LEAKAGE CONFERENCE 2016

Transcription

1 17 TH ANNUAL LEAKAGE CONFERENCE 2016 Tuesday, 11 October 9am to 4.30pm Crowne Plaza Birmingham Follow us on Join the conversation #leakage2016 Water UK Partners Media Partner Charity Partner

2 Achieving zero leakage 2050 an UKWIR strategic initiative Dennis Dellow Leakage Programme Lead, UKWIR & Technical Consultant, Northumbrian Water

3 How can we achieve Zero Leakage by 2050?

4 Zero Leakage by 2050 Two-stage approach Stage 1 (2015/16) Literature search and gap analysis to determine: What research has been done What research is currently in progress What new research or development would be required to facilitate the goal of zero leakage Stage 2 (2016 onwards) Select projects and formulate project descriptions Commission specific research projects.

5 Contracts let for Stage 1 1. The basic mechanisms of leakage University of Surrey 2. Better leak detection and location methods University of Southampton (ISVR) - acoustic methods WRc - non-acoustic methods 3. Low cost leak repair methods WRc 4. How to lay leak-free new networks WRc 5. Water accounting where is the water going? Strategic Management Consultants (SMC)

6 1. The Basic Mechanisms of Leakage What are the causes of bursts and leakage in pipe networks? What are the failure mechanisms? How do leaks form and grow over time? How do pipes, joints and fittings of different materials deteriorate? What factors influence deterioration rates? For example: Soil types and soil properties, and soil-pipe interaction? Water quality and water temperature? Pipeline installation methods? How does leakage relate to deterioration, as pipes will usually deteriorate to some extent before they begin to leak?

7 Understanding degradation-induced leakage Degradation processes that occur in pipes are well understood, but the processes by which these develop into leakage are not. The project aims are to : Review the various degradation processes that occur in various pipe materials. Investigate the consequences of the various types of pipe degradation in terms of the initial onset of leakage and the subsequent evolution of leakage rates. Focus on the evolution of this process before pipe failure (i.e. burst) Investigate the impact on these processes of manufacturing faults, mainlaying conditions and environmental factors Separate PhD projects for ferrous and asbestos cement mains, and service pipes

8 Impact of joints on network leakage There exists a range of degradation processes in pipe joints which are independent of the degradation of the pipe itself. However joint degradation processes are currently less well understood than pipe degradation processes. The project would aim to : Review current knowledge of joint failures and failure mechanisms Assess the prevalence of various types of joint failures, using data from water companies and the UKWIR mains failure database. Investigate the degradation processes which occur in various types of joints. Determine the causes that initiate defects in various types of joints. Investigate the consequences of the various types of joint degradation in terms of the initial onset of leakage and the subsequent evolution of leakage rates. Separate PhD projects would be required for each of the main joint types

9 Reducing attenuation of leak noise Acoustic energy is lost by radiation into surrounding soil. Could be reduced by inserting a decoupling layer between pipe and soil, or inside the pipe Resonance of pipe system at the sensor locations, and also the positioning of the sensors, can have profound effect on bandwidth of measured leak noise, and therefore on correlator efficiency. Project would provide guidelines on sensor numbers, types and locations, and also pipeline design Discontinuities between pipe sections, especially joints, bends, service connections and burst repairs, result in acoustic energy losses. Project would explore methods to minimise these coupling losses. Output would be guidelines for design of new pipelines (e.g. hydrant legs), retrofits to existing pipelines, and operational practice, to reduce attenuation. A 20dB improvement in attenuation at 100Hz could increase detection distance by 50m.

10 Comparison of transient and steadystate leak detection methods Transient method uses the transient pressure waves generated by the initial leak breakout event. Only suitable for permanent installation. Steady-state method uses conventional correlation technique. Project will: Examine the relative effectiveness of the two methods. Investigate types and arrangements of sensors, and signal processing techniques, for the integration of the two methods. Provide information on the relative benefit of permanent instrumentation of pipelines.

11 4. How to lay leak-free new networks Overall conclusion is that we already have the knowledge, tools and techniques to lay leak-free new networks. No new research or development is required. Challenge is to ensure that we apply appropriate controls on: - Selection of materials and fittings - Quality control on site - Standards and testing - Training of staff The key issue will be persuading UK water companies to accept the extra capital cost of this on the grounds that whole life cost will be lower.

12 Cost benefit analysis for higher specification new networks Specify measures required to ensure that new networks are leak-free, based on existing knowledge. Quantify the additional cost per metre. Quantify the long term saving in maintenance costs Demonstrate the case in terms of whole life costs

13 5. Water accounting Where is the water going is it all really leakage? Is some of it plumbing losses? Overflows? Impact of meter under-registration at low flows do we need higher spec meters? What is background leakage? Does it exist, and does it relate to mains condition? Can we do localised water balances (DMA or sub-dma level)? - will need more meters - smart meters at customer connections will help

14 Accounting for water in operable DMAs To develop an improved methodology for splitting DMA inflows into component parts; to provide better understanding of leakage, consumption, and especially background leakage. Development of statistical DMA model, using existing data from companies. Additional field work to provide better estimates of flow components. New analytical techniques, and better model of flow components Comparison of night flow and daily flow methods.

15 Integrating smart metering and smart networks for leakage management Smart networks could offer many new opportunities for better leakage management. Need to ensure that new implementations of smart networks are designed with leakage in mind. Investigate and document the smart network technologies which are becoming available. Identify the opportunities for better leakage management from: Better meters, sensors, communication systems, data analytics and data integration More data; different data; more frequent data; better quality data, etc More permanent monitors with greater processing power Rapid integration with other data sets e.g. AMR data from customer meters

16 Other possible projects Use of fibre optics in water pipes to detect leakage Predicting leakage and failure Sensors for existing and new plastic pipes Comparison of cured-in-place pipe linings and sprayed semi-structural linings

17 Panel discussion: Addressing the challenges: Creative the culture & behaviours for innovation Panel chair: Paul Bennett Senior Consultant MWH Panel Guest GlynAddicott Operations Director Hydraulic Analysis Ltd Panel Guest Dennis Dellow Leakage Programme Lead UKWIR & Technical Consultant, NWL Panel Guest Alastiar Moseley Chair of Innovation Future Water

18 Close of morning session Martin Baggs Former Chief Executive Officer of Thames Water

19 17 TH ANNUAL LEAKAGE CONFERENCE 2016 Tuesday, 11 October 9am to 4.30pm Crowne Plaza Birmingham Follow us on Join the conversation #leakage2016 Water UK Partners Media Partner Charity Partner