Intelligent technology helps manage risk in Hong Kong's HATS sewerage system. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A team of researchers from Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have jointly developed a new technology that can predict the occurrence and emissions of toxic gases in urban drainage systems and quickly manage the risks posed by them.
In recent years, urbanization has progressed in China, and the scale of drainage systems continues to expand. However, the amount of hydrogen sulfide generated in drainage pipes is also rapidly increasing, said Jiang Feng, leader of the research team and professor at Sun Yat-sen University's School of Environmental Science and Engineering.
Jiang said that toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide not only cause severe pipe corrosion, but also cause numerous poisoning incidents, posing a threat to inspection and maintenance personnel.
Against this background, Sun Yat-sen University collaborated with the Hong Kong Drainage Authority, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and South China Normal University to develop intelligent technology to address this problem.
Jiang said the research team established a mathematical model to accurately predict the production and release of hydrogen sulfide, and built an online early warning system to facilitate risk control and management.
The research team won the 2023 China Construction Science and Technology Award (first prize). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Currently, this technology is widely used in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong, especially contributing to reducing poisoning incidents and extending the lifespan of drain pipes. Jiang said they also succeeded in improving the sewerage system of the port area treatment plan, which is the deepest of its kind in the world.
In addition, the research team has won several major awards, including the 2023 China Construction Science and Technology Award, for outstanding technical achievements, Jiang added.
liuzizheng@chinadaily.com.cn
