AWWA ACE59920

This extended abstract discusses the limitations of EPANET. Like most other distribution system water quality models, EPANET is limited to tracking thedynamics of a single component as it is transported throughout the network of pipes andstorage tanks. Such models cannot consider interactions between bulk components thatare transported with the water velocity, and surface components that are fixed to the pipewall. These are serious limitations, since all water quality indices result from reactionsbetween chemical or biological components that may be suspended or dissolved in bulkwater, or attached or adsorbed to the pipe wall. A single specie model implies thatdistribution system water quality can not be described mathematically in a way thatmimics the underlying mechanisms. It is a restrictive framework that precludesexperimentation with alternative process models, and has limited research anddevelopment of network water quality models for the last 15 years. Aside fromsignificant software and algorithmic improvements, today's distribution system waterquality models have progressed little beyond those first reported in 1988 (Grayman,1988). This extended abstract presents several examples that illustrate the need to move beyond single-specie water quality models, and suggests two EPANET water quality model extensions that could improve the technology. Includes extended abstract only.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

06/17/2004

Number of Pages:

2

File Size:

1 file , 170 KB