IMPLEMENTATION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC FLOATING COVER FOR IRRIGATION RESERVOIRS

[EN] The article presents the main features of a floating photovoltaic cover system (FPCS) for water irrigation reservoirs whose purpose is to reduce the evaporation of water while generating electrical power. The system consists of polyethylene floating modules which are able to adapt to varying reservoir water levels by means of tension bars and elastic fasteners. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Redón-Santafé, M.; Ferrer-Gisbert, P.; Sánchez-Romero, F.; Torregrosa Soler, JB.; Ferran Gozalvez, JJ.; Ferrer Gisbert, CM. (2014). IMPLEMENTATION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC FLOATING COVER FOR IRRIGATION RESERVOIRS. Journal of Cleaner Production. 66:568-570. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.11.006S5685706

Reflections on the elaboration and implementation of emergency plans in agricultural water reservoirs

[SPA] Las balsas de tierra impermeabilizadas con geomembranas son obras muy seguras, tanto por la tipología constructiva empleada, como por su tipo de explotación, tal y como demuestra la experiencia y la escasez de incidencias. En cualquier caso, se debe ser consciente que cualquier infraestructura puede colapsar y causar daños, y en el peor de los casos la pérdida de vidas humanas. Aunque la probabilidad de colapso nula no existe, es obligación tanto de los usuarios, técnicos implicados el intentar conseguirla. El desarrollo de las sociedades exige mayores niveles de seguridad, y en este sentido tanto para las balsas de tierra como para cualquier otro tipo de infraestructura, las exigencias en seguridad cada vez son mayores. La seguridad en las balsas de tierra viene determinada por tres pilares fundamentales que son: 1. Criterios de proyecto y control durante la ejecución, en ciertos puntos críticos. 2. Mantenimiento de la seguridad a lo largo del tiempo, lo que requiere de unos planes eficaces de Vigilancia y Mantenimiento, dentro de unas normas de Explotación, acordes con las entidades titulares que las tienen que implementar. 3. En el peor de los casos, la infraestructura puede fallar, por lo que interesa analizar cuáles serían sus consecuencias y hacerlo con el suficiente detalle para que puedan adoptarse medidas eficaces que aminores, e incluso anulen los daños, y en especial de vidas humanas. Esta preocupación por la seguridad en las balsas se vio establecida con la inclusión de las balsas en el Real Decreto 9/2008. Una mala concepción de la seguridad en balsas ha querido trasladar a estas infraestructuras, los criterios y planteamientos de las presas, lo cual ha provocado una gran confusión, tanto administrativa como técnica, e incluso un rechazo del sector a la exigencia del establecimiento de un marco normativo para este tipo de infraestructuras. En la presente ponencia se establecen una serie de reflexiones sobre los contenidos de los Planes de Emergencia, estableciendo la diferencia entre su aplicación a presas y balsas, las implicaciones sociales que pueden derivarse de los mismos, así como cuáles deben ser los criterios a seguir para incrementar la seguridad real de las balsas. [ENG] Agricultural Water Reservoirs waterproofed with geomembranes are very safe works, both because of the construction technology used and the type of operation, as shown by experience and the scarcity of incidents. In any case, one must be aware that any infrastructure can collapse and cause damage, and in the worst case, the loss of human lives. Although the probability of zero collapse does not exist, it is the obligation of both the users and the technicians involved to try to achieve it. The development of societies demands higher levels of safety, and in this sense, both for Agricultural Water Reservoirs and for any other type of infrastructure, the safety requirements are increasingly higher. Safety in Agricultural Water Reservoir is determined by three fundamental pillars: 1. Criteria for design and control during execution, at certain critical points. 2. Maintenance of safety over time, which requires effective surveillance and maintenance plans, within the framework of operating standards, in accordance with the entities that have to implement them. 3. In the worst case scenario, the infrastructure may fail, so it is important to analyze the consequences and to do so in sufficient detail so that effective measures can be adopted to reduce or even eliminate the damage, especially in terms of human lives. This concern for raft safety was established with the inclusion of rafts in Royal Decree 9/2008. A bad conception of safety in Agricultural Water Reservoir has wanted to transfer to these infrastructures, the criteria and approaches of dams, which has caused great confusion, both administrative and technical, and even a rejection of the sector to the demand for the establishment of a regulatory framework for this type of infrastructure. This paper sets out a series of reflections on the contents of the Emergency Plans, establishing the difference between their application to dams and agricultural reservoirs, the social implications that may derive from them, as well as the criteria to be followed in order to increase the real safety of reservoirs

Contribution to the geometric characterization of Agricultural Water Reservoirs as a tool for the calculation of sustainability indicators

