operating point
– The difference will
be the loss at the
valve
F9 -27
Pump Energy Cost Calculations
 Pump energy costs can be calculated over specified time

– To do this, first select “Pump Energy Only” under Analysis/Cost
Calculation, then select “Include Cost in Report” from the Pump
Properties Window, and finally define the energy costs in the
Cost Settings Window accessed from the Analysis menu
F9 -28
Control Valves
 AFT Fathom has four types of control valves

– Flow Control
– Pressure reducing (control on downstream of valve)
– Pressure sustaining (control on upstream of valve)
– Pressure drop control (same pressure drop always)
 Control Valve junctions can be used to model actual control
valves or to size regular valves
– Required pressure drop will be identified
F9 -29
Control Valves (2)
 FCV's, PRV's a PSV's will take as much pressure drop as is

required to control to desired conditions
 The Valve Summary in Output window shows Cv and all
relevant data for Control Valves grouped together
F9 -30
US
Pumped System with FCV’s
 Size pump with flow control valves (TEST7.FTH / Test 7)

– System looks as below:
Receiver Tank
FCV
FCV
Valve
Supply Tank Pump (Lossless, K=0) Tee (Simple) Elbow (Standard)
F9 -31
US
Pumped System with FCV’s (2)
 Model input information as follows:

– Supply tank liquid elevation is 5 feet, with 10 psig surface
pressure
– Receiving tank liquid elevation is at 10 feet, with 30 psig surface
pressure
– Specify pump as Volumetric Fixed Flow at 200 gpm
– System fluid: Water @ 70 F
– All pipes are:
• Steel – ANSI, 2 inch, schedule 40
• 20 feet long
– All non-reservoir junctions are at 0 feet elevation
– Two flow control valves in parallel require 100 gpm each with a
minimum of 5 psid drop
F9 -32
SI
Pumped System with FCV’s
 Size pump with flow control valves (TEST7 (SI).FTH / Test 7)
– System looks as below:
Receiver Tank
FCV
FCV
Valve
Supply Tank Pump (Lossless, K=0) Tee (Simple) Elbow (Standard)
F9 -33
SI
 Model input information as follows

– Supply tank liquid elevation is 1.5 meters, with 0.7 barG (70 kPa-
g) surface pressure
– Receiving tank liquid elevation is at 3 meters, with 2.1 barG (210
kPa-g) surface pressure
– Specify pump as Volumetric Fixed Flow at 50 m3/hr
– System fluid: Water @ 21 C
– All pipes are:
• Steel - ANSI, 2 inch (5.25 cm ID), schedule 40
• 6 meters long
– All non-reservoir junctions are at 0 meters elevation
– Two flow control valves in parallel require 25 m3/hr each with a
minimum of 0.3 bar (30 kPa) drop
F9 -34
US SI
 When you try to run this model the ‘reference pressure’ error
is displayed
– The error message identifies the following junctions as lacking a
reference pressure –
– This represents the following portion of the system, which is

bounded by fixed flows - the fixed flow pump and the two flow
control valves
FCV
FCV
Valve (Lossless) Tee (Simple)
Pump Elbow (Standard)

(modeled as fixed
flow) F9 -35
 This is analogous to a single pipe with specified flow, Q, at the

inlet and outlet -
Q Q
 This situation cannot be solved because there is no unique

solution
– You could calculate the pressure drop along this pipe, but not the
pressure since a deltaP can be the difference between an infinite
number of possible Pinlet and Poutlet values
– This is not merely a matter of mathematics, but is an issue with
real systems and is why, for example, closed loop systems have
expansion or head tanks
F9 -36
 The solution to this modeling dilemma is to make one of the

FCV’s a PDCV
– PDCV setting is the minimum deltaP needed across the control
valve
– To insure all control valves have at least the minimum deltaP, the
‘hydraulically most distant’ FCV is selected to be changed to a
PDCV
 Note that the GSC module offers a direct way of solving this
issue without resorting to the PDCV (see GSC Example
scenario in model file)
F9 -37
US
 Enter a pump curve based on size requirements

TEST7.FTH / Test 7a
 Data is:
120 feet at 0 gpm
115 feet at 200 gpm
100 feet at 400 gpm
 Data is already setup in a file
– Import from file PUMP7A.DAT
– Change control valve from PDCV to FCV
F9 -38
US
 Add 10 psid pressure drop to valve after pump

– TEST7.FTH / Test 7B
 Review failure states of FCV’s Receiver Tank
FCV
FCV
Supply Tank Pump Valve Tee (Simple) Elbow (Standard)
 Hint:
– Morph the stop valve after the pump by dragging a control valve
on top of it while holding down the CTRL key, then set as PDCV
at 10 psid
F9 -39
SI
 Enter a pump curve based on size requirements

TEST7 (SI).FTH / Test 7a
 Data is:
40 meters at 0 m3/hr
 Data is already setup in a file
– Import from file PUMP7A (SI).DAT
– Change control valve from PDCV to FCV
F9 -40
SI
 Add 0.7 bar (70 kPa) pressure drop to valve after pump
– TEST7 (SI).FTH / Test 7B)
 Review failure states of FCV’s Receiver Tank
FCV
FCV
Supply Tank Pump Valve Tee (Simple) Elbow (Standard)
 Hint:
– Morph the stop valve after the pump by dragging a control valve
on top of it while holding down the CTRL key, then set as PDCV
at 0.7 bar
F9 -41
Control Valve Can't Achieve Setpoint
 Control valves (flow or pressure) can end up in a situation

where they cannot control to the desired control setpoint
– This indicates the desired control point cannot be obtained
unless the valve acts like a pump
 There are three actions to not achieving the setpoint:
– Always Control (Never Fail) - add pressure if required (default)
– Go to the valve’s full open state
– Close the valve
F9 -42
Control Valve Can't Achieve Setpoint (2)
 In applications with multiple flow control valves in parallel,

multiple valves may not achieve the setpoint simultaneously
 Any control valve that cannot control to its setpoint will go to
its "action if setpoint not achievable"
– Once this action is taken, it will not return to its control capability
 When control valves fail, AFT Fathom will set failed valves to
their failure position and re-run the model to determine if the
remaining control valves can now control
F9 -43
 Consider a system with three FCV’s in parallel, specified to

fail open if there is insufficient upstream pressure
– With all three controlling, the system flow and corresponding
upstream pressure drop may result in insufficient pressure for
some, or all, of the valves to control
– Fathom initially runs the model with the valves in the ‘never fail’
mode. Failed valves will have added pressure. The valve adding
the greatest magnitude of added pressure will be set to the fail
open mode specified and the model re-run
– This process will continue until no valves are adding pressure,
thus determining the combination of valves that may operate at
their setpoint
F9 -44
 Pressure control valves can lose control for two reasons:

– Insufficient upstream pressure
– Excessive downstream pressure
 The user can assign different actions for each of these cases
F9 -45
Orifice Junction – Sizing
 Use flow control valves to size orifices
Note: The Equivalent Orifice

Area and Diameter is based upon
a sharp-edged orifice with a
discharge coefficient (Cd) of 0.6.
F9 -46
Detailed Tee/Wye Junctions vs. Branches
 Detailed Tee/Wye junctions have sophisticated flow split loss

correlations to calculate losses through tees and wyes
 When used, the engineer should take the time to make sure
they are setting up the junction properly
– A significant number of models we see at AFT that use Detailed
Tee /Wye junctions use these junctions improperly
– If you do not need them they are an unnecessary complexity
 In general, if branch/tee losses are not significant to your
system, it is best to use Branch junctions for all flow splits or
use the "Simple" tee model
 AFT Fathom models the negative K factors predicted for
some cases by Idelchik
F9 -47
Modeling Heat Transfer
 Heat transfer modeling is enabled in the System Properties

window
 Different heat transfer modeling conditions can be assigned to
different pipes
 Six heat transfer models are available for pipes
– Adiabatic (perfect insulation)
– Isothermal
– Convective Heat Transfer (to an ambient temperature)
– Convective Heat Transfer and Heat Flux
– Constant Heat Flux
– Constant Heat Rate
F9 -48
Modeling Heat Transfer (2)
 Heat transfer also can be entered in two junction types: heat

exchangers and pumps
 Heat exchangers have eleven heat transfer models
 Pumps can have some of their energy dissipate into the fluid
as heat
 AFT Fathom calculates an energy balance along all pipes and
all converging branches to obtain overall system energy
balance
F9 -49
Heat Exchanger Junctions
 In AFT Fathom heat exchangers can be modeled:

– as hydraulic only (e.g., a constant property model), or
– as hydraulic and thermal
 AFT Fathom uses the effectiveness-NTU method based on
the heat exchanger geometry chosen
 Alternatively, users can -
– specify a constant heat rate to or from the heat exchanger
– specify a heat rate which is a function of temperature
– specify the exit temperature of the heat exchanger, and let
Fathom determine the amount of heat transfer that results
– specify the temperature or enthalpy change
 The assigned heat rate and assigned exit temperature
are useful for sizing heat exchangers
F9 -50
Heat Exchangers Tube Model
 Heat exchangers have a special pressure loss model called

Tube Configuration
– Pressure loss is calculated based on tubes, passes, scaling, etc.
F9 -51
Heat Exchanger Thermal Linking
 A heat exchanger can be thermally linked to another heat

exchanger
– This can represent the hot and cold side of a single heat
exchanger, with separate fluid loops
F9 -52
Heat Exchanger Thermal Linking
F9 -53
Multi-Fluid Heat Transfer
 Enabled in System Properties window
F9 -54
Multi-Fluid Heat Transfer and Fluid
Groups
 Groups of pipes are used and assigned fluids for each loop
F9 -55
Three-Way Valve Junctions
 Three-Way Valves can split or combine flow
F9 -56
Spray Discharge Junctions
 Can be used to model a variety of spray systems

 Models discharge spargers
 Can model intake “spargers”
 Can model fire sprinklers
– The K Fire Sprinkler has units associated with it
• In the US, this is typically gpm and psi
– The definition of K value for fire sprinklers is:
Q
K sprinkler 
P
F9 -57
Relief Valves
 Relief valves have a special model to represent passive type

valves
– Valve can be modeled with constant backpressure (be
hydraulically balanced)
• This allows valve to open if a specified pressure has been reached
F9 -58
Volume Balance Junctions
 The Volume Balance junction is useful for modeling the

moving interface between different density fluids
 Instead of balancing mass, the volume is balanced, which
means that the velocity on each side of the interface is the
same
– The velocity must be the same or a cavity will form
 In reality, the Volume Balance junction offers a "snapshot in
time", because a moving fluid interface is a transient problem
F9 -59
The Weir Junction
 A weir is a dam-like device that is used to measure flow and

to increase upstream water level (HGL)
 A weir can act like a seal pit which raises the outlet pressure
of the in-flowing pipe to avoid back flow and air intake
 Fathom can model three types of sharp-crested weirs
– Rectangular
– V-notch
– Cipolletti
F9 -60
The Weir Junction (2)
 In Fathom a weir is an open channel device with an inlet and

outlet pipe
 There are three basic modeling aspects to define a weir
– An upstream area (bottom elevation and cross sectional area)
– A downstream area (bottom elevation and cross sectional area)
– The weir barrier (type, elevation and width)
 For steady-state the flow rates are equal in all three areas
– The flow entering the upstream area equals the flow over the
weir and leaving the downstream area
F9 -61
Pressure Drop in Fittings – Laminar vs
Turbulent
 The K factor method is the most popular method for fitting
calculations
 Turbulent Flow
– The majority of industrial piping applications operate in the
turbulent flow regime
– K factors and Equivalent Lengths yield comparable results for
turbulent flow
F9 -62
Pressure Drop in Fittings – Laminar vs
Turbulent (2)
 Laminar Flow
– There is confusion in the industry how to apply the K factor
method in laminar flow applications
– Some researchers have recognized that standard K factors do
not work well at low Reynolds numbers
– 2-K (Hooper) and 3-K (Darby) methods exist for Laminar flow
2-K (K∞ is standard K factor) 3-K
1 1 .
Note: When applying the 3K and ATKF methods

together, Fathom will only be using 3K for the fittings
based on the 3K method. ATKF will not add additional
corrections to fittings that are already using 3K. F9 -63
Adjusted Turbulent K Factor (ATKF)
KLaminar & KTurbulent
,

