Sustainable use of free head

Summary

The linear remoteness of the water facilities in the city of Novokuznetsk reaches 40 km with a difference in elevations of 157 m. The two main water intakes of the city are located at the distance of 20 km from each other, which suggests the availability of zones with different free head. Pressure control and water distribution among the districts was traditionally carried out by throttling shutoff valves, and 119 pumping stations with pumps of 0.75–1250 kW capacity were operating in the initial water supply scheme. Based on the analysis of possible solutions to the problem, proposals were made for the installation of pressure reducing valves, an installation diagram was developed, and the operating modes of the new system were determined. The installation of regulators throughout the city was carried out in two stages. In 2016, as a result of the installation of 7 regulators, 13 booster pumping stations with a total energy consumption of more than 150 kW were phased out; at the second stage in 2017, 12 more regulators were installed and 8 more pumping stations with a total energy consumption of 40 kW were put out of operation; and 5 pumping stations were upgraded with pump replacement for lower capacity. The project payback period was 4 years.

Key words

water supply system , energy efficiency , pumping station , pressure regulator , adjustment of distribution networks