Juan Ernesto Ramírez Juárez

Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, México

Title: Potable water network design using water pinch methodology for sources with different Ca and Mg hardness composition

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Biography

Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México. Master of Engineering Applied (Hydraulic Resources) - Honorific Mention Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, México. PhD Environmental Science (International competence) Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), México. Professor of Chemistry, theory and laboratory, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, México. Award for the Best Master's Thesis in Environmental Engineering Awarded August 2013, Colegio de Ingenieros Ambientales de México A. C. (CINAM). The Outstanding Master's Student Award (average: 10) Awarded April 2013, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas. Third place in the 5th Engineering Prize of Mexico City 2012. Awarded September 2012, Gobierno del Distrito Federal. Special Mention on "University Perspectives for the Sustainable Management of Water for the Valley of Mexico Basin" Awarded June 2012, Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA).

Abstract

Potable water with high Ca/Mg ratios causes recurrent piping obstruction due to calcium precipitation. Water pinch is a methodology used to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the design of water networks by minimizing the use of freshwater. This approach could be used to design potable water networks with the aim of reducing calcium concentration and therefore its precipitation. Another option is the reduction of Ca/Mg ratio through the Mg increase concentration. Both cases were developed and discussed using water pinch methodology and a modified procedure. Precipitation kinetics of Ca2+ at different Ca/Mg ratios were performed. Network design with Mg2+ increase concentration resulted in better option compared to Ca2+ reduction because the Ca/Mg ratio obtained reduces the precipitation of salts with a lesser amount of freshwater. This methodology is promising to achieve an efficient water distribution system design to avoid the precipitation of salts during water conduction.