Optimised real time operation of a sewer network using a multi-goal objective function

Abstract

The present study focuses on the development and implementation of a real time predictive controller for regulation of discharges in a combined sewer system currently being built in a rural catchment of Luxembourg. The main objective of the application for optimised real time control is to minimise combined sewer overflow emissions into natural water courses. The paper investigates the use of a simple hydraulic model to describe the transfer phenomena in the network and explains why accurate rainfall forecasts are not necessarily needed. The effects of the different parameters of the controller with regard to different rain situations are also discussed.

Keywords:

• optimisation
• predictive control
• real time control
• sewer networks

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Luxembourgish ‘Ministry of the Interior and the Grande Région’ (MIGR) and the Luxembourgish ‘National Research Fund’ (FNR) for funding as well as the responsible association for sewage treatment Syndicat Intercommunal de Dépollution des Eaux Résiduaires du Nord (SIDEN) for technical support.