,

– , ,
ATKF:

– Where:
is the standard K factor
is the friction factor at high Re
F9 -64
Adjusted Turbulent K Factor (2)
10000 1. No fittings
24 inch (60 cm) 1000

2. Fittings with K = 2.02 (No Corrections)
3. Fittings with 3K Method (Darby)

100
Head Gradient (ft/ft or m/m)

4. Equivalent Length L/D = 16
2 inch (5 cm) 10 5. Adjusted Turbulent K Factor method (Eq. 12)
1
10000
0.1
1000
0.01
Head Gradient (ft/ft or m/m)
100 0.001
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Reynolds Number
10
0.1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
F9 -65
Reynolds Number
ATKF Application Considerations
 The ATKF equation is based on the foundation of the

Equivalent Length method
 The ATKF equation can be applied to all fitting calculations
because in turbulent flow the correction factor becomes 1
 It seems reasonable to assume the Equivalent Length method
in non-Newtonian laminar flow is equally valid as in
Newtonian laminar flow
 Thus the ATKF equation provides guidance on correcting
fitting calculations in non-Newtonian situations
 In order to maintain the Equivalent Length basis of ATKF, the
turbulent friction factor needs to be the Newtonian value
f non  Newt
K non  Newt  K turb , Newt
f turb  Newt F9 -66
Enabling the ATKF Method in System
Properties
 ATKF is enabled by default on the System Data tab in the
System Properties window
– ATKF corrections can apply to multiple loss types and multiple
junction types
F9 -67
Enabling the 3K Method With Extended
Options
 3K method is enabled with Extended Options under the
Analysis Menu
 3K ONLY applies to these specific fittings
 Can use 3K for elbow and valve junctions
as well as additional pipe fittings
F9 -68
Changing Input Data Using Excel
 Excel can be used to change input data for junctions

 Choose Import Excel Change Data from File menu
 See Help System for more information
F9 -69
Ambient Pressure Change with Elevation
 Can specify local constant ambient pressures, ambient

pressure vs. elevation, and densities below zero elevation
F9 -70
Static vs. Stagnation Pressures
1
1
P  V 2  gh  Const
2
}
}
}
2 3 4 5
Static Hydrostatic
Po,3
Dynamic
(or Velocity) P3
Ploss
1 2
Pressure
Po,5
Pstagnation = Pstatic + Pdynamic V
2 3
1 2 P5
V
2 5
AFT Fathom needs the boundary

pressure specified at location 3, not
location 2. A reservoir takes this into Location 2 Location 4 Location 5
account automatically. Location 3
Distance (x)
F9 -71
Static vs. Stagnation Pressures (2)
 With two exceptions, all pressure-type boundary conditions in

AFT Fathom are stagnation
 This works very well for things such as:
– Large storage tanks
– Cooling ponds
– Lakes
 Stagnation conditions assume the volume associated with a
pressure is large and will not change (significantly) with time
– These boundaries have no velocity associated with them, and
using stagnation pressure is thus appropriate
 These boundary conditions are most clearly rendered in AFT
Fathom by use of a Reservoir junction
F9 -72
 The best example of when a static pressure boundary is

appropriate is when the boundary condition is inside a pipe
– For example, at the location of a pressure measurement
– Or at the boundary of the pipe system for which your company is
responsible, with another company responsible for what is on the
other side of that boundary
 The Assigned Pressure junction allows one to model either a
static or stagnation pressure
– The default stagnation pressure allows connection of up to 25
pipes
– If static pressure is chosen, only one connecting pipe is allowed
F9 -73
 For pressure control valves (i.e., PRV’s and PSV’s) the

default control pressure is static pressure
– Typically the measured pressure that provides feedback to the
controller will be a static pressure measurement
– You have the option of modeling pressure control valves as
either static or stagnation pressure
F9 -74
Open vs. Closed Systems - Hydraulics
 In order to model a closed system, only one “pressure

junction” is used in the model
– Reservoir
– Assigned Pressure
 Remember, pressure type junctions do not balance flow
– Pressure type junctions are an infinite source of fluid
– Pressure type junctions draw whatever flow is needed to
maintain the fixed pressure
 AFT Fathom does not directly model closed systems
– It uses the fact that an overall system balance will give the
appearance of a balanced flow at the pressure junction
F9 -75
Open vs. Closed Systems – Hydraulics
(2)
 If there is only one boundary (i.e., junction) where flow can
enter or leave the pipe system, then no flow will enter or leave
because there isn’t anywhere for it to go
– It cannot be stored in the system because it’s steady state
– If flow cannot enter the system, it cannot enter the junction and
thus its net flow rate will be zero (i.e., it will be balanced)
F9 -76
(3)
 AFT Fathom’s solver obtains an overall flow balance
 Each boundary junction does not in itself have a balanced
flow
 However, if you add up all the inflows and outflows, they will
balance to zero
Open system - Flow out of J1
equals the sum of flow into J4
and J5
F9 -77
(4)
 The closed system below has one pressure junction (the J1
reservoir)
 Once again, the J1 reservoir does not balance flow
 Instead, the overall pipe system is balanced by the solver
Closed system - Summed flow

out of P10 and P8 equals P1
F9 -78
(5)
 The appearance of a balance at J1 derives from the fact that it
is the only inflow/outflow junction in the system
– Flow cannot enter the system through this junction because
there isn’t anywhere for it to go
 AFT Fathom does not even know that this system is closed - it
just solves the network like any other model
Closed system - Summed flow

out of P10 and P8 equals P1
F9 -79
(6)
 The two systems shown below are equivalent as far as AFT
Fathom is concerned
Closed system - Flow into P1 is the Open system - Equivalent to closed
sum of flows out of P8 and P10 system at left if J1, J10 &J11 are the same
F9 -80
Open vs. Closed Systems – Thermal
 Even if flows are balanced at J1, how can the energy

balance?
 For example, assume the user sets a temperature of 100°F at
J1
– This temperature will be the inlet pipe temperature for all pipes
that flow out of J1
• This will be pipe P1 only
Tmix is found be balancing

energy at exits from P8 and
P10
Tmix is supplied to P1 (i.e.,
all outflowing pipes)
F9 -81
Open vs. Closed Systems – Thermal (2)
 The pipes flowing into the reservoir will have their own
temperatures that are obtained by balancing energy along
their individual flow paths (including heat exchanger input)
 P8 and P10 will have different exit temperatures than 100°F
 The only way to obtain an overall system energy balance is
for the J1 reservoir temperature to adjust to the mixture
temperature of all inflowing pipes

P10
F9 -82
Open vs. Closed Systems – Thermal (3)
 This is the function of the “Balance Energy At Junction”

feature
– The junction temperature (input as 100°F) is allowed to “float”
and find its own equilibrium
– Each iteration the floating temperature is fed into P1 until
convergence

P10
F9 -83
How Pressure Junctions Work
 Pressure junctions in AFT Fathom are an infinite source or

sink of fluid
– Reservoirs or Assigned Pressures
– Spray Discharge and Exit Valves also act as pressure junctions
– Pressure junctions can draw or discharge as much fluid as is
necessary to maintain the specified pressure
 By example, consider the pumping system below
Discharge
Tank (J2)
Transfer
Pipeline
Transfer
Supply Pump (J3)
Tank (J1) Shoreline
Elevation
Lake Michigan
F9 -84
How Pressure Junctions Work (2)
 If an engineer has an idea of the required discharge head, he

may attempt to model the system with a fixed pressure/head
at the pump discharge
F9 -85
 However, the physical

reality that corresponds to
this model looks like this
 Because the assigned
pressure junction (J4) is an
infinite source of fluid, it is
like placing Lake Michigan Transfer
Pipeline
Discharge
Tank (J2)
between the supply and

discharge piping
– J4 will not balance mass Transfer
Supply Pump (J3)
Tank (J1)
Shoreline
Elevation
Lake Michigan (J4)
F9 -86
 The proper model for this

system is shown here
 If the engineer has an idea
of the discharge head,
he/she should still model
the system like this Discharge
Tank (J2)
 The results from this model

Transfer
are then compared to the Pipeline
engineer’s expectation
Transfer
– This provides a sanity Supply
Tank (J1)
Pump (J3)
Shoreline
check on the results Elevation
Lake Michigan
F9 -87
Pressure/Flow Junction Relationship
 Pressure and flow type junctions are inter-related in a sense

 The same equations are solved in either case, the solved flow
rate that results from a certain pressure boundary should be
the same solved pressure for a certain flow boundary
 As an example, open TEST12.FTH (on your seminar disk)
 The supply pressure is 150 psig
 Run the model and determine the inflow at the supply J1
 Delete J1 and add an Assigned Flow junction
 Input the flow rate obtained earlier and run the model
 What is the (stagnation) pressure at the new Assigned Flow?
F9 -88
Verifying Network Solutions
 The Solution Balance

Summary can be displayed
by enabling it in the Output
Control
– It is on the General Output
folder tab
 It shows the mass (and
energy balances if heat
transfer is modeled) at all
junctions
 AFT Fathom automatically
checks the mass and
energy balance and warns
the user if not balanced
F9 -89
Non-Settling Slurry General Description
 Some fluids exhibit an unusual viscous behavior which

departs from the more common Newtonian viscosity behavior
 Examples of non-Newtonian fluids are blood, sewage sludge,
ketchup, peanut butter, many other food products, and non-
settling slurries, such as red mud in alumina processing or
clay-water mixtures
 AFT Fathom has had some non-Newtonian capability all the
way back to version 3.0
– Power Law
– Bingham Plastic
 The viscous behavior of these models is modeled using
constants usually obtained from test data
F9 -90
What Is A Non-Newtonian Fluid?
 Newtonian viscosity simply means that the shear rate and

shear stress of the fluid are directly proportional under all
conditions
 In turn non-Newtonian means the relationship is not
proportional
F9 -91
Non-Settling Slurry Capabilities
 Direct entry of Power Law or Bingham Plastic constants

