Near Real-Time Detection Of Pipe Bursts in Water Distribution Systems

The research work presented in the thesis describes a new methodology for the automated near real-time detection of pipe bursts in Water Distribution Systems (WDSs). The methodology analyses the pressure/flow data gathered by means of SCADA systems in order to extract useful informations that go beyond the simple and usual monitoring type activities and/or regulatory reporting , enabling the water company to proactively manage the WDSs sections. The work has an interdisciplinary nature covering AI techniques and WDSs management processes such as data collection, manipulation and analysis for event detection. Indeed, the methodology makes use of (i) Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for the short-term forecasting of future pressure/flow signal values and (ii) Rule-based Model for bursts detection at sensor and district level. The results of applying the new methodology to a District Metered Area in Emilia- Romagna’s region, Italy have also been reported in the thesis. The results gathered illustrate how the methodology is capable to detect the aforementioned failure events in fast and reliable manner. The methodology guarantees the water companies to save water, energy, money and therefore enhance them to achieve higher levels of operational efficiency, a compliance with the current regulations and, last but not least, an improvement of customer service.

Geochemistry of recent marine sediments, interstitial water, and sea water from the West African continental margin

Carbon dioxide, ammonia, and reactive phosphate in the interstitial water of three sediment cores of the West African continental margin result from oxidation of sedimentary organic matter by bacterial sulfate reduction. The proposed model is a modification of one initially suggested by Richards (1965) for processes in anoxic waters: (CH2O)106 (NH3)8 (H3PO4) (0.7-0.2) + 53 SO4**2- =106 CO2 + 106 H20 + 8 NH3 + (0.7 - 0.2) H3PO4 + 53 S**2- The amount of reduced interstitial sulfate, the carbon-to-nitrogen-to-phosphorus atomic ratio of the sedimentary organic matter, as well as small amounts of carbon dioxide, which precipitated as interstitial calcium carbonate, are included in the general oxidation-reduction reaction. Preferential loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from organic matter close to the surface was recorded in both the interstitial water and sediment composition. It appeared that in deeper sections of the core organic carbon compounds were oxidized which were probably in an even lower oxidation state than that indicated by the proposed model. An estimated 2 % of the amount of organic matter still present was oxidized after it became incorporated into the sediment; whereas sulfide sulfur contents indicate that a much larger percentage (15-20%) seemed to have been subject to bacterial oxidation during the Pleistocene period, when a very thin oxidizing layer on the sediment allowed the above decomposition process to start relatively early favoured by almost fresh organic matter, and by almost unrestricted exchange of sulfate with the overlying water.

Environmental pollution control alternatives : drinking water treatment for small communities.

Mode of access: Internet.

Evaluation of the microbiology standards for drinking water /

Mode of access: Internet.

Coliforms in drinking water emanating from redwood reservoirs /

Mode of access: Internet.

Evaluation of ion exchange softening and corrosiveness of drinking water.

Mode of access: Internet.

Oxidation techniques in drinking water treatment : papers presented at the Conference held in Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany, September 11-13, 1978 /

Mode of access: Internet.

Adsorption techniques in drinking water treatment : papers and discussion from the NATO/CCMS symposium held in Reston, Virginia, USA, April 30 through May 2, 1979 /

Mode of access: Internet.

Drinking water microbiology /

Mode of access: Internet.

The development and application of automated and remote control telemetry for drinking water package plants : cooperative research and development agreement with George H. Drysdale & Associates, Inc..

Mode of access: Internet.

Fluoridated drinking water : proficiency testing, September 1984.

Mode of access: Internet.

Determination of breeding sites of nematodes in a municipal drinking water facility /

"Grant No. R804292010."

Infectivity and pathogenicity of enteroviruses ingested with drinking water /

"Grant number R803986."

Preventing haloform formation in drinking water /

Mode of access: Internet.