Minimization of Total Pumping Cost from an Aquifer to a Water Tank, Via a Pipe Network

N. Nagkoulis and K.L. Katsifarakis ()
Additional contact information
N. Nagkoulis: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
K.L. Katsifarakis: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2020, vol. 34, issue 13, No 13, 4147-4162

Abstract: Abstract In this paper, we have investigated minimization of total cost to pump a given flow rate from any number (n) of wells up to a water tank, under steady-state flow conditions. Regarding groundwater flow, we have considered infinite or semi-infinite aquifers, to which the method of images applies. Additional regional groundwater flow can be taken into account, too. The pipe network connecting the wells to the tank can include junctions at the locations of the wells only. Moreover, all pumps have equal efficiency. We have derived a new analytical formula, which holds at the critical points of the total cost function. Based on this formula, we derived a system of n equations and n unknowns, to calculate the well flow rate combinations which correspond to the critical points of the total cost function. The n-1 equations are 2nd degree polynomials, while the remaining one is linear, expressing the constraint that the sum of well flow rates must be equal the required total flow rate. The solution of the system can be achieved using commercial solvers. Moreover, we have concluded that there is one feasible solution that minimizes the total cost. Finally, we present a tabulation process to facilitate the use of solvers and we provide and discuss two illustrative examples.

Keywords: Hydraulic friction losses; Groundwater flow; Optimization; Pipe network; Pumping cost; Water resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11269-020-02661-x Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:waterr:v:34:y:2020:i:13:d:10.1007_s11269-020-02661-x

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/11269

DOI: 10.1007/s11269-020-02661-x

Access Statistics for this article

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA) is currently edited by G. Tsakiris

More articles in Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA) from Springer, European Water Resources Association (EWRA)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().