This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.

Prof. Nicola Fontana
Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy

Basic Info


Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Pumps as turbines (PATs)
0 Pressure control in water distribution networks
0 Real time control of valves in water distribution networks
0 Leakage reduction in water distribution networks
0 Hydropower generation in water distribution networks

Fingerprints

Pumps as turbines (PATs)
Hydropower generation in water distribution networks
Real time control of valves in water distribution networks
Leakage reduction in water distribution networks
Pressure control in water distribution networks

Honors and Awards

The user has no records in this section


Career Timeline

The user has no records in this section.


Short Biography

The user biography is not available.
Following
Followers
Co Authors
The list of users this user is following is empty.
Following: 0 users

Feed

Journal article
Published: 30 June 2021 in Renewable Energy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The pursuit of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for pressurized water systems has intensified interest in Pumps As Turbines (PATs), given that PAT use enables coupling of pressure regulation with small-scale hydropower generation. Installing PATs instead of micro-turbines provides for several advantages, such as cheaper procurement and maintenance costs, and importantly, the ability to select the most reliable model from among a wide variety of devices available in the market. Nevertheless, the current state of knowledge regarding PAT performance leaves out critical aspects that remain to be adequately addressed, especially for some models, such as centrifugal vertical axis multi-stage pumps running in reverse mode, despite such devices having attractive features that offer particularly advantageous benefits when high head in the system is exploitable. In contributing key experimental findings on four vertical multi-stage (single-, two-, three-, and four-stage) PATs, this paper thus extends the performance related knowledge about vertical multi-stage PATs: prior models from the literature are demonstrated to reliably predict performance, with the contribution additionally consisting in assessing performance dependence on number of pump stages. The results showed both head and power to be highly correlated with the variable number of stages, especially for predicting PAT characteristics at the Best Efficiency Point (BEP) for multi-stage models. However, the single-stage model exhibited slightly lower performance values.

ACS Style

Francesco Pugliese; Nicola Fontana; Gustavo Marini; Maurizio Giugni. Experimental assessment of the impact of number of stages on vertical axis multi-stage centrifugal PATs. Renewable Energy 2021, 178, 891 -903.

AMA Style

Francesco Pugliese, Nicola Fontana, Gustavo Marini, Maurizio Giugni. Experimental assessment of the impact of number of stages on vertical axis multi-stage centrifugal PATs. Renewable Energy. 2021; 178 ():891-903.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Pugliese; Nicola Fontana; Gustavo Marini; Maurizio Giugni. 2021. "Experimental assessment of the impact of number of stages on vertical axis multi-stage centrifugal PATs." Renewable Energy 178, no. : 891-903.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2020 in Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In recent years, power generation has been coupled with pressure regulation to optimize management of water distribution networks, also showing attractive revenues and short payback periods. A recent study proposed a prototype that performs both electric and hydraulic regulation for pressure regulation and hydropower generation in a water distribution network, wherein laboratory experiments showed the effectiveness of the control algorithms and the prototype’s capability in regulating pressure at the desired set-point value while optimizing power production. However, the prototype uses needle valves for flow and pressure regulation, whereas hydraulically operated pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) can be more effective for pressure regulation. Moreover, such PRVs require much less power for operation, thus proving more reliable in case of electrical blackout. Consequently, a different prototype was proposed, which uses hydraulically operated PRVs instead of needle valves. This paper discusses the control algorithm of the system to achieve pressure regulation and optimal power generation. A proportional integral controller was used for PRV control, whereas the inverter control was performed by means of both an external optimization module and dimensionless variables. Laboratory experiments confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed approach and pointed out the effect of the gains on the process dynamics.

ACS Style

Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Luigi Glielmo; Gustavo Marini; Raffaele Zollo. Use of Hydraulically Operated PRVs for Pressure Regulation and Power Generation in Water Distribution Networks. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 2020, 146, 04020047 .

AMA Style

Nicola Fontana, Maurizio Giugni, Luigi Glielmo, Gustavo Marini, Raffaele Zollo. Use of Hydraulically Operated PRVs for Pressure Regulation and Power Generation in Water Distribution Networks. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 2020; 146 (7):04020047.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Luigi Glielmo; Gustavo Marini; Raffaele Zollo. 2020. "Use of Hydraulically Operated PRVs for Pressure Regulation and Power Generation in Water Distribution Networks." Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 146, no. 7: 04020047.

