Using simulation model to determine the regulation and to optimize the quantity of chlorine injection in water distribution networks

Abstract

Water can be disinfected by various techniques. Chlorination is the most prevalent and the cheapest method in this regard. One of the most significant factors in chlorination is the location and the amount of chlorine injections, both of which must be chosen in a way that the amount of chlorine remaining in all sections of a city’s water distribution network is within the standard range, and the associated costs are reduced to a considerable extent. Therefore, in this research, we have implemented a technique which takes both of those issues, i.e., the amount of residual chlorine in pipes and the quantity of chlorine consumed in diverse sections of the water distribution network into account leading to a much more cost-effective water disinfection technique. Our technique shows that municipal water distribution network, are effectively in tune with the current highest standards set in the water disinfection procedure for the lowest possible cost. For modeling the water allocation network, the WaterGems software was used. Using this software, the network was modeled into two practical methods, i.e., gravity and direct pumping methods. The productivity of gravity as well as direct pumping methods was shown to control the optimal chlorine injection rate by resolving the two applied models of water distribution networks. The results showed that the residual chlorine content in 70% of the direct pipe network was within the standard range and in 100% of the tubes in the gravity distribution network lower than the standard. Also, the chlorine which was consumed in the direct pumping network was 7% lesser than that in the gravity distribution network. This research showed that the adjusting of chlorine injection into direct-pumped networks compared with gravity distribution networks was more feasible and also required less chlorine consumption.