Acoustic diagnostics of damages in pipeline networks

Summary

Every year hundreds of failures in water distribution networks not only lead to disruption of water supply and water losses, but also cause damage to urban infrastructure and private property of the population. Water leaks often cause soil washing, sinkholes, accidents and even fatalities. Herewith, not only direct water losses and energy consumption of the water supply system increase, but also increases the risk of third-party material costs. Significant volumes of water are also lost due to unauthorized water use. Therefore, the availability of a system for detecting and monitoring leaks in every water supply system is essential. The most popular way of fault location is the acoustic method of monitoring water pipes. This method is applied in three main ways, complementing each other: acoustic listening, correlation and zone control. A comprehensive acoustic survey is the best approach to inspecting pipeline networks and solving the problems of leak detection, which provides a significant reduction in water losses up to 5–0%!

Key words

water supply networks , water leaks , acoustic monitoring method , electroacoustical leak , correlation detector , zone control

Measures for reducing the probability of damages in water distribution networks

Summary

Measures for reducing the probability of damages in water distribution networks under certain technological operating conditions are considered. The experience of using a valve that prevents water surge in combination with a pressure relief valve is presented. Installing a valve that prevents water surge in the pressure manifold of pumping stations provides for the effective protection against damages of pressure water conduits in case of a sudden stop of pumps, as well as in case of a sharp uncontrolled pressure increase in them. Analyzing the operation of a multifunctional water surge protection valve with the remote control and function of maintaining the set pressure upstream proved a smoother pressure change at the outlet of the booster pumping station, as well as smaller deviations of the actual value from the set value as the volume of process water supplied changes. It is shown that the equipment is effective in the absence of variable speed control units, as well as in emergency situations.

Key words

water supply networks , pressure reducing valve , surge protection , surge protection valve

Swings and Roundabouts of Door-to-Door Accounting of Water Consumption

SUMMARY

The installation of flat’s water meters in residential buildings makes it possible, other things being equal, to reduce water consumption by 1,8–2,2 times. Reduction in water consumption in building after installation of the flat’s water meters does not lead to adequate reduction of consumers expenditures for payment for water. Reduction of the consumer expenditures will be significant only at the initial stage of introduction of door-to-door accounting of water consumption.

Key words

leakages , water consumption , tariff , flat’s water meters , water supply networks , saving