Water Simulation Packages (WSP)

MWH Soft released InfoWater UDF, a solution for unidirectional flushing of drinking water distribution systems. InfoWater UDF delivers helps in managing the systematic flushing of water distribution systems to remove stagnant water along with mineral and sediment deposits that accumulate over time - restoring hydraulic capacity and improving water quality.

The hydraulic carrying capacity of pipes deteriorates with age, proportionate to the corrosive nature of the water and surrounding soils. Precipitation, microbiological activity and corrosion may all form deposits on the pipe walls. These accumulations increase hydraulic roughness and reduce the cross-sectional area and hydraulic carrying capacity of the mains. A loss in carrying capacity can lead to low pressures and the inability to deliver fire flows, especially during high demand periods. Slow-moving water can also result in a loss of chlorine residuals at stagnant spots, creating a public health risk. Problems associated with water quality degradation are particularly acute in dead-end lines and low-demand portions of water distribution systems.

More info at MWH Soft web site

From BOSS International:

BOSS International has recently released RiverCAD® XP after 5 years of development. RiverCAD XP is a sophisticated river modeling software with a built-in CAD engine that completely supports the latest versions of HEC-RAS and HEC-2. Its slick GUI interface is intuitive. RiverCAD XP works within AutoCAD versions 2000 through 2006.

RiverCAD XP makes it easier than ever before to compute water surface profiles for modeling bridges, culverts, spillways, levees, bridge scour, floodway delineation, floodplain reclamation, stream diversions, channel improvements, and split flows. A stand-alone version will be available shortly.

RiverCAD web page

From Elite Software Development:

“If you’re looking for a full featured domestic supply water pipe sizing program then S-Pipe is what you want. It has lots of built-in pipe and fitting data, plus the flexibility to let you enter your own data, plus a direct link with Autodesk Building Systems. Click the Download link on the left to try the functional demo today.”

Features

• Sizes both hot and cold water supply systems
• Calculates using ASHRAE and ASPE procedures
• Supports all plumbing codes such as UPC, IPC, etc.
• Computes demand GPM quantities, pipe specific and total accumulated pressure drops and velocities
• Includes a single branch sizing calculator
• All input data is checked as you enter it
• Built-in data for pipes, fittings, and fixtures
• Links to Autodesk Building Systems 2006
• Prints bill of materials with labor costs
• All built-in data can be changed by the user
• Uses Hunter GPM Curve or your own
• Allows for all types of pipe materials
• Calculates demand water pressure and flow rates
• Computes fitting equivalent lengths & fixture unit loads

Overview
S-Pipe computes optimal pipe sizes for hot and cold water domestic water supply systems in both residential and commercial buildings. It can handle systems with virtually unlimited numbers of pipes. Besides computing pipe sizes, S-Pipe can also perform a system analysis complete with a bill of materials and labor estimate. Reports list the GPM water flow, velocity, and pressure losses through all pipe sections, the maximum system demand pressure, and the total water GPM demanded by the system. S-Pipe is very easy to use as it contains built-in data concerning fitting equivalent lengths, pipe materials, internal pipe diameters and C-Values, fixture unit quantities and pressure requirements, equipment flow and pressure requirements, materials and labor costs, and demand GPM curves. Any or all of the built-in data can be revised to meet your particular needs.

More details at Elite Software Development web site

From MWH Soft news release:

MWH Soft announced the final phase of development of InfoWater UDF, a geocentric solution for unidirectional flushing of drinking water distribution systems. InfoWater UDF delivers power and flexibility in managing the systematic flushing of water distribution systems to remove stagnant water along with mineral and sediment deposits that have accumulated over time - restoring hydraulic capacity.

A pipe’s hydraulic carrying capacity will deteriorate with age, depending on the corrosive nature of the water and surrounding soils. Deposits may be formed on the pipe walls by precipitation, microbiological activity and corrosion. These accumulations increase hydraulic roughness and reduce the cross-sectional area and hydraulic carrying capacity of the mains. A loss in carrying capacity can lead to low pressures and inability to deliver fire flows, especially during high demand periods. Slow-moving water can also result in a loss of chlorine residuals at stagnant spots, creating a public health risk. Problems associated with water quality degradation are particularly acute in dead-end lines and low-demand portions of water distribution systems.

Unidirectional flushing (UDF) is the most effective way to clean water mains and maintain water quality and system capacity. It also requires the least amount of water of any cleaning method. UDF involves the closure of valves and opening of hydrants to create a one-way flow in the water mains that removes built-up sediment. This type of high-speed flushing (5 to 6 ft/sec) increases the swiftness of the water in the mains, maximizing the shear velocity near the pipe wall. This produces a scouring action in the mains, effectively removing sediment deposits and biofilm. Among its numerous benefits, UDF can help improve water quality by restoring the disinfectant residual, reducing bacterial regrowth, dislodging biofilms, removing sediments and deposits, controlling corrosion, restoring flows and pressures, eliminating taste and odor problems, and reducing disinfectant demand throughout the system. These benefits prolong the life expectancy of the distribution system and reduce the potential for waterborne disease outbreaks.