Journal article
Published: 30 January 2020 in Journal of Hydro-environment Research
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Vegetation occurring along river margins deeply alters the hydrodynamic flow structure, inducing a characteristic shear layer profile and triggering the onset of large scale vortices, which, in turn, govern the lateral exchanges across the vegetated interface. In such systems, vegetative drag plays a key role, regulating the velocity difference between the vegetated area and the adjacent main channel. In this study, the link between vegetation density, differential velocity ratio, and presence of large scale coherent structures is experimentally explored. Tests were performed considering different vegetation density and focusing on the lateral distributions of velocity statistics and presence of coherent turbulent structures. Results showed that, with decreasing vegetation density, the favorable conditions for the onset of large scale structures can disappear with direct effects on velocity distributions and efficiency of lateral momentum transport. Based on the test results, a critical value of differential velocity ratio is suggested.

ACS Style

Gerardo Caroppi; Paola Gualtieri; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni. Effects of vegetation density on shear layer in partly vegetated channels. Journal of Hydro-environment Research 2020, 30, 82 -90.

AMA Style

Gerardo Caroppi, Paola Gualtieri, Nicola Fontana, Maurizio Giugni. Effects of vegetation density on shear layer in partly vegetated channels. Journal of Hydro-environment Research. 2020; 30 ():82-90.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gerardo Caroppi; Paola Gualtieri; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni. 2020. "Effects of vegetation density on shear layer in partly vegetated channels." Journal of Hydro-environment Research 30, no. : 82-90.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2020 in Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Reads 0
Downloads 0

For decades many authors have used entropy-based models to predict velocity distribution in open channel flows. Such models use maximum and mean velocity in an assigned domain to obtain velocity distribution. However, while the signification of maximum velocity is clear, the use of mean velocity is sometimes misleading. This paper thus clarifies, for the case of wide channel flows, both, the signification and role of mean velocity within certain existing entropy-based models. It also demonstrates, for some widely cited approaches, the need to pay attention to the difference between the expected value of velocity and the average cross-sectional velocity.

ACS Style

G. Marini; N. Fontana. Mean Velocity and Entropy in Wide Channel Flows. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 2020, 25, 06019009 .

AMA Style

G. Marini, N. Fontana. Mean Velocity and Entropy in Wide Channel Flows. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. 2020; 25 (1):06019009.

Chicago/Turabian Style

G. Marini; N. Fontana. 2020. "Mean Velocity and Entropy in Wide Channel Flows." Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 25, no. 1: 06019009.

Review
Published: 01 September 2019 in Water Research
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This paper presents a review of the current state of the art of real time control (RTC) of water distribution networks (WDNs). After proving the basic concept and terms of RTC and presenting sensors, regulation devices and controllers typically used in WDNs, the paper goes on by describing the most frequent control objectives, which mainly include service pressure regulation, control of tank filling and energy production in each WDN district. Various control methodologies recently proposed in the scientific literature are presented and discussed, along with experimental and numerical results achieved. Also, aspects related to the cost-effectiveness of RTC are critically analyzed. The paper ends by giving an outlook into potential future developments in the area of RTC for WDNs.

ACS Style

E. Creaco; A. Campisano; N. Fontana; G. Marini; P.R. Page; T. Walski. Real time control of water distribution networks: A state-of-the-art review. Water Research 2019, 161, 517 -530.

AMA Style

E. Creaco, A. Campisano, N. Fontana, G. Marini, P.R. Page, T. Walski. Real time control of water distribution networks: A state-of-the-art review. Water Research. 2019; 161 ():517-530.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Creaco; A. Campisano; N. Fontana; G. Marini; P.R. Page; T. Walski. 2019. "Real time control of water distribution networks: A state-of-the-art review." Water Research 161, no. : 517-530.

Articles
Published: 26 November 2018 in ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Transients generated by expulsion of air pockets in water pipelines represent a key issue in the management of water systems. Severe pressure surges may arise, with detrimental effects on pipelines, valves and other devices. To analyze the transient and predict the resulting pressure surge, both theoretical and experimental studies have been developed in the literature. However, most studies consider horizontal or vertical pipelines, whereas the actual profile in the real field environment is a sequence of ascending and descending pipes. Consequently, this paper summarizes laboratory experiments carried out on an undulating pipeline, with an orifice fitted at the high point to simulate an air release valve. In the experiments, the orifice diameter, the supply pressure and the air volume entrapped in the descending pipe were varied. In almost all the runs, the peak pressure was achieved during the mass oscillation transient. Water hammer only occurs because of the expulsion of air bubbles within the water column, but generally the effect on the transient is fairly negligible. Results also showed that pressure surges decrease upon increasing the orifice diameter, except for high supply pressure and small-entrapped volume, for which an intermediate ‘critical’ orifice diameter can be identified.

