The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of input parameters to output results when using the method of characteristics (MOC) for hydraulic transient simulations. Based on a gravity flow water delivery project, we selected six main parameters that affect the hydraulic transient simulation and selected maximum pressure as the output parameter in order to perform a parameter sensitivity analysis. The Morris sensitivity analysis (Morris) and the partial rank correlation coefficient method based on Latin hypercube sampling (LHS-PRCC) were both adopted. The results show that the sensitivity of each parameter is the same except for the friction factor. The flow rate and Young’s modulus are positively correlated with the maximum pressure, whereas the pipe diameter, valve closing time, and wall thickness are negatively correlated. It is discussed that the variability of the friction factor comes from the function of the flow and pressure regulating valve. When other conditions of the gravity flow project remain unchanged, the maximum pressure increases with the increase in the friction factor. The flow rate, pipe diameter, and valve closing time are the key parameters that affect the model. Meanwhile, Morris and LHS-PRCC proved to be effective methods for evaluating parameter sensitivity in hydraulic transient simulations.

To study the relationship between sediment concentration and the performance parameters of centrifugal pumps, Jiamakou water supply pumping station with total installed capacity of 30,880 kW was selected to analyze characteristics of the centrifugal pump in this paper. Based on a CFD mixture model, the effects of different sediment concentrations on the movement of solid–liquid two-phase flow and the performance parameters of the centrifugal pump were obtained. Then, fitting equations were established between performance parameters (head, flow rate, shaft power, and efficiency) of the centrifugal pump and sediment concentration at three working conditions (0.8 Q = 2 m3/s, Q = 2.5 m3/s, 1.2 Q = 3 m3/s) by the polynomial least-square method. Calculated values of fitting equations were compared with the measured values in centrifugal pump operation. The results show that, as the sediment concentration increases from 0.1% to 1%, the maximum volume fraction of sediment at blade outlet increased from 0.14% to 1.14%, and the maximum volume fraction of sediment at blade outlet increased from 0.7% to 2.29%. The turbulent kinetic energy inside the centrifugal pump increased from 8.74 m2/s2 to 10.78 m2/s2. The calculated values of fitting equation are in good agreement with the measured values in centrifugal pump operation, and the maximum errors of head, flow rate, and efficiency are 6.48%, 3.54%, and 2.87%, respectively. Therefore, the reliability of the fitting equations is verified. The research method can provide a reference for the calculation of performance parameters for centrifugal pumps in other water supply pumping stations with sediment-laden flow.