Fuzzy Pressure Control: A Novel Approach to Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Series-Parallel Pumping Systems

Abstract

Automation and control systems are constantly evolving, using artificial intelligence techniques to implement new forms of control, such as fuzzy control, with advantages over classic control strategies, especially in non-linear systems. Water supply networks are complex systems with different operating configurations, uninterrupted operation requirements, equalization capacity and pressure control in the supply networks, and high reliability. In this sense, this work aims to develop a fuzzy pressure control system for a supply system with three possible operating configurations: a single motor pump, two motor pumps in series, or two motor pumps in parallel. For each configuration, an energy efficiency analysis was carried out according to the demand profile established in this case study. In order to validate the proposed methodology, an experimental water supply system was used, located in the Laboratory of Energy Efficiency and Hydraulics in Sanitation at the Federal University of Paraiba (LENHS/UFPB).