ACS Style

Gabriella Balacco; Nicola Fontana; Ciro Apollonio; Maurizio Giugni; Gustavo Marini; Alberto Ferruccio Piccinni. Pressure surges during filling of partially empty undulating pipelines. ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering 2018, 1 -9.

AMA Style

Gabriella Balacco, Nicola Fontana, Ciro Apollonio, Maurizio Giugni, Gustavo Marini, Alberto Ferruccio Piccinni. Pressure surges during filling of partially empty undulating pipelines. ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. 2018; ():1-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gabriella Balacco; Nicola Fontana; Ciro Apollonio; Maurizio Giugni; Gustavo Marini; Alberto Ferruccio Piccinni. 2018. "Pressure surges during filling of partially empty undulating pipelines." ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering , no. : 1-9.

Article
Published: 10 November 2018 in Water Resources Management
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Pressure regulation is the most common strategy for leakage reduction in water distribution networks (WDNs). The literature also offers many studies pointing to the benefits of coupling pressure regulation with energy production in WDNs. To this end, a turbine can recover the energy that is otherwise dissipated by the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV). However, although numerical simulations developed for various sites show high potential revenues and attractive capital payback periods, to date there are very few field installations. The main difficulty is that flow and pressure vary continuously at the network inlet, thus requiring real time control (RTC) of the valves and turbine to ensure adequate service levels. A recent paper discusses the operation of a laboratory prototype, which is able to both maximize energy production and regulate pressure in a WDN, with an optimization algorithm identifying the optimal operation of valves and turbine, commanded in real time according to the network operation. Because the earlier paper mainly discusses the theoretical framework of the optimization problem supported only with preliminary experiments, the present paper presents extensive laboratory experiments and analysis demonstrating the prototype’s ability to both regulate pressure at the critical node of the WDN and maximize power generation, in any operating condition. The results were also compared with theoretical values, showing very good agreement in all cases.

ACS Style

Nicola Fontana; M. Giugni; L. Glielmo; G. Marini; Raffaele Zollo. Operation of a Prototype for Real Time Control of Pressure and Hydropower Generation in Water Distribution Networks. Water Resources Management 2018, 33, 697 -712.

AMA Style

Nicola Fontana, M. Giugni, L. Glielmo, G. Marini, Raffaele Zollo. Operation of a Prototype for Real Time Control of Pressure and Hydropower Generation in Water Distribution Networks. Water Resources Management. 2018; 33 (2):697-712.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Fontana; M. Giugni; L. Glielmo; G. Marini; Raffaele Zollo. 2018. "Operation of a Prototype for Real Time Control of Pressure and Hydropower Generation in Water Distribution Networks." Water Resources Management 33, no. 2: 697-712.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2018 in Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Coupling pressure management and energy recovery in water distribution networks (WDNs) is an appealing topic in the field of optimal management of water systems. The use of turbines or pumps as turbines (PATs) allows for reducing leakage within the network while also recovering energy that would otherwise dissipate, by means of pressure reducing valves (PRVs). Unlike water supply systems, where operating conditions remain essentially constant over time, a real-time control (RTC) is required in WDNs because of the variability of pressure and flow discharge during the day. To this end, a prototype for RTC of a WDN was presented and discussed in a recent paper, in which constant rotational speed of the impeller was considered. To overcome such a limitation and maximize energy recovery, an inverter was coupled to the prototype. A mathematical model of the prototype was developed and the decision variables were calculated by solving an optimization problem via the YALMIP tool of MATLAB at varying conditions of inflow discharge, pressure head at the inlet, and desired pressure head at the control node. The mathematical model was further validated through preliminary laboratory experiments, showing good agreement between simulated and actual values.

ACS Style

N. Fontana; M. Giugni; L. Glielmo; G. Marini; R. Zollo. Hydraulic and Electric Regulation of a Prototype for Real-Time Control of Pressure and Hydropower Generation in a Water Distribution Network. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 2018, 144, 04018072 .