 Calculation of the non-Newtonian Power Law and Bingham
Plastic constants based on rheological data
 Handling of rheological data by application of scale-up laws
– Used to determine pressure drop for alternate flows and pipe
sizes
F9 -92
Entering Constants Directly
 System Properties window allows direct entry of Power Law

or Bingham Plastic constants, if known
F9 -93
Calculating Constants from Raw Data
 Alternatively, the shear rate (8V/D) and shear stress (Tau)

data can be plotted, and the Non-Newtonian constants can be
calculated
F9 -94
Homogeneous Scale-up
 Homogeneous scale-up methods can be used to calculate

pressure drops for alternate flows and pipe sizes
F9 -95
Using Fathom on Gas Systems
 AFT Fathom has been used successfully on many gas system

applications
 Low pressure HVAC and ventilation systems are perfectly
within AFT Fathom’s capabilities
 For larger pressure drop/higher velocity systems, AFT
Fathom’s incompressible flow methods begin to break down
 For a given system, it is difficult to say how much error might
result when using AFT Fathom
 In cases where compressibility must be accounted for, AFT
Arrow is a better choice than AFT Fathom
 In cases where gas delivery temperature is important, AFT
Fathom will not yield reliable answers
– AFT Arrow is a better choice in this case
F9 -96
Warnings
 All Warnings are displayed in the General Results section of

the Output Window
 When a warning exists, the General Results text is displayed
in red
 A list of all warnings is given in the help system
F9 -97
Answers to Examples
 Variable Speed Pumps Example

– Both pumps at 100% speed, J7 = 436.9 gpm / J4 = 375.7 gpm
– Pump J7 set to control to 400 gpm, J4 = 412.7 gpm
– Pump J4 set to 90% speed, J7 = 400 gpm, J4 = 412.7 gpm
• System flow does not change since the PRV at J8 is controlling to a
constant downstream pressure - dP across J8 changes from 14.66
psid to 9.1 psid
F9 -98
Answers to Examples (2)
 TEST7 (US)
– Original: DH = 113.5 ft, use a PDCV for J7
– TEST7A - With curve - now operates at DH = 115 ft
– TEST7B - When closing valve, both control valves cannot control
so they add pressure (when set to Fail Never)
 TEST7 (SI)
– Original: DH = 37.22 meters, use a PDCV for J7
– TEST7A - With curve - now operates at DH = 38 meters
– TEST7B - When closing valve, both control valves cannot control
so they add pressure (when set to Fail Never)
F9 -99
F10. Using Scenario Manager
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Scenario Manager
 The Scenario Manager allows you to keep variants of a model

all with the same model
– When changes are made to the base model, they are
automatically passed downward
– Changes at lower levels do not pass upwards
F10 - 1
Scenario Manager (2)
Current
Workspace
scenario
Scenario tree Notes can be

added for
each Scenario
Rename, delete,
clone, promote
and save
scenarios by
clicking here
Create a new
scenario by
clicking here
F10 - 2
Quick Access Panel
 The Quick Access Panel provides convenient utilization of all

Scenario Manager features.
F10 - 3
Types Of Changes
 The types of changes that can be made are very broad

– Junctions can be turned on and off to evaluate different
operating conditions
– Pipe and junction data can be varied to parametrically evaluate
competing designs
– You can build an existing system as your base model then add to
the system to evaluate expansion possibilities on the existing
system
– You can easily evaluate different working fluids by setting them
up as different children scenarios
– You can compare a newly-built clean system to one that has
been in service for a period of time with worn/corroded pipes,
etc.
F10 - 4
Data Propagation
 Changes to ancestors propagate to all descendants if the

descendant data has not been modified
 Changes to descendants never propagates to ancestors
F10 - 5
Data Propagation (2)
 For many users, it is easiest

to grasp Scenario Manager
when it is explained how the
coding logic is actually Diameter Length
implemented Base 3 25
 Blank fields for children, Child #1 __ __
__ __
grandchildren, etc., mean to Gr. Child #1
look to the parent for the
data
– If the parent is blank, then
look to the grandparent
 The Base Scenario never
has blank fields
F10 - 6
 Here Child #1 does not

have a blank field, so it’s
Diameter would be 2, not 3
 Gr. Child #1 would have a Diameter Length
Diameter of 2 Base 3 25
Child #1 2 __
– Both still have Lengths of
Gr. Child #1 __ __
25
F10 - 7
Diameter Length
 Changing the Base Base 3 25
Scenario Diameter from 3 to Child #1 2 __
6 would not impact Child #1 Gr. Child #1 __ __
or any descendants in that

line
Diameter Length
 Changing the Length from 6 40
Base
25 to 40 would also change Child #1 2 __
the length in Child #1, Gr. Gr. Child #1 __ __
Child #1, and any
descendants of Gr. Child #1
F10 - 8
Data Propagation (5) Diameter Length
Base 3 25
 Even if the Gr. Child #1 has Child #1 2 __
the same Diameter as the Gr. Child #1 3 __
Base, it is not linked to the
Base because it and its Diameter Length
parent are not blank Base 3 25
– Any change to the Base Child #1 3 __
Diameter would not affect Gr. Child #1 3 __
any descendant because
Child #1 is not blank
 If the Diameter in Child #1 Diameter Length
is changed to be the same Base 3 25
as the Base, it will be Child #1 __ __
“blanked out” the next time Gr. Child #1 __ __
the scenario is loaded
– So will Gr. Child #1, if it’s
Diameter is also the same F10 - 9
 Here, Child #1 would have Diameter Length
the following: Base 3 25
– Diameter = 2 Child #1 2 __
– Length = 25 Gr. Child #1 __ 15
– Changes to Base
Diameter will not affect
Diameter
– Changes to Base Length
will affect Length
F10 - 10
 Here, Gr. Child #1 would Diameter Length
have the following: Base 3 25
– Diameter = 2 Child #1 2 __
– Length = 15 Gr. Child #1 __ 15
– Changes to Base
Diameter will not affect
Diameter
– Changes to Child #1
Diameter will affect
Diameter
– Changes to Base Length
or Child #1 Length will not
affect Length
F10 - 11
Ancestral Data
 Ancestral source of data can be viewed for all pipes and

junctions in Model Data
Scenario data can be

colored for easier viewing
Scenario names shown at left
Parameters which change

are highlighted
F10 - 12
Links to Parent
 A link to a parent may be re-established by returning the

attribute to the same value as that of its parent
– This can be done manually be entering the value or selecting
Same As Parent from within a pipe or junction Property window,
Solution Control or System Properties.
 Links are identified by comparing attribute values on a pipe or
junction number by number basis.
– This means that renumbering a scenario will break all links with
its parent (since numbers must be unique)
F10 - 13
Links to Parent (2)
 You can make a pipe have the same attributes as its parent
by choosing Copy Data From Pipe: “Parent Pipe Data”
– Junctions function similarly
F10 - 14
Using Batch Runs
 AFT Fathom has the ability to run multiple simulations

sequentially in batch mode
– The Batch Run window is opened by selecting ‘Start Batch
Run…’ from the File menu
 There are two types of batch runs
– Multiple scenarios
– Multiple model files
 Generate a list of
simulations to run in
batch mode by Once the list of scenarios or
model files to run is created,
selecting either the clicking ‘Start Run’ will load
‘Add Scenarios’ or and run the selections in
order
‘Add Model Files’ button
F10 - 15
US
Example Model
 A piping system will be used to transport liquid methane,

propane, and ethane at cryogenic conditions
– Supply is at -150 deg. F
 The system will supply only one tank at a time
 Pipe is Stainless Steel – ANSI schedule 40S and is very well
insulated (no heat transfer)
 Supply is pressurized to 500 psig and storage tanks to 450
psig
 Both valves have Cv = 25
 Using Fathom build all of these scenarios in a single model
(cryo1.fth)
F10 - 16
US
Example Model (2)
 What is the flow rate for all cases?
F10 - 17
US
Example Model (3)
 After building all the design cases, it is discovered that pipe 1

should have been 16 inch, schedule 5S, not 12 inch schedule
40S (cryo1a.fth)
– Make this change to the model and review the effects
F10 - 18
US
Answers to Example
 Flow rates to tanks using 12 inch pipe
Flow Rate To Tank (gpm)

A B
Methane 315.3 317.5
Ethane 229.7 232.6
Propane 213.2 216.4
 Flow rates to tanks using 16 inch pipe
Flow Rate To Tank (gpm)

A B
Methane 315.4 317.6
Ethane 229.7 232.7
Propane 213.2 216.4
F10 - 19
US
Example Model – Scenario Tree
 Depending on how you arrange the scenarios, the Scenario

Manager might look like this:
F10 - 20
SI
Example Model
 A piping system will be used to transport liquid methane,

propane, and ethane at cryogenic conditions
– Supply is at -100 deg. C
 The system will supply only one tank at a time
 Pipe is Stainless Steel – ANSI schedule 40S and is very well
insulated (no heat transfer)
 Supply is pressurized to 35 barG and storage tanks to 30
barG
 Both valves have Cv = 25
 Using Fathom build all of these scenarios in a single model
(cryo1 (SI).fth)
F10 - 21
SI
Example Model (2)
 What is the flow rate for all cases?
F10 - 22
SI
Example Model (3)
 After building all the design cases, it is discovered that pipe 1

should have been 16 inch (39.8 cm ID) schedule 5S, not 12
inch (31.6 cm ID) schedule 40S (cryo1a (SI).fth)
– Make this change to the model and review the effects
F10 - 23
SI
Answers to Example
 Flow rates to tanks using 12 inch (30.48 cm ID) pipe
Flow Rate To Tank (m3/hr)

A B
Methane 87.2 87.5
Ethane 63.3 63.7
Propane 58.9 59.3
 Flow rates to tanks using 16 inch (38.9 cm ID) pipe
Flow Rate To Tank (m3/hr)

A B
Methane 87.2 87.5
Ethane 63.4 63.7
Propane 58.9 59.3
F10 - 24
SI
Example Model – Scenario Tree
 Depending on how you arrange the scenarios, the Scenario

Manager might look like this:
F10 - 25
View of Model Data Scenarios
F10 - 26
View of Output Scenarios
F10 - 27
F11. Customizing Fathom and Using
Databases
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Customizing Fathom
 Your User Options can be customized

 The Toolbox tools can be customized
 These preferences can be saved to a file
– The file can be shared between colleagues
– The file can be incorporated in to a network database
– You can develop files for different clients, reports and project
phases
F11 - 1
User Options - Unit Preferences
 Here you specify the units you generally work with to be the
defaults
Select the unit

system
You can set a

preferred unit
by selecting
one of the units
and clicking
here
F11 - 2
User Options - Pipes
 The pipe thickness can be set

 The pipe thickness can be varied according to the pipe
diameter
 The line style used when a pipe is closed can be chosen
F11 - 3
User Options – Pipes (2)
This pipe is
closed
The pipes thickness will vary

from 2 to 4 pixels according to This is a 6 in. This is a 4 in.
diameter pipe pipe
F11 - 4
User Options - Junctions
 Junction Icon Styles, Sizes, and Label Locations can be

specified
F11 - 5
User Options - Labels
 Auto Increment Labels, Display Defaults, Allow Label

Movements
F11 - 6
User Options – Colors and Fonts
 The font and colors used by AFT Fathom can be changed
Click on
the
category
Then
choose a
color
Click here to
pick a font
F11 - 7
User Options - Other
 Specify the Workspace Symbols and Background Picture

