Research Article Open Access

Efficient Pressure Sensors Placement for Water Distribution Network Using Flow-Tracking Analysis

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach for efficient placement of top pressure sensors in water distribution network. Flow-Tracking Analysis using the head loss coverage ratio explores the least number of top sensors in network topologies. The following sequence of top sensor plans can be effortlessly determined by a simple greedy algorithm. A regular hydraulic model with 33 sensor nodes is adopted to validate the fast and effective feature of flow-tracking analysis. A top set of 5 sensor nodes selected by the head loss coverage ratio H_cr in flow-tracking analysis agree exactly with top set of 5 sensitive nodes selected by the objective function of sensitivity f(X_k) by means of sensitivity analysis. A linear relationship between the objective function of sensitivity f(X_k) and the head loss coverage ratio H_cr of top sensor nodes reveals high accuracy mapping from flow-tracking analysis to sensitivity analysis. Time complexity of searching top sensors node set by means of flow-tracking analysis is O(m✕(n+p)), contrasting starkly with the one in sensitivity analysis, O(C_n^m). The average pressure error can be expected as low as 0.08 m with top-two sensors in sensors layout. As top sensors in the placement plan are all used, a minimum error of 0.04 m is achieved. Notably, Flow-Tracking Analysis has the advantages of less time complexity and accurate top sensors strategy as a new efficient solution for pressure sensors placement in the associated flow network.

Huang YC , Yang WL, Huang YC 

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