Modeling Hydraulic Networks for Control: How to Deal With Consumption?

With the focus set on water distribution
networks, dynamics typically play a subordinate role in the
modeling procedure. This letter intends to draw a different
picture, where flow dynamics would allow engineers
to gain more physical insight while offering them more
sophisticated tools for manipulation. The handling of consumption
values is crucial in this regard as it is the major
drive for the flow distribution in the network’s topology.
Simulations with the derived model, incorporating linear
consumption dynamics, are compared with measurements
on a real experimental network. Moreover, the equivalence
of the model’s equilibrium with the conventional steadystate
equations is proven.