AFT Impulse Historical New Features

Impulse 9

Significant

• The Gas Accumulator Properties window has been redesigned to improve usability and add ability to new features such as calculating liquid height
• Streamline your setup from the new Analysis Setup menu, a user-friendly workflow condensing multiple model-wide specification windows into one
• The Library Manager (previously the Database Manager) has been completely revised and now offers a consolidated way to use and customize libraries of fluids, pipe materials, junctions, etc.
• Warnings, errors and Design Alerts shown in the Output are now color coded and organized in a prioritized list for quick review

Overall

• Elbows, Orifices, Venturis and Screens have been added to match AFT Fathom and aide in building models
• Use the NEW online Help System for centralized documentation and examples from your browser
• Customize the display names for engineering units of measure to accommodate language or notation differences
• Convert Shear Rheometer data for Power Law and Bingham Plastic viscosity models with a helpful visual guide
• Apply the Herschel-Bulkley viscosity model for shear thinning or thickening fluids with a yield stress

Workspace

• Contextually update Junction Special Conditions directly from the toolbar
• Reset Pipes and Junctions as ‘Same as Parent Scenario’ during specification from the Workspace menu

Output

• Design Alerts are grouped together on their own tab in the General Output section for easy identification
• Save time with enhanced Output window data loading speed

Junctions

• The Vacuum Breaker junction has been renamed to an Air Valve
• Submerged pumps can be defined using surface pressure and depth
• Valve transients can be specified as open percent vs time

Other

• Multi-scenario graphs can now be plotted with scenarios having different pipe sectioning and time steps
• Batch runs of multiple scenarios now report the number of Warnings and Design Alerts in each Scenario
• Run batch runs “silently” in the background to minimize interruptions as each scenario completes
• Search for text in Pipe and Junction Notes, useful for component specifications or intended operating conditions
• Right-click a pipe or junction table row to quickly find the object on the Workspace

Impulse 8

Significant

• Data can be compared between multiple scenarios to show changes made
• Multi-scenario graphing allows easy comparison of results
• Multi-level undo and redo on the Workspace
• New capability to model unsteady friction
• Single or multiple transient Force Sets can be defined directly from the Workspace

Overall

• Improved intelligence on when a model needs to be saved to preserve the output
• Improved model loading speed
• Improved language refresh speed
• New and updated themes

Workspace

• Magnifier tool to quickly view objects on the Workspace
• Allow pipe/junction editing while the Undefined Items panel is shown
• Double-click on a junction on the Toolbox to add multiple to the workspace (similar to pipes)
• Ability to draw pipes off the grid when in isometric mode
• Junction icons will be automatically rotated to align with pipes
• Select shorted path between two junctions

Visual Report

• All Summary Output parameters can now be displayed on the Visual Report
• Visual Report Control has been redesigned
• Forces can now be shown

Pipes

• New capability to model unsteady friction
• Convert intermediate elevations to new pipes and branches
• Pipes can be joined together to form a single pipe

Junctions

• New pump four-quadrant curves added
• Improved guide to selecting four-quadrant pump data sets
• More intelligent Tee/Wye junction during input and Workspace movements

Output

• Notes can be added to cells in the Output to set
• Output Control parameters can be filtered by typing + to help selection

Global Edit

• Revised to improve usage
• A step-by-step guide is now available
• A pipe or junction can be selected as the base data to apply to other pipes and junctions
• Notes can be globally edited on junctions

Other

• Ability to import custom Fittings & Losses from Excel
• Design Alerts and can be saved to and loaded from a file
• New Diagnostics window to help identify special features or options being used in the scenario

Forces

• Export forces to AutoPIPE
• X-Y-Z directions (unit-vector) can now be added to a force for exporting

Impulse 7

• General interface

  • Added general unit system, language, pipe material and other preferences to the Startup Control window with the ability to set these as the default
  • Clearer Excel import capabilities using keywords
  • Excel changes can be made to multiple scenarios at one time
  • Increased the loading speed for large models
  • Added option to add additional rows to the data tables (like Cv vs. Open Percent, etc.)

