SYNOPSIS

The issues pertaining to pressure reduction and surges are becoming more relevant not just in buildings but also in the water and wastewater utilities. There are numerous cases of pipe burst or ruptures as a result of pressure transients and surges.  The consequences arising to a water utility because of a pipe burst could be costly, as it may result in damages to properties (eg. houses, vehicle), disruption to traffic, and possibly, road closure. In addition to this, maintenance cost to the water utility will also begin to increase due to damages to the utilities assets, which include pipes, fittings and pump station.

In buildings, on the other hand, the quick starting and stopping of pumps would result in a water hammer in the main riser, if proper pump control valves and surge dissipating valves are not in place. The noise and vibration produced are at times very significant, which causes residents to complain. If these problems are not arrested quickly enough, the surges will begin to affect weak joints on the pipeline, which may a result to a pipe burst. There have been cases, locally, where pipe burst have caused the water to flood into the lift shafts.  

Leakage or waterloss/ Non-Revenue Water (NRW) has been a challenge for many water utilities due to aging pipe network, improper installation and etc. Pressure management has been found as the most economical and effective method of managing pressure in a water utility. Pilot operated pressure reducing valves (PRV) is another key topic that will be highlighted during this seminar. This is because reducing pressure will not only satisfy the minimum pressure required by the consumer, but also a reduction in leakage.

The solutions available for level management will also be discussed during this seminar. There are a variety of pilot operated level control valves which are operated mechanically without the need of electrical requirements. Altitude Valves are commonly found in the water utilities reservoir and it is effective in controlling the water level by means of sensing the static pressure from the water reservoir. In buildings, the use of either modulating automatic control valve for suction tank, and non – modulating (on/off) control valve for elevated / roof tanks are commonly practiced.  

In this seminar, the operations and functionality of pilot operated automatic control valve in pressure reduction, surge dissipation and level control will be described for building applications and also for water and wastewater utilities.


SPEAKER’S PROFILE

Dr. Kuberan Anandarajah

Kuberan Anandarajah has been working for SINGER VALVE since 2006. Kuberan is involved in supporting and advising clients and consultants on the application of automatic control valves. This includes the employment of Automatic Control Valves for Pressure, Level and Flow Management. At the very same time, he also provides solutions on the appropriate selection of pilot operated automatic control valve for the purpose of pressure and leakage reduction.  

Kuberan graduated with a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom in 2001. Kuberan then carried on pursuing his PhD in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Loughborough University, and completed it in 2005.

Kuberan is also involved in providing training and briefings on the basics of automatic control valve, sizing and selection, and application of automatic control valves. Besides this, he has also presented papers in water conferences in Malaysia, Indonesia, India and the Philippines.