Influence of cavitation phenomenon on the hydraulic behavior of leaks in water distribution systems

Abstract

Research Article| June 20 2017 Influence of cavitation phenomenon on the hydraulic behavior of leaks in water distribution systems M. O. A. Alsaydalani M. O. A. Alsaydalani 1Department of Civil Engineering, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia E-mail: mosaydalani@uqu.edu.sa Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2017) 66 (5): 327–339. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2017.013 Article history Received: January 15 2017 Accepted: May 09 2017 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation M. O. A. Alsaydalani; Influence of cavitation phenomenon on the hydraulic behavior of leaks in water distribution systems. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 August 2017; 66 (5): 327–339. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2017.013 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex This paper examines the hydraulic behavior of leakage from water distribution systems under condition of cavitation. For this purpose, an experimental model featuring small (i.e., a fraction of a millimeter) orifice openings was designed and built to simulate idealized cracks in defective pipes. During the tests, water was allowed to flow through the cracks at controlled pressures during observation of hydraulic behavior. The study showed that the cavitation phenomenon can develop in leaking orifices and that it drastically affects the pressure–flow rate relationship. The results also showed that cavitation inception is dependent on the size of the leak opening and the rate of flow but remains independent of the pressure head. The coefficient of discharge in cavitating flow conditions is influenced by the cavitation number rather than the Reynolds number. A model was used to determine the coefficient of discharge (Cd) for cavitating orifice flow, after which the calculated results were compared with those measured experimentally. Accordingly, care should be taken using the orifice flow equation to model leakage from water distribution systems. cavitation, hydraulics, pipeline leakage, pressure management, water distribution systems © IWA Publishing 2017 You do not currently have access to this content.