Sustainable design and resource management

Sustainable design and resource management

Maintaining the quality of the urban experience with judicious consumption of resources

The sustainability of the fountain starts from the initial design decisions and continues in the selection of equipment, display program, maintenance and renovation. The shape of the pond, the height of the fountain, the return path of the water, the point of operation of the pump and the access for maintenance, all have an effect on the consumption of resources and future costs.

A fountain may circulate water in a closed circuit, but still require make-up water. Also, the use of a variable frequency pump or a low consumption lamp, without proper design and adjustment, does not guarantee a certain amount of savings.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a method to calculate, reduce and monitor consumption; in such a way that the display quality, water health and usability are maintained.

The numbers of this chapter are educational. The final estimate should be based on the climatic conditions, design, equipment and actual work schedule of each project.

40–1. Define the goal of sustainability and service level

Before comparing the options, it should be determined what service the fountain provides.

For example:

• Display at designated hours.

• Create a clear visual quality from the main points of view.

• Provide interactive use under approved conditions.

• Maintaining water quality according to the type of use.

• Ability to maintain with resources available to the user.

Then consumption and durability goals are defined next to this service.

Comparison of two options should be done with clear service level. Reducing display hours or intensity can lower consumption, but should be reported as a change in operating schedule.

40–2. Determining the calculation boundary

The calculation boundary specifies what components are included in the evaluation.

For water, this boundary can include ponds, tanks, pipes, and treatment equipment. For electricity, it should be known in which meter or calculation the pumps, light, control, sound and purification are located.

Three concepts must be registered separately:

1. Water storage volume: water in the pond, tank and circuit. 2. Circulation flow rate: the volume of water that passes through the circuit per unit of time. 3. Compensatory water: water that enters to compensate for the outflow of water and to change the reserve.

For example, the circulation of 50 cubic meters of water per hour does not mean the net consumption of the same amount. The amount of compensation water should be measured separately.

It is better to separate the initial water intake, draining for repair and unusual events from normal consumption.

Place Figure 40-1 — Water and energy boundary

Suggested figure: Schematic of pond, reservoir, display and purification circuit, along with compensation water inlet, water outlets and electricity meter location.

Subtitle: "The clear boundary of measurement is the basis of comparison and reporting of consumption."

40–3. Water balance and compensatory demand calculation

For a specific period of time:

$M+R=E+D+B+L+O+\Delta S$

In this regard:

• $M$ : compensation water.

• $R$ : Effective precipitation entered into the system.

• $E$ : Evaporation.

• $D$: Water released due to splashing and transfer of droplets.

• $B$ : drain for washing, water change or maintenance.

• $L$ : leakage.

• $O$ : Exit from overflow.

• $\Delta S$ : change of storage volume, equal to the end volume minus the beginning.

Therefore:

$M=E+D+B+L+O+\Delta S-R$

Components must be defined non-overlapping so that the same output is not counted twice.

Educational example

Suppose for a certain day:

As a result:

$M=0.40+0.12+0.24+0.05=0.81m^3/day$

The compensatory water for this day is 810 liters.

The leakage recorded in the example is a defect to be corrected and should not be accepted as normal consumption. After fixing it, with other conditions remaining constant, the compensation requirement is reduced to 760 liters.

This result cannot be extrapolated to the entire year without considering seasons, operating hours, and maintenance events.

40–4. Estimating evaporation and limitation of simple methods

To convert evaporation depth to volume, we can write:

$V_E=A\times e$

where $A$ is the area in square meters and $e$ is the evaporation depth in meters in the desired period.

If the surface area is 80 square meters and the assumed evaporation depth is five millimeters per day:

$V_E=80\times 0.005=0.40m^3/day$

This relationship is simply the conversion of unit and area to volume. The validity of the result depends on the validity of the evaporation rate.

If the value of five millimeters corresponds to the level of still water, it cannot be extrapolated to the evaporation of the entire spray fountain without investigation. Drops, jets, wind, temperature, humidity and work schedule affect the result.

Appropriate climatic data, valid model or field measurements are required for design. After exploitation, the estimate must be controlled with water balance.

Actions that can be considered include reducing unnecessary water levels, modifying display patterns, and reducing splashing in inappropriate conditions. Each action must be evaluated along with its impact on the architecture and user experience.

40–5. Spray control and performance in wind

Spraying outside the catchment area both increases water consumption and may wet surrounding pathways.

The effective factors are:

• Height and direction of the fountain.

• Shape and size of drops.

• The distance from the nozzle to the edge.

• Wind speed and direction.

• Obstacles and local air currents.

• The quality of the collection and return route.

The solutions can include modifying the placement, adjusting the height, changing the nozzle arrangement and defining the permissible wind modes.