Scaling
F11 - 8
User Options – Pipes and Junctions
 Here you specify the parameters you generally work with to

be the defaults
 You can still use the other parameters as needed
You can
specify a
default pipe
material
and loss You can specify
model default Design
Factors
You can
specify a
default
elevation
F11 - 9
User Options – Parameter Types
 Specify default flow rate type and head/pressure type
F11 - 10
Database Concept
 Internal database files -

– Internal Default database - fluid properties, fittings & losses, etc.
• This database is read only
• Fathom9.dat - located in the application folder
– Local User database - customizable file that may contain piping,
components, fluids, insulation, formatting, report configurations,
etc.
• Fth_user9.dat - located in the \Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming
\Applied Flow Technology\AFT Fathom\9 folder
– Pipe Material Standards database - pipe materials from ANSI,
etc.
• This database is read only
• Steel - ANSI.dat - located in the Pipe Material Databases folder
below the application folder
F11 - 11
Database Concept (2)
 External database files

– Customizable files created in Database Manager - located on
any connected drive
– Read only as listed in database.lib - database.lib located in
application folder
 Custom databases are data used in the model building
process that can be saved and reused in the future
 By reusing previously entered data users can
– Save time by not re-entering data
– Control quality by using previously qualified data
F11 - 12
Custom Data Features
 AFT Fathom offers custom databases for these types of data:

– Components (junctions): For 22 of 23 junction types
– Fluid properties (Fluid Database)
– Pipe sizes (Material Database)
– Insulation properties (Insulation Database)
– Fittings & losses (Fittings Database)
– Solids properties (Solids Database used in SSL module)
 Databases can be both private and shared
– Private and shared data is merged in memory together when
AFT Fathom loads
 Multiple shared databases can be created and optionally
connected into a model
F11 - 13
Component Databases
 A junction can be added to the Component Database

– Dead Ends and Tee/Wyes are included so they may be
associated with cost data, however there is no engineering data
that may be associated with a dead end or tee/wye
 To add to the component database
– Enter data for the junction
– From the Database Menu select Add Component to Database
– Enter a name for the custom component
F11 - 14
Component Databases (2)
 To use the custom component

– Add a junction to the model of the same type as the custom
component
– Open the Properties Window for that junction
– Select the custom component name from the Database List
 To stop accessing the custom component choose None from
the Database List
 To edit the previous list select Component Database from the
Database Menu
F11 - 15
Fluid Databases
 A fluid and its associated properties as they depend on

temperature can be added to the Fluid Database
 To add to the Fluid Database
– From the Database Menu select Fluid Database
– Choose the Add New Fluid selection
– Enter a name and data for the fluid
• You can use raw data entered by hand or imported from file
• AFT Fathom will be perform a least-squares curve fit to the data
 To use the custom fluid
– Open the System Properties Window
– Select the custom fluid name from the Specified Fluid List
– Enter a temperature for the fluid
F11 - 16
Fluid Databases (2)
 To stop accessing the custom fluid choose Unspecified Fluid

 To edit the previous fluid data use the Fluid Database Window
and select Change Fluid Data
– You can also delete a fluid or change the fluid name
F11 - 17
Pipe Material Databases
 A pipe material and its associated sizes and schedules can be

added to the Material Database
 To add new material to the Material Database
– From the Database Menu select Pipe Material Database
– Click the New Material button
– Enter a name and data for the material entry, including the
friction data set
• You can use raw data entered by hand or imported from file
 To use the custom pipe material
– Open the Pipe Properties Window (or Global Pipe Edit)
– Select the custom material name from the Pipe Material List
– Select type and size
F11 - 18
Pipe Material Databases (2)
 To stop accessing the custom material choose (Unspecified)

 To edit the previous material data use the Pipe Material
Database Window and select the appropriate buttons
F11 - 19
Friction Data Sets
 Multiple Friction Data Sets can be associated with a pipe

material
 Friction Data Sets can also be associated with a particular
pipe size, or pipe type (e.g., schedule)
– Data Sets associated with Sizes apply to all Type sets within that
size
– Data Sets associated with a Type apply only to that type
 You can add Friction Data Sets to the default AFT Fathom
pipe materials
 Friction Data Sets are accessed in the Pipe Properties
window
F11 - 20
Insulation Databases
 Insulation types may be added to the database

 To add new material to the Insulation Database
– From the Database Menu select Insulation Database
– Click Add New Insulation
– Enter a name and data for the insulation
• Note this data is on a per unit thickness basis
F11 - 21
Insulation Databases (2)
 Insulation defined in a database may be assigned to specific

pipe materials and sizes with a specified thickness
 Insulation may be assigned to an individual pipe within its
Pipe Properties window by -
– Direct input of the insulation specification
– Selecting an insulation from the Insulation Database and
specifying a thickness
– Applying the insulation data set assigned to that material and/or
size of pipe
F11 - 22
Local and Shared Network Databases
 The custom data you enter is stored in a single text file locally
on the hard drive
– This is called a local user database
– It is possible to copy this file to another user's hard drive so they
can use it too
– If you spend a lot of time entering custom data it is advisable to
back up the file
F11 - 23
Local and Shared Network Databases (2)
 You can create a network database if the AFT Fathom

software is being run from a network
– All users who run AFT Fathom from the network automatically
access the network database
– The network database is read-only, thus users cannot edit it
– Network databases are of great help in quality control because
data only need to be verified once
– Consult the Help System for detailed information on network
database management
 You can use the Database Manager capabilities to build new
databases and connect to selected databases across a local
or wide area network
F11 - 24
Using the Database Manager
 Databases can contain components, fluids, pipe materials,

insulation materials and program settings (Output Control,
User Options, etc.)
 The Database Manager allows you to find, connect to, and
use the information in these databases
F11 - 25
Using the Database Manager (2)
 The AFT Default Internal and AFT Fathom Local User

databases are ALWAYS connected
The Click here to

available add another
databases engineering
are listed database to
here the Available
Databases
list
Currently
connected
databases
are listed
here
F11 - 26
 Contents of a connected database may be reviewed

Choose the database
Select the sections you
want to review and
Click on Review Content
Click here to display the

items in the selected
database section
F11 - 27
 In the Edit Database tab you can -

– Create a new database
– Select an existing database to edit
– Delete a database
 Data may be copied or moved from one database to another
Select which database will
be used for the source
data
Choose the section and
item(s) within that section
Click here to copy or move the selected

item(s) to the database being edited
F11 - 28
Using Fathom for Cost Calculations
 The Fathom’s modeling capabilities can be extended to

include costs
– Material Costs (non-recurring)
– Installation Costs (non-recurring)
– Maintenance Costs (recurring)
– Energy Costs (recurring)
 Cost can be applied to junctions, pipes and fittings & losses
 Cost databases are created using the Cost Database Editor
F11 - 29
Specifying the Cost Settings
 Cost calculations are activated by selecting the Calculate

option under Cost Calculations on the Analysis menu
 The cost calculations are then defined in the Cost Settings
window, which is also located on the Analysis menu
F11 - 30
Cost Databases In The Database
Manager
Click Add Cost

Database to make
the CDB available
Click Add to
Connections to use
the CDB in this
model
Make sure the Pipe

Material Cost
section is selected
F11 - 31
Setting Junctions To Use Cost Data
Choose the junction
from the Database
List
Choose Include Cost in
Report on the Cost tab
of the Specification
Window
Click Cost Application to

specify databases,
multipliers, maximum
cost groups and service
duration
This can also be done

using the Global
Junction Edit feature
F11 - 32
The Cost Report
 This shows a summary of the costs for the objects in the

model
– The Grand Total is at the top
– If pipes/junctions or cost types are not shown, their total is listed
as Unshown Items
 There is a column for
each cost type selected
in the Output Control
 The units are displayed
in the upper-left corner of
the table
F11 - 33
Chempak Fluid Property Database
 Chempak provides thermo-physical properties for ~700 fluids

– Both pure fluids and mixtures of these fluids may be used in the
model
F11 - 34
Chempak Fluid Property Database (2)
The Create New Mixture button
becomes visible when Chempak
Select Chempak Fluid or Mixture is selected
mixture
Select the fluid... Input

then select Add to temperature
Model to use the and pressure
fluid to calculate
fluid properties
To remove a
Select fluid
fluid, select it
property
here… then
variation here
select Remove
Fluid
Set accuracy
level here F11 - 35
Chempak Fluid Property Database (3)
 Fluids are selected from within the Create Mixture window to

assemble a mixture based on mass or mole fraction
Select a fluid
here Portion of the
mixture
Click here to add represented by
the fluid to the a fluid is set
mixture here
Any name may be Any or all

specified for a components
mixture may be
removed
Current mixture
components and
their fraction are
listed F11 - 36
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Introduction to AFT Fathom Add-on
Modules
 XTS - eXtended Time Simulation
 GSC - Goal Seek & Control
 SSL – Settling Slurries
 Summary
F12 - 1
XTS - eXtended Time Simulation
 Many systems exhibit time varying operating characteristics

 A few of the more common examples include:
– Transfer systems with changing liquid heights in tanks
– Valve open/close based on operating conditions
– Number of pumps operating varies depending on demand
 Traditionally, these situations are modeled as multiple steady-
state cases
– Very few cases are modeled to limit the number of analyses
– A limited number of cases results in a very coarse ‘resolution’
with potentially important intermediate results missed
– The dynamic interaction between elements is not directly
modeled and either ignored or modeled through iterative runs
F12 - 2
XTS Module Capabilities
 Models time simulation as a series of steady-state analyses,

automatically transferring time varying parameters from time
step to time step
 Models time varying effects including:
– Liquid level in tanks - can model both open and closed tanks
– Valve position changes
– Pump operating variations - speed, on/off
– Events defined within the system (e.g. flow, pressure, etc.)
 Includes all of the modeling capabilities of AFT Fathom
– Except for heat transfer
 Provides extensive text and graphical output to display time
varying results
F12 - 3
US
XTS Module Hands-On Example
 Model tank fill control valve

 Open Test16.fth to the Base Scenario (from disk)
 Create a child scenario called “Valve closure” and make this
the current scenario
 From the Analysis menu, select ‘Time Simulation / Transient’
F12 - 4
US
XTS Module Hands-On Example (2)
 Change the discharge tank J4 to a finite tank and specify

geometry as follows:
– Set the ‘Tank Model’ to Finite Open Tank
– Select ‘Height from Bottom Elevation’ for the Liquid Surface
Specification
• Initial liquid height is 0 feet (tank empty) and surface pressure is 0
psig
– Enter the following for the Tank Geometry
• Tank Bottom Elevation = 200 feet
• Tank Height = 30 feet
• Cross-Sectional Area is Constant at 150 ft2
– Set the pipe to 200 feet elevation
F12 - 5
US
 Specify the valve to close when the tank liquid height reaches
15 feet
– Open the Valve Properties window and select the Transient tab
– Set the Initiation of Transient to ‘Single Event’, defined as
follows:
• Event Type = Reservoir Liquid Height
• Condition = Greater Than
• Value = 15 feet
• Junction = 4 (Upper Reservoir)
– Set Transient Data as ‘Relative To Steady-State Value’ with the
following data points:
Data Time % Cv of
Point (seconds) Steady State
1 0 100
2 30 0 F12 - 6
US
 Open Transient Control from the Analysis menu

– Set Start Time as 0 minutes
– Stop Time as 60
– Time Step as 1 minute
F12 - 7
US
 Run the model

