Date of Award

1-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Science

First Advisor

Dr. Walid Elshorbagy.

Second Advisor

Dr James Uber

Third Advisor

Mohsen Sherif

Abstract

The objective of this study is to utilize the available residual pressure at Fujairah Transmission lines in order to save energy, operation and maintenance costs, and still deliver the required water to the end users of the distribution network. This has been achieved by bypassing the existing pumping stations (i.e. AARS Reservoir and pumping stations in addition to the local reservoirs and pumping stations of each area). The possibility of transients, surge, and cavitation occurrence was studied via a comprehensive transient simulation to make sure that the proposed bypassing will not have any impact on the upstream transmission system by any operating conditions of the distribution system. A number of water demand scenarios in each zone of the city, in which the available energy is usually wasted under the current operating conditions, were studied in the proposed bypass.

Suitable solutions were proposed such as Pressure Relieve Valves and Air Valves to eliminate or at least to minimize unacceptable performances. In addition, the remaining residual pressure in the line was ensured to be sufficient to deliver water to the end users in the studied areas. Finally, the annual savings including energy operation and maintenance costs was estimated to be AED 4.06 Million (about 1.11 USD) while the capital cost of the proposed bypass was estimated to be AED 6.6 Million (1.81 USD). Such saving is associated with about 1 year and 8 month's payback period.

This study will help in reducing the cost of potable water delivery to end consumers in Al Ain region by reducing operation costs, maintenance costs, spare parts, manpower, etc ... through utilizing available residual pressure in the transmission lines. In addition, this study will save power consumption that can be utilized in other fields or alternatively reduce power generation. This may have a positive impact on our environment by reducing the amount of CO2 generated during power production. Existing pumps that will be decommissioned can be utilized elsewhere and thus saves the cost of purchasing new pumps. Finally, this study will improve the potable water quality by reducing or even eliminating the stagnant time of water in the storage tanks. This is in line with the current national efforts trying to achieve full integration of the transmission with the downstream distribution systems.

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