Optimisation and modelling techniques in dynamic control of water distribution systems.

The thesis develops optimisation and modelling techniques with the ultimate aim of control of water distribution systems to produce overall optimised operation. Typical system operating conditions are analysed to determine cost factors and control requirements and hence enable development of system performance criteria. The most significant costs are those for distribution pumping and a range of original optimisation techniques are investigated which will lead to operational improvements for a restricted class of systems. Application of these techntques to more complex systems . is shown to be dependent on development of simplified dynamic models. Suitable models are formulated and computer programs are developed to evaluate matching coefficients for very general systems. Combining the optimisation techniques and s;mrlifie.d models enables a computer algorithm to be devised which can be applied to give optimal control of complex systems taking account of all cost factors and operational constraints. The scheme incorporates a simulation of the overall dynamics of a water system, by means of a tailored computer program, which is initially used with historical operating data for validation purposes. The results confirm the theoretical predictions and show that benefits can be obtained from on-line computer controlled operations.