Utilización del simulador EPANET en el análisis de redes de agua potable en edificaciones.

Abstract

EPANET is a well-known computer simulation model for the study of drinking wáter distribution networks in public systems. There is not enough information on its use in water distribution networks in buildings, so it is interesting to simulate the hydraulic behavior of this type of pressure supply networks.The original program is not designed to analyze distribution networks in buildings, because the flows demanded by the sanitary devices are based on the probability of their simultaneous use, that is, it is unlikely that all will work at the same time. In buildings the continuity equation is not fulfilled in each node as in the public distribution networks.This article presents a methodology correcting the imbalance of flows in the nodes of the network, providing the designer with a tool with free software that allows you to quickly calculate the network, performing simulations in multiple scenarios in search of a hydraulic optimization to meet with what is established in the Hydrosanitary Standard of Ecuador.This methodology was used in the study of a drinking water distribution network in a three apartment building supplied from an elevated tank, with 15 sanitary appliances, friction and local energy losses were considered, to analyze the water velocities in the pipes, the pressures in each sanitary appliance and simulate its hydraulic behavior. Based on the results obtained, it is observed that the requirements established in the regulations that establish minimum speeds of 0.60 m / s are met and that the pressures are greater than 3 m. in all sanitary appliances.