Synthesis of Interplant Water Networks Using Principal Pipes. Part 1: Network Representation

Abstract

This paper presents a novel representation and formulation for the synthesis of interplant water networks with the goal of achieving low-cost and simple water network designs in industrial clusters or eco-industrial parks. Building upon a spatial representation of the problem, we introduce a new interplant connectivity representation that channels water flows collectively through sets of principal pipes. These principal pipes are represented as shared pipelines that can have different functions, i.e., water collection, water distribution, or water collection and distribution. Different principal pipe categories may be structured by selecting a combination of different initial/final/feeding/receiving entities which are allowed to be connected, to form a principal pipe. Moreover, several design aspects can also be explored within a principal pipe category such as (1) the selection of a prescribed water quality, (2) pipe routing options, (3) pipe flow directions, and (4) pipe sharing scenarios. Part 1 of the paper presents the backbone of the methodology that entails the assembly of different principal pipe categories, and also demonstrates how different design aspects may be accounted for in the design process. © 2018, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.