Adding to the reduction of unaccounted for non-revenue water through the proper application of technology.
Abstract
With changes in metering technology the focus in the water industry has been on monitoring and management systems. It seems the heart of the management systems is being overlooked and a revisit to the heart is necessary to help reduce NRW – simple change can bring about significant reduction.
Background
Many articles are written concerning the logging and monitoring of water, leakage reduction and the billing of water. Strategic Asset Management being an important aspect of these systems with concepts like ‘Web-centric’, ‘Smart Grid’ and ‘In the Cloud’ often being referred to in the articles. Spending on software is a large cost to the user or provider of services and much focus on the reports that the system can generate is a key part of the decision about the structure of the system to be implemented. However, not enough thought is put into the source of the input data or how it is interpreted. It is important to understand that the source of this data is always a sensor or transducer. (It must be noted that no matter how smart or good the logging or monitoring systems or software used to measure NRW are, the sensory side must be included in a combined approach if maximum effect is desired.)
The sensor or transducer is the heart of any measuring system and so system performance is dependent on sensor or transducer performance. AMR systems are generally employed as the name designates ‘Automated Meter Reading’, aimed specifically at metering such as domestic meters and in the size range of up to 50 mm. The trend for utility companies towards automated systems eliminates the cost to company of the personnel needed to take the meter readings, their vehicles and other ancillary costs. However, it is only when this solution is supplemented with an automated auxiliary bulk monitoring system that maximum cost saving is achieved through the optimisation of non-revenue water. This article focuses on the bulk measurement and not the AMR/AMI systems.
Bulk monitoring systems are designed to log and record water use in DMAs (zonal metering) to reduce losses from leakage and to control pressure for night flow measurement etc. The flow meters are usually larger than 100 mm, with bulk meters being used for transfer of the custody of water from one provider to another. This is an area that is problematic and can be improved with new technology meters.
Uncompromising flow rate measurement Burkert South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
Bürkert’s FLOWave is a hygienic and safe flow measurement solution with many benefits for pharmaceutical or food production processes.
Read more...Electromagnetic flow measurement Siemens South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
The SITRANS FM electromagnetic flowmeters from Siemens deliver high-precision volume measurement of electrically conductive liquid applications – from water, wastewater and irrigation to hygienic processes and even mining slurries with magnetic particles.
Read more...ABB unveils next generation of electromagnetic flowmeters ABB South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
ABB has launched its latest generation of electromagnetic flowmeters, bringing unmatched accuracy, connectivity and flexibility to industrial and utility applications.
Read more...Precision measurement for ultra-pure water systems
Flow Measurement & Control
[Sponsored] Ultra-pure water (UPW) is essential in industries where even minor contaminants can impact product quality and process integrity. Anton Paar’s L-Cor Coriolis mass flowmeters provide a highly accurate and hygienic solution by directly measuring the mass of the liquid using the Coriolis effect, ensuring a high level of cleanliness.
Read more...Inline process solutions for gold mining Anton Paar
Flow Measurement & Control
[Sponsored]The extraction and processing of gold ore requires precision and efficiency to maximise yield and minimise losses. Automation and continuous monitoring of critical process steps are essential to ensure optimal production. Anton Paar offers advanced inline measurement solutions which enable full automation and real-time monitoring of key steps in gold extraction and processing.
Read more...Magnetic-inductive flow sensor ifm - South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
The SMF magnetic-inductive flow sensor revolutionises liquid and creamy flow measurement. With IO-Link, it enables digital data transmission, eliminating blind spots in production.
Read more...Hygienic flow measurement for the food industry ifm - South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
With the SMF magnetic-inductive flow meter, ifm offers a solution for the hygienic flow measurement of media with variable flow rates through a pipe, such as beer, milk or fruit juice.
Read more...Case History 197: Bad reboiler temperature control. Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Flow Measurement & Control
It is very important that reboiler temperature controls operate well in petrochemical refineries, or the product quality can really suffer. I was asked to check such a control in a refinery where they were having problems with one of these controls.
Read more...Precision measurement for ultra-pure water systems Anton Paar
Flow Measurement & Control
[Sponsored] Ultra-pure water (UPW) is essential in industries where even minor contaminants can impact product quality and process integrity. Anton Paar’s L-Cor Coriolis mass flowmeters provide a highly accurate and hygienic solution by directly measuring the mass of the liquid using the Coriolis effect, ensuring a high level of cleanliness.
printer friendly version