Improved Control of Pressure Reducing Valves in Water Distribution Networks

The potential energy of the water in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) usually exceeds the amount needed for delivery and consumption and, at the present time, it is mainly dissipated through Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) or Open Water Tanks. The present study suggests the use of a new energy-producing device, a Cross-flow turbine with positive outlet pressure named PRS (Power Recovery System), which can provide the same service as PRVs and water tanks, with additional significant hydropower production. After a short presentation of the PRS, the management rules of the proposed device are laid out, according to two possible modes. In the 'passive' mode, the piezometric level downstream of the turbine is fixed at the sought after value, in the 'active' mode, the discharge is regulated according to the required value. The design criterion is then presented, based on a simple relationship linking dimensionless numbers. A PRS is finally designed for a typical water distribution network, serving the city of Palermo (Italy). The resulting cost-benefit analysis is compared with a similar one carried out in previous work for a regulation system based on the use of a Pump As Turbine (PAT). The comparison shows the improvement obtained by the use of the PRS, consisting of higher energy production, as well as lower construction and installation costs.

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“…The pressure control is usually carried out by means of open water tanks and/or the installation of Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) [3][4][5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Device for Pressure Control and Energy Recovery in Water Distribution Networks

Sinagra

Sammartano

Morreale³

et al. 2017

Water

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“…The first one has a great quantity of users with a low average of consumption. The second one is determined by fewer users with a high consumption, where the sum of the individual demands constitutes the total consumption of the system [6]. Independently of the type of model, what is used to define the consumption over one period of time, q m , is the following: i) we define the average consumption, f avg , based on empirical data; ii) next, over a sequence of rectangular pulses C j , we define the duration and the intensity, i.e., T i (seconds), and I i (liters per seconds, l/s), respectively.…”

Section: A Demand Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These models contributed to develop a proportional controller in [3], which has problems with oscillations and settling time. An improvement in the control scheme in this particular application is introduced in [6], which uses a PID controller. A faster tracking response is obtained without oscillatory issues.…”

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confidence: 99%

E. Coli bacterial foraging algorithm applied to pressure reducing valves control

Ramírez-Llanos

Quijano

2009

2009 American Control Conference

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Abstract-Continuous changes in the demand and valve operation in each district metered area (DMA) introduce undesired behaviors in a water distribution system (WDS). In order to dynamically correct the emergence of these undesired pressure transients, an adaptive controller using foraging theory as an optimization method is developed. Specifically, an E. Coli bacterial algorithm is customized to be used in an adaptive control scheme (indirect and direct) with real time requirements.

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“…In particular the use of Pressure Reduction Valves (PRV) within the network is recommended to grant optimal pressure values in most of the network's nodes and minimal water volumes dispersed in leakages (Araujo et al 2006;Walsky et al 2006;Prescott and Ulanicki 2008;Xu et al 2014;Dai and Li 2016). Hydro Power Plants (HPP) represents a good alternative to PRV, reducing pressure and enhancing the energy efficiency of the water systems (Punys et al 2011;McNabola et al 2011;Gaius-obaseki 2010;Ramos et al 2010;Carravetta et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of Osmotic Desalination Plants for Water Supply Networks

Carravetta

Fecarotta

Golia

et al. 2016

Water Resour Manage

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Water scarcity and the poor quality of water resources are leading to a wider diffusion of desalination plants using the Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. Unfortunately, the cost of a cubic meter of fresh water produced by an RO plants is still high and many efforts are in progress to increase the efficiency of the membranes used in osmotic plants and to limit the energy required by the process. A further reduction of the energy cost could be obtained by an optimal operation of the desalination plant so reducing the hourly energy cost, or by coupling the RO plant with an energy production plant based on direct osmosis (Pressure Retarded Osmosis PRO). The economic viability of the desalination process has been analyzed until now without accounting for the integration of the RO plant with the existing water network. This analysis is developed in the present paper with reference to a hypothetical change of water supply in a real network, where a desalination plant is used to satisfy the fresh water demand. Several scenarios will be analyzed to assess the minimum cost of fresh water production and water supply to the network, including the use of energy recovery systems, such as an integrated use of RO and PRO processes, or the regulation of pressure at the network intake by a micro hydro power plant.

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Improved Control of Pressure Reducing Valves in Water Distribution Networks

Cited by 101 publications

References 6 publications

A New Device for Pressure Control and Energy Recovery in Water Distribution Networks

A New Device for Pressure Control and Energy Recovery in Water Distribution Networks

E. Coli bacterial foraging algorithm applied to pressure reducing valves control

Optimization of Osmotic Desalination Plants for Water Supply Networks

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