AMA Style

N. Fontana, M. Giugni, L. Glielmo, G. Marini, R. Zollo. Hydraulic and Electric Regulation of a Prototype for Real-Time Control of Pressure and Hydropower Generation in a Water Distribution Network. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 2018; 144 (11):04018072.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Fontana; M. Giugni; L. Glielmo; G. Marini; R. Zollo. 2018. "Hydraulic and Electric Regulation of a Prototype for Real-Time Control of Pressure and Hydropower Generation in a Water Distribution Network." Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 144, no. 11: 04018072.

Original paper
Published: 28 August 2018 in Theoretical and Applied Climatology
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The Apulia region is highly vulnerable to meteorological and hydrological droughts, due to its low rainfall and higher agricultural water demand. In this study, we investigated the spatial and temporal drought characteristics in the Apulia region based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) for the period 1960–2013. SPI was derived based on precipitation, whereas RDI was derived based on both precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. The overall objective is to identify whether these two selected drought indices are able to characterize drought equally or they differ in space and time. Results indicated that the number of drought events decreases and the average drought duration increases by increasing the time scale of the SPI and RDI. The RDI metrics was able to represent a more severe drought event compared to SPI. There is an increasing drought severity trend in the western part of Apulia and a decreasing drought severity trend in the eastern region. The study also shows that temperature (and so potential evapotranspiration) plays an important role in distinguishing drought characteristics between RDI and SPI.

ACS Style

Gustavo Marini; Nicola Fontana; Ashok K. Mishra. Investigating drought in Apulia region, Italy using SPI and RDI. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 2018, 137, 383 -397.

AMA Style

Gustavo Marini, Nicola Fontana, Ashok K. Mishra. Investigating drought in Apulia region, Italy using SPI and RDI. Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 2018; 137 (1-2):383-397.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gustavo Marini; Nicola Fontana; Ashok K. Mishra. 2018. "Investigating drought in Apulia region, Italy using SPI and RDI." Theoretical and Applied Climatology 137, no. 1-2: 383-397.

Journal article
Published: 11 July 2018 in Geosciences
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This laboratory study aimed at investigating the mean and turbulent characteristics of a densely vegetated flow by testing four different submergence ratios. The channel bed was covered by a uniform array of aligned metallic cylinders modeling rigid submerged vegetation. Instantaneous velocities, acquired with a three-component acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV), were used to analyze the mean and turbulent flow structure. The heterogeneity of the flow field was described by the distributions of mean velocities, turbulent intensities, skewness, kurtosis, Reynolds stresses, and Eulerian integral scales. The exchange processes at the flow–vegetation interface were explored by applying the turbulence triangle technique, a far less common technique for vegetated flows based on the invariant maps of the anisotropic Reynolds stress tensor.

ACS Style

Gerardo Caroppi; Paola Gualtieri; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni. Vegetated Channel Flows: Turbulence Anisotropy at Flow–Rigid Canopy Interface. Geosciences 2018, 8, 259 .

AMA Style

Gerardo Caroppi, Paola Gualtieri, Nicola Fontana, Maurizio Giugni. Vegetated Channel Flows: Turbulence Anisotropy at Flow–Rigid Canopy Interface. Geosciences. 2018; 8 (7):259.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gerardo Caroppi; Paola Gualtieri; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni. 2018. "Vegetated Channel Flows: Turbulence Anisotropy at Flow–Rigid Canopy Interface." Geosciences 8, no. 7: 259.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2018 in Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Studies have shown that real-time control (RTC) of pressure in water distribution networks (WDNs) can be very effective for leakage reduction. The aim of RTC is to regulate the pressure level over the WDN by guaranteeing a pressure that is nearly constant and as low as possible at the critical node. To this end, a pressure reducing valve (PRV) at the network inlet can be remotely controlled to ensure the optimal service level, regardless of upstream pressure and inflow. Field experiments in a district of Benevento, Italy are carried out to assess the suitability of the proposed approach. Results show that the system guarantees the required pressure at the critical node at all times. The controller is effective in optimizing pressure levels over the entire WDN by also reducing excessive pressure in the other nodes. Experiments show that the pressure control is effective in reducing leakage, as confirmed by the minimum night flow (MNF) measurements.

ACS Style

N. Fontana; M. Giugni; L. Glielmo; G. Marini; R. Zollo. Real-Time Control of Pressure for Leakage Reduction in Water Distribution Network: Field Experiments. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 2018, 144, 04017096 .

