Optimal design of sustainable water systems for cities involving future projections

• Published in: Computers & chemical engineering Vol. 69; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Authors: Rojas-Torres, Ma. Guadalupe, Nápoles-Rivera, Fabricio, Ponce-Ortega, José María, Serna-González, Medardo, El-Halwagi, Mahmoud M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 03.10.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Chemical engineering; Computer simulation; Distribution. Storage; Economics; Exact sciences and technology; Experimental design; Mathematical models; Mathematical programming; Mathematics; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Metrology, automation; Optimal water storage and distribution in cities; Optimal water use; Optimization; Population growth; Probability and statistics; Reclamation; Sciences and techniques of general use; Statistics; Sustainability; Sustainable water use; Water harvesting and reclamation; Water management; Water supply. Pipings. Water treatment; Optimal water use; Water management; Optimal water storage and distribution in cities; Water harvesting and reclamation; Sustainable water use; Water harvesting; Methodology; Intensification; Water distribution; Sustainable development; Modeling; Optimization; Water reclamation; Optimal design; Money; Precipitation; Optimal planning; Recycling; Water resources; Periodical; Reuse; Economic development; Liquid; Conservation of resources; Experimental design; Reclamation; Growth factor
• ISSN: 0098-1354; 1873-4375
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2014.05.026

•An optimization framework for designing macroscopic water systems is proposed.•Optimal planning and scheduling for water storage and distribution is considered.•The model incorporates several options for water recycling, reusing and collecting.•Future projections are considered in the model.•A case study for the city of Morelia in Mexico is presented. Water scarcity is one of the main concerns of several countries around the world. In this context, several approaches have been proposed for resource conservation and available water augmentation through specific actions such as process intensification and the use, reclamation, reuse, and recycle of alternative water sources. Nonetheless, there are no reported methodologies optimizing the multiannual planning of water usage, discharge, reclamation, storage and distribution in a macroscopic system considering natural and alternative water sources. In this paper, a multi-period mathematical programming model for the optimal planning of water storage and distribution in a macroscopic system is presented. The model addresses important factors such as population growth, change in the time value of money and change in the precipitation patterns. The proposed model is applied to the case of a Mexican city. The results show important advantages from the economic and sustainability points of view.