Flexible framework for modeling water conveyance networks

Abstract

A flexible framework for modeling different water conveyance networks is presented. The network is modeled using a linear canal pool model based on the Saint-Venant equations to describe transportation phenomenon occurring in open channels. This model is used as a link to connect different nodes defined by gates or reservoirs. The linear pool model has interesting features namely the pool axis monitoring, the inflow along the pool axis and the ability to consider different boundary conditions. Based on these characteristics canal pool observers for leak detection and localization can be developed. It is shown that based on a finite difference scheme a good performance is obtained for low space resolution. The modeling framework is validated with experimental data from a real canal property of the Évora University. This is a challenging configuration due to its strong canal pool coupling.