http://hdl.handle.net/1974/765 2013-06-18T21:31:52Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/8062 Title: Examining the Relationship between Pumping Energy and Geographically-Targeted Water Conservation Measures in Municipal Water Distribution Networks Authors: Oldford, Alexandra Abstract: Municipal water distribution systems are operated and maintained by utilities whose first priority is the safe and reliable provision of drinking water to consumers. The cost to move and treat water through distribution networks is significant and can account for up to 80% of a utility’s energy costs. As these networks age, operating and maintenance costs continue to increase due to higher incidences of leaks and breaks and increased pipe friction leading to higher energy use. Many utilities are considering water conservation as a strategy to reducing their energy consumption by reducing the amount of water being pumped and treated in their jurisdictions. This work studies the pumping energy response of a distribution system when water conservation strategies are implemented in small geographic areas in the network. A water conservation plan is tailored to each defined area by specifying which conservation measures are feasible to implement, desired by the customer, and are attractive to the utility based on a potential return on investment in the form of reduced electricity bills to pump and treat water. Energy intensity and energy elasticity indicators are developed to assess the mechanical energy used in a network to distribute water to end-users. A case study for the City of Kingston water distribution system is presented. The distribution system studied indicated that when water conservation strategies produced marginal water savings, the energy response was inelastic to changes in water demand. The amount of energy required to move one cubic metre of water through the network increased with higher water savings because the percent savings of water was higher than the percent savings of pumping energy. Description: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-05-31 14:20:18.363 2013-06-04T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/8009 Title: The Effects of Elevated Temperatures on Fibre Reinforced Polymers for Strengthening Concrete Structures Authors: Eedson, Robert Abstract: The use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for strengthening reinforced concrete structures has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, before FRPs can be implemented in interior building applications their performance during fire must be assessed and understood. There currently remains a paucity of information in this area for most currently available FRP strengthening systems. This thesis presents a study of the mechanical and bond properties of selected currently available FRP strengthening systems for concrete structures at elevated temperatures such as might be experienced during a fire. Testing has been performed and is reported to study the continuous unidirectional coupon tensile strength, lap-splice FRP-to- FRP shear bond strength and tensile elastic modulus at elevated temperatures. Results of thermal characterization tests are also completed in an attempt to relate properties of the polymer matrix, such as the glass transition temperature, and thermal decomposition temperature to the losses of strength and stiffness observed for FRP coupons during steady-state and transient exposure to elevated temperatures up to 200oC. A simple analytical model is presented, for which the input parameters can be determined using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis, to describe the reduction in mechanical and bond properties of the FRP systems at elevated temperatures. Based on this testing and subsequent analysis it is recommended that a conservative limit on the allowable temperature exposure for FRP systems during fire be set as the glass transition temperature measured using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Furthermore it is suggested that differential scanning calorimetry may not be an appropriate method of determining the glass transition temperature for available FRP systems used in concrete strengthening applications. Description: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-30 19:06:24.31 2013-05-01T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7914 Title: FIELD AND LAB SCALE PERFORMANCE OF PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL IN POST-WETLAND SLAG FILTERS TREATING AQUACULTURE WASTEWATER IN COLD CLIMATES Authors: Sansford, LAUREN Abstract: Eutrophication, caused by phosphorus and nitrogen overloading, is a global pollution problem for our fresh water lakes and streams. Regulatory bodies have developed treatment guidelines for point-source pollution to address this concern, creating a need for small and remote waste producers to develop low cost solutions for nutrient removal – in particular phosphorus. Constructed wetlands have often been implemented as a low cost alternative to treat various sources of wastewater, however, their efficiency in removing phosphorus has been questioned. Post-treatment blast furnace slag filters (known to have a high phosphorus sorption capacity) have been in operation since 2008 in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada, treating aquaculture wastewater following treatment by a constructed wetland. Phosphorus removal performance of three filters of varying configuration have been assessed: • a random packed filter, packed randomly with unsieved blast furnace slag removed only 26% of phosphorus overall and became severely clogged likely due to the presence of fines, poor flow distribution and formation of calcium carbonate precipitate; • a screen filter, designed as twenty individual filters separated by 3 inches of space to provide more uniform flow throughout removed 55% of the total phosphorus added and maintained a uniform flow throughout the study; and • an anaerobic filter, designed to be sealed from the atmosphere in an effort to prevent the formation of calcium carbonate and subsequent filter clogging, removed 19% of the total phosphorus added and revealed signs of poor flow distribution. Lab-scale flow through cells were designed to parallel the field scale studies and were operated at varying configuration, temperature and residence times to assess these factor effects on phosphorus removal. The results of this research provide a valuable contribution to research involving blast furnace slag filters for phosphorus removal. It has been demonstrated that cold temperatures reduce the slag filter’s efficiency to remove phosphorus (but cold-climate filters can still be effective in removing phosphorus), the removal of slag fines reduces the potential for slag clogging, a screen design is effective in promoting uniform flow and offsetting the effects of clogging and an optimum residence time may exist for phosphorus removal beyond which phosphorus removal is minimal. Description: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-23 21:46:44.136 2013-04-24T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7895 Title: WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM DESIGN AND REHABILITATION UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION SCENARIOS Authors: Roshani, EHSAN Abstract: The water industry is a heavy consumer of electricity to pump water. Electricity generated with fossil fuel sources produce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change. Carbon taxation and economic discounting in project planning are promising policies to reduce GHG emissions. The aim of this research is to develop novel single- and multi-objective optimization frameworks that incorporate a new gene-coding scheme and pipe ageing models (pipe roughness growth model, a pipe leakage model, and a pipe break model) to examine the impacts of a carbon tax and low discount rates on energy use, GHG emissions, and design/operation/rehabilitation decisions in water systems. Chapter 3 presents a new algorithm that optimizes the operation of pumps and reservoirs in water transmission systems. The algorithm was applied to the KamalSaleh transmission system near Arak, Iran. The results suggest that a carbon tax combined with a low discount rate produces small reductions in energy use and GHG emissions linked to pumping given the high static head of the KamalSaleh system. Chapter 4 presents a new algorithm that optimizes the design and expansion of water distribution networks. The algorithm was applied to the real-world Fairfield water network in Amherstview, Ontario, Canada. The results suggest that a carbon tax combined with a low discount rate does not significantly decrease energy use and GHG emissions because the Fairfield system had adequate installed hydraulic capacity. Chapters 5 and 6 present a new algorithm that optimizes the optimal rehabilitation type and timing of water mains in water distribution networks. In Chapter 5, the algorithm is applied to the Fairfield network to examine the impact of asset management strategies (quantity and infrastructure adjacency discounts) on system costs. The results suggest that applying discounts decreased capital and operational costs and favored pipe lining over pipe replacement and duplication. In Chapter 6, the water main rehabilitation optimization algorithm is applied to the Fairfield network to examine the impact of a carbon tax and low discount rates on energy use and GHG emissions. The results suggest that adopting a low discount rate and levying a carbon tax had a small impact in reducing energy use and GHG emissions and a significant impact in reducing leakage and pipe breaks in the Fairfield system. Further, a low discount rate and a carbon tax encouraged early investment in water main rehabilitation to reduce continuing leakage, pipe repair, energy, and GHG costs. Description: Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-21 13:58:08.302 2013-04-22T04:00:00Z