Linear-quadratic regulators applied to sewer network flow control

The problem considered addresses the optimal wastewater distribution to several retention reservoirs in an urban sewer network during rainfall in the aim of protecting the quality of receiving waters via minimization of overflows. To this end, a linear multivariable feedback regulator is developed using the linear-quadratic design procedure. Inflow predictions are accommodated via suitable feedforward terms in the control law. A study for a real large-scale combined sewer network using this method is presented on the basis of a realistic simulation model. Results demonstrate the efficiency of the developed methodology.