   Model Import

  • Import from a CAESAR II neutral file
  • Import from a Piping Component File (.pcf)
  • Import or export a EPANET file

   Excel Export

  • Output can be exported using the new Excel Export Manager
  • Single values, columns, rows or entire output tables can be exported
  • Data from a Graph List item can be exported
  • Specific starting cells and target worksheets can be defined
  • Headers and units can be optionally included
  • Data can be exported automatically after the model is run
  • Export can be automatically done during a batch run of scenarios

   Standards and Codes

  • New output area which shows codes and standards used in the modeling process
  • Standard references are updated to current versions where applicable

   Workspace

  • Isometric grid drawing
  • The background opacity level can be changed for Annotations
  • Keyboard shortcuts to zoom and pan
  • Symbol to show pipes with Fittings & Losses defined

   Junctions

  • Made rotodynamic (centrifugal) and positive displacement pump data entry clearer on the Pump Property window with automatic periodic PD pump flow calculation
  • Improved four quadrant modeling for pumps
  • Streamlined specifying trip and startup cases
  • Enhanced pump inertia estimation and specific speed selection
  • Variable speed and controlled pumps can trip during a transient
  • Pump as Turbine (PAT) modeling
  • Redesigned Check Valve Property window and clearer data entry
  • Added dimensional and more non-dimensional closing velocity estimation profiles
  • Added translating nozzle/plug force balance type
  • Pre-defined Cv vs. Open Percentage profiles for valves
  • New finite tank option for the Reservoir junction
  • Time delay option for Vacuum Breaker Valves
  • Ability to define a relief valve effective orifice based on API 526Ability to set default for Always Control Never Fail on Control Valves

   Pipes

  • Buried pipe wave speed calculation
  • Intermediate pipe elevations can be entered as length from the pipe beginning
  • Added many EN and DIN pipe standards to the available pipe materials
  • Improved ability to select the pipe materials to be used in the model through the Database Manager

   Forces

  • Forces are calculated during the run for improved output display and graphing speed and flexibility
  • Exit differential forces

   Output

  • Data can be exported to specific cells in an Excel Worksheet
  • Right-click on cell or column header to create a Design Alert, add to the Excel Export Manager, copy data, find on the Workspace, sort and change units
  • Data can be sorted by clicking on the column heading
  • Output reports in Portuguese

   Visual Report

  • Better selection of image and data options
  • Animation of results using color to visualize parameter changes over time

Impulse 6

• General interface
  • Improved tab interface and enhanced Quick Access Panel functionality
  • Improved search includes pipe and junction notes, names and numbers
  • Output reports in German and Chinese languages
  • Main menus are translated into available output languages

• Graph Results
  • Multiple Graphs Sets can be added to Graph Folders for easy generation and display
  • Multiple graph tabs on primary window Graph tab
  • Multiple parameters can be stacked on separate graphs using the same X-axis
  • Secondary Y-parameter for most graph types
  • Multiple graphs tiled on same Graph tab
  • Multiple graphs can be animated at the same time
  • New graphs can be defined directly from the Workspace
  • New parameters such as Kv, Cv rate of change, valve position, liquid accumulator volume
  • Easy formatting of titles, axis labels, and plot lines
  • Plot series lines can be turned on/off for quick inspection
  • Graph controls now located on the Quick Access Panel for easy graph definition and changes
  • Animations can be saved in MP4 and QuickTime formats
  • New Graph Guide to quickly direct new and experienced users to basic and advanced graphing features

• Scenario Manager
  • Scenario manager shows which scenarios have output
  • Ability to create child scenarios without results saving duplication and load time

• Workspace
  • New paste preview mode allows the pipes and junctions to be placed where desired and will indicate interference with existing objects on the Workspace
  • GIS shape files can be imported to create a model
  • Text alignment options in annotations
  • Annotations can be layered on the Workspace