AMA Style

N. Fontana, M. Giugni, L. Glielmo, G. Marini, R. Zollo. Real-Time Control of Pressure for Leakage Reduction in Water Distribution Network: Field Experiments. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 2018; 144 (3):04017096.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Fontana; M. Giugni; L. Glielmo; G. Marini; R. Zollo. 2018. "Real-Time Control of Pressure for Leakage Reduction in Water Distribution Network: Field Experiments." Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 144, no. 3: 04017096.

Journal article
Published: 27 February 2018 in Journal of Hydraulic Research
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Gustavo Marini. Performance of vertical-axis pumps as turbines. Journal of Hydraulic Research 2018, 56, 482 -493.

AMA Style

Francesco Pugliese, Francesco De Paola, Nicola Fontana, Maurizio Giugni, Gustavo Marini. Performance of vertical-axis pumps as turbines. Journal of Hydraulic Research. 2018; 56 (4):482-493.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Gustavo Marini. 2018. "Performance of vertical-axis pumps as turbines." Journal of Hydraulic Research 56, no. 4: 482-493.

Proceedings
Published: 01 January 2018 in Proceedings
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In this work, a procedure for the optimal design of Pumps As Turbines in Water Distribution Networks was applied, aimed at both maximizing the hydropower generation and exploiting the excess pressure. The design of the main characteristic PAT parameters, namely the flow rate and the head drop at Best Efficiency Point, the rotational speed and the impeller’s diameter was assessed, under the hypothesis of applying the Electrical Regulation. The procedure allowed to estimate both the produced power and the exploited head at any simulated time-step, as well as the overall daily energy, in compliance with the hydraulic and technical constraints of the system. The model was tested on a simplified Water Distribution Network and a preliminary Cost-Benefit analysis was performed, showing interesting reliefs against short Payback Period.

ACS Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Gustavo Marini; Maurizio Giugni. Small-Scale Hydropower Generation in Water Distribution Networks by Using Pumps as Turbines. Proceedings 2018, 2, 1486 .

AMA Style

Francesco Pugliese, Francesco De Paola, Nicola Fontana, Gustavo Marini, Maurizio Giugni. Small-Scale Hydropower Generation in Water Distribution Networks by Using Pumps as Turbines. Proceedings. 2018; 2 (23):1486.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Gustavo Marini; Maurizio Giugni. 2018. "Small-Scale Hydropower Generation in Water Distribution Networks by Using Pumps as Turbines." Proceedings 2, no. 23: 1486.

Proceedings
Published: 01 January 2018 in Proceedings
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Pumps As Turbines (PATs) can be installed in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) to couple pressure regulation and small-scale hydropower generation. The selection of PATs in WDNs needs proper knowledge about both the performances of machines available in the market and the operating conditions of the network. In this paper, a procedure for the preliminary selection of a PAT is proposed, based on the design of the main parameters (the head drop and the produced power at the Best Efficiency Point, the impeller diameter and the rotational speed) to both maximize the producible power and regulate the exceeding pressure.

ACS Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Gustavo Marini; Maurizio Giugni. Optimal Selection of Pumps As Turbines in Water Distribution Networks. Proceedings 2018, 2, 685 .

AMA Style

Francesco Pugliese, Francesco De Paola, Nicola Fontana, Gustavo Marini, Maurizio Giugni. Optimal Selection of Pumps As Turbines in Water Distribution Networks. Proceedings. 2018; 2 (11):685.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Gustavo Marini; Maurizio Giugni. 2018. "Optimal Selection of Pumps As Turbines in Water Distribution Networks." Proceedings 2, no. 11: 685.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) are often used in water distribution networks (WDNs) to regulate pressure for leakage reduction. Optimal management would require the pressure to be constant and as low as possible at the WDN critical node. Such operating conditions can be achieved by means of real-time control (RTC) of the PRVs. Because the pressure RTC of PRVs in WDNs is still an uncommon application, this paper first provides the theoretical framework of control systems and also discusses the benefits of a feedback control over a feedforward scheme. A closed-loop controller was developed, allowing RTC of pressure at the critical node in a WDN by changing the pressure set point in the PRV at the network inlet. To this end, a diaphragm-actuated control valve coupled to an actuator for remote control of the pilot spring was used. Laboratory experiments were carried out to characterize PRV operation and effectiveness of the algorithms. A simplified model of the PRV and numerical simulations to reproduce the pressure transient were also developed. Results show that (1) the algorithm is able to control pressure also in case of abrupt variations of the set point pressure and finite delays; and (2) the numerical model is in good agreement with relevant experiments.

