Abstract
Despite recent advances in leak detection in water supply systems, previous studies focused mainly on material aspects or orifice opening characteristics. This study evaluated geometric, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic factors influencing on water leaks using three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The simulated discharge coefficient () had a maximum absolute deviation of 8% compared with experimental data. The results indicated that the variation of as a function of the diameter and orifice size can be attributed to the effect of tube curvature on flow convergence through the orifice. The statistical analysis concluded that the orifice-to-pipe diameter ratio is the best dimensionless parameter that explains this phenomenon, which agreed with the analyses of the streamlines and turbulent eddy dissipation rate in the simulations. Other important dimensionless parameter are the ratio of the pressure head differential at the orifice to the pipe diameter , Reynolds number (R), and the ratio of the pressure head differential at the orifice to the wall thickness , in order of relevance. A set of empirical correlations was elaborated through a nonlinear multiple regression analysis with Reynolds numbers ranging between 12,000 and 52,000, and pressure head differential ranging from 1 to 45 m. This study advances the knowledge of cross-flows through orifices, and the proposed correlations potentially can improve the prediction of water leaks in pipes.
Practical Applications
This study demonstrates the applicability of computational fluid dynamics simulations for understanding the leakage phenomenon in pipes, and obtained a set of empirical correlations that potentially can improve the prediction of leakages in water distribution systems. The authors propose an equation for estimating the discharge coefficient in practical applications. This equation balances the number of terms (three dimensionless coefficients) and accuracy (). Although it is dimensionless, the correlation must be used within the established ranges of values to ensure its effectiveness: Reynolds numbers from 12,000 to 52,000, and pressure head differentials from 1 to 45 m.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors of this study thank all anonymous reviewers for their helpful remarks. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from CNPq, Brazil (Grant BRICS 441115/2016). The first author thanks CAPES, Brazil (Grant 88887.683601/2022), and CNPq (Grants 121184/2020-0 and 129025/2021-6), which supported part of this study.
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Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 6 • June 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 21, 2022
Accepted: Mar 10, 2023
Published online: Apr 13, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Sep 13, 2023
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