EXPLICIT CALCULATION OF WATER-QUALITY PARAMETERS IN PIPE DISTRIBUTION-SYSTEMS

Explicit algorithms have been developed for use in water quality studies and management of distribution networks with sources of dissimilar quality. The proposed algorithms can be effectively used for directly determining a variety of blended water quality parameters for a given set of network loading and operational conditions. The parameters include the spatial distribution of constituent concentrations, the flow influence characteristics of supply sources, and the water age distribution throughout the system. The developed algorithms are formulated analytically from mass balance relationships as contingent linear boundary value problems in conjunction with a topological sorting methodology. The resulting formulations yield coefficient matrices, of order equal to the number of junction nodes, that are triangular and positive definite. The parameter solutions sought are, thus, derived through a direct application of a one step substitution process. The proposed algorithms are both robust and efficient, and guaranteed to yield mathematically consistent solutions. Moreover, the algorithms are simple to understand and implement, and are well suited to the needs of those practicing engineers who wish to write and run their own programs. Two example applications are presented. Enhancement of distribution system water quality management is a principal benefit of the algorithms.