Author(s): Shaun Boatwright; Michele Romano; Stephen Mounce; Kevin Woodward; Joby Boxall
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Inverse-distance weighted interpolation; Leak/burst localisation; Multi-objective optimisation; Network analysis; Optimal sensor placement
Abstract: Water loss from water distribution systems (WDS) is an ongoing problem which poses a significant risk to water resources around the world. This paper presents a novel combined sensor placement–leak/burst localisation methodology which forms, and analyses by using sc inverse-distance weighted (IDW) interpolation, a sensitivity matrix to determine, on average, how accurately each sensor configuration localises leaks/bursts modelled at all nodes in a WDS. For a given number of sensors, the multi-objective evolutionary algorithm determines the optimal location of sensors to maximise the leak/burst localisation performance using the sc-IDW outputs in its objective function. Once the optimal sensor location is selected, the sc-IDW technique is used when new leaks/bursts occur in the WDS to determine their approximate location. A benchmark WDS was used to compare the leak/burst localisation performance against a baseline sensor placement technique. The comparison indicated that by using the sc-IDW technique for both the sensor placement and leak/burst localisation steps the leak/burst search area was reduced in size by between 9 and26%. Reducing the leak/burst search area allows field teams to more quickly repair a leak/burst and reduce the impact that it has on water company operational efficiency and customer service.
Year: 2018