Node Flow Analysis Distribution Systems

Various techniques presently available for the analysis of water distribution systems, called node head analysis (NHA) techniques, analyze the distribution systems, assuming that the nodal demands can be satisfied by providing additional source heads or boosting pressures, if necessary. When such additional heads or pressures are not available, some consumption nodes fail, partially or completely, to satisfy the nodal demands. To locate such nodes and to estimate the actual nodal supplies, an approach termed node flow analysis (NFA) is developed herein. The NFA problem is considered a flow optimization problem with linear and nonlinear constraints, some being alternate constraints. The solution approach is based on repetitive NHA of the distribution system. The necessary theory for NFA is described, and the procedure is developed and illustrated through a design example.