Sensitivity analysis for the design of robust nonlinear control strategies for energy-efficient pressure boosting systems in water supply

To characterize the dynamics of water supply systems in residential and non-residential buildings, it is necessary to develop mathematical models which can be evaluated in real time. For that purpose, generalized network models are applied to represent the dynamics of the water supply system as well as the pump-motor units and hydraulic capacitances, such as storage components, in terms of finite-dimensional models given by ordinary differential equations. The resulting representations are derived from a generalized network model for the water supply system in which both laminar and turbulent flow resistances, storage effects, as well as fluid inertia are modeled by lumped equivalent circuit elements. The corresponding dynamic model is the starting point for a systematic analysis of the overall water supply system with respect to parameter sensitivities. Moreover, this system model is the basis for the implementation of novel nonlinear control approaches which exploit the above-mentioned sensitivities to compensate disturbances in an optimal way.