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.