Bentley Systems, Inc.

Haestad Methods, Inc.

Ezio Todini

Thomas M Walski

Michael E Tryby

Zheng Yi Wu

Jack S Cook, Jr

Robert F Mankowski

Wayne R Hartell

Kristopher L Culin

In one embodiment, a technique is disclosed for calculating a relative pump speed factor for attaining a prescribed hydraulic head or for pumping a prescribed amount of flow. A hydraulic model of a water distribution or collection system is defined to include link elements and node elements. At least one of the node elements represents a fixed-flow variable speed pump (VSP) that delivers a desired amount of flow, a variable speed pump battery (VSPB) that represents multiple VSPs operating in parallel with each other, a VSP with a tank located on the VSP's discharge side, or a VSP with a tank located on the VSP's suction side.

System and method for modeling and simulating water distribution and collection systems including variable speed pumps

A method for estimating the relative speed factor parameter for a variable speed pump in a hydraulic network sufficient to maintain a fixed pressure at a control node is provided. A desired operating characteristic is determined and this is inserted into a matrix of equations describing the hydraulic system. The largely symmetrical matrix includes certain aspects of the system representing the variable speed pumps which are non-symmetrical. Non-symmetrical portions of the matrix are separated out and solved using an LU factorization technique. Non-sparse, non symmetric matrices are generated and the difference in head correction is solved for to compute the updated nodal head vector and ultimately determine the variable pump speed parameter. The invention allows estimation of the variable speed factor for a variable speed pump drive sufficient to maintain a fixed pressure at a control node. The system fully integrates variable pump speed operation with the status and control capabilities of known hydraulic network solvers.

Automatic parameter estimation extension for variable speed pumps

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Arcidosso, Italy

Ezio Todini