Análisis de parámetros hidráulicos para estimar la localización de fugas en redes de distribución de agua potable

Abstract

Leaks in the potable water distribution networks produce water losses, economic losses of the organisms that operate the system, and the reduction of the service pressure, affecting the hydraulic efficiency of the networks. When the level of water loss exceeds 20% of the volume supplied to the system, it is applied a series of methods of estimation and location of leaks. In consequence, it is opportune to focus this graduation work on the estimation of the flow and position of leaks in a drinking water distribution network, by means of the network hydraulic modeling. In this work, a method to detect leaks in the pipes of the network is exposed, estimating their flow and the position. It is assumed that the network operates in permanent flow and that, for each pipe, there is only one leak point. The procedure is based on the schematization of the experimental model in EPANET, in the pressure measurements in some points of the network to identify probable leakage zones, and in the development of analysis scenarios considering different leakage location points, together with the estimation of the flow. The theory of calibration of hydraulic models is used, in particular the error between measured and simulated pressures, as a search mechanism for the optimal solution. This process of location and estimation of leakage flow is iterative until finding the best adjustment of measured and simulated pressures.