• Output
  • Results Diagrams which graphically show data for pumps

• Visual Report
  • Automatic Color Map generation

• Pipes
  • Design Alerts are specified and named globally and applied to pipes
  • New Design Alerts available

• Junctions
  • New Turbine junction type
  • Surge Anticipator valve  capability added to the Relief Valve
  • Remote pressure sensing capability added to the Relief Valve
  • Improved clarity for data entry in the Reservoir/Tank Property window
  • Automatic generation of Cv vs. Time using equal percentage or linear profiles
  • New events based on Cv or Kv
  • Maximum pressure setting for Gas Accumulators simulates a relief valve
  • When the speed is set for a pump, both the original and modified pump curves are shown on the Pump Property window
  • Design Alerts can be applied to junctions
  • New dynamic check valve model
  • New method from Thorley for estimating reverse velocity through check valves at closure

• Forces
  • New Force Summary report available in the output showing all applied force sets
  • New Design Alerts can be applied to Force Sets and shown in the Force Summary
  • New Force report in Model Data showing the input details
  • Force definitions can be imported from an Excel file

• Animations can be saved in MP4 and QuickTime formats

• Enhanced check valve modeling based on inertia

Impulse 5

• Completely redesigned user interface with tabbed window access and new transparent icons
• Robust support for dual monitors
• New Startup panel allows user to choose engineering unit system (U.S./metric) and specify default fluid
• Improved printing features includes use of company logo, user comments and titles, as well as graphical borders on all printouts
• New Quick Access Panel includes access to Scenario Manager
• New mapping feature flyout allows birds-eye view of model and navigation
• Improved navigation speed for large models with thousands of pipes and junctions
• Annotations capability great improved now allows user's images to be inserted into the annotation
• Enhanced Relief Valve modeling, including Danflo and Grove Flexflo
• Discrete Gas Cavity model to calculate cavitation
• Pump specific speed and estimated inertia calculator integrated within the pump propertied window
• Improved pipe sectioning window
• Fittings and losses can now have user "Favorites" which allows for much faster navigation to frequently used fittings
• New Pipe Material Databases based directly on international pipe standards
• Handle varying ambient pressure with elevation allows for better understanding of gage pressure on submerged pipes at different depths
• New Adjusted Turbulent K factor method allows for improved support of laminar pressure drop in fittings and valves
• Non-settling slurry features accepts raw rheological data and generation of non-Newtonian constants as well as new raw data Scale-up model
• New SSL module to calculate settling slurry flow
• New Weir junction
• Force imbalance calculations can now extend across more than two pipes
• Pipe data can be modified through an Excel file
• Ability to specify a reference pressure in a closed pipe during steady-state which will be used during the transient portion
• Annotations can be placed directly on graphs
• Junction symbols can be shown on Profile and HGL/EGL/Elevation graphs allowing easy identification of the location within the model

Impulse 4

General

•        Users can create transient force files for use in CAESAR II pipe stress software
•        Select Special on pipe material
•        Significantly enhanced global editing of pipes and junctions (data now shown in categories)
•        Batch runs for scenarios
•        All printing can go directly to a PDF file
•        In grids, cells that have drop-down capability have a persistent drop down symbol
•        Initialization and data files now saved to user folders

Pipes and Junctions

•        Enhanced fittings & losses entry for pipes
•        New pipe friction model uses resistance in dH/Q2
•        Valves now support Cv vs. percent open (like Control Valves)
•        More advanced control valve logic

Workspace

•        Renumber Increment Added
•        Shortcut button provides fast access to explanations of shortcut functions
•        Selections can be rotated right or left
•        New window added to show all undefined pipes and junctions and missing properties

Model Data

•        Can see data for all scenario direct ancestors on Model Data

Output

•        Users can print Model Data with output

Graph Results

•        Can graph forces on pipes

Solver

•        Power Law and Bingham Plastic now cover both laminar and turbulent flow        

Transient Control

•        Users can define force pairs for purposes of plotting force data
•        Runtime estimates based on users previous runs

