Tamás Huzsvár and Richárd Wéber,
PhD students of BME Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of
Hydrodynamic Systems examine the network theory and energy emission aspects of
potable water networks. Their lecture was awarded a special award and a Public
Choice Award on the potable water- and sewage system technology-related
Dulovics Junior Symposium. Interview.
What do you study in your PhD
researches?
Richárd Wéber: We both would
like to build up and precise mathematical models of potable water networks, and
draw overall conclusions about their operation. Our aim is that potable water
should be transferred in proper quantity, most efficiently and inexpensively,
to the consumers. We work based on the 1D hydraulic model of potable water
networks, using mathematical tools of network theory.
Richárd Wéber (Photo: BME-HDS) |
What challenges can reduce the
efficiency of these networks?
Richárd Wéber: For instance, there
are vast quantities of leakages, due to the erosion of the pipes. It is pumped
into the network, but no one pays for it, it is called non-invoiced water.
There are methods to estimate the locations and how to reduce this loss. It is
otherwise not necessarily secure, because these elements are located 1-2 meters
underground, so it is costly and uncomfortable.
The efficiency of drinking water supply can be
enhanced by the proper setting of the pump phases. The pumping process itself
has two steps. The first one is the well-pumping when groundwater is extracted
and treated. The other phase, which we study, is that if we have a water tank with
potable water, how should we transfer it to specific points of the network.
It matters that when does the waterworks operate the
pumps, due to the tremendous electricity costs. If we analyse the proper moment
of setting changes, it has significant financial advantages.
Tamás Huzsvár: The topic of our
research is closely linked to the rapidly expanding field of network theory. One
hundred years ago, when the first industrial-sized water distribution networks
were designed and built, the metropolitan areas were four-five times smaller
than nowadays, as an effect of the drastic urbanisation in the last fifty
years, the complexity and heterogeneity of these networks increased on a large
scale. As the expansion of cities is a spontaneous process, almost every region
has networks where operational issues appear. One of our research goals is to
identify such parts of the network, where the network needs improvement, due to
e.g. low base pressure, or pressure fluctuations. To solve these type of
operational problems, we search for the most effective low-cost solution – the
optimal place for a new pipeline – which will increase the pressure stability
of the network on a larger scale.
Tamás Huzsvár (Photo: BME-HDS) |
The other focus of our research is the implementation
and calibration of 1D water distribution network models. As the drinking water
networks keep changing over the years, it often turns out, that the structural
and topological properties of an operating system are completely different than
the original design. A network model can be thought of as a snapshot of its
structure. We have to analyse and understand the changes made over the years,
for instance, damage of gate valves, the increasing level of pressure loss as
an effect of pipe corrosion or sedimentation. Without this model calibration,
we cannot model the real life flow conditions in a water distribution network.
Both of
you gained awards on your conference lecture on Dulovics Junior Symposium. What
do you owe this honour to?
Richárd Wéber: My lecture was about, that the same phenomenon can
be experienced at potable water networks, as at electric or internet networks,
that there are exclusively essential parts of the network, where, if they have
got damaged, the network falls apart. Most of the pipe bursts are not known by
the many, as they occur only at the end of a small street. The opposite also
happened in Budapest, in 2012, at Szent Gellért tér, that a main pipeline with
large diameter broke, this made the most of the XIth district of
Budapest unprovided.
Tamás Huzsvár: The topic of my
presentation was the topology optimisation of water distribution networks. We
have identified a parameter, which is able to connect the nodal pressure
robustness of the network to its topology. For instance, there are such rapidly
growing settlements, where the consumers at the end of the street cannot have a
shower in the summer watering season due to the decreased system pressure. The
parameter what we found - the nodal pressure sensitivity of the network – enables us to identify the exact location of a
new pipeline, which can provide as much pressure stabilisation (of such critically
sensitive zones of a water distribution network) as possible.
What do
you plan?
Wéber Richárd: I’m spending the
fourth year of my doctoral studies, while Tamás is spending the second one. I
can see opportunities to stay at the department, but it is only actual a year
later. I would like to stay in the field of academy or research.
Tamás Huzsvár: Our field of
study has several connections to other fields. The mathematical methods we use
can be implemented in the analysis of various complex networks. I find the
topic of the drinking water network analysis really interesting. The two-third
of the global population gets water via these type of networks, so if we can
enhance the energy efficiency by just a little amount, even one-tenth of one
percentage, it decreases energy consumption in the long term on a large extent.
I can see perspectives in staying at the department; meanwhile, I am also
interested in taking opportunities in the industry. I believe that this great
profession has several aspects, which can be experienced in direct technical
tasks, inspiring one for future innovations. Luckily, I still have two years until
the decision.
What
would you say to those who apply to BSc majors of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering?
Richárd
Wéber:
Of course, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is the best faculty, many share
this opinion If someone has good results from mathematics and physics, and does
not get scared from gears, then this is the right place!
Tamás Huzsvár: Anyone, who
starts a major in mechanical engineering major, is going to find a specific
area matching their interests, due to the broad spectrum of mechanical
engineering studies. There is no other profession, in which one can use the
toolkit of applied mathematics, learn about drinking water networks, or explore
the specialities of machine manufacturing science, including the construction
of basalt-reinforced composite boats.
László Benesóczky
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