Multi-Agent Simulation of Hydraulic Transient Equations in Pressurized Systems

Abstract

13Computational modeling pervades virtually every industrial process. By using numerical 14 representations of the behavior of elements that constitute a system it is possible to obtain 15 efficient and safe designs. Moreover, system operation can be better defined by using such 16 models, thus enabling greater reliability and control. In this paper, the use of agents to solve the 17 equations describing fast transients in water networks is investigated. As the simulation of 18 hydraulic transients in pressurized systems is a naturally distributed problem, the authors argue 19 that a multi-agent based system is very suitable for the solution of this complex engineering 20 phenomenon. A hybrid solution is built by deploying agents to work with sets of equations 21 describing hydraulic transient behavior in pipeline systems. The details necessary to assemble a 22 complete and lubricated machine to model the complex phenomenon of hydraulic transients in 23 2 pressurized systems are described. As a result, this research develop a platform that constitutes 24 an efficient and versatile tool of great interest for water supply managers when analyzing water 25 hammer effects in their networks. 26