Modeling temperature in the drinking water distribution system

摘要

According to the Dutch Drinking Water Directive, the maximum temperature of drinking water should be 25℃. Occasionally, samples at the tap exceed this limit. With climate change, this limit may be exceeded more often. This article describes a model that predicts water temperatures in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). Soil temperature is influenced by weather conditions including atmospheric temperature and radiation and environmental conditions such as the soil's thermal conductivity and heat capacity. DWDS water approaches soil temperature at a rate that depends on flow velocity and the main's heat conductivity. In practice, the heating time required for drinking water to reach the soil temperature is shorter than the residence time in the DWDS. Two practical examples confirm the hypothesis that soil temperature predicts water temperature in the DWDS.