Crystal Fountains introduces an ECW sensor that measures wind and adjusts fountain performance accordingly. This capability should be properly applied in control design, sensor placement and site testing. ECW wind control sensor ^[273]

Reduction or stop thresholds do not have the same general value for all projects. They should be determined based on acceptable spray range and actual fountain behavior.

In order to avoid successive state changes, the appropriate delay and difference between the entry and exit thresholds of each state are checked in the control design.

Figure 2–40 — Spraying in two modes of operation

Suggested image: Photo of the fountain from a fixed location in normal and reduced wind conditions, along with a representation of the water collection area.

Caption: "Adjustment to suit wind should be verified by observing spray and maintaining allowable performance."

40–6. Reducing maintenance water while maintaining water quality

Washing the filter, cleaning and replacing part of the water can have a significant share of the compensation water.

The improvement in this section is investigated in the following ways:

• Prevent waste from entering the tank.

• Selection and proper use of strainer and filter.

• Record the actual washing volume.

• Service implementation based on equipment conditions and manufacturer's instructions.

• Fixing drains and leaky valves.

• Appropriate access design for local cleaning.

Reducing the frequency or duration of washing should be compatible with the purification performance. Savings resulting from water quality loss is not an acceptable design result.

For decorative fountains, the CDC emphasizes sediment management, biofilm, water retention, and disinfection. The consumption plan should cover these needs. CDC decorative fountains management guide ^[274]

The display circuit and the purification circuit, if separated in the design, can have different programs. Stopping the show does not necessarily mean stopping the essential processes of water management.

40–7. Investigation of alternative sources and rainwater

The use of alternative sources should be checked with the quality of the source, the type of consumption and the possibility of contact of people.

Rainwater, runoff and gray water do not have the same characteristics. The choice of purification and monitoring method should also be compatible with the final application.

EPA's research on non-potable recycling emphasizes the appropriate assessment of source, use, and health risks. These sources do not constitute a public license to use alternative water in an urban or interactive water feature. EPA research on on-site non-potable recycling ^[275]

CDC guidelines for decorative fountains recommend cold, potable make-up water. Therefore, alternative source investigation should be accompanied by site requirements and expert evaluation. CDC design recommendations

Educational example of rain collection volume

For an initial assessment of water collection from a roof:

$V=P\times A\times C$

Suppose:

• Precipitation: 12 mm.

• Roof area: 500 square meters.

• Hypothetical collection coefficient: 0.8.

$V=0.012\times 500\times 0.8=4.8m^3$

This volume is the potential ability to collect in the same event. If there are other primary losses and bypasses, they should be deducted without recounting. The free capacity of the tank can also limit the actual storage volume.

This calculation does not prove the suitability of the water quality for the fountain. In integrated site management, collected water may be screened for another permitted use.

40–8. Optimization of pumping at the level of the whole system

Pumping consumption depends on flow rate, head and set efficiency:

$P_{in}=\frac{\rho gQH}{{\eta }_{overall}}$

The efficiency limit should be clear; For example, the efficiency from the drive's electrical input to the power transferred to the water.

The ways to improve are:

• Selection of the pump according to the actual work points.

• Reducing unnecessary path drop.

• Modifying the diameter and arrangement of pipes, if justified.

• Prevent constipation.

• Coordination of the nozzle with the design pressure and flow rate.

• Selection of the control method according to the change in demand.

• Maintaining the permissible conditions of suction and operation.

Sources from the US Department of Energy suggest evaluating pumping by looking at the total system and life cycle cost. Technical resources of pumping systems ^[276]

The rated power of the engine is not the actual consumption of all working modes. Power measurement and knowing the operation plan are necessary for energy estimation.

Variable distance control

Pump equivalence relationships are useful for basic analysis under appropriate conditions, but actual savings depend on the system curve and efficiency at operating points. The variable distance pumping guide published by the US Department of Energy warns against the error of simply using these relationships in systems with static head. Application guide for variable speed pumping ^[277]

The minimum flow rate, cooling and permissible range of the equipment must also be maintained.

40–9. Energy calculation based on operating modes

For a program with specific modes:

$E=\sum P_i{t}_i$

In this regard, power is in kilowatts and time is in hours; The result is obtained in kilowatt-hours.

An educational example of a working day

In this example, the two display modes are not simultaneous, and the filtering power and brightness are not included in the values of the display circuit. This separation prevents re-counting.

For variable application, average power should be determined by valid data or measurement. A short, high-power scene may consume less energy per day than a long-running, low-power circuit.

The consumption of peripheral equipment should also be added if it is on the evaluation border.

Fig. 3-40 — Daily consumption chart

Suggested form: time and power diagram showing main mode, quiet mode, purification and brightness; The area under the diagram represents energy.

Subtitle: "The schedule and actual power of each section determine the daily consumption."

40–10. Lighting, sound and show design

The quality of the show can be managed with the right combination of water, light and timing.

In lighting, the following are checked:

• Directing the light to the effective area.

• Proportion of the radiation angle with the fountain.

