Optimisation and reliability assessment of water distribution networks are complicated processes. Most of the research focuses only on the pipes without considering other network components, such as tanks. Despite the benefits that the tanks may bring, they are usually omitted in the optimisation process or in reliability considerations. Various indices from the literature that describe network reliability are calculated exclusively based on pipe failure analyses for single demand scenario, without taking into consideration the volume of possibly existing balancing tanks. The research discussed in this paper aims to incorporate the demand balancing tanks to the optimisation process and also find out their influence on the total cost and reliability of the network. A tool called NORAT (Networks Optimisation and Reliability Assessment Tool) has been used, which determines the required balancing volume, optimises pipe diameters and tank elevations and finally calculates the total cost of supply. NORAT further assesses the hydraulic reliability of the network. The tool has been tested on a synthetic network by applying different combinations of topography, supply schemes and locations of water sources and tanks. The results prove the ability of NORAT to employ balancing tanks, both in optimisation and reliability assessment processes.
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August 2015
This article was originally published in
Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua
Article Contents
Research Article|
December 12 2014
The role of balancing tanks in optimal design of water distribution networks
Nemanja Trifunović;
1Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft 2601 DA, The Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected]
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Mohanad Abunada;
Mohanad Abunada
3GVC, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Authority
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Mukand Babel;
Mukand Babel
2Department of Water Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
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Maria Kennedy
Maria Kennedy
1Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft 2601 DA, The Netherlands
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Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2015) 64 (5): 610–628.
Article history
Received:
March 28 2014
Accepted:
October 21 2014
Citation
Nemanja Trifunović, Mohanad Abunada, Mukand Babel, Maria Kennedy; The role of balancing tanks in optimal design of water distribution networks. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 August 2015; 64 (5): 610–628. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2014.043
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