Simulation-based optimization of urban water storage tank operations: Balancing hydraulic stability, water quality, and energy conservation

Abstract

The installation of secondary water supply systems (SWSS) is essential for balancing water demands and ensuring reliable water supply in urban distribution networks. However, optimizing the operation of storage tanks to enhance overall system performance is a challenging task due to the interplay of multiple interconnected factors. This study presents a novel approach through a multi-objective simulation-based framework to determine optimal inflow profiles of storage tanks. It focuses on three key performance metrics: pressure fluctuations, pumping energy consumption, and water quality degradation. Through simulation analysis, this study successfully identified non-dominated trade-off alternatives, which were further validated using experimental investigations conducted in a laboratory-scale water supply system equipped with multiple SWSSs. Compared to traditional control strategies, the optimal compromise solution identified from the Pareto front demonstrated significant improvements: reducing pressure fluctuations by 82 %, cutting hydraulic retention time by 52 %, and lowering pumping energy consumption by 6 %, respectively. In dynamic real-world scenarios, where water demand and system conditions fluctuate constantly, the proposed approach can adaptively optimize system performance by leveraging a hot-start method based on prior solutions. This study provides a promising framework for optimizing the operation of urban storage tanks, striking a balance between pressure stability, water quality preservation, and energy efficiency. It thus serves as a valuable reference for managing complex urban water supply systems.