"Genetic algorithm pipe network optimization is by far the most significant advance in distribution system design and operation in the past 40 years."
Terry Farrill - Systems Engineer, Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, Fort Collins, Colorado
OptiCritical
OptiCritical, is used to assist clients in analyzing and understanding the impact of pipe bursts on their water distribution systems.
OptiCritical provides answers to questions such as:
- Which pipes cause the most disruption if they break?
- Which locations are affected by bursts at other locations?
- Can we guarantee service?
- Where might we have problems?
- Where do we need augmentations?
OptiCritical links a customized graphical user interface with a hydraulic simulation engine and is useful for system planning, maintenance, and incident management tasks.
It is able to be applied to:
- Pipe break simulation
- Pipe isolation simulation
- System-wide criticality and vulnerability review
OptiCritical simulates the impact on the system with regards to:
- Ability to supply to customers
- System pressures
- System velocities
- Water quality incidents (discoloration)
Single Pipe Break Analysis
Using Single Pipe Break Analysis, OptiCritical can be used to quickly identify the immediate consequences of a pipe break, the necessary action required to isolate the break and consequences of isolation as shown below:
Network-Wide Criticality Analysis
The standout feature of OptiCritical is its Network-Wide Criticality Analysis, which can compare the criticality of each pipe by a range of different measures. These measures fit into the categories of Supply Criticality, Pressure Criticality, Burst Risk, Isolation Risk and Discoloration Risk. Comparisons of three criticality measures are illustrated below:
"Optimatics’ OptiCritical application was used to support UU’s PR09 submission. It was used to process over 500 DMAs in terms of numbers of properties that would be subject to interruptions as a consequence of individual main’s outages. The outages took account of the valves that were available to isolate the burst mains. OptiCritical also identified the pipes from which discoloration is most likely to arise due to unexpected hydraulic conditions occurring in the network model either at the pipe in question or in other parts of the network."
Paul Sage - Modelling Development Manager
United Utilities North West, Warrington, United Kingdom
Click here to view OptiCritical Fact Sheet
Optimatics Software Suite
Optimizer WDS – Water Distribution Systems
Optimally plan new infrastructure for water distribution systems
Optimizer WCS – Wastewater Collection Systems
Decision support software for wastewater infrastructure planning
Optimizer WRT – Water Real-Time
Implement real-time control of your pumps for automated and efficient operation
Optimizer WSS – Water Supply Systems
Develop optimal operations and management policies for water supply systems
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OptiCritical – Protect your customers from supply outages and assess system impacts due to main breaks