Leakage management: WDNetXL Pressure Control Module

A WDNetXL Pressure Control module to support planning and real-time functioning analysis of Remote Real Time Control (RRTC) devices is here presented. RRTC devices allow the optimal background leakage reduction by maintaining a constant value of pressures into the network. In fact, RRTC devices tune their action (e.g., opening degree of a shutter) by maintaining a target pressure value at the hydraulically critical control node. The key idea is that the pressure variation at critical node is influenced by the water distribution network behavior over time and, then, the RTTC devices are modulated accordingly. The communication technologies allow the real-time transfer of pressure readings from remote/critical nodes to PLC units driving the devices. Furthermore, the WDNetXL Pressure Control module allows the simulation of three different control strategies of the RRTC PCVs in order to select the best one for the specific WDN and accounting for the actual pressure/flow measurements available at the device. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of CCWI 201