Pumps as turbines regulation study through a decision-support algorithm

2022

The water distribution network (WDN) is subject to water leakages due to pipes breaking, which induces a wastage of water and overconsumption of power for pumps. Leakages are directly related to pressure in the pipes. To reduce leakages, pressure reducing valves (PRV) are installed in water distribution networks to reduce pressure in the pipes. However, pressure reduction induces a loss of energy which is wasted within the PRV. To recover a part of this energy, pressure reducing valves can be replaced by using pumps as turbines (PATs). Since head and flow rates are variable in the WDN, it is necessary to regulate the PAT, which does not function properly under variable upstream conditions. …