Experimental characterization of a self-powered control system for a real-time management of water distribution networks

ABSTRACT

Water distribution networks (WDN) are going towards more sophisticated management strategies to save water and energy and to improve users’ service. The paper investigates experimentally the potentiality of a hydraulic device prototype that integrates the control ability of common pressure reducing valves with the energy recovery capability. The recovered energy is used to self-power the system for real-time monitoring and remote control, creating a useful tool to enhance water distribution networks management. The paper presents and discusses the experimental tests performed for a 2-inches prototype characterization. Tests reveal a maximum flow coefficient of 39 m³/h and a minimum required head of 4 m with 3 l/s. Because of the novelty of the device a procedure to verify the applicability of the system starting from working conditions has been set up. In the end the procedure is applied to the first on field test in a real WDN.

KEYWORDS:

• Water distribution network
• Energy Harvesting
• Green Valve
• Pressure Management
• Control valve
• Monitoring

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge A2A Ciclo Idrico Brescia for the support in the field tests development. The authors would also like to acknowledge InterApp AG, S&H srl and Appflue srl for the support in the valve prototype production and valve electronic and communication development.

Authors contributions

All authors contributed to the study conceptualization and methodology development. Data collection and analysis were performed by GF and SB, with the supervision of SM. The first draft of the manuscript was written by GF and MMAR and all authors commented and reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Data availability statements

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request with particular reference to the data used in the plots.

Disclosure statement

Prof. Stefano Malavasi is the inventor of the patent on the GreenValve owned by the Politecnico di Milano and discussed in the present paper.

This research was partially funded by Bando Smart-Living -Bando per la Presentazione di Progetti di Sviluppo Sperimentale e Innovazione (S&I) a Favore della Filiera dello “Smart Living” di Regione Lombardia, Progetto Smart Water, ID 379319

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for conducting this study.