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Laboratory-Validated Model of Air Discharge at User Connections under Intermittent Water Supply

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  • Marco Ferrante

    (University of Perugia)

  • Francesco Casinini

    (University of Perugia)

  • David Meyer

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

The cyclic nature of intermittent supply subjects the network to frequent (partial) draining and filling. During filling, water displaces air in the pipes, and much of that air is discharged through user connections and water meters, causing over-reading and reliability issues. Important laboratory experiments have measured air discharge through meters during filling, but have not yet quantified or modeled the role of air compression. This paper revisits and augments these pipe-filing experiments, proposing, calibrating and interpreting a numerical model for the compressible flow of air during pipe filling. The rapid filling of a distribution-scale (1500 L) pipe compressed the air by 1.3 -2.5 fold, broke two-thirds of the tested water meters, and caused water meters to register 33-63% of the volumetric air flow as if it were water (500-1000 L). This partial registration was primarily caused by compression. Our results quantitatively relate air discharge to water meter over-registration, emphasizing the importance of gradual filling in intermittent systems. For meter protection, we recommend limiting filling speeds to less than the nominal flow rate of all downstream water meters.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Ferrante & Francesco Casinini & David Meyer, 2025. "Laboratory-Validated Model of Air Discharge at User Connections under Intermittent Water Supply," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 39(9), pages 4393-4408, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:39:y:2025:i:9:d:10.1007_s11269-025-04160-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-025-04160-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liangxin Fan & Guobin Liu & Fei Wang & Coen Ritsema & Violette Geissen, 2014. "Domestic Water Consumption under Intermittent and Continuous Modes of Water Supply," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(3), pages 853-865, February.
    2. Marco Ferrante, 2024. "A Laboratory Investigation on the Effects of Intermittent Water Supply in a Branched System," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(2), pages 587-601, January.
    3. Agathoklis Agathokleous & Symeon Christodoulou, 2016. "Vulnerability of Urban Water Distribution Networks under Intermittent Water Supply Operations," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(13), pages 4731-4750, October.
    4. Marco Ferrante & Dewi Rogers & Josses Mugabi & Francesco Casinini, 2023. "Addressing Water Meter Inaccuracies Caused By Intermittent Water Supply: A Laboratory Investigation of Remedial Measures," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 37(10), pages 3921-3933, August.
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