Design Conduit System by Dynamic Programming

Abstract

A method, based on dynamic programming and systems concept, was developed for optimizing fluid distribution system. It allows design to proceed by stages to avoid the difficulty of making many simultaneous decisions encountered by existing methods. Theory and computation programs were developed for a serial type fluid transport system. The result showed that optimal design can be obtained readily. However, further effort is needed to develop theory and computation programs for more complex systems consisting of loops, branches, and multiple pumping sources.