ACS Style

Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Luigi Glielmo; Gustavo Marini; Francesca Verrilli. Real-Time Control of a PRV in Water Distribution Networks for Pressure Regulation: Theoretical Framework and Laboratory Experiments. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 2018, 144, 04017075 .

AMA Style

Nicola Fontana, Maurizio Giugni, Luigi Glielmo, Gustavo Marini, Francesca Verrilli. Real-Time Control of a PRV in Water Distribution Networks for Pressure Regulation: Theoretical Framework and Laboratory Experiments. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 2018; 144 (1):04017075.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Luigi Glielmo; Gustavo Marini; Francesca Verrilli. 2018. "Real-Time Control of a PRV in Water Distribution Networks for Pressure Regulation: Theoretical Framework and Laboratory Experiments." Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 144, no. 1: 04017075.

Proceedings
Published: 01 January 2018 in Proceedings
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In the present paper, different clustering techniques were applied to detect significant patterns describing single-household water consumption in a residential neighborhood of the City of Naples, basing on hourly time series aggregated at the monthly scale. Comparisons among results were performed by means of a selection of Clustering Validity Indices, that were adjusted to overcome a bias caused by sparsely populated clusters. The most performant cluster solution proved to be the one resulting from the application of a mixed strategy, namely a Self-Organized Map followed by K-means performed on first level cluster centroids.

ACS Style

Roberta Padulano; Giuseppe Del Giudice; Maurizio Giugni; Nicola Fontana; Gianluca Sorgenti Degli Uberti. Identification of Annual Water Demand Patterns in the City of Naples. Proceedings 2018, 2, 587 .

AMA Style

Roberta Padulano, Giuseppe Del Giudice, Maurizio Giugni, Nicola Fontana, Gianluca Sorgenti Degli Uberti. Identification of Annual Water Demand Patterns in the City of Naples. Proceedings. 2018; 2 (11):587.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberta Padulano; Giuseppe Del Giudice; Maurizio Giugni; Nicola Fontana; Gianluca Sorgenti Degli Uberti. 2018. "Identification of Annual Water Demand Patterns in the City of Naples." Proceedings 2, no. 11: 587.

Journal article
Published: 28 August 2017 in Journal of Hydroinformatics
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Pumps are installed in water distribution networks (WDNs) to ensure adequate service levels in the case of poor water pressure (e.g. because of low elevation of reservoirs or high head losses within the WDN). In such cases optimal pump scheduling is often required for the opportunity of significant energy saving. Optimizing the pump operation also allows a reduction in damage and maintenance times. Among the approaches available in the literature to solve the problem, meta-heuristic algorithms ensure reduced computational times, although they are not able to guarantee the optimal solution can be found. In this paper, a modified Harmony Search Multi-Objective optimization algorithm is developed to solve the pump scheduling problem in WDNs. The hydraulic solver EPANET 2.0 is coupled with the algorithm to assess the feasibility of the achieved solutions. Hydraulic constraints are introduced and penalties are set in case of violation of the set constraints to reduce the space of feasible solutions. Results show the high performances of the proposed approach for pumping optimization, guaranteeing optimal (or near optimal) solutions with short computational times.

ACS Style

F. De Paola; Nicola Fontana; M. Giugni; Gustavo Marini; F. Pugliese. Optimal solving of the pump scheduling problem by using a Harmony Search optimization algorithm. Journal of Hydroinformatics 2017, 19, 879 -889.

AMA Style

F. De Paola, Nicola Fontana, M. Giugni, Gustavo Marini, F. Pugliese. Optimal solving of the pump scheduling problem by using a Harmony Search optimization algorithm. Journal of Hydroinformatics. 2017; 19 (6):879-889.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F. De Paola; Nicola Fontana; M. Giugni; Gustavo Marini; F. Pugliese. 2017. "Optimal solving of the pump scheduling problem by using a Harmony Search optimization algorithm." Journal of Hydroinformatics 19, no. 6: 879-889.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2017 in IFAC-PapersOnLine
Reads 0
Downloads 0

A common strategy for leakage reduction in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) is the use of Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs). As well known, a relationship between pressure and water losses can be established, according to which reducing pressure results in reduced losses. In many cases pressure is greater than the minimum required for adequate service level, because of the variability of flow and pressure within the WDN. To increase the effectiveness of PRVs, a Real Time Control (RTC) of the regulated pressure can be developed, as pointed out by many researchers. Consequently, in the paper the issues arising from pressure RTC in a WDN is discussed. Laboratory experiments were carried out to assess the capability of the controller to achieve the set point pressure, regardless of the inlet conditions. A numerical model was also developed, showing good agreement with experiments.

