Real Time Control of a Prototype for Pressure Regulation and Energy Production in Water Distribution Networks

In water distribution networks (WDNs), the classic pressure control valves (PCVs) are mechanical/hydraulic devices aimed at maintaining the target pressure just downstream or upstream of the PCV pipe, namely pressure reduction or sustaining valves. From a modelling standpoint, the major drawback of such local control is that classic PCVs may require target pressure varying over time with the pattern of delivered water because the controlled node is not strategic for the optimal WDN pressure control. Current information and communication technology allows transferring streams of pressure data from any WDN node to the PCV. Thus, remotely real-time control (RRTC) permits real-time electric regulation of PCVs to maintain a fixed target pressure value in strategic critical nodes, resulting in optimal control of pressure and background leakages. This paper shows three strategies for the electric regulation of RRTC PCVs, which use as control variables the shutter opening degree (SD), the valve hydraulic resistance (RES) and the valve head loss (HL). The Apulian network is used to compare the three strategies, while the application on the real Oppegård WDN yields further discussions. Results show that HL and RES strategies outperform SD; constraining the maximum shutter displacement helps SD stability although it still needs calibration.

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A new algorithm for real-time pressure control in water distribution networks

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2013.074 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 875-882 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

E. Creaco ◽

M. Franchini

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Water Discharge ◽

Control Valve ◽

Distribution Networks ◽

Water Distribution Networks ◽

Real Time Control ◽

Numerical Application ◽

Operation Conditions ◽

Control Node

This paper presents a new logic algorithm for real-time control of regulation valves in water distribution networks. This method entails identifying in real time the appropriate closure setting of regulation valves in order to reach and keep the desired piezometric height at the control node(s), by making use of measurements concerning both the piezometric height at the control node(s) and the water discharge in the pipes fitted with regulation valves. In the numerical application herein described this control algorithm is implemented within a hydraulic simulation model and is tested in the case study of a real distribution network, in which there is only one control valve, installed in the pipe linking the serving tank to the network. Results showed excellent performance in terms of pressure regulation (with very small deviations from the desired set-point value) and leakage reduction under various operation conditions.

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Advances in Water Distribution Networks

Water ◽

10.3390/w10111546 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1546 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Enrico Creaco ◽

Giuseppe Pezzinga

Keyword(s):

Water Distribution ◽

Water Discharge ◽

Distribution Networks ◽

Water Distribution Networks ◽

Special Issue ◽

Real Time Control ◽

Service Effectiveness ◽

Simulation And Optimization ◽

The Third ◽

Time Control

This Editorial presents a representative collection of 10 papers, presented in the Special Issue on Advances in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs), and frames them in the current research trends. Four topics are mainly explored: simulation and optimization modelling, topology and partitioning, water quality, and service effectiveness. As for the first topic, the following aspects are dealt with: pressure-driven formulations, algorithms for the optimal location of control valves to minimize leakage, benefits of water discharge prediction for the remote real time control (RTC) of valves, and transients generated by pumps operating as turbines (PATs). In the context of the second topic, a topological taxonomy of WDNs is presented, and partitioning methods for the creation of district metered areas (DMAs) are compared. With regards to the third topic, the vulnerability to trihalomethane is assessed, and a statistical optimization model is presented to minimise heavy metal releases. Finally, the fourth topic focusses on estimation of non-revenue water (NRW), inclusive of leakage and unauthorized consumption, and on assessment of service under intermittent supply conditions.

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