TOWARDS A UNIFIED MEASURE OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES AVAILABILITY - THE EXERGY METHOD APPLIED TO THE WATER OF A RIVER

This paper applies the exergetic method to a renewable resource: the w ater of a river. Its application can be used to compare, diagnose and evaluate the river water along its different stages, while the river f lows from its source to its mouth. River water availability (defined a s the sum of the exergy components) will help to characterize the phys ical and chemical properties of the river. The different stages of the river can be characterized by its mass flow and the measure of five p arameters: pressure, temperature, altitude, velocity and composition. As is well known, the exergy method can associate each parameter with its exergetic component: mechanical, thermal, potential, kinetic and c hemical, respectively. These components will help to quantify some qua lity and quantity aspects of the river. The information provided by th e exergy method will allow to understand concepts related to the water river availability. Furthermore, by comparing these availabilities at different stages, it will be possible to obtain a broad understanding of the degradation process that the river undergoes. An example of ap plication has been developed to a particular river: the Ebro, the most abundant Spanish river. From eight sampling stations [1], which are o rdered following the going down of the river (stages), it is possible to obtain field data measurement needed to calculate the exergy compon ents. The information provided will help to describe and compare the d egradation process of the Ebro, from its source to its mouth: stage by stage, and during the year. The exergetic approach fulfils these aims by unifying in the same exergy units. An interpretation of the result s has been made in terms of the geographic and hydrologic aspects. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.