Pumping Station Design in Water Distribution Networks Considering the Optimal Flow Distribution between Sources and Capital and Operating Costs

Abstract

The investment and operating costs of pumping stations in drinking water distribution networks are some of the highest public costs in urban sectors. Generally, these systems are designed based on extreme scenarios. However, in periods of normal operation, extra energy is produced, thereby generating excess costs. To avoid this problem, this work presents a new methodology for the design of pumping stations. The proposed technique is based on the use of a setpoint curve to optimize the operating and investment costs of a station simultaneously. According to this purpose, a novel mathematical optimization model is developed. The solution output by the model includes the selection of the pumps, the dimensions of pipelines, and the optimal flow distribution among all water sources for a given network. To demonstrate the advantages of using this technique, a case study network is presented. A pseudo-genetic algorithm (PGA) is implemented to resolve the optimization model. Finally, the obtained results show that it is possible to determine the full design and operating conditions required to achieve the lowest cost in a multiple pump station network.

Comparison of the Functional and Dimensional Characteristics of Two Drinking Water Treatment Plants: Case of Goudel II and Goudel III, Niamey Niger

“…The eight ( 8) dewatering pumps at Goudel draw raw water from the River Niger to supply the two treatment stations at Goudel. The detailed characteristics of these eight (8) pumps are given in Table 2.…”

“…One of the main problems when designing water distribution networks is to obtain the type of pump that best matches the water demand under specific pressure head requirements. Various algorithms for minimising the total cost of pumping stations (capital and operating costs) have been developed [8,9]. One of the key economic parameters for pumping stations is the cost of the energy required to operate the system [10].…”

Optimization of Energy Consumption in the Pumping Station Supplying Two Zones of the Water Supply System

“…The cost of energy is one of the most important components of the price of treated water. They include, among others, costs of pumping and transporting water [3][4][5]. Global trends in electricity savings and constantly growing electricity prices force you to look for savings at "every step".…”

Reduction of the search space for the optimization problem of the design of the pumping station through the automatic identification of infeasible flow distributions

“…Later, through network operations, the control system determines the on/off status of each pump depending on demand [4]. Therefore, the decisions involved in the design must consider the operational conditions and, consequently, cannot be optimized independently [8].…”

“…Different approaches have been proposed to optimize the efficiency of the PS design [1], [6], [8]. The authors use different criteria, like location and minimizing the leakage [9], maximizing energy production [10], and minimizing maintenance and energy costs at the same time [4] among other criteria.…”