Combining Engineering Judgment and an Optimization Model to Increase Hydraulic and Energy Efficiency in Water Distribution Networks
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper presents a methodology for optimizing the operations of water distribution networks. The methodology combines the use of best management practices with a pseudogenetic algorithm, and has been applied to solve the problem of the battle of background leakage assessment for water networks. This problem involves more than 70,000 decision variables. To reduce this number, the problem was divided into three steps. First, a preliminary analysis was performed to define criteria for the replacement of pipes and pumps with a definition of potential subareas. Then, an optimization model was used to determine the pump schedule and pipe replacement. Finally, fine adjustments were performed including pump replacement, control pressure valve usage, and valve-setting definition. The main conclusion derived from this work is that a proper combination of optimization techniques and manual adjustments based on the use of engineering judgment is suitable to solve generic problems in water supply networks.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the project DPI2009-13674 (OPERAGUA) of the Dirección General de Investigación y Gestión del Plan Nacional de I+D+I del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain. This work was also supported by the Program Initiation into research (Project 11140128) of the CONICYT, Chile.
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Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142 • Issue 5 • May 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 19, 2015
Accepted: Aug 13, 2015
Published online: Oct 14, 2015
Discussion open until: Mar 14, 2016
Published in print: May 1, 2016
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