Hydraulic Components Overview
R-THYM provides a robust suite of hydraulic components for constructing your digital twin. For users familiar with EPANET, many of these components will feel instantly recognizable, though R-THYM introduces several specialized elements and architectural differences to support high-fidelity transient (MOC) and energy modeling.
This chapter provides a high-level overview of the hydraulic nodes and links available in the Component Toolbar. The following chapters will dive into the specific properties and configuration details of each.
1. Pressure Boundary
A Pressure Boundary provides an infinite source (or sink) of water at a constant hydraulic head. - EPANET Equivalent: Functions identically to a Reservoir node.
2. Inflow Node
An Inflow Node allows you to inject a defined flow rate into the network at a specific location. - EPANET Equivalent: Similar to a Junction node with a negative base demand (representing inflow).
3. Tank
A Tank represents a finite storage volume with a variable water surface elevation. - EPANET Equivalent: Functions identically to an EPANET Tank node.
4. Pump
The Pump component drives flow against a hydraulic head. - R-THYM Difference: In R-THYM, a pump is placed on the canvas and manipulated as a single "node" for visual simplicity. However, internally, the physics engine models it as three distinct elements: an upstream suction junction, a downstream discharge junction, and a pump link connecting them.
5. Valve
The Valve component is used to throttle flow, reduce pressure, or isolate sections of the network. - R-THYM Difference: Similar to the Pump, the Valve is visually represented and configured as a single node in the UI, but is internally modeled as an upstream junction, a downstream junction, and a valve link.
6. Turbine
A Turbine component extracts hydraulic energy from the system, inducing a head loss to generate power. - R-THYM Difference: EPANET does not natively support turbines. R-THYM models Turbines using an internal structure similar to pumps (upstream node, downstream node, and a mechanical link) but calculates the physics in reverse to extract energy rather than add it.
7. Surge Control
Surge Control components (such as Standpipes and Closed Hydropneumatic Tanks) are advanced devices used to mitigate destructive water hammer. - R-THYM Difference: During standard steady-state and EPS simulations, these devices are simply modeled as standard Junction nodes. However, when you run a dynamic Transient (MOC) simulation, they become critical, active boundary conditions that absorb and reflect high-frequency acoustic waves.
8. Junction
A Junction is the fundamental connection point in the network, representing points where pipes intersect or where elevation changes occur. - EPANET Equivalent: Functions identically to an EPANET Junction node.
9. Pipe
A Pipe is the primary hydraulic link that conveys water between nodes, calculating friction and minor losses. - EPANET Equivalent: Functions identically to an EPANET Pipe link.
10. Outflow Node
An Outflow Node represents a point where water leaves the system at a defined flow rate (demand). - EPANET Equivalent: Functions identically to an EPANET Junction node with a positive base demand.
[!NOTE] This list represents the physical hydraulic components. Power and energy components (such as Solar Arrays and Batteries) operate on a separate overlay and will be covered in later chapters.