How to determine the cistern volume of rainwater harvesting system: an analytical solution based on roof areas and water demands

Chen Shiguang (), Zeng Haoxin, Sun Hongwei, Liu Song and Yang Yongmin
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Chen Shiguang: ZhongKai University of Agriculture and Engineering
Zeng Haoxin: ZhongKai University of Agriculture and Engineering
Sun Hongwei: Guangdong Lingnan Township Green Building Industrialization Engineering Technology Research Center
Liu Song: Guangdong Lingnan Township Green Building Industrialization Engineering Technology Research Center
Yang Yongmin: Institute of Sustainable Building and Energy Conservation of Zhongkai College of Agricultural Engineering

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2024, vol. 26, issue 8, No 52, 20413-20438

Abstract: Abstract The rainwater tank is a critical component of the rainwater harvesting system and has a significant impact on the non-potable water saving efficiency and economic acceptability of the rainwater harvesting system. The choice of a suitable tank design to suit an existing catchment and local conditions is critical. In this paper, capacity is considered as a function of local rainfall data, unit price of tap water, roof area, non-potable water demand and an estimate of the cost of constructing a rainwater harvesting system. Analytical equations are derived that allow direct calculation of the desired cistern volume in terms of roof area and non-potable water demand. The validity of the analytical equations was demonstrated by comparing their results with the results of the sequential simulation, and the analytical equations proved to be adequate for the estimation of cisterns, but it was necessary to exclude some extreme scenarios due to the high deviation rate of the calculation results in the buildings with extremely high demand rates or extremely low roof areas. The proposed approach provides ‘easy-to-use' design tools for engineers, architects, local authorities and rainwater tank manufacturers to estimate or recommend suitable sizes of rainwater cisterns. Graphical abstract

Keywords: Storage tank optimization; Continuous simulation; Benefit–cost ratio; Regression equations; Design tools (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03480-x

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