Nonlinear optimal flow control for sewer networks

The problem of optimal water distribution to several retention reservoirs in an urban sewer network during rainfall is considered. The goal of the control actions is the minimization of overflows and eventually the reduction of their polluting impact on receiving waters. To this end, a nonlinear optimal control approach is used and the numerical solution of the control problem is effectuated by use of a feasible direction algorithm. A detailed study of the central control problem for a particular large sewer network using this method is presented. Results demonstrate the efficiency and the realtime feasibility of the developed methodology