 Observe the steady state output
– This is for time 0 and the same results as the Base Scenario
– Change the time using the slider at the bottom of the Output
window to see values for different time steps
 Look at the various transient output information
– Event Messages by Time shows valve closure at t = 43 minutes
– Pump, Reservoir and Pipe Transient tabs show output vs time
• Right clicking on a cell in the transient output will display a ‘Quick
Graph’ of the output value vs time
• Note how pump head and flow vary with time as a result of the
changing tank liquid height
– All transient output can be graphed in Graph Results
F12 - 8
SI
XTS Module Hands-On Example
 Model tank fill control valve

 Open Test16 (SI).fth to the Base Scenario (from disk)
 Create a child scenario called “Valve closure” and make this
the current scenario
 From the Analysis menu, select ‘Time Simulation / Transient’
F12 - 9
SI
 Change the discharge tank J4 to a finite tank and specify

geometry as follows:
– Set the ‘Tank Model’ to Finite Open Tank
– Select ‘Height from Bottom Elevation’ for the Liquid Surface
Specification
• Initial liquid height is 0 meters (tank empty) and surface pressure is
0 barG (0 kPa-g)
– Enter the following for the Tank Geometry
• Tank Bottom Elevation = 60 meters
• Tank Height = 10 meters
• Cross-Sectional Area is Constant at 15 m2
– Set the pipe to 60 meters elevation
F12 - 10
SI
 Specify the valve to close when the tank liquid height reaches
5 meters
– Open the Valve Properties window and select the Transient tab
– Set the Initiation of Transient to ‘Single Event’, defined as
follows:
• Event Type = Reservoir Liquid Height
• Condition = Greater Than
• Value = 5 meters
• Junction = 4 (Upper Reservoir)
– Set Transient Data as ‘Relative To Steady-State Value’ with the
following data points:
Data Time % Cv of
Point (seconds) Steady State
1 0 100
2 30 0 F12 - 11
SI
 Open Transient Control from the Analysis menu

– Set Start Time as 0 minutes
– Stop Time as 60
– Time Step as 1 minute
F12 - 12
SI
 Run the model

 Observe the steady state output
– This is for time 0 and the same results as the Base Scenario
– Change the time using the slider at the bottom of the Output
window to see values for different time steps
 Look at the various transient output information
– Event Messages by Time shows valve closure at t = 50 minutes
– Pump, Reservoir and Pipe Transient tabs show output vs time
• Right clicking on a cell in the transient output will display a ‘Quick
Graph’ of the output value vs time
• Note how pump head and flow vary with time as a result of the
changing tank liquid height
– All transient output can be graphed in Graph Results
F12 - 13
GSC - Goal Seek & Control
 System modeling with AFT Fathom provides a powerful ‘what-

if’ tool
 A few of the more common examples include:
– What pressure reducing valve setting will result in some
minimum flow at a downstream location
– Determining the area/diameter of an orifice to yield a desired
flow rate
– Pump speed required to deliver a required total flow to multiple
users
F12 - 14
GSC – Goal Seek & Control (2)
 Traditionally this is handled by making iterative runs

– Often this is straightforward when there is one goal and variable,
but not always due to the interaction of system components
– If two or more variables and goals are present (pressure
reducing valve setting and pump speed, for example), doing this
manually becomes much more difficult if not problematic
F12 - 15
GSC Module Capabilities
 Define single or multiple variables and goals

 Automates the determination of an input value or values that
will yield desired output value or values
 Allows AFT Fathom to simulate control functions based on
remote sensing
 Goals may be:
– Single point
– Differential (difference between two locations)
– Group goal - max/min or sum
F12 - 16
US
GSC Module Hands-On Example
 Simulate three way, temperature control valve

 Open Test17.fth from disk (Test17 (complete).fth contains a
pre-built example)
 A three way valve splits flow through a pair of heat
exchangers and a bypass
– Determine the valve open percentage that will result in 120F
water to tank J10
F12 - 17
US
GSC Module Hands-On Example (2)
 On the Analysis menu, select ‘Goal Seek & Control / Use’

 From the Analysis menu, open the Goal Seek & Control
Manager
– Select the Variables tab, click ‘New Variable’ and enter the
following information
Object Type Junction Type Junction Number Variable

Apply and Name Parameter
 Junction Three Way Valve J3 (Three Way Valve) Open Percentage
Link To Lower Upper Bound

Bound
None 0 100
F12 - 18
US
 On the Goals tab, click ‘New Goal’, specified as follows:
Goal Type Object Type Goal Parameter Criteria

Apply
 Point Branch Temperature =
Goal Goal Object Object
Value Units ID Location
120 deg. F J9 (Branch) Outlet
F12 - 19
US
 Click ‘OK’ to close the Goal Seek & Control Manager

– A “V” appears next to J3’s label, indicating it has a variable, while
a “G” appears next to J9’s label, indicating it has a goal
 Run the model
– Note the ‘GSC Calls To Solver’ area that now appears in the
Solution Progress window
 Review the results
– The GSC Variables tab displays the required valve open
percentage that will produce the specified goal
– The GSC Goals tab displays the specified goal and the
calculated goal results
• These may be slightly different as result of solution tolerances
F12 - 20
SI
GSC Module Hands-On Example
 Simulate three way, temperature control valve

 Open Test17 (SI).fth from disk (Test17 (SI)(complete).fth
contains a pre-built example)
 A three way valve splits flow through a pair of heat
exchangers and a bypass
– Determine the valve open percentage that will result in 50C
water to tank J10
F12 - 21
SI
 On the Analysis menu, select ‘Goal Seek & Control / Use’

 From the Analysis menu, open the Goal Seek & Control
Manager
– Select the Variables tab, click ‘New Variable’ and enter the
following information
Object Type Junction Type Junction Number Variable

Apply and Name Parameter
 Junction Three Way Valve J3 (Three Way Valve) Open Percentage
Link To Lower Upper Bound

Bound
None 0 100
F12 - 22
SI
 On the Goals tab, click ‘New Goal’, specified as follows:
Goal Type Object Type Goal Parameter Criteria

Apply
 Point Branch Temperature =
Goal Goal Object Object
Value Units ID Location
50 deg. C J9 (Branch) Outlet
F12 - 23
SI
 Click ‘OK’ to close the Goal Seek & Control Manager

– A “V” appears next to J3’s label, indicating it has a variable, while
a “G” appears next to J9’s label, indicating it has a goal
 Run the model
– Note the ‘GSC Calls To Solver’ area that now appears in the
Solution Progress window
 Review the results
– The GSC Variables tab displays the required valve open
percentage that will produce the specified goal
– The GSC Goals tab displays the specified goal and the
calculated goal results
• These may be slightly different as result of solution tolerances
F12 - 24
SSL – Settling SLurries
 AFT Fathom’s SSL module addresses the unique challenges

of transporting settling solids in liquids
 Applications include new system designs, modifications and
expansions to existing systems, and operation simulation
F12 - 25
SSL – Settling Slurries (2)
 Slurry flow can be categorized as:

– Homogeneous – non-settling slurries
– Pseudo-homogeneous – settling slurry in fully developed
turbulent flow
– Heterogeneous – settling slurry with solids in a non-uniform
distribution
– Sliding bed – solids settled at and sliding along bottom of the
pipe
– Stationary bed – solids settled along bottom of pipe and not
moving with flow
 The SSL module addresses the pseudo-homogeneous,
heterogeneous and sliding bed categories
F12 - 26
SSL Module Capabilities
 Allows users to enter properties of solids and optionally keep

these in a reusable and shareable database.
 Implements specialized equations to solve for settling slurry
flow
 Corrects pump performance for the effect of solids
 Offers special output reports with information critical to
understanding settling slurry flow
 Provides special slurry system curve generation features
F12 - 27
US
SSL Module Hands-On Example
 Determine pump head requirement and verify pipe sizing for a

sand transfer system
 Open Test19.fth
– The base scenario contains the piping system based on
pumping water.
 Open Scenario Manager and create a new child scenario
called ‘sand slurry’ and load this as the current scenario
F12 - 28
US
SSL Module Hands-On Example (2)
 Open System Properties and select the Slurry Data tab and
Basic Water Slurry Input
– The SSL module allows for quickly modeling solids in water, the
most common slurry liquid, using the Basic Water Slurry Input, or
other liquids by selecting Advanced Slurry Input
• NOTE: The base liquid must behave in a Newtonian viscosity
manner
– Three levels of detail may be used in specifying solids:
• Minimal method – preliminary design where only rough solids data
is available
• Simplified – requires additional data and provides a more accurate
solution
• Detailed – provides the most rigorous solution and requires the
most data
F12 - 29
US
 Select the Detailed Slurry Calculation Method and enter the

following solids data:
– Solids Specifications – select User Specified Solids Added
– Solids Properties:
• M (Stratification Ratio Exponent), select Calculated
• Terminal Velocity Parameter, select Vt/Vts and enter a value of 0.55
• Density = 2.65 specific gravity (S.G. water)
• D50 = 0.7 mm
• D85 = 0.85 mm
– Clear Water Properties:
• Temperature = 60F
F12 - 30
US
 Detailed Slurry Calculation Method and Solids Data (cont.):

– Slurry Definition:
• Concentration type = Volume Fraction
• Amount Solids Added = 20%
– Click Calculate Slurry Properties to view the pure fluid (water)
and slurry density, viscosity and vapor pressure
• Click OK and run the model
F12 - 31
US
 The Slurry tab in the Output window illustrates important

slurry flow data including head loss gradient, flow rate and the
ratio of velocity to the settling velocity, Vm/Vsm:
 Note that pipes P1 and P3 are critically close to the settling

velocity. To see why, select the Slurry button in Output Control
to add Pipe Angle to the output:
The slope of these increases the settling velocity providing a clear

F12 - 32
indication these pipes will determine minimum system operating velocity
US
 Generate a system curve using the saved System curve - 0 to

15,000 gal/min graph set:
Consistent with the low

Vs/Vsm values in Output,
we can see from the
System Curve that our
operating point of 5,000
gal/min is in that portion
of the curve with
increasing head with
decreasing flow – the
sliding bed flow regime
F12 - 33
US
 Since we have identified this system is at a very low velocity

relative to the settling velocity, we will see the effect of
reducing the piping by one size.
– Create a child scenario below the sand transfer scenario named
10 inch piping and load this as the current scenario
– Using Global Pipe Edit, change all pipes to 10” and run the
model
The increased velocity has

produced a significant
improvement in Vm/Vsm F12 - 34
US
 Generate a new System Curve by loading and displaying the

