Optimal Transient Controls by Valve Stroking in Bypass Looping of a Pump Station in a Water Distribution System

A systematic approach is proposed to control fluid transients in bypass looping of a high-service pumping station of a large water distribution system when the pumping station shuts down and restarts. This approach is intended to optimize the bypass valve opening and closing time, to schedule multiple control valve switching operations, and to control valve closure behavior by valve stroking. The valve stroking should be determined in accordance with dynamic interactions among the pumping station, control valves, and water system. Valve dynamics could be characterized by the installed valve characteristics and the valve opening and closing schedule. To help with a high-service pumping station design in Pinellas County's drinking water system, a transient model was developed to simulate various transient events of the system and a multi-functional bypass valve was designed for bypass looping. The systematic approach prevented column separation and pressure surges generated during transients and allowed the system to transfer smoothly between normal and bypass operations.