Comparison between two Hydraulic Control Valves Systems for Leakage Minimization in Water Distribution Networks Using Multi-Objective Memetic Algorithm

Abstract

This paper optimizes the selection, number, location, and sizing of hydraulic devices with the purposes of leakage reduction in water distribution network (WDN). A multi-objective memetic algorithm is adopted to effectively minimize the leakage problem in WDN through the regulation of two different hydraulic control valves systems: throttle control valves (TCVs) and flow control valves (FCVs). Two objective functions are simultaneously considered: the first one is to minimize the total leakage in the network and the second objective function is represented by the minimization of the number of valves (a surrogate for establishing valves cost) while accomplishing the required nodal pressure head restrictions. The great advantage of this study is that, in one run, several trade-off optimal solutions are acquired with a different level of compromise between the two objectives. Each solution from these optimal ones consists of: minimum number of suggested valves, the best locations for the valves and optimum valves settings. The performance of the developed optimization model is evaluated by its application on a well-known WDN from literature. Then, the developed optimization model is applied on a real WDN of a new city, Egypt. Results show that the hydraulic performances of the two hydraulic control valves systems in leakage reduction are almost agreement for the same valves number, and the TCVs system is relatively better than the FCVs system.