Theoretical modelinq and experimental validation of leakage in drinking water networks

摘要

This article presents theoretical and experimental studies for analyzing the relationship between leakage rates and pressure in a water distribution network. Parameter N, which appears in the relationship that links leakage-rate reduction to network-pressure reduction, was split into two components, geometry of the orifice and rigidity of the pipe material, to be able to consider each separately. The experimental installation enabled the calculation of both components for various leaks situated in both rigid and flexible conduits. The experimental data analysis revealed that leakage-rate reduction is not only dependent on pressure reduction, as stipulated by the classic hydraulic model, but is also dependent on pipe material, leak dimension, and initial network pressure. In flexible pipes with higher initial working pressures, therefore, the same pressure-reduction percentage will yield a greater leakage-rate reduction.