Regulation response of pilot-operated diaphragm type pressure-reducing valves: laboratory testing and impact on the performance of pressure control modes in water distribution systems

Pressure control is recognized as an efficient measure for reducing leaks from water distribution systems. We have evaluated the effectiveness of various pressure control modes by means of pilot-operated diaphragm type pressure-reducing valves (PRVs), taking into account the sensitivity of the valves to various settings. First, the response of a PRV to consecutive pressure settings variations was experimentally evaluated in the hydraulic simulation laboratory of National Institute for Scientific Research. These experiments revealed that the studied valve only reacts when variation in the pressure setting corresponds to at least a 1/6 turn of the pilot valve. Second, an actual case study from Quebec City, Canada, was simulated to evaluate the impact of the PRV response on three pressure control modes: fixed control, time-based control, and real-time control (RTC). The results show that RTC of pressure leads to reductions in leakage rate for the studied network but that the PRV operational constraints limit the expected performance of RTC.