Subnetwork Hydraulic Modeling for Water Leak and Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing water distribution networks, such as setting up District Metered Areas, are labor-intensive and require substantial human involvement, as they lack a practical mechanism to confirm valve positions without physical checks, leading to uncertain simulation data and inefficient leak detection and flushing processes.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a network hydraulic model and automated meter infrastructure (AMI) with boundary devices equipped with flow meters and pressure sensors, which generate subnetwork hydraulic models to manage and compare data, allowing for automated leak detection, pressure management, and improved flushing scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If District Metered Areas are set up for managing water distribution networks, then leak detection and flushing processes can be performed, but the process becomes labor-intensive and requires substantial human involvement for physical valve position checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated monitoring and management of water distribution networks by using boundary devices with flow meters and pressure sensors to automatically detect leaks and determine valve positions, eliminating the need for manual physical checks and human intervention in routine operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with automated electronic sensing and data processing systems. Boundary devices use flow meters and pressure sensors to automatically monitor network conditions, substitute human operators in determining valve positions, and provide real-time data for leak detection without requiring physical presence in the field
2Measurement precision
If physical valve position checks are performed to confirm network status, then simulation data accuracy can be improved, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects real-time data from boundary devices including flow rates and pressure measurements, automatically processes this information to determine valve positions, and uses this feedback to update simulation models, providing accurate and current network status information without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The boundary devices continuously monitor and record flow and pressure data in advance, automatically determining valve positions before simulation is needed. This preliminary automated data collection eliminates the need for time-consuming manual checks when simulation data is required
3Productivity
If automated boundary devices with flow meters and pressure sensors are deployed at network nodes, then real-time data collection and automated leak detection can be achieved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary devices are designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring flow rates, measuring pressure, determining valve positions, detecting leaks, and providing data for simulation models. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated device, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines flow meters and pressure sensors into integrated boundary devices located at network nodes. By merging these sensing functions with data processing and communication capabilities into unified devices, the system reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system reduces human intervention, enhances the accuracy of leak detection and pressure management, and optimizes flushing operations by providing real-time data analysis and simulation, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of water distribution network management.
Implementation Method 1
Each boundary device is configured to include a flow meter that measures a flow rate of water in the distribution network
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor that measures a pressure of the distribution network at the plurality of nodes
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for managing a distribution network, the system including a network hydraulic model and an automated meter infrastructure (AMI) providing AMI data from consumption meters. The system includes subnetworks within the distribution network, nodes interconnecting the subnetworks, and boundary devices connected to the nodes. Each boundary device includes a flow meter and a pressure sensor that sense a flow and a pressure of the distribution network at the nodes at a given time step. A subnetwork hydraulic model is generated for each subnetwork from the network hydraulic model. A processing module determines a first comparison for the given time interval between the AMI data from the consumption meters within a given subnetwork, the flow and the pressure at the nodes bordering the given subnetwork, and the subnetwork hydraulic model for the given subnetwork. The distribution network is managed based at least in part on the first comparison.