System curve - 0 to 15,000 gal/min graph set.
The increased margin to

the maximum settling
velocity is clearly
illustrated in the system
curve graph and provides
important information in
understanding how our
system will react with
variation in slurry
characteristics and other
variables
F12 - 35
US
 Since a key goal of this model would be to determine the

required pump rating, we will add de-rating to the model.
F12 - 36
US
 Open the Pump Properties window to the Slurry De-Rating

tab:
– Select the ANSI/HI standard as the de-rating method (the
Warman method is also available)
– Enter 20 for the percent of fines present in the slurry and 26
inches for the impeller size (an estimate at this point)
– Re-run the model then by selecting the Pumps button in Output
Control, add CE, CH and CQ to the pump summary report and
run the model.
F12 - 37
US
 As we investigate possible candidate pump curves, which will

usually be based on water, our head requirement will be
dH/CH, or approximately 120 feet, and our power required will
be overall power/CE, or approximately 201 HP.
F12 - 38
SI
SSL Module Hands-On Example
 Determine pump head requirement and verify pipe sizing for a

sand transfer system
 Open Test19 (SI).fth
– The base scenario contains the piping system based on
pumping water.
 Open Scenario Manager and create a new child scenario
called ‘sand slurry’ and load this as the current scenario
F12 - 39
SI
 Open System Properties and select the Slurry Data tab and
Basic Water Slurry Input
– The SSL module allows for quickly modeling solids in water, the
most common slurry liquid, using the Basic Water Slurry Input, or
other liquids by selecting Advanced Slurry Input
• NOTE: The base liquid must behave in a Newtonian viscosity
manner
– Three levels of detail may be used in specifying solids:
• Minimal method – preliminary design where only rough solids data
is available
• Simplified – requires additional data and provides a more accurate
solution
• Detailed – provides the most rigorous solution and requires the
most data
F12 - 40
SI
 Select the Detailed Slurry Calculation Method and enter the

following solids data:
– Solids Specifications – select User Specified Solids Added
– Solids Properties:
• M (Stratification Ratio Exponent), select Calculated
• Terminal Velocity Parameter, select Vt/Vts and enter a value of 0.55
• Density = 2.65 specific gravity (S.G. water)
• D50 = 0.7 mm
• D85 = 0.85 mm
– Clear Water Properties:
• Temperature = 16C
F12 - 41
SI
 Detailed Slurry Calculation Method and Solids Data (cont.):

– Slurry Definition:
• Concentration type = Volume Fraction
• Amount Solids Added = 20%
– Click Calculate Slurry Properties to view the pure fluid (water)
and slurry density, viscosity and vapor pressure
• Click OK and run the model
F12 - 42
SI
 The Slurry tab in the Output window illustrates important

slurry flow data including head loss gradient, flow rate and the
ratio of velocity to the settling velocity, Vm/Vsm:
 Note that pipes P1 and P3 are critically close to the settling

velocity. To see why, select the Slurry button in Output Control
to add Pipe Angle to the output:
The slope of these increases the settling velocity providing a clear F12 - 43
indication these pipes will determine minimum system operating velocity
SI
 Generate a system curve using the saved System curve - 0 to

3,500 m3/hr graph set:
Consistent with the low

Vs/Vsm values in Output,
we can see from the
System Curve that our
operating point of 1,140
m3/hr is in that portion of
the curve with increasing
head with decreasing flow
– the sliding bed flow
regime
F12 - 44
SI
 Since we have identified this system is at a very low velocity

relative to the settling velocity, we will see the effect of
reducing the piping by one size.
– Create a child scenario below the sand transfer scenario named
10 inch piping and load this as the current scenario
– Using Global Pipe Edit, change all pipes to 10” and run the
model
The increased velocity has

produced a significant
improvement in Vm/Vsm F12 - 45
SI
 Generate a new System Curve by loading and displaying the

System curve - 0 to 3,500 m3/hr graph set.
The increased margin to

the maximum settling
velocity is clearly
illustrated in the system
curve graph and provides
important information in
understanding how our
system will react with
variation in slurry
characteristics and other
variables
F12 - 46
SI
 Since a key goal of this model would be to determine the

required pump rating, we will add de-rating to the model.
F12 - 47
SI
 Open the Pump Properties window to the Slurry De-Rating

tab:
– Select the ANSI/HI standard as the de-rating method (the
Warman method is also available)
– Enter 20 for the percent of fines present in the slurry and 65 cm
for the impeller size (an estimate at this point)
– Re-run the model then by selecting the Pumps button in Output
Control, add CE, CH and CQ to the pump summary report and
run the model.
F12 - 48
SI
 As we investigate possible candidate pump curves, which will

usually be based on water, our head requirement will be
dH/CH, or approximately 36 meters, and our power required
will be overall power/CE, or approximately 149 kW.
F12 - 49
Summary
 The AFT Fathom add-on modules extend modeling

capabilities in two categories.
 The GSC and XTS modules that are generally applicable to a
wide range of system modeling applications:
– XTS - eXtended Time Simulation to model dynamic system
behavior
– GSC - Goal Seek & Control to automate the determination of
input parameters that will yield desired output values and
simulate control functions within systems
 The SSL module specifically addresses settling slurry
systems.
F12 - 50
F13. More AFT Fathom Hands-On
Modeling
Overview of Seminar
INTRODUCTION
AFT FATHOM
F9. Special Topics
Platinum Pipe Award
Recognizing Excellence in Piping and Ducting System Modeling

Using AFT Software
 Win AFT software for your company and iPad for you
 Enter in one of the following categories

– Use of software features and model creativity
– Correlation to test/field data
– Operational benefits and sustainability
 Review the rules and enter on our website

– http://www.aft.com/platinum-pipe-award
PPA - 1
Platinum Pipe Award
AFT FathomTM Instrumental in Chrysler Energy Savings Project:
Plant Saves $194,000 Per Year
2015 Platinum Pipe Award Winner – Operational Benefits and Sustainability
Chrysler used AFT Fathom to model four
large central coolant filter systems in the
Dundee Engine plant located in Dundee,
Michigan, USA.
The existing cooling system was energy
intensive. Chrysler wanted to develop a
model that matched existing conditions,
and then use that model to predict
energy savings for different capital
expenditure scenarios. Thirty operating
scenarios were evaluated over four
systems for the project.
PPA - 2
Platinum Pipe Award
Analysis Using AFT FathomTM Reveals Root Cause for Fire
Pump System Over-Pressurization
2015 Platinum Pipe Award Winner – Correlation to Test/Field Data
In an undisclosed facility’s fire

pump system, Charles Williamson,
P.E., Senior Engineering Analyst at
CB&I, used AFT Fathom to
determine the root cause of an
over pressurization problem during
pump starts and to make
recommendations for corrective
action.
PPA - 3
Platinum Pipe Award
AFT FathomTM Finds Optimization Opportunities in Hydrocarbon
Separation Process
2015 Platinum Pipe Award Winner – Use of Software Features and Model
Creativity
Mr. Nelius Joubert, Senior
Operations Specialist at Sasol, used
AFT Fathom to model a complicated
hydrocarbon separation plant in
South Africa. The plant utilizes liquid
extractants to separate the
components of a liquid stream into
separate pure components.
The model will be used on a
continuous basis for troubleshooting
and evaluation of the plant’s
hydraulic health.
Liquid Extraction and Distillation Portion of the AFT Fathom Model
PPA - 4
AFT Notifications & Seminar Evaluation
 Please complete the AFT Notifications form (if you would like)
and the Technical Seminar Evaluation Form, and hand to
instructor when complete.
US
Hands-on Models
 Work these models in whatever order you prefer and at your

own pace
– Do not open these from disk!
– They are intended to be built from scratch unless otherwise
noted
– All models are included on your seminar disk so you can review
them at a later date
F13 - 1
US
Hands-on Models
1. Spray water system, TEST8

Determine supply pressure requirements.
2. Dowtherm J cooling system, TEST9
Modeled as isothermal, find flow rate through heat exchangers and select best
pump.
3. Crude Oil pipeline, TEST10
Look at effects of accounting for viscosity corrections.
Determine flow capacity, max operating pressure, max height of intermediate
mountain.
4. Freon system with heat transfer, TEST11
Determine best type of Freon to use to meet thermal requirements.
5. Select best pump for hot water system, TEST13
Determine which pump configuration best meets requirements, which includes
power usage, BEP proximity and NPSH. Use Scenario Manager.
6. Water supply to housing development, TEST14
Select pipe sizes for normal and fire flow cases. Use Scenario Manager.
F13 - 2
US
Model a Spray System
 Find the minimum supply pressure (to nearest 1 psig,

stagnation) required to produce a minimum 100 gpm at each
spray
 Spray nozzle data:
– Flow Area = 0.5 square inches, Discharge coefficient = 0.6,
atmospheric discharge
El=10.0 feet
L=2 feet
1-1/2 inch
Typical
F13 - 3
US
Model a Spray System (2)
 Pipe data:
– Steel – ANSI pipe, all schedule 40, standard roughness of
0.0018 inches
 Fluid is water at 70 deg. F
 Model TEST8.FTH / original system
 Hint: Define a Design Alert for the individual spray lines to
quickly identify if flow meets the required minimum.
F13 - 4
US
Modify Spray Nozzle
 Find new minimum supply pressure requirement when

customer decides to change spray nozzle vendors at the last
minute
 New spray nozzle data:
– Pressure drop of 50 psid at 100 gpm
 All other design parameters are the same
 Model TEST8.FTH / new spray nozzle
 The supply pressure for both of these cases could be solved
directly by using the GSC module - TEST8.FTH / GSC
Example
F13 - 5
US
Model a Cooling System
 Find flow rate through heat exchangers (Model TEST9.FTH)
F13 - 6
US
Model a Cooling System (2)
 Input Data
– Steel – ANSI pipe, schedule 40
– Fluid is “Dowtherm J” at 150F, modeled as constant properties
(use fluid from AFT Standard Database)
– Reservoir is a system pressurizer with 10 feet liquid height and
40 psig surface pressure
– Control valve is a PRV at 49 psig static which protects the heat
exchangers from over-pressure
F13 - 7
US
 Input Data (cont.)

– The heat exchangers are the same and have 10 psid pressure
drop at 500 gpm
– The pumps are the same, data is 70 ft at 0 gpm, 60 ft at 500
gpm, and 40 ft at 1000 gpm
– All elbows are standard
– All junctions, except for the pressurizing reservoir, are at 2 feet
elevation
F13 - 8
US
Modify Cooling System
 On the previous model, the customer decides they want an

evaluation of several other pumps to determine which uses
the least energy
 However, the design requires that the PRV must have at least
a 10 psid pressure drop to provide adequate margin for future
system degradation
 Use the pumps in the PUMP.DAT (AFT Seminar Pump Data)
database for evaluation
– File is located in the seminar models folder on your hard drive
– Connect to the database by selecting Add Engineering Database
on the Database Manager
F13 - 9
US
Modify Cooling System (2)
 Assume all pumps are 100% efficient at their operating point

 The alternate pumps are shown in a separate scenario
 Select a pump from the three alternates.

