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Optimisation of rainwater tank design from large roofs: A case study in Melbourne, Australia

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  • Imteaz, Monzur Alam
  • Shanableh, Abdallah
  • Rahman, Ataur
  • Ahsan, Amimul

Abstract

Rainwater tanks for larger roof areas need optimisation of tank size, which is often not carried out before installation of these tanks. This paper presents a case study of rainwater tank evaluation and design for large roof areas, located in Melbourne, Australia, based on observed daily rainfall data representing three different climatic regimes (i.e. dry average, and wet years). With the aim of developing a comprehensive Decision Support Tool for the performance analysis and design of rainwater tanks, a simple spreadsheet based daily water balance model is developed using daily rainfall data, contributing roof area, rainfall loss factor, available storage volume, tank overflow and irrigation water demand. In this case study, two (185m3 and 110m3) underground rainwater tanks are considered. Using the developed model, effectiveness of each tank under different climatic scenarios are assessed. The analysis shows that both the tanks are quite effective in wet and average years, however less effective in dry years. A payback period analysis of the tanks is preformed which reveals that the total construction cost of the tanks can be recovered within 15–21 years time depending on tank size, climatic conditions and future water price increase rates. For the tanks, a relationship between water price increase rates and payback periods is developed. The study highlights the need for detailed optimisation and financial analysis for large rainwater tanks to maximise the benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Shanableh, Abdallah & Rahman, Ataur & Ahsan, Amimul, 2011. "Optimisation of rainwater tank design from large roofs: A case study in Melbourne, Australia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 1022-1029.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:55:y:2011:i:11:p:1022-1029
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.05.013
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    1. Ghisi, Enedir & Tavares, Davi da Fonseca & Rocha, Vinicius Luis, 2009. "Rainwater harvesting in petrol stations in Brasília: Potential for potable water savings and investment feasibility analysis," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 79-85.
    2. Tam, Vivian W.Y. & Tam, Leona & Zeng, S.X., 2010. "Cost effectiveness and tradeoff on the use of rainwater tank: An empirical study in Australian residential decision-making," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(3), pages 178-186.
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    1. Moreira Neto, Ronan Fernandes & Carvalho, Isabella de Castro & Calijuri, Maria Lúcia & Santiago, Aníbal da Fonseca, 2012. "Rainwater use in airports: A case study in Brazil," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 36-43.
    2. Rahman, Ataur & Keane, Joseph & Imteaz, Monzur Alam, 2012. "Rainwater harvesting in Greater Sydney: Water savings, reliability and economic benefits," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 16-21.
    3. Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Ahsan, Amimul & Rahman, Ataur & Mekanik, Fatemeh, 2013. "Modelling stormwater treatment systems using MUSIC: Accuracy," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 15-21.
    4. Hashim, H. & Hudzori, A. & Yusop, Z. & Ho, W.S., 2013. "Simulation based programming for optimization of large-scale rainwater harvesting system: Malaysia case study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1-9.
    5. Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Paudel, Upendra & Ahsan, Amimul & Santos, Cristina, 2015. "Climatic and spatial variability of potential rainwater savings for a large coastal city," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 143-147.
    6. Stec, Agnieszka & Kordana, Sabina, 2015. "Analysis of profitability of rainwater harvesting, gray water recycling and drain water heat recovery systems," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 84-94.
    7. Cook, Stephen & Sharma, Ashok K & Gurung, Thulo Ram, 2014. "Evaluation of alternative water sources for commercial buildings: A case study in Brisbane, Australia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 86-93.
    8. Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Ahsan, Amimul & Shanableh, Abdallah, 2013. "Reliability analysis of rainwater tanks using daily water balance model: Variations within a large city," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 37-43.
    9. Bocanegra-Martínez, Andrea & Ponce-Ortega, José María & Nápoles-Rivera, Fabricio & Serna-González, Medardo & Castro-Montoya, Agustín Jaime & El-Halwagi, Mahmoud M., 2014. "Optimal design of rainwater collecting systems for domestic use into a residential development," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 44-56.
    10. Santos, C. & Taveira-Pinto, F., 2013. "Analysis of different criteria to size rainwater storage tanks using detailed methods," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 1-6.
    11. Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Adeboye, Omotayo B. & Rayburg, Scott & Shanableh, Abdallah, 2012. "Rainwater harvesting potential for southwest Nigeria using daily water balance model," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 51-55.
    12. Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Ahsan, Amimul & Naser, Jamal & Rahman, Ataur, 2011. "Reliability analysis of rainwater tanks in Melbourne using daily water balance model," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 56(1), pages 80-86.
    13. Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Rahman, Ataur & Ahsan, Amimul, 2012. "Reliability analysis of rainwater tanks: A comparison between South-East and Central Melbourne," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 1-7.
    14. Jing, Xueer & Zhang, Shouhong & Zhang, Jianjun & Wang, Yujie & Wang, Yunqi, 2017. "Assessing efficiency and economic viability of rainwater harvesting systems for meeting non-potable water demands in four climatic zones of China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 74-85.
    15. Moniruzzaman, Muhammad & Imteaz, Monzur A., 2017. "Generalized equations, climatic and spatial variabilities of potential rainwater savings: A case study for Sydney," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 139-156.
    16. Okoye, Chiemeka Onyeka & Solyalı, Oğuz & Akıntuğ, Bertuğ, 2015. "Optimal sizing of storage tanks in domestic rainwater harvesting systems: A linear programming approach," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 131-140.
    17. Mahmood, Asif & Hossain, Faisal, 2017. "Feasibility of managed domestic rainwater harvesting in South Asian rural areas using remote sensing," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 157-168.
    18. Youn, Seok-goo & Chung, Eun-Sung & Kang, Won Gu & Sung, Jang Hyun, 2012. "Probabilistic estimation of the storage capacity of a rainwater harvesting system considering climate change," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 136-144.

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