ACS Style

Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Luigi Glielmo; Gustavo Marini; Francesca Verrilli. A lab prototype of pressure control in water distribution networks. IFAC-PapersOnLine 2017, 50, 15373 -15378.

AMA Style

Nicola Fontana, Maurizio Giugni, Luigi Glielmo, Gustavo Marini, Francesca Verrilli. A lab prototype of pressure control in water distribution networks. IFAC-PapersOnLine. 2017; 50 (1):15373-15378.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Luigi Glielmo; Gustavo Marini; Francesca Verrilli. 2017. "A lab prototype of pressure control in water distribution networks." IFAC-PapersOnLine 50, no. 1: 15373-15378.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2017 in Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Existing entropy-based methodologies for deriving two-dimensional (2D) velocity distributions in open-channel flow are based on the extension of one-dimensional (1D) formulations. Such extensions contain too many parameters and require either experimental calibration or that velocity be known at several points. This information is not always available or does not apply under some particular conditions. Following the approach developed for a rectangular cross section, this paper develops an entropy-based method for deriving a 2D velocity distribution for a generic-shaped cross section. The derived distribution is parsimonious and can be applied to natural watercourses, which usually do not have a regular cross section. The model is consistent with previous results because the velocity distribution for a simple domain can be derived as a particular case of a more complex domain. The method was validated against velocity data collected in almost 200 data series along three rivers. The velocities calculated by the new method were found to be in good agreement with measured data. The results were also compared with two methods available in the literature. One of these methods showed better performance than the proposed model, although it requires much more information.

ACS Style

Gustavo Marini; Nicola Fontana; Vijay P. Singh. Derivation of 2D Velocity Distribution in Watercourses Using Entropy. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 2017, 22, 04017003 .

AMA Style

Gustavo Marini, Nicola Fontana, Vijay P. Singh. Derivation of 2D Velocity Distribution in Watercourses Using Entropy. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. 2017; 22 (6):04017003.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gustavo Marini; Nicola Fontana; Vijay P. Singh. 2017. "Derivation of 2D Velocity Distribution in Watercourses Using Entropy." Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 22, no. 6: 04017003.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2016 in Renewable Energy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In recent years, the use of turbines or Pumps operating As Turbines (PATs) has been proven to be a sustainable alternative for managing Water Distribution Networks (WDNs), by coupling pressure control and leakage reduction with hydropower generation.\ud Pumps running in reverse mode can be an effective alternative to using turbines for energy production in WDNs. Many commercial models are readily available on the market and a number of economic and technical advantages for installation, operation and maintenance can be found. Theoretical and experimental criteria for predicting pump performance in turbine mode and for the optimal installation of a PAT in WDNs can be found in the literature. Nevertheless, the prediction of PAT characteristic curves is still an unresolved issue, because of the lack of information provided by manufacturers and the few laboratory campaigns that focus on the topic.\ud For this purpose, the laboratory results in the present study aim to assess the performance of pumps operating in reverse mode. Two centrifugal pumps were investigated: a centrifugal horizontal single-stage pump and a vertical multi-stage pump. Experiments were compared with theoretical models available in the literature, in order to assess their reliability in predicting PAT performance when data are lacking

ACS Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Gustavo Marini. Experimental characterization of two Pumps As Turbines for hydropower generation. Renewable Energy 2016, 99, 180 -187.

AMA Style

Francesco Pugliese, Francesco De Paola, Nicola Fontana, Maurizio Giugni, Gustavo Marini. Experimental characterization of two Pumps As Turbines for hydropower generation. Renewable Energy. 2016; 99 ():180-187.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Pugliese; Francesco De Paola; Nicola Fontana; Maurizio Giugni; Gustavo Marini. 2016. "Experimental characterization of two Pumps As Turbines for hydropower generation." Renewable Energy 99, no. : 180-187.