[SPA] Las balsas a diferencia de las presas presentan desde un punto de vista geométrico elementos y formas similares que pueden ser estudiadas y caracterizadas para la obtención de relaciones y expresiones útiles para la planificación y análisis de diferentes aspectos. En el presente artículo se pretende recopilar y analizar las diferentes relaciones geométricas en balsas. En primer lugar, se realiza una recopilación con las relaciones entre las diferentes variables encontradas en la bibliografía especializada. A partir de la información recopilada por la Generalitat Valenciana de aproximadamente unas 50 balsas, se han obtenido diferentes relaciones entre las variables. Estas relaciones permiten que de una manera aproximada y en fase de predimensionado de una balsa o gestión del territorio, la estimación rápida de diferentes parámetros como la superficie ocupada en función del volumen, superficie impermeabilizada y otro tipo de variables útiles tanto para los proyectistas, gestores y Comunidades de Regantes. El desarrollo y utilización de este tipo de herramientas analíticas debe permitir la caracterización de este tipo de infraestructura dentro de los sistemas hidráulicos, proporcionando indicadores que permitan una mejor planificación y gestión en base a Objetivos de desarrollo Sostenible. [ENG] The Agricultural Water Reservoirs, unlike dams, present from a geometrical point of view similar elements and shapes that can be studied and characterized in order to obtain relations and expressions useful for the planning and analysis of different aspects. In this article we intend to compile and analyze the different geometric relationships in Agricultural Water Reservoirs. First of all, a compilation of the relationships between the different variables found in the specialized literature is made. From the information compiled by the Generalitat Valenciana of approximately 50 Agricultural Water Reservoirs, different relationships between the variables have been obtained. These relationships allow, in an approximate way and in the pre-dimensioning phase of a Agricultural Water Reservoirs or management of the territory, the fast estimation of different parameters such as the occupied surface in function of the volume, waterproofed surface and other types of useful variables for designers, managers and Irrigation Communities. The development and use of this type of analytical tools should allow the characterization of this type of infrastructure within the hydraulic systems, providing indicators that allow better planning and management based on Sustainable Development Objectives

New functions of the irrigation reservoirs in a transition towards a more sustanaible agriculture, in the Province of Alicante (Spain)

[SPA] Son bien conocidas las funciones de las balsas de tierra, como infraestructuras imprescindibles en la modernización, consolidación y sostenibilidad de regadíos, desde finales de los años 60 del siglo pasado. Actualmente, dichas funciones están plenamente vigentes, pero además, se amplían las mismas como infraestructuras básicas para la regulación de recursos en el ámbito comarcal, independientemente de su origen. Las nuevas funciones que cumplirán las balsas son: Regulación de volúmenes de aguas superficiales, derivadas de ríos, sin interferir en las dinámicas naturales de los mismos. Acoplar la oferta y la demanda de aguas residuales y desaladas, haciendo posible, además, la utilización de fuentes de energía renovables. Contribuir como micro-humedales, en combinación con la actividad agraria, en el aumento de la biodiversidad [ENG] The functions of earth reservoirs are well known, as essential infrastructures in the modernization, consolidation and sustainability of irrigation systems, since the end of the 60s of the last century. Currently, these functions are fully in force, but they are also expanded as basic infrastructures for the regulation of resources at the regional level, regardless of their origin. The new functions that the earth reservoirs will fulfill are: Regulation of surface water volumes derived from rivers, without interfering with their natural dynamics. Coupling the supply and demand of wastewater and desalinated, also making possible the use of renewable energy sources. Contribute as micro-wetlands, in combination with agricultural activity, in increasing biodiversity

Analysis and design of a vertical sectored tank

Abstract This article describes the conceptual design and the structural analysis of a vertical cylindrical partitioned tank for an international chemical company. Vertical cylindrical tanks are commonly used in the chemical industry worldwide as vessels to contain liquids. Most of these plants have reduced area for the installation of the container tanks. Many of them need to renew their manufacturing process according to the new technologies and requirements. In addition, in some cases, the preparation of mixtures is carried out on small surfaces. All this factors led to the idea of designing a vertical sectorised tank, considering that alternative hydrostatic pressure cases can lead to eccentric loads on the upper surfaces. Therefore, bending stresses and compression and tension stresses will occur. A Finite Element Method calculation was performed to determine the wall thickness fulfilling the structural requirements for two distinguishing design alternatives. This article describes the particular models designed and the detailed FEM simulation and mechanical calculation carried out to determine the optimized solution of partitioned tanks with a diamond‐shaped inner bracing system that manages to meet all the structural, manufacturing, constructive and environmental needs with a target thickness of 12 mm