Pioneer Use of Pseudo Sub-Daily Timestep Model for Rainwater Harvesting Analysis: Acceptance over Hourly Model and Exploring Accuracy of Different Operating Algorithms

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of a pseudo sub-daily timestep model, which uses 6-hourly variable demands and daily rainfall values split into four equal 6-hourly portions. To assess the achievements through such sub-daily model, simulations were conducted using 6-hourly YBS (yield before storage), 6-hourly YAS (yield after storage), daily YBS and daily YAS models using rainfall data from a station near Melbourne (Australia) city under different input conditions. Results from the developed models were compared with the results of an earlier developed hourly timestep model, which considered hourly rainfall data and hourly variable rainwater demands. From the results, it is found that the results of YAS models are more accurate compared to the results of YBS models. Considering only potential water savings, daily YAS model results are very similar to the 6-hourly YAS model results.