Author(s): N. Melo; A. Bairos; H. M. Ramos; M. Mello
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Keywords: Utomatic control valves; Supply systems; Pressure control; Leakagereduction; Hydraulic transients; Detection and location of leaks
Abstract: Water supply systems are controlled by specific hydromechanical equipments, such as the automatic control valves, which are essential for the safety and operational management of pipe systems, in terms of pressure and flow. The knowledge of the dynamic behavior of the automatic control valves is of great importance and the pressure reducing valves (PRV), the flow control valves, the relief valves and the retention valves are some of the key elements in the operational management of important hydraulic parameters, such as in the pressure control and consequent influence in the minimization of leaks or ruptures. The closure of valves or the stoppage of pumps induces significant variations of pressure which are propagated along the hydraulic circuit. The type of valve, the time closure, the flow variation law must be properly considered to avoid significant pressure surges. The study includes a survey about the hydraulic behavior of hydromechanical equipments, as well as the identification of system behavior, through field tests and computational simulations applied to two real case studies with the purpose to control pressure, detect and locate leaks.
Year: 2009