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Recent studies point out that water distribution networks can be affected by long- and short-term pressure oscillations due to the users' activity. However, these transients, generated at the household level, before reaching the water distribution network pass through, and thus affect, the water service line and can contribute to its deterioration. Despite the role of user-induced transients in stressing service lines, few studies in the literature explored the topic, exclusively by means of laboratory tests. The current study is aimed at exploring the effects of user's activity on a real service line starting from the field monitoring of pressure data at 500-Hz temporal resolution. Pressure signals are collected both when activating single water devices of the user supplied by the service line and during the ordinary use of domestic devices. The analyses of the acquired data highlight that the domestic service line is subjected to significant pressure variations (which can reach extreme values of −15 and +65 m) based on the device type and distance between the device and the service line and that the use of these devices can continuously stress the water service line. HIGHLIGHTS Analysis of user-induced pressure variations on a real water service line supplying a domestic user.; Characterization of single manoeuvres executed at domestic devices within the user based on a high-frequency pressure monitoring.; Continuous high-frequency pressure monitoring aimed at studying the effect of the ordinary activity of both the user supplied by the service line and the nearby users.;

In this paper, an advanced three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is used to analyse the steady-state hydrodynamics of laminar flow through an extended partial blockage (PB) in a pressurised pipe. PB corresponds to one of the main faults affecting pipelines. In fact, it reduces its carrying capacity with economic consequences, and as it does not give rise to any external evidence, its detection can be very challenging. The performance of the model is evaluated by comparing the numerical results with the available experimental data from the literature. Subsequently, the velocity and pressure distributions are analysed, and the main features of the flow field are described in terms of both local and global dimensionless parameters. Furthermore, the behaviour of the discharge coefficient is also investigated. The obtained results confirm that steady-state measurements can identify the presence of PB and follow its evolution over time but cannot detect its location and size. On the other hand, the location and severity of PBs can be provided by means of transient tests. HIGHLIGHTS Analysis of the steady-state laminar flow through an extended partial blockage.; Validation of a 3D CFD model of an extended partial blockage with experimental data from the literature.; Velocity and pressure fields characterisation around an extended partial blockage.; Characterisation and evaluation in time of an extended partial blockage.; Hydrodynamics of a flow through an extended partial blockage.;

The use of fast transients for fault detection in long transmission networks makes the generation of controlled transients crucial. In order to maximise the information that can be extracted from the measured pressure time history (pressure signal), the transients must meet certain requirements. In particular, the manoeuvre that generates the transient must be fast and repeatable, and must produce a pressure wave that is as sharp as possible, without spurious pressure oscillations. This implies the use of small-diameter valves and often pneumatically operated automatic valves. In the present work, experimental transient tests are carried out at the Water Engineering Laboratory (WEL) of the University of Perugia using a butterfly valve and a ball pneumatic-driven valve to generate pressure waves in a pressurised copper pipe. A camera is used to monitor the valve displacement, while the pressure is measured by a pressure transducer close to the downstream end of the pipe where the pneumatic valve is installed. The experimental data are analysed to characterise the valve performance and to compare the two geometries in terms of valve closing dynamics, the sharpness of the generated pressure wave and the stability of the pressure time history. The present work demonstrates how the proposed approach can be very effective in easily characterising the transient dynamics.

Subsea pipelines are vital arteries transporting oil, gas, and water over long distances and play a critical role in the global resource supply chain. However, they are the most vulnerable to damage from both human-made and natural causes and are characterized by inherent inaccessibility. As a result, routine inspection and monitoring technologies, both reliable and at the lowest possible cost, are needed to ensure their longevity. To fill this need, the use of transient-test-based techniques is proposed. In this first paper of a set of two companion papers, attention is focused on the selection of the appropriate maneuver that generates pressure waves and then on the planned steps—i.e., the sequence of actions—functional to the execution of the transient tests in the best flow conditions for effective fault detection. A brief review of the available fault detection technologies with their limitations is also offered. Finally, the performance of the proposed procedure is evaluated mainly in terms of the stability of the pressure regime prior to the execution of the transient test.