 Does the flowrate through the heat exchangers change when
the pumps are swapped? Why or why not?
F13 - 10
US
Model Pumping of Viscous Fluid
 Model TEST10.FTH
Pump Curve Data
Flow Head
(barrels/day) (feet)
0 2000
100,000 1800
200,000 1400
Rated Pump Speed: 3600 rpm
F13 - 11
US
Model Pumping of Viscous Fluid (2)
 Model Input
– Fluid is a petroleum product supplied at 750 feet elevation with
specific gravity of 0.8 and viscosity of 500 centipoise
– The pump is located below the supply reservoir at 720 feet
elevation
– Pipeline goes up a hill before being discharged into a vessel
near sea level
– Pipe is Steel – ANSI
– Supply and receiver reservoirs are 10 feet deep
– Run the model
F13 - 12
US
 How much does the flowrate change when the viscosity

effects are accounted for in the pump performance?
 What is the maximum operating pressure (static) the pipe
experiences and where does it occur?
 Is the flow laminar or turbulent?
 Using the viscosity pump corrections (Optional Tab) how high
can the hill be until a vacuum is pulled on the discharge
piping?
 How much does the flow rate change if the hill elevation is
changed?
 How much can the pump speed be slowed down and still not
pull a vacuum on the discharge piping (at the original hill
height)?
F13 - 13
US
Freon Delivery System
 It is required that Freon be delivered at 75 deg. F

(TEST11.FTH)
– Hint: Use the exit of the final pipe as the delivery temperature
location
 The pump has already been selected with the following data
– 25 feet at 0 gpm, 24 feet at 200 gpm, and 15 feet at 500 gpm
 The two heat exchangers have the following data:
– Pressure drop is 2 psid at 250 gpm
– Counter-flow exchangers with 80 ft2 of surface area, an overall
heat transfer coefficient of 500 Btu/hr-ft2-R, and secondary fluid
being water at 30 lbm/sec with specific heat of 1 Btu/lbm-R
F13 - 14
US
Freon Delivery System (2)
 The supply reservoir is pressurized to 150 psig at -50 deg. F

and the receiving reservoir is also at 150 psig and 75 deg. F.
Both have a surface elevation of 10 ft.
 The piping is all 3 inch Steel – ANSI sch 40 with default
friction data
 All pipe is insulated with 1 layer, 1” thick with a conductivity of
0.4 Btu/hr-ft-R with an external convective coefficient of 10
Btu/hr-ft2-R applied
 The ambient temperature around the pipe is 60 deg. F
 All non-reservoir junctions are at 2 feet elevation
 The choices of working fluid are Refrigerant (i.e., Freon) 11,
12
– Use AFT Standard fluids
F13 - 15
US
 The heating fluid on the heat exchangers is hot process water

and it is desired to minimize the supply temperature of water
required by the heat exchangers (the same supply
temperature will be supplied to both)
 Use Scenario Manager to evaluate each fluid
 Which working fluid will deliver the required temperature with
the lowest temperature hot water supply?
 What water temperature is needed (to the nearest 0.1 deg.
F)?
 The secondary fluid temperature can be determined directly
using the GSC module (see TEST11.FTH GSC Example
scenarios)
F13 - 16
US
F13 - 17
US
Hot Water System
 Select the best pump configuration for a hot water system

(TEST13.FTH)
 Design goals are as follows:
– Minimum 10 psi drop across flow control valves in all cases
– Maximum 10 feet/sec velocity in pipes in all cases
– No NPSH violations in any cases
– In normal operating mode with all 3 pumps on, all pumps must
operate at 80% of BEP or higher, without exceeding 100% BEP
– The selected pump must also work in “special operating mode”
with one pump off (PUMP C)
• The pumps can operate past BEP in this case
F13 - 18
US
Hot Water System (2)
 All 5 configurations are contained in a single pump junction

– The pump head, NPSH and efficiency has been compiled in
TEST 13.DAT
– The heat exchanger loss data is also in this database
– This file should be installed on your hard drive and is also on
your disk
– Connect to it using Database Manager
 The heat exchanger is also from the database TEST 13.DAT
– Only pressure loss is modeled in the heat exchanger, no heat
transfer
 The highest operating temperature is 150 deg. F
– Assume the properties are constant at this temperature
F13 - 19
US
 All pipe is Steel – ANSI Schedule 40 with standard roughness

 A safety factor of 10% is added to all pipe and junction losses
 All Tees are Simplified and all Elbows are Standard
 All elevations are at zero feet, except for the topping tank
reservoir, which is 10 feet high and 10 feet deep
 The best pump configuration will be the one that:
– Meets all pump and system requirements for normal special
operating modes
– Uses the least total power for the normal operating mode (3
pumps on)
 Use the Scenario Manager to manage the multiple cases
F13 - 20
US
F13 - 21
US
Water to Housing Project
 Water is to be taken from nearby West Lake to supply a

neighborhood (TEST14.FTH)
 Under normal (i.e, no fire) conditions, the design calls for 10
gpm to each home
– The water pressure at each must be 60 psig minimum
 Under fire flow conditions, 100 gpm must be available at the
open fire hydrant
– The flow to each home is allowed to drop to 2 gpm during fires
– There is no limit on water pressure at each home during fires
– The fire hydrants must have 90 psig static during fire flows
– Only one fire hydrant will be used at a time
 All pipe is PVC – ASTM, schedule 40, with standard
roughness data
F13 - 22
US
Water to Housing Project (2)
 The pipe from the mains to each home is 1 inch (pipe #106-
110, 206-210)
– This pipe size is set and is not to be changed
 The contractor insists that the pipe from West Lake to the
neighborhood, and all mains in the neighborhood, be the
same size to simplify handling
 Assume all branches are lossless
 The supply at West Lake has a re-entrant geometry
 The mean water temperature in West Lake is 60 deg. F
 Use the Scenario Manager to manage the different cases.
 Determine minimum pipe size for the main pipes
F13 - 23
US
PIPE UNITS
L= feet
JUNCTION UNITS F13 - 24
El= feet
US
Answers to Hands-On Models
 TEST8.FTH: 171 psig (stagnation)

 TEST8A.FTH: 149 psig (stagnation)
 TEST9.FTH: Flow rates are 288, 275 and 261 gpm
– Pump Alternate #3 uses the least power while meeting the
minimum control valve pressure drop requirement
– The flow rate does not change because with the pressure control
valve upstream and pressurizer (reservoir) downstream, the
pressure drop is fixed
F13 - 25
US
Answers to Hands-On Models (2)
 TEST10.FTH:
– Pump flow rate decreases 5.1% (151,571 to 143,822
barrels/day)
– Max static pressure is 529.2 psig at the pump discharge
– The flow is laminar
– A hill height of 1500 feet is the maximum that will result in the
pressure in the pipe being above atmospheric
• Flow does not change since the end point elevations are unchanged
– The pump can be operated down to 87% speed and still not
cause a vacuum to occur
 TEST11.FTH: Freon 11 requires hot water at 96.9 F
– Freon 12 requires hot water at 142.6 F
F13 - 26
US
 TEST13.FTH: Best pump configurations are 1800 rpm x 8

inch and 3600 rpm x 4 inch
– These configurations are the same pump configuration due to
the affinity laws
– Meets all requirements using 13.6 hp in normal operating mode
Pump 1800 x 6 1800 x 7 1800 x 8 3600 x 4 3600 x 5
Normal Mode
BEP (80% < BEP < 100%)? No Yes Yes Yes No
NPSHA > NPSHR? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
FCV dP > 10 psid? No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pipe Velocity < 10 ft/s? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Power Used ‐ 3 pump total (hp)? 7.01 9.85 13.58 13.58 24.03
Special Mode
FCV dP > 10 psid? No No Yes Yes Yes
Pipe Velocity < 10 ft/s? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
F13 - 27
US
 TEST14.FTH: Use 4 inch PVC pipe

– 3 inch pipe has 73.3 psig at North Hydrant during fire flow (90
psig required)
– 3 1/2 inch pipe has 86.5 psig at North Hydrant during fire flow
(90 psig required)
– 4 inch pipe has 92.4 psig at North Hydrant and 94.5 at the south
hydrant during fire flow (meets required 90 psig)
F13 - 28
SI
Hands-on Models
 Work these models in whatever order you prefer and at your

own pace
– Do not open these from disk!
– They are intended to be built from scratch unless otherwise
noted
– All models are included on your seminar disk so you can review
them at a later date
F13 - 29
SI
Hands-on Models
1. Spray water system, TEST8 (SI)

Determine supply pressure requirements.
2. Dowtherm J cooling system, TEST9 (SI)
Modeled as isothermal, find flow rate through heat exchangers and select best
pump.
3. Crude Oil pipeline, TEST10 (SI)
Look at effects of accounting for viscosity corrections.
Determine flow capacity, max operating pressure, max height of intermediate
mountain.
4. Freon system with heat transfer, TEST11 (SI)
Determine best type of Freon to use to meet thermal requirements.
5. Select best pump for hot water system, TEST13 (SI)
Determine which pump configuration best meets requirements, which includes
power usage, BEP proximity and NPSH. Use Scenario Manager.
6. Water supply to housing development, TEST14 (SI)
Select pipe sizes for normal and fire flow cases. Use Scenario Manager.
F13 - 30
SI
Model a Spray System
 Find the minimum supply pressure (to nearest 0.01 barG,

stagnation) required to produce a minimum 22 m3/hr at each
spray
 Spray nozzle data:
– Flow Area = 3.25 square cm, Discharge coefficient = 0.6,
atmospheric discharge
El=3.0 meters
L=0.5 meters
1-1/2 inch
(4.1 cm ID)
Typical
F13 - 31
SI
Model a Spray System (2)
 Pipe data:
– Steel – ANSI pipe, all schedule 40, standard roughness of
0.004572 cm
 Fluid is water at 21 deg. C
 Model TEST8 (SI).FTH / original system
 Hint: Define a Design Alert for the individual spray lines to
quickly identify if flow meets the required minimum.
F13 - 32
SI
Modify Spray Nozzle
 Find new minimum supply pressure requirement when

customer decides to change spray nozzle vendors at the last
minute
 New spray nozzle data:
– Pressure drop of 3.4 bar at 22.7 m3/hr
 All other design parameters are the same
 Model TEST8 (SI).FTH / new spray nozzle
 The supply pressure for both of these cases could be solved
directly by using the GSC module - TEST8 (SI).FTH / GSC
Example
F13 - 33
SI
Model a Cooling System
 Find flow rate through heat exchangers (Model TEST9

(SI).FTH)
F13 - 34
SI
 Model Input
– Steel – ANSI pipe, schedule 40
– Fluid is “Dowtherm J” at 65C, modeled as constant properties
(use fluid from AFT Standard Database)
– Reservoir is a system pressurizer with 3 meters liquid height and
2.8 barG surface pressure
– Control valve is a PRV at 3.4 barG static which protects the heat
exchangers from over-pressure
F13 - 35
SI
 Model Input (cont.)

– The heat exchangers are the same and a have 0.7 bar pressure
drop at 115 m3/hr
– The pumps are the same, data is 21 meters at 0 m3/hr, 18
meters at 115 m3/hr, and 12 meters at 225 m3/hr
– All elbows are standard
– All junctions, except for the pressurizing reservoir, are at 0.5
meters elevation
F13 - 36
SI
Modify Cooling System
 On the previous model, the customer decides it wants an

evaluation of several other pumps to determine which uses
the least energy
 However, the design requires that the PRV must have at least
a 0.7 bar pressure drop to provide adequate margin for future
system degradation
 Use the pumps in the PUMP (SI).DAT (AFT Seminar Pump
Data (SI)) database for evaluation
– File is located in the seminar models folder on your hard drive
– Connect to the database by selecting Add Engineering Database
on the Database Manager
F13 - 37
SI
Modify Cooling System (2)
 Assume all pumps are 100% efficient at their operating point

 The alternate pumps are shown in a separate scenario
 Select a pump from the three alternates.

