They published their findings today in the journal Science. Therefore, researchers estimate, 30 to 50 percent of our solar system’s water was already a part of the ancient molecular cloud that spawned the Sun and planets. However, the model system was incapable of producing deuterium to hydrogen ratios that were as high as those found in our solar system. So to determine if the sun alone could produce today’s levels of the isotope, researchers built a computer model that essentially wound back the clock to the beginning of the solar system and assumed no inherited deuterium. Scientists already knew this from looking at the composition of comets and asteroids.īut, confounding the matter, deuterium levels in the solar system’s water have also been rising ever since the sun formed. Interstellar ice has a very high ratio of deuterium to hydrogen because it formed in very cold temperatures. Read about the WaterNet Advisor.To determine the age of our solar system’s water, researchers focused on its ratio of hydrogen to deuterium, called “heavy hydrogen” because it has an extra neutron. © DHI Curious to learn more?įind out how you radically change the way you manage your daily water network operations. Water age simulation results where pipes with excessive water age are shown in red. Google Map image of a neighbourhood with dead-end pipe loops. Below it is a computer simulation where the hydraulic and water quality conditions were analysed during one week and maximum water is statistically processed and displayed. There are two illustrations shown below, the first one is showing a layout of a physical system with cul-de-sacs, that is, a dead-end pipe loop where there is a risk of high water age when residents are not present, for example, during vacations. The water age simulation results are statistically processed by the software, and layers with nodes and pipes colour-coded by the water age are presented in a practical and understandable manner. An easy way to model water ageĪ new web application in the market allows for water age modelling through predefined scenarios that are easy for maintenance and operation personnel to choose from. These ‘what if’ modelling scenarios allow maintenance and engineering personnel to evaluate consequences of shutdown on water quality and determine the most effective ways to reduce water age, without subjecting customers to methods that don’t work. Models can calculate water age for any operating condition, such as using various pump controls, installing new pipes, and closing valves. Hydraulic modelling is the most straightforward way to determine water age conditions within the water supply area, including locations with high water age during standard operations as well as during maintenance. So how do we determine how ‘old’ the water is? Many water systems find it necessary to set up special programs to flush these dead-end mains periodically to maintain acceptable water quality (AWWA Opflow, June 2010). Water often becomes stagnant or degrades in dead-end mains, which are often found in cul-de-sacs. If treated water stays in a system a long time before it reaches consumers, disinfectant concentration may not be strong enough to control microorganisms that can cause health problems. Water age is a general indicator of water quality, with lower water age indicating better water quality. What happens if treated water doesn’t reach consumers quickly? The water age refers to the time it takes for water to travel from a water source to consumers and is influenced by water distribution system flow velocities and pipe lengths. Water age is an important performance indicator to many utilities because excessive age can cause problems with disinfection by-products (DBPs).
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