Development of Flow Computers for Network Analysis in Japan

Abstract

Although flow computers are now widely available, their use is not recommended for all water networks. One should not always rely upon flow computers for calculation of water piping networks. There is a general tendency in practice, however, to assume that there is no need for calculation if a sufficiently large pipeline network is provided. The computers are not only disadvantageous economically, but they are not necessarily logical for all of the networks. It is hoped that, in the future, flow computers can save the time and trouble that has been required for manual calculation. It is also hoped that computers can be set up to simulate field conditions in pipeline networks by using voltage booster devices to represent pumping stations, or by adding supply means to the instruments for water tanks, reservoirs, and the like, in accordance with the discharge rates of the latter. In addition, the conditions and quantity of water supply required to meet the future increase in population and the need for water in case of fires are most important matters that ought to be estimated so as to determine the latent capacity of water supply for the next 10‐50 years. The calculation method on piping networks in such programs will most fully be realized by the present computer, which features instant adaptability to the conversion of piping networks.