• Prevent ineffective exposure.

• Intensity control in different hours and scenes.

• Coordination with ambient light.

• Cleanliness of optical surfaces and maintaining the quality of equipment.

Less consumption of lights should be evaluated along with lighting quality, glare, color and installation conditions.

In the show, using different groups and changing the rhythm can create visual quality without having all the equipment working at maximum command all the time. The resulting program must be accepted artistically and technically.

In the sound system, proper positioning and orientation of speakers can provide the required coverage with better control of sound propagation. The sound level and working hours should be in harmony with the surrounding conditions.

40–11. Climatic conditions and limited exploitation

A fountain can have a set of pre-designed modes:

Each mode should specify the behavior of the display circuit, filtration, lighting and compensating water.

Thresholds and delays should be adjusted to equipment and site conditions. Reduced mode should also be checked for water quality, pump performance and safety.

In limited resources, the executive decision must be explainable and recorded. The changes of the program and working hours are notified to the users so that their expectations are aligned with the actual service.

40–12. Durability, repairability and choice of materials

Sustainability is not limited to lifetime consumption. Building, transporting, replacing and disposing of equipment also consumes resources.

When choosing materials and equipment, the following should be checked:

• Compatibility with water quality and environment.

• The possibility of repairing and replacing parts.

• Access to consumables.

• The quality of connections and sealing.

• Ability to open without extensive destruction.

• The possibility of supplying parts in the future.

• Terms of reuse or recycling.

Sometimes a higher initial cost to access proper repairs makes later replacements easier. On the other hand, it is not enough to choose a material with the general title of "durable" without considering the actual environment.

Keeping the healthy part in the reconstruction can also reduce the consumption of materials; provided that its technical status and compatibility are confirmed.

40–13. Life cycle assessment and environmental effects

Life cycle assessment examines the stages of production, construction, operation, repair and end of life in a specific framework. ISO 14040 describes the principles and framework for this assessment. Official introduction of ISO 14040 ^[278]

For the fountain, first the target and unit of comparison must be clarified; For example, providing a defined service during a certain period.

The steps that can be checked are:

1. Production of materials and equipment. 2. Transport and installation. 3. Consumption of water, energy and materials in operation. 4. Repair and replacement. 5. Collection and end of life.

Evaluating only greenhouse gas emissions is not equivalent to evaluating all environmental effects. Issues such as water consumption, materials and disposal consequences may also be important.

To estimate electricity-related emissions at a given boundary:

$G=\sum E_i\times E{F}_i$

In which, $E{F}_i$ is the documented diffusion coefficient and is appropriate to the source, place, period and reporting method.

Until a valid coefficient is selected, the final number of emissions should not be reached from electricity consumption. The carbon reduction of new equipment should also be measured with the effects of their construction and replacement.

40–14. Solar energy and electricity supply

Solar electricity can be considered in the energy plan of the complex, but its assessment must be coordinated with the consumption pattern.

The main topics are:

• Installation location and area.

• Shading.

• Seasonal and hourly production.

• Network connection.

• Possible need for storage.

• Equipment maintenance and life.

• Backup power conditions.

The equality of the annual solar production and the annual consumption of the fountain does not mean its direct supply at all hours. Night show and daily production have different time pattern.

If storage is proposed, efficiency, usable capacity, life, replacement cost, and safety requirements should be considered.

The design of the power supply must also specify the controlled behavior of the assembly when the source is interrupted or changed.

40–15. Measure and prove savings

To measure the result, the base situation and comparison conditions must be known.

The minimum useful information is:

• Compensatory water reading.

• Energy consumption within the specified limit.

• Display hours and modes.

• Flushing and draining events.

• Wind, temperature and precipitation conditions.

• Configuration and equipment changes.

• The quality of the service provided.

Consumption reduction after modification should be analyzed with program changes, seasons and environmental conditions.

Terms such as "low consumption" or "environmentally friendly" should be attached to the relevant data, test method or certificate. The saving percentage of a project cannot be transferred to another project without checking the conditions.

The GSO site introduces pump, nozzle, lighting, control and filtration groups. In choosing these components, comparison should be made based on the working point, installation conditions and the actual project schedule. GSO urban fountain equipment groups ^[279]

Fig. 40-4 — Comparison of consumption with recorded conditions

Suggested figure: Compensatory water and energy diagram before and after modification, along with working hours and environmental conditions of the same periods.

Subtitle: "The savings report should also show changes in service and operating conditions."

40–16. Executive plan to improve sustainability

Actions should be prioritized based on evidence and feasibility.

For each action, responsible person, cost, implementation time, limitation and acceptance test are determined.

After the change is implemented, the settings and reference values are updated. The result will also be monitored in a suitable period to determine its effect in real conditions.

The annual report should show how much water and energy was consumed, what service was provided, which reforms were effective and what actions are planned for the next period.

File of projects and design studies