Research Publications (Academic Support)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/211
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Item A process-based model for fluidized bed in sand filled reservoirs(ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2011) Olufayo, O. A.; Ochieng, George M.; Ndambuki, Julius M.; Otieno, Fredrick Alfred O.Arid and semi-arid regions are prone to severe water inadequacies. They are characterized by little rainfall resulting in several seasonal rivers. Seasonal riverbeds provide opportunity for water to be stored in river’s sand-beds while their surfaces may appear dry. It is an important source of water in most rural areas under arid conditions. Several numerical models have been developed for solving sediment problems in alluvial rivers. However, rarely if ever were a model applied for sand filled reservoirs. This study presents a model to understand interacting factors through which physical water storage potential can be increased in sand filled reservoirs. Finite different method (FDM) has been applied to numerically solve mass balance continuity equation in sand filled reservoir. There were reasonable agreements between estimated results and experimental measurements from a laboratory setup. The study could provide economic and suitability data for increasing water supplies to a small community.Item Sand water storage : unconventional methods to freshwater augmentation in isolated rural communities of South Africa(Academic Journals, 2010-10-20) Otieno, Fredrick Alfred O.; Olufayo, O. A.; Ochieng, George M.South Africa water resources are scarce in global terms with mean annual rainfall of about half world average of 860 mm a year. On the other hand, current economy development with resulting contamination of available water resources will further reduce water availability, if present patterns of water use continue unchanged. The conventional water resources (largely surface water) in the country have been fully exploited with little opportunity for further expansion. So therefore, new approaches are necessary by accessing alluvial aquifers of non-perennial rivers in forming additional water resources in this part of semi-arid region. High evaporative losses from surface storage, increasing costs of large dams and aridity conditions have hindered development of conventional water resources with increasing interest in using groundwater for rural water supply. Many South Africa rivers are non-perennial, therefore, development of unconventional sand water storage is appealing for freshwater augmentation in isolated rural communities. This paper presents overviews of South Africa water resources highlighting sand water storage options for potential application in rural water supply for isolated communities where groundwater potential is low.