Impulse 3

• New animation feature for graphing improves interpretation of results
• Pumps can be tripped or started based on events
• Pumps can trip and then restart and vice versa
• Pump four quadrant data sets increased from three to twenty-one
• New pump startup method using motor torque and speed data
• Vacuum Breaker Valves can model dual vacuum break/air release, or only vacuum break or air release
• New Special Condition Ignore feature for vacuum breaker valves, surge tanks, gas accumulators, relief valves and liquid accumulators simplifies locating surge suppression equipment
• New feature allows modeling of three-stage air valves
• New relief valve pressure loss model with Cv vs. pressure difference allows improved modeling of passive relief valves
• Pipes can be modeled with diameter reduction because of scaling
• Pipes connected to vacuum breaker valves, exit valves, spray discharge or assigned pressure junctions can drain or start the transient partially full
• Pumps can be specified to control pressure only when set pressure is exceeded high or low
• New Renumber Wizard added
• Annotation Manager added to allow selective display of annotations on Workspace and Visual Report

Impulse 2

• Steady-State Solver added to automatically initialize transient conditions
• New Scenario Manager to keep variants of a model saved in a single file in a parent-child relationship of any number of levels
• New Chempak thermophysical database offers over 600 fluids which can be used as pure fluids or user defined mixtures
• Enhanced pump features include efficiency and power usage, and multiple configurations depicting different impeller sizes and rotational speeds
• Non-newtonian fluid modeling using Power Law and Bingham Plastic models
• User configurable choice of which engineering units are displayed in drop down unit selections
• User selected preferences for each individual type of engineering unit
• User specified design factors for pipes and junctions
• Special Output window summary reports for pumps and valves
• New Database Manager to ease creation of databases and to allow selective access to data
• Ability to model event based transients
• Variable pipe friction resistance during transient solution
• Added Duffy method and Brecht & Heller method for pulp and paper modeling
• Ability to model vacuum breaker (air inlet) valves
• Model of pump inertial effects during trips and startups including four quadrant methods
• Modeling of pumps with flow rate transients (useful for positive displacement pumps)
• Modeling of pumps with viscosity corrections
• Modeling of variable speed pumps with controlled flow or pressure
• Repeat transient feature for periodic transient behavior
• New control valve junction for modeling pressure and flow control valves
• New volume balance junction to model moving fluid interfaces
• Intermediate elevation changes in a pipe can be specified
• Greatly expanded global editing for junctions
• Support for embedded fittings and valves in pipes with a library of 400 fittings
• New Tee-Wye junction which uses Idelchik for dynamic K factor calculation
• New tabbed folders on pipe and junction specifications windows
• Notes can be kept for each individual pipe and junction
• Ability to show pipe and junction names on the Workspace
• New Select Special feature added which is a powerful selection tool that allows users to set specific criteria for selecting groups of pipe and/or junctions for editing or reporting
• Ability to turn junctions on and off
• Pipe can have graphical segments
• Annotations can be added to Workspace and Visual Report
• New ability to create named groups of pipe and/or junctions for quick selection
• New ability to load a background picture as a backdrop to the Workspace or Visual Report
• New morphing feature allows one junction to be morphed into another
• New Duplicate Special feature
• Model Data organization improved using tabbed folders
• Output window organization improved using tabbed folders
• Output window junction data separated into separate table for each junction type
• Enhanced reporting on separate tabs for steady-state and transient output
• New profile graphs to graph results at a specific time or maximum and minimum values
• Ability to save graph for later recall
• Visual Report units can be shown in a legend
• Improved printing features include fit to multiple pages, printing selected pipes and junctions, horizontal and vertical centering, and setting margin sizes
• Dockable and customizable toolbars, with many new toolbar icons
• New Status Bar shows updated Checklist and ready light goes on when model is complete
• New user specifiable design alerts feature to warn user when results exceed specified limits
• New Autosave feature
• Ability to cancel global pipe and junction edits