Fault detection in subsea pipelines is a difficult problem for several reasons, and one of the most important is the inaccessibility of the system. This criticality can be overcome by using transient test-based techniques. Such an approach is based on the execution of safe transients that result in small over pressures (i.e., on the order of a few meters of water column). In our companion paper, the procedure involving the transient tests was described in detail. This paper analyses the results of the field tests carried out and identifies wall deterioration in some sections of the pipeline. Attention is focused on the numerical procedure based on the joint use of a 1-D numerical model simulating transients in the pressurized flow and analytical relationships and providing the transient response of anomalies such as leaks and wall deterioration. The results obtained are essentially confirmed by the survey carried out by divers.

Abstract Water table elevation is a key feature for identifying the groundwater behaviour. Accordingly, appropriate measurements—in terms of both frequency and spatial distribution—play a crucial role for capturing the aquifer response to recharge and withdrawals. However, numerical models simulating the main features of the behaviour of the water table elevation may help groundwater management, as an additional tool. In this article, soil moisture data from three well‐established global reanalyses (ERA5, CFS, and JRA‐55) are used for evaluating the flux in the vadose zone towards shallow unconfined aquifers, Fg$$ {F}_g $$, in the Umbria region (central Italy). Then, according to the methodology proposed in Bongioannini Cerlini et al. (2021), where for the considered aquifers most of the recharge derives from the unsaturated zone, Fg$$ {F}_g $$ is used for simulating the water table evolution in time. With the aim of assessing which reanalysis is the most appropriate in simulating the evolution of groundwater levels, the properties of the correspondent land surface models (LSM) are examined, as they provide Fg$$ {F}_g $$. For the considered aquifers, the analysis of the performance of the selected reanalyses confirms the validity of the proposed approach. Moreover, it points out the crucial role of the spreading of the water table elevation with respect to its mean value, as a significant parameter for selecting the most adequate reanalysis to use. In addition, the role in the LSM of the explored soil depth, hydraulic conductivity curve, and spatial resolution is highlighted. These results, in line with recent literature on the performance of the reanalyses, suggest to extend future work to other regions of the world.

Pressurised pipe systems transport fluids daily over long distances and sediment deposits are responsible for narrowing the cross-sectional area of the pipe. This reduces the carrying capacity in gravity pipes and increases the energy consumption in rising mains. As partial blockages do not give rise to any external evidence, they are considered the most insidious fault occurring in pipe systems. Thus, the refinement of reliable techniques for detecting partial blockages at an early stage is of great interest to water utilities. This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based analysis of the steady-state flow through a sharp-edged orifice which corresponds to the most straightforward partial blockage feature in a pipe. The main motivation is the fact that the interaction between pressure waves and a partial blockage – on which Transient Test-Based Techniques for fault detection are based – is strongly influenced by the pre-transient conditions at the partial blockage. The refined CFD model has been validated by considering experimental data selected from the literature. The comparison of obtained results demonstrates good performance of the numerical model. This authorised exploring in detail the features of the flow through the orifice as a necessary premise to its use within the successive transient analysis. HIGHLIGHTS A comprehensive analysis of the low-Reynolds number flow through a sharp-edged orifice (partial blockage) is provided by computational fluid dynamics (CFD).; The successful comparison of CFD with reference papers demonstrates that the model accurately describes the laminar flow through an orifice in steady-state conditions.; The obtained results can be further used for the transient analysis of the interaction between a pressure wave and the obstacle.;

In this paper the results of an experimental validation of a technique for leak detection in polymeric pipes based on the inverse transient analysis (ITA) are presented. In the proposed ITA the Nelder–Mead algorithm is used as a calibration tool. Experimental tests have been carried out in an intact and leaky high-density polyethylene (HDPE) single pipe installed at the Water Engineering Laboratory (WEL) of the University of Perugia, Italy. Transients have been generated by the fast and complete closure of a valve placed at the downstream end section of the pipe. In the first phase of the calibration procedure, the proposed algorithm has been used to estimate both the viscoelastic parameters of a generalized Kelvin–Voigt model and the unsteady-state friction coefficient, by minimizing the difference between the numerical and experimental results. In the second phase of the procedure, the calibrated model allowed the evaluation of leak size and location with an acceptable accuracy. Precisely, in terms of leak location the relative error was smaller than 5%. HIGHLIGHTS An inverse transient analysis, based on the Nelder–Mead algorithm and laboratory data, is used for viscoelastic parameter estimation of polymeric pipes.; The same approach is followed for evaluating leak location and size.; The effect of several parameters, such as the unsteady-state friction, the length in time of the pressure signal, and the location and number of the measurement sections is analyzed.;

