Search results for "apparent losse"
showing 9 items of 9 documents
A mathematical model to evaluate apparent losses due to meter under-registration in intermittent water distribution networks
2013
Apparent losses consist of water volume drawn from the network, consumed by users but not paid for. Those due to water meter under-registration were evaluated by means of a mathematical model able to analyse the complexity of intermittent supply systems with private tanks. This supply scheme is very common in the Mediterranean area where unexpected water shortage often happens and intermittent water supply is a common practice. In order to analyse such complex systems, a demand model, reproducing the effect of private tanks, and an apparent losses module were developed and coupled with an hydraulic network model based on the Global Gradient Algorithm (GGA). In distribution networks pressure…
Definition of Water Meter Substitution Plans based on a Composite Indicator
2014
This paper presents a water meter substitution plan based on a composite "Replacement indicator" which was defined and compared with common substitution strategies based on meter age and on run-to-fail approaches. The methodology was applied to one of the 17 sub-networks in which the Palermo city water distribution network (Italy) is divided. The analysis was carried out considering a substitution budget limitation and the results showed that the use of "Replacement indicator" outperform the classical substitution strategies based on meter age because it takes into account some other variables that may affect meter precision and wearing. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Research in reduction of meters under registration: experience and results achieved in field tests and in laboratory in Palermo
2010
Evaluation of the apparent losses caused by water meter under-registration in intermittent water supply
2009
Apparent losses are usually caused by water theft, billing errors, or revenue meter under-registration. While the first two causes are directly related to water utility management and may be reduced by improving company procedures, water meter inaccuracies are considered to be the most significant and hardest to quantify. Water meter errors are amplified in networks subjected to water scarcity, where users adopt private storage tanks to cope with the intermittent water supply. The aim of this paper is to analyse the role of two variables influencing the apparent losses: water meter age and the private storage tank effect on meter performance. The study was carried out in Palermo (Italy). Th…
A composite indicator for water meter replacement in an urban distribution network
2012
In water supply management, volumetric water meter are typically used to measure users' consumption. With water meters, utilities can collect useful data for billing, assess the water balance of the system, and identify failures in the network, water theft and anomalous user behaviour. Despite their importance, these instruments are characterised by intrinsic errors that cause so-called apparent losses. The complexity of the physical phenomena associated with metering errors in aging water meters does not allow meter replacement to be guided by single parameters, such as the meter age or the total volume passed through the meter. This paper presents a meter replacement strategy based on a c…
Experimental and modeling analysis of an apparent losses reduction device
2009
The apparent losses due to metering errors: a proactive approach to predict losses and schedule maintenance
2014
The effects of water meter age and private tanks on the apparent losses due to metering errors were evaluated by experimental and theoretical analyses. A monitoring campaign on a small district metered area (DMA) was carried out to determine the causes of apparent losses and implement a numerical model. Metering errors are affected by the flow rate passing through the meter, which is dependent on the network pressure and water level of the private tank. A node model that reproduces the effect of private tanks was coupled with EPANET and was applied to the DMA. The proposed modelling approach was used to identify where apparent losses are higher and to schedule maintenance. The model predict…
A PERFORMANCE-BASED TOOL FOR PRIORITISING WATER METER SUBSTITUTION IN A URBAN DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
2011
User water consumption is usually measured by volumetric water meters. Water meters also provide indispensable data used by the utilities for issuing bills, obtaining the system water balance, identifying failures in the network, water theft and anomalous user behaviour. Therefore, the utilities rely on such instruments for the technical and economic management of water systems. Despite their importance, water meters are characterised by relevant intrinsic errors that are responsible for a part of so-called apparent losses, i.e. water volumes reaching a final user without being accounted for. The aim of this paper is to provide a water meter management tool that analyses the meters performa…