Cuncumén, Chile

Background

Background

The Cuncumén valley is located within a coastal mountain range in the Valparaíso Region, about 20 km south west of the city of Melipilla, and about 40 km south east of the city of San Antonio. Its location gives it characteristics of a microclimate, suitable for growing fruit trees and agricultural plantations, but a lack of water has limited their sustainability and expansion.

Managed by BFS Chile, the Cuncumén Irrigation System captures water from the Maipo River, taking it through a canal to a floating, raft-based pumping station. From there, the water is driven to a desander, and then directed towards a number of water accumulation reservoirs, before being distributed to the local population.

 

 

Solution

Sloped terrain

The Cuncumén irrigation project is surrounded by hills, with slopes of up to 200 meters. This caused a problem with one of the pump stations, namely that, because the pump manifold with the non-return valves is located 3-5 meters above the level of the floating pumps, pressure was falling below the recommended levels for the pipes.

Solution A perfect combination of air valves

An A.R.I. VB-060 vacuum breaker and A.R.I. D-060NS air valve were installed in each pump, with two of each for the pump manifold. In the first (and largest) pumping station, 12-inch A.R.I. VB-060 vacuum breakers and 2-inch A.R.I. D-060NS non-slam combination air valves were installed, combining a 12-inch uni-directional vent valve, with a 2-inch tri-functional valve with non-slam anti-hammer devices. This unique combination enables a huge amount of air to enter the system, both during the initial filling and while the system is pressurized, minimizing negative pressure ruptures and line emptying.In the first (and largest) pumping station model, 12-inch A.R.I. VB-060 vacuum breakers and 2-inch A.R.I. D-060NS non-slam combination air valves were installed, combining a 12-inch uni-directional vent valve, with a 2-inch tri-functional valve with non-slam anti-hammer devices. This unique combination enables a huge amount of air to enter the system, both during the initial filling and while the system is pressurized, minimizing negative pressure ruptures and line emptying.

In the gravitational distribution network, A.R.I. D-43 valves and A.R.I. D-46 combination air valves were installed, in diameters of 2 and 3 inches. These enable air venting during filling, emptying and distribution of water to the different premises, minimizing energy losses produced by air in the line.

Result

Results Consistently optimal flow

Since the installation of the various air valves, the Cuncumén Irrigation System has been working efficiently, with adequate hydraulic protection against ruptures, vacuum and transient water hammer, facilitating optimal flow management through the entire pipeline.