A Study on the Downsizing Plan for the Renewal of the Main Distribution Pipeline in Consideration of Future Fluctuations in Water Demand

Abstract

 This study took the imminent variations in water demand to analyse the plan for the renewal of the main distribution pipeline of the water supply network. The water distribution system was divided into three categories (upstream, midstream and downstream) of pipelines on the basis of their extension from the reservoir. This classification was accomplished to ensure the redundancy of the water distribution network after pipe renewal was achieved. The optimal combination of diameter reductions that could secure the effective head necessary for the most advantageous water supply was subsequently examined keeping in mind the fluctuations in water demand.

 Non-seismic joint pipes pipelines were targeted for renewal and three renewal scenarios were formulated according to the importance and age of the pipelines that were to be replaced. The indexes of the minimum effective head, the cost of replacement, the occurrence of backflow and the pumping power expenditure were used to accomplish a comparative analysis of the three renewal scenarios. This situation analysis was conducted to devise the best means of downsizing the new distribution pipeline through the abovementioned method.

 The outcomes of the analysis yielded new knowledge about the renewal plan that incorporated both economy and stable supply via the reduction of the diameter of the distribution mainline.