Full press release

AquiferTest Pro v.3.5 is the latest software technology for graphical analysis and reporting of pumping test and slug data. This powerful yet easy-to-use program has everything you need to quickly and easily calculate the hydraulic properties of your aquifer using a comprehensive selection of pumping test and slug test solution methods for:

• Confined aquifers
• Unconfined aquifers
• Leaky aquifers
• Fractured rock aquifers

AquiferTest Pro 3.5 now includes 6 powerful forward/predictive solution methods. Forward solutions, also known as predictive analyses, represent a new methodology for analyzing pumping test data. Instead of matching field data (observed draw-down data) to a given set of curves, forward solutions allow you to calculate water levels/drawdown at any given point, based on estimated transmissivity and storativity. This allows you to

• Optimize planning for future pumping well locations
• Develop more effective pumping rates and durations
• Understand the effects of well interference
• Improve the design of pumping tests

Source and more info: Waterloo Hydrogeologic, Inc

ADS Environmental Services announces the release of their newest software Profile 3.0:

This powerful desktop software tool is an intelligent data manager that is easy to use and contains unsurpassed analytical tools. Designed for configuring, collecting, diagnosing, analyzing, and reporting flow and rainfall data from FlowSharkÔ and other ADS monitors, it will also import data in CSV or Excel formats from most other meters.

Sneak peak at features of this desktop software:

• Profile 3.0 contains graphical analysis tools (Hydrograph & scattergraph) which allow on-screen editing of data. This saves time and improves data quality.
• Profile 3.0 is a desktop data warehouse which allows importing and exporting of data from other sources. This allows the user to house all data from a flow monitoring project in one location for analysis and reporting.
• The user has the ability to schedule collection of data, changing time in meters, printing reports through the use of scheduled services.
• Diagnostic and collect tools are in the same software package which saves time and prevents loss of data.
• Site Dr.analysis is provided following collects in diagnostics, which aids the field person in trouble shooting monitor problems.
• Provides the ability to “snap” velocity data points to a user defined pipe curve, which enables the user to make estimates when data is missing or flagged. This means less downtime and data is available for analysis. It saves time since the user does not have to use external spreadsheets for estimating missing data.
• Ability to view several sites on one graph, allowing u/s & d/s comparisons. This aids in system wide balancing and gives the user the ability to draw conclusions from the data, e.g. rule out faulty equipment.
• Profile contains functions for block editing of data, e.g. flagging data points above a preset level improving data quality and allowing some standardized editing practices.
• Collects are performed via TCP/IP, modem or serially.
• Collection of FlowSharks via a Telog 33-Ru is available.

For more information see Profile web-page.

From KYPipe, LLC news release:

Designed to simplify the process of sizing Hydropneumatic Tanks for pressure regulation and pump cycle control Hydropneumatic Tanks are often used to control the cycling of pumps (on-off) in systems with little storage capacity.

With no Hydropneumatic Tank in these systems the pump will be required to start and stop constantly. This action places unnecessary stress on the pumps, consumes more electricity and produces pressure transients that can damage both the pumps and piping system. In addition the pump’s life will be considerably reduced.

By adding storage capacity (hydropneumatic tanks) the number of pump starts and stops can be minimized. Pumps will last much longer with greatly improved operations and reliability.

for more information see KYPipe web site.

From CIVIL DESIGNER web page:

Civil Designer is the design system created by civil engineers for civil engineers. Water is a powerful, yet easy to use module for the analysis and extended time simulation of fluid handling networks consisting of pipes, valves, reservoirs and pump stations.

With the Water module you can:

• Import data from various sources such as ASCII tables, spreadsheets, dBase or MS Access tables as well as DWG/DXF files.
• Graphical interaction allows you to easily insert nodes and links, make changes to an existing layout by moving a node, change the flow direction, and query or edit a link with a click of the mouse.
• View the network with a bitmap or cadastral backdrop, or display the site contours and slope shading to decide on optimum network layout.
• Analyse suburbs separately and combine new and existing models to simulate the complex system of networks that are often found in modern towns and cities. The comprehensive network design will take into account the relationship between different branches.
• Time-based demand patterns may be defined for different categories of water usage. Each draw-off point may have a different demand pattern.
• The impact of extensions to the network, increased demand, imposition of water restrictions, power failures, major pipe breaks and empty reservoir conditions may be readily determined.
• Attach external water consumption tables and compare the measured usage to the modelled consumption to calibrate the demand or identify problem areas in the network.
• Up to 8 pumps may be handled in each pump station. The pumps are configured in parallel and may be controlled by pressure, water level or be time-based (on/off at certain times).
• Valves may be controlled manually, by pressure, by flow, or by level. Reservoirs may have any shape — you can select one of the most common shapes or define the water depth versus volume for a particular reservoir.
• Display the results of an analysis graphically by colour according to calculated results, in tables, or on time-based curves.
• Generate long sections with the ground profile automatically extracted from the supporting digital terrain model.

