Abstract
Abstract. Hydraulic simulation models of water distribution networks are routinely used for operational investigations and network design purposes. However, their full potential is often never realised because, in the majority of cases, they have been calibrated with data collected manually from the field during a single historic time period and, as such, reflect the network operational conditions that were prevalent at that time, and they are then applied as part of a reactive, desktop investigation. In order to use a hydraulic model to assist proactive distribution network management its element asset information must be up to date and it should be able to access current network information to drive simulations. Historically this advance has been restricted by the high cost of collecting and transferring the necessary field measurements. However, recent innovation and cost reductions associated with data transfer is resulting in collection of data from increasing numbers of sensors in water supply systems, and automatic transfer of the data to point of use. This means engineers potentially have access to a constant stream of current network data that enables a new era of "on-line" modelling that can be used to continually assess standards of service compliance for pressure and reduce the impact of network events, such as mains bursts, on customers. A case study is presented here that shows how an online modelling system can give timely warning of changes from normal network operation, providing capacity to minimise customer impact.
Highlights
The day to day operation of a water supply system is managed by skilled staff that use their experience and expert judgement to adjust control elements such as pumps and valves to ensure customer demands on the systems are met, and to minimise energy costs
As water use tends to follow repeatable patterns the operators understand what is required for normal operation but, when an unplanned event such as a burst main occurs, they often have to respond in a reactive manner, usually with scant information provided by contact from customers already impacted by the event
This paper describes an online hydraulic simulation model and demonstrates its potential by showing details of a flow event detected in one case study network DMA (Distribution Management Areas)
Summary
The day to day operation of a water supply system is managed by skilled staff that use their experience and expert judgement to adjust control elements such as pumps and valves to ensure customer demands on the systems are met (regulatory compliance), and to minimise energy costs. Popular packages include EPANET (US Environmental Protection Agency), AQUIS (7T), Infoworks (Wallingford software), and SynerGEE (Advantica) These simulation software packages enable the implementation of mathematical models of a water distribution networks that combine the physical laws governing the networks with the equations that relate pressure and flow for each operational element. For any hydraulic model to be useful to operators it should contain accurate element physical characteristic information and be calibrated, by adjusting the model variable parameters until field measurement and model simulation results are in reasonable agreement, so that it accurately reflects the true operational characteristics of the network This process generally requires a considerable amount of data, for example, around 14 days of measured flow and pressure from the network, which has traditionally been collected manually, and manipulation of model variables. It is shown that a sufficiently accurate on-line model may be used to detect hydraulic events such as bursts and if correctly configured, such a model can detect illegal hydrant or valve operations, and monitor standards of service levels for pressure
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