Understanding the interaction between pressure waves and partial blockages in pipe systems is crucial for enhancing noninvasive detection methods based on the execution of transient tests. Although laboratory and one-dimensional numerical models have also provided valuable results from the practical point of view, analyzing the transient response of partial blockages in terms of local flow field characteristics is of great interest. This paper examines the transient response in laminar flow conditions of partial blockages by using a Computational Fluid Dynamics model. In particular, the time history of pressure and local velocity of transient events is examined during the early phase characterized by the first pressure wave reflected by the partial blockage. Laminar conditions are chosen for their minimal risk in real pipe systems as they give rise to small overpressures. The behavior of discrete partial blockages at two locations is analyzed in detail, with a pipe with no blockage scenario as a reference. Simulations of discrete partial blockages with different severity confirm that the reflected pressure wave contains enough information for locating and characterizing partial blockages. The obtained results provide critical insights for the organization of transient tests toward the detection of partial blockages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure waves, while traveling along pressurized pipes, collect precious information about possible faults (e.g., leaks and partial blockages). In fact, the characteristics of the pressure wave reflected by the fault are strongly related to it. To encourage the use of the transient test-based technologies (TTBTs) for partial blockage (PB) detection in pressurized pipe systems, it can be of interest to critically analyze the available experimental results and to point out the aspects that need to be investigated in more detail, since no review has been executed so far. Such a deficiency has two negative consequences. The first one is that TTBTs are still relegated to limbo by technicians. The second one is that not enough material is available for refining tools to extract all the information contained in the acquired pressure signals and then to pursue an effective PB detection. As main results of the executed analysis, the following issues can be counted: (i) the lack of tests carried out in large diameter and concrete pipes; (ii) the absence of tests carried out in complex pipe systems (e.g., looped networks); and (iii) the extreme need for considering real pipe systems. The fulfillment of the last issue will greatly contribute to the solutions of the other ones.

In this work we examined the contents of 14 polyphenols in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) samples cultivated in Southern Italy by the optimisation and validation of a LC-HRMS method. The validation of the LC-HRMS method showed linearity results r2 > 0.989 and recovery values between 71 and 119% for a very wide range of concentrations. Ellagic acid was the most abundant polyphenol, with mean concentrations of 16271.86 ± 19798.53 μg/Kg, followed by apigenin (2749.51 ± 889.95 μg/Kg). A significant variability in ellagic acid contents was found between the areas of cultivation examined (p < 0.05). As far as we know, this work provides the first data on the polyphenols contents of white lupins cultivated in Italy. The comparison with other study confirms the role of the cultivation area for the determination of the polyphenol's contents. The study also confirms white lupins as a promising source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances in a balanced diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a novel methodology that integrates low‐ and high‐frequency pressure monitoring in the parts of the urban water distribution network characterized by the largest number of repairing operations. This integrated approach aims to pinpoint the source and characterize potentially dangerous pressure variations. The actual behavior of a real operational water distribution network is considered as an example to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The analysis of the acquired pressure signals allows for mapping frequent pressure surges and identifying their source in the functioning conditions of a big user. Notwithstanding these pressure variations are not overly large, according to the literature, their near‐continuous nature poses a risk of inducing pipe breaks, and then leakage, due to fatigue. The proposed method integrating routine low‐frequency measurements with targeted high‐frequency surveys provides a cost‐effective, proactive management strategy. Key Points: A method is proposed for detecting transient source in Urban Water Distribution NetworksLow‐frequency pressure monitoring initially identifies the most pressure‐stressed section in a high‐maintenance areaHigh‐frequency pressure monitoring allows localizing the transient source [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]