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Parts of the network are disconnected due to demand shortfall

1777.watercad.zip

Hello guys.I have a complete water distribution system.The main challenge I am facing is how to meet the demands at specified nodes after running a criticality analysis tool.Can you guys please provide insights and assist me so that the model above can run successfully.I have set up measures and controls so that the tank will never get empty.After doing a criticality analysis on the model the hydraulic engine outputs unreasonable results.I think my question is, after running the criticality analysis(by unchecking the check valve option) and understanding which segments are facing outages then what next?Is there a way that I can incorporate during the design in order to avoid disconnection of certain segments due to demand shortfalls? I have worked on setting up new calculation options for the engine but still, I get unexpected results when I look at my flex table.

Please note that I don't want to use Pressure Dependent Demand or emitter coefficients and instead I only want to work in Steady state mode with fixed demands as they are.None of the elements is disconnected from the main model as seen in the network navigator toolbar.

  • t looks like my network, due to the long length of pipes and small pipe diameters it may be impossible for the demands to be met at the nodes as I had defined.I have decided to try and use pressure dependent Demand functions,can you please guide me through.Should I use the 0.5 ratios as it is the default function to derive my equation?and at the end will the engine display results with generated flows as a ratio to the residual pressure?4201.watercad.zip

  • Hi Allan,

    I don't think pressure dependent demands will help you much, because the pressure at your demand nodes is quite high. I would just suggest these changes:

    1. Your tank is empty at the start of the simulation, and this causes the "disconnected demand node" errors. Set the tank "Elevation (Initial)" value to a number between the base and maximum tank elevations - e.g. 1,490 m

    2. Your pump controls should leave a small buffer between the tank-full and tank-empty levels. For example, you could set something like this: 

              IF T-1 Percent Full <=25% then PMP-3 Pump Status = On

              IF T-1 Percent Full >=95% then PMP-3 Pump Status = Off

    3. You should check your pump capacity against the demands. Currently the pump can't deliver enough water from the reservoir to the tank, so, if I run an extended period simulation, the tank empties after a couple of hours. 

    Regards,

    Mal

          

    Answer Verified By: ALLAN MULONGO  

  • Hello Mal Sharkey!

    Thank you so much for this reply.My network model is ok only that I did set the base elevation to be the same as the initial elevation of the tank.I followed your first instruction (in reference to your answers above: "1. Your tank is empty at the start of the simulation, and this causes the "disconnected demand node" errors. Set the tank "Elevation (Initial)" value to a number between the base and maximum tank elevations - e.g. 1,490 m", and I managed to compute and run the model successfully without any error!

    Thank you for your time, Mal Sharkey!I will have to read more about TANK OPERATING RANGE in order to avoid mistakes later!

    THANKS, SOO MUCH!

  • Here is some information in our Wiki, on tank operating range: Understanding Tank Operating Range


    Regards,

    Jesse Dringoli
    Technical Support Manager, OpenFlows
    Bentley Communities Site Administrator
    Bentley Systems, Inc.