For more information see Civil Designer - Water web page.

From Helix Technologies web site:

delta-Q is a powerful tool for engineers and equipment suppliers to quickly and easily design and optimise pipe networks for compressible and incompressible fluids. You can produce economically and technically sound pipe system designs in a very short time. You can calculate friction losses and pressure drop in pipes and fittings for Liquids, Slurries and Gasses. Model complex process flow pipe networks and solve for unknown flow rates and node pressures at the press of a button. Retrieve data from user accessible databases for Liquids, Slurries, Gasses, Pumps, Pipes and Fittings or add your own data.

Features:

• delta-Q includes a CAD DXF file generator for exporting the network diagram to CAD
• Design and Solve Complex Pipe System Networks.
• Solves for any number of pipes, nodes and pumps. Uses matrix algebra combined with the Newton-Raphson method for quick, accurate convergence.
• Drag and Drop Network components onto the screen for quick and easy network creation.
• Add individual fittings to pipes using the fitting database or enter an estimate of the total K value.
• Calculate Fitting Losses using the standard K value method or the Kf method which compensates for fluid viscosity and turbulence.
• Comprehensive Databases for Pipes, Liquids, Slurries, Gasses and Pumps.
• Setup individual Fluids and properties in each pipe - Model real world process flows with different fluids in the same network.
• Model what if scenarios - close off certain pipes and view the effects on the network.
• Display the Network Calculation Results such as Pipe Flows, Velocity, Head Loss, Node Pressure and many others on the Network Diagram.
• Network Reports Display and Print the Network Pipe and Node Data and Calculation Results in compact Tabular Form.
• Export the Results to Spreadsheets like MS Excel
• Click on a Pipe to View the System Curve with the Network Duty Point shown.
• Perform Complex Orifice Plate Calculations automatically merely by adding an Orifice to a Pipe.
• Include Networks with unknown pressure nodes and unknown flow nodes or any combination of the two.
• Model networks containing any number of pumps, reservoirs and spray nozzles and other components.
• Build a Model to simulate almost any Process Flow condition including pipes, fittings, valves, pumps, orifice plates, vessels, sprinklers, nozzles, columns, flow and pressure control valves.
• Model any number of pipes, junctions, pumps, vessels, sprinklers, nozzles, tanks, intakes, and outlets as you like in one network.
• Add individual fittings to each pipe or enter a global K value or Kf value for a quick estimate of fitting losses.
• You can have different fluids in the same network. For example, you may have a concentrated slurry in one pipe flowing into a junction with a water pipe (or pipes) and dilute slurry flowing through the network from that point onwards.
• Pipe capital vs. operating costs are calculated to assist you to make decisions on the most economical pipe size for an application.
• Use any Engineering units you require - it is easy to add your own units, or select Metric, SI or English units supplied with the program.
• The program is supplied with Sample files and on-line Help to get you started quickly and easily.

For more information see Helix website

Process Energy Services is pleased to introduce PUMP & SYSTEMS “BASIC” AND “PRO”, the new software tools created to assist facility operators and engineers optimize existing and new pump systems to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs.

The PUMP & SYSTEMS software tools are designed to take the mystery out of centrifugal pump systems, and help identify opportunities to improve pump efficiency and reduce costs. This program is ideal for modeling water and wastewater pumps, cooling and chilled water system pumps, and process pump systems.

The benefits of PUMP & SYSTEMS software includes:

• The ability to model an existing pump by inputting pump curve data specifically for the pump being reviewed.
• Allows the user to evaluate the efficiency of multiple pumps operated in parallel
• Provides energy cost comparison for operating a pump at full speed or reduced speed with a VSD
• Evaluates the energy cost impact of the following system changes:
  • Pipe size
  • Pipe length
  • System age
  • Tank levels
  • Fluid temperature
  • Motor efficiency
  • Energy Cost
  • Type of variable speed drive
• Easy to use pull down menus that allow the user to enter information for pipe sizes, valve types, tank elevations (or static head), motor efficiency, cost of electricity and other parameters to evaluate pump system energy costs.
• A visual representation of the pump, piping and tank system, a simulated pump curve, and a detailed efficiency comparison list for operating the pump as a fixed speed or variable speed pump (Basic).
• The ability to model fixed or variable speed multiple pumps operating in parallel to determine system head and flow output as well as the optimum speed and number of pumps to operate the system as efficiently as possible (Pro).

For more information see PUMP & SYSTEMS web page.