Optimal valve location in rehabilitation and desing of pipe networks using scatter search metaheuristic procedure

In recent years, a number of articles have demonstrated the fact that optimization techniques based on meta-heuristic algorithms are particularly promising for solving problems related to water systems design and management. On the basis of results obtained, this new methodology may be considered as a useful alternative to traditional approaches, based on trial-and-error or mathematical programming methods. In this paper a hybrid optimization-simulation methodology is proposed for the optimal design and management of water distribution networks. This approach can be considered truly promising, especially when addressing the problem of optimal valve location for leakage minimisation when rehabilitation of existing networks is required or when dimensioning new pipes. On the basis of the results reported in previous publications [4], [12], [13], this paper illustrates a Scatter-Search metaheuristic procedure developed for pipe networks in order to analyze and evaluate a huge number of possible combinations in the set of the allowed discrete alternatives without involving the complicated mathematical structures of the classical design approach. The authors have developed a software toolkit which applies the Scatter Search method to pipe networks and is able to recognize optimal combinations of appropriate localization and adjustment of valve parameters, as well as dimensioning new pipes, setting pumping plants and providing practical information as a decision support tool in a user-friendly manner. The solver toolkit has been called Meta-Water (M-W) and the paper presents some benchmarks and real case application results