Analysis of different operational control strategies for drinking water pump-tank systems: a case study

Abstract

The management of drinking water pumping systems is a delicate task that most often requires the use of different pumping strategies ranging from the simplest to the most sophisticated control methods. In order to study the performance of these methods a numerical simulation of three pumping methods was carried out (two real-time control methods and one simple method). The first real-time control method is based on a model of multivolume regulation. It was developed as part of this study. This method is based on the volume of water in the tank and characterized by a cascade operation of the pumps depending on the control volumes. The second real-time control method is based on a progressive regulation model (PR). This model is characterized by a gradual start and stop of the pumps according to two control volumes: a volume of stop and a volume of starting of the pumps (V on and V off). The third method is based on continuous 24-h pumping (H24).The study was validated on two pumping systems supplying the Hotel and Ighaouzene tanks in the city of Sidi Aiche. The results have shown the energy, hydraulic and operational efficiency of the two real-time control methods in the management of water supply systems.