Maximum pressure of water column separation phenomenon applying the crow search algorithm

ABSTRACT

The water distribution network is one of the vital infrastructures for every city whose transient flow can disturb its performance. Among the transient flow regimes, water column separation can cause severe pressure fluctuations in the network. In previous studies, the water column separation phenomenon in loop networks and its affecting factors have not been studied. Therefore, in this study, the ANSYS Fluent software simulates and determines the water column separation effective factors, and the optimal relationship between these effective factors and the maximum pressure generated in the network with the crow search algorithm was investigated. By conducting simulations and checking their output, it was determined that the valve’s closing time, the distance from the upstream valve and the water height in the tank (inlet pressure) are effective factors in the phenomenon. After determining the effective parameters, using the crow search algorithm, the optimized equation between each parameter and the maximum pressure in the network is provided. Then, the simulation was done with the values obtained from the equations for the maximum tolerable pressure of the network. The simulation indicates that the maximum pressure created in the network is lower than the tolerable pressure. Therefore, applying the values gained from these optimal relationships in the network can prevent water column separation and its consequences.

KEYWORDS:

• Water distribution networks
• transient flow
• water column separation
• optimization
• crow search algorithm

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).