On the formulation of optimal water allocation problem by linear programming

A novel step-by-step optimization method for interplant water networks

This paper evaluated the characteristics of interplant water networks along with superstructure models of such networks coordinated with intermediate pools, with the latter being assessed via nonlinear programming tools. To overcome the inherent difficulties associated with nonlinear programming models, a superstructure model was ultimately simplified according to a unidirectional characteristic. A novel step-by-step optimization method was then set forth for this simplified model. And the novel method was then applied to two examples, a single contaminant example from the literature and a multiple contaminants example located in southern China, which could demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Flowrate targeting for threshold problems and plant-wide integration for water network synthesis

Water reuse/recycle has gained much attention in recent years for environmental sustainability reasons, as well as the rising costs of fresh water and effluent treatment. Process integration techniques for the synthesis of water network have been widely accepted as a promising tool to reduce fresh water and wastewater flowrates via in-plant water reuse/recycle. To date, the focus in this area has been on water network synthesis problems, with little attention dedicated to the rare but realistic cases of so-called threshold problems. In this work, targeting for threshold problems in a water network is addressed using the recently developed numerical tool of water cascade analysis (WCA). Targeting for plant-wide integration is then addressed. By sending water sources across different geographical zones in plant-wide integration, the overall fresh water and wastewater flowrates are reduced simultaneously.