Simulação da operação de bombas em sistemas de abastecimento de água.

Abstract

The optimization of a water distribution system is usually performed through the minimization of its operation costs, being one the most important those resulting from pumping operation. In this dissertation, simple strategies for pumping operations in water distribution systems were determined, aiming at minimizing the pumping costs. Other objective was the proposal of guidelines for developing a Decision Support System for pumping operations. An actual water pipeline, comprised of several pumping stations and tanks, was analyzed by means of a hydraulic network computer simulation model -WADISO, developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Operation strategies were defined in the form of tank levels, which determine when each pump should be switched on/off, in a 24-hour period. Some important features of a decision support system were identified: graphs showing the piezometric head and tank levels for the whole network, warning for violated constraints, hourly network analysis for the next 24 hours, optimization tool, and a rule-based system for decision representation. The results showed the possibility of reducing water pumping costs through simple operation strategies, keeping pumping operational constraints as well as minimum and maximum discharge and pressure constraints. The combined utilization of a computer simulation model and criteria for evaluating pumping operation efficiency in water distribution system is an appropriate and simple methodological procedure for analyzing and controlling such systems.