Technical Paper

Investigation of Four-Quadrant Pump Modeling Prediction Scatter Using a Known Source of Pump Data

Aug 14, 2026

Trey Walters, P.E.
Trey Walters is currently Principal, R&D, Engineering Software at Datacor. He previously founded Applied Flow Technology which is now part of Datacor. He has developed simulation software for pipe flow, system optimization, slurries, waterhammer, and pulsation modeling. He has 40 years of experience in thermal/fluid system engineering and has consulted in numerous industries including power, municipal water, oil & gas and chemicals. He holds both a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He sits on several standards committees of the Hydraulic Institute and is Chairman of their Waterhammer Committee, and he is a Fellow of the ASME.

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Trey Walters, P.E., Datacor (formerly Applied Flow Technology, USA); S. Berten, Sulzer Management Ltd., Flow Division, Switzerland

Abstract:

A previously unpublished set of four-quadrant pump data for an axial-flow pump provided a unique opportunity to compare waterhammer predictions to those that would result using conventional methods. An example system was used to show that, while overall predictions appeared to agree favorably, numerous differences could result in expensive and potentially unsafe engineering decisions. This study encourages even greater caution by waterhammer practitioners.