 Does the flowrate through the heat exchangers change when
the pumps are swapped? Why or why not?
F13 - 38
SI
Model Pumping of Viscous Fluid
 Model TEST10 (SI).FTH

Pump Curve Data
Flow Head
(barrels/day) (meters)
0 610
100,000 550
200,000 425
Rated Pump Speed: 3600 rpm
F13 - 39
SI
 Input Data
– Fluid is a petroleum product supplied at 230 meter elevation with
specific gravity of 0.8 and viscosity of 500 centipoise
– Pipeline goes up a hill before being discharged into a vessel
near sea level
– Pipe is steel
– Supply and receiver reservoirs are 3 meters deep
F13 - 40
SI
 How much does the flowrate change when the viscosity

effects are accounted for in the pump performance?
 What is the maximum operating pressure (static) the pipe
experiences and where does it occur?
 Is the flow laminar or turbulent?
 Using the viscosity pump corrections how high can the hill be
until a vacuum is pulled on the discharge piping?
 How much does the flow rate change if the hill elevation is
changed?
 How much can the pump speed be slowed down and still not
pull a vacuum on the discharge piping (at the original hill
height)?
F13 - 41
SI
Freon Delivery System
 It is required that Freon be delivered at 25 deg. C (TEST11

(SI).FTH)
– Hint: Use the exit of the final pipe as the delivery temperature
location
 The pump has already been selected with the following data
– 7.6 meters at 0 m3/hr, 7.3 meters at 45.4 m3/hr, and 4.6 meters at
113.6 m3/hr
 The two heat exchangers have the following data:
– Pressure drop is 13.8 kPa at 56.8 m3/hr
– Counter-flow exchangers with 7.4 m2 of surface area, an overall
heat transfer coefficient of 2837 W/m2-K, and secondary fluid
being water at 13.6 kg/sec with specific heat of 4.2 kJ/kg-K
F13 - 42
SI
 The supply reservoir is pressurized to 10 barG at -46 deg. C

and the receiving reservoir is also at 10 barG and 25 deg. C.
Both have a surface elevation of 3 meters.
 All piping is 3” (7.8 cm ID) Steel – ANSI schedule 40 with
default friction data
 All pipe is insulated with 1 layer, 2.5 cm thick with a
conductivity of 0.7 W/m-K with an external convective
coefficient of 56.7 W/m2-K applied
 The ambient temperature around the pipe is 16 deg. C
 All non-reservoir junctions are at 0.5 meters elevation
 The choices of working fluid are Refrigerant (i.e., Freon) 11,
12
– Use AFT Standard fluids
F13 - 43
SI
 The heating fluid on the heat exchangers is hot process water

and it is desired to minimize the supply temperature of water
required by the heat exchangers (the same supply
temperature will be supplied to both)
 Use Scenario Manager to evaluate each fluid
 Which working fluid will deliver the required temperature with
the lowest temperature hot water supply?
 What water temperature is needed (to the nearest 0.1 C)?
 The secondary fluid temperature can be determined directly
using the GSC module (see TEST11 (SI).FTH GSC Example
scenarios)
F13 - 44
SI
F13 - 45
SI
Hot Water System
 Select the best pump configuration for a hot water system

(TEST13 (SI).FTH)
 Design goals are as follows:
– Minimum 0.7 bar drop across flow control valves in all cases
– Maximum 3 meters/sec velocity in pipes in all cases
– No NPSH violations in any cases
– In normal operating mode with all 3 pumps on, all pumps must
operate at 80% of BEP or higher, without exceeding 100% BEP
– The selected pump must also work in “special operating mode”
with one pump off (PUMP C)
• The pumps can operate past BEP in this case
F13 - 46
SI
 All 5 configurations are contained in a single pump junction

– The pump head, NPSH and efficiency has been compiled in
TEST 13(SI).DAT
– The heat exchanger loss data is also in this database
– This file should be installed on your hard drive and it is also on
your disk
– Connect to it using Database Manager
 The heat exchanger is from the database TEST 13(SI).DAT
– Only pressure loss is modeled in the heat exchanger, no heat
transfer
 The highest operating temperature is 66 deg. C
– Assume the properties are constant at this temperature
F13 - 47
SI
 All pipe is Steel – ANSI Schedule 40 with standard roughness

 A safety factor of 10% is added to all pipe and junction losses
 All Tees are Simplified and all Elbows are Standard
 All elevations are at zero meters, except for the topping tank
reservoir, which is 3 meters high and 3 meters deep
 The best pump configuration will be the one that:
– Meets all pump and system requirements for normal special
operating modes
– Uses the least total power for the normal operating mode (3
pumps on)
 Use the Scenario Manager to manage the multiple cases
 Continued on next page
F13 - 48
SI
F13 - 49
SI
Water to Housing Project
 Water is to be taken from nearby West Lake to supply a

neighborhood (TEST14 (SI).FTH)
 Under normal (i.e, no fire) conditions, the design calls for 2.3
m3/hr to each home
– The water pressure at each must be 4 barG minimum
 Under fire flow conditions, 22.7 m3/hr must be available at the
open fire hydrant
– The flow to each home can drop to 0.5 m3/hr during fires
– There is no limit on water pressure at each home during fires
– The fire hydrants must have 6 barG static during fire flows
– Only one fire hydrant will be used at a time
 All pipe is PVC – ASTM, schedule 40, with standard
roughness data
F13 - 50
SI
 The pipe from the mains to each home is 1 inch (2.7 cm ID)
(pipe #106-110, 206-210)
– This pipe size is set and is not to be changed
 The contractor insists that the pipe from West Lake to the
neighborhood, and all mains in the neighborhood, be the
same size to simplify handling
 Assume all branches are lossless
 The supply at West Lake has a re-entrant geometry
 The mean water temperature in West Lake is 16 deg. C
 Use the Scenario Manager to manage the different cases.
 Determine the minimum pipe size for the main pipes
F13 - 51
SI
PIPE UNITS
L= meters
JUNCTION UNITS
El= meters F13 - 52
SI
Answers to Hands-On Models
 TEST8 (SI).FTH: 10.91 barG (stagnation)

 TEST8A (SI).FTH: 9.50 barG (stagnation)
 TEST9 (SI).FTH: Flow rates are 63.9, 60.7 and 57.4 m3/hr
– Pump Alternate #3 uses the least power while meeting the
minimum control valve pressure drop requirement
– The flow rate does not change because with the pressure control
valve upstream and pressurizer (reservoir) downstream, the
pressure drop is fixed
F13 - 53
SI
 TEST10 (SI).FTH:
– Pump flow rate decreases 5.1% (152,565 to 144,781
barrels/day)
– Max pressure is 36.5 barG (static) at the pump discharge
– The flow is laminar
– A hill height of 457.8 meters is the maximum that will result in the
pressure in the pipe being above atmospheric
• Flow does not change since the end point elevations are unchanged
– The pump can be operated down to 87% speed and still not
cause a vacuum to occur
 TEST11 (SI).FTH: Freon 11 requires hot water at 37.2 deg. C
– Freon 12 requires hot water at 62.7 deg. C
F13 - 54
SI
 TEST13 (SI).FTH: Best pump configurations are 1800 rpm x 8

inch and 3600 x 4 inch
– These configurations are the same pump configuration due to
the affinity laws
– Meets all requirements using 9.7 kW in normal operating mode
Pump 1800 x 6 1800 x 7 1800 x 8 3600 x 4 3600 x 5

Normal Mode
BEP (80% < BEP < 100%)? No No Yes Yes No
FCV dP > 0.7 bar? No No Yes Yes Yes
Pipe Velocity < 3 m/s? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Power Used ‐ 3 pump total (kW)? 5.56 7.38 9.74 9.74 16.22
Special Mode
FCV dP > 0.7 bar? No No Yes Yes Yes
Pipe Velocity < 3 m/s? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
F13 - 55
SI
 TEST13 (SI).FTH (cont.)

– The 1800 rpm x 6 inch configuration with Pump C turned off is
where the FCVs have to add pressure to maintain set point. An
FCV adding pressure is physically unrealistic, but, useful for
troubleshooting. It shows how close it is to maintaining set
point. The fact that the FCVs fail with this particular scenario is
an example of how a certain pump configuration and operating
condition may not be able to provide the system pressure and
meet the requirements.
F13 - 56
SI
 TEST14 (SI).FTH: Use 4 inch PVC pipe

– 3 inch (7.8 cm ID) pipe has low pressure at both North and South
Hydrants during fire flow (6 barG required)
– 3 ½ inch (9.0 cm ID) pipe has low pressure at North Hydrant
during fire flow (6 barG) required)
– 4 inch (10.2 cm ID) pipe has sufficient pressure at North Hydrant
and South Hydrant during fire flow (meets required 6 barG)
F13 - 57

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AFT Fathom Seminar

Week of 22 May, 2017

 Applied Flow Technology (AFT), founded in 1993, is a world

 Models incompressible network pipe systems

 XTS – eXtended Time Simulation

 Models compressible network pipe systems

 GSC – Goal Seek & Control

 Models waterhammer/surge flow in pipe networks

 SSL – Settling Slurry simulation

 Chempak™ Property Database

 AFT products are being successfully applied to a broad range

 Provides consulting services beyond typical technical support

 Additional ways to use your hours:

 General purpose pipe network incompressible flow analysis

 Can model systems in any generalized configuration

 Branching section (up to 25 pipes)

 Spray discharge nozzles

 No practical software limit to model size

 The AFT Fathom modeling process flows through five Primary

This tool is used to

 Ability to activate GSC, XTS, SSL, APS, and ANS Modules

 Cut, copy, paste, delete, duplicate and undo features

 The Reference Flow Direction of a pipe can be changed

 Model Data is broken into three sections

 With a Workspace printout and the complete Model Data

 The Output window is the primary vehicle for communicating

 User can select all or portions of the Output Window content

 Visual Report allows user to display input and output results

 The Graph Results Window allows creation of full-featured

 AFT Fathom uses the Newton-Raphson Method to solve the

 Conflicting definitions exist in the literature for total and

 Ptotal = Pstagnation = Pstatic + Pdynamic

 Momentum Equation (Bernoulli)

 The dynamic pressure and static pressure can be combined

Po ,1 + ρgh1 = Po , 2 + ρgh2 + ∆Ploss

 Traditional method of friction loss calculation uses the Darcy-

 The friction factor is not a constant, but a function of the pipe

 AFT Fathom uses the iterative Colebrook-White correlation for

(Re < 2300)

 Defining new term, where R is a pipe resistance

 Applying law of mass conservation to a branching section

 Substituting yields the following equation to be solved for

sgn (Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ))

sgn (Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ))

 The objective is to find all of the P values that satisfy the

 We need to solve as many equations as there are flow splits

sgn (Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ))

 The objective is to use the Newton-Raphson Method to drive

 The procedure for applying Newton-Raphson to a single

 When applied to a system of equations with P as the

where P is the vector of pressures and JF is the Jacobian matrix of

 The diagonal derivative terms in the Jacobian can be

Fi = ∑ sgn (Po , j − Po ,i + ρg (h j − hi ))

 The off-diagonal terms can also be calculated analytically

 Rather than inverting the Jacobian matrix, it is usually faster

 Use Gaussian Elimination to solve for z

– We then have the solution for z, which can be substituted back

pipe 3 pipe f L (ft) D (in)

 When the changes in pressure, flow rate and temperature

 The previous example focused on the pressure solution

 AFT Fathom uses two system constructs: pipes and junctions

 Each pipe must be connected to a junction on each end

 Junctions are connector points for pipes