Optimal operation of a potable water distribution network

C. Biscos, M. Mulholland, M.V. Le Lann, C.J. Brouckaert, Ryan T. Bailey, M. Roustan

Water Science & Technology · 2002 · 21 citations · 0 references

Concepts

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to an optimal operation of a potable water distribution network. The main control objective defined during the preliminary steps was to maximise the use of low-cost power, maintaining at the same time minimum emergency levels in all reservoirs. The combination of dynamic elements (e.g. reservoirs) and discrete elements (pumps, valves, routing) makes this a challenging predictive control and constrained optimisation problem, which is being solved by MINLP (Mixed Integer Non-linear Programming). Initial experimental results show the performance of this algorithm and its ability to control the water distribution process.