An Expert System for Reservoir Discharge Quality Control

A methodology combining simulation, dynamic programming and expert system is presented for determining optimal operational polices for selective withdrawal structure in reservoirs to meet down stream water temperature targets. While the thermal simulation model concentrates on simulating the thermal stratification cycle of a reservoir, the object-space-dynamic programing optimizer calculates modified target temperatures that take into account anticipation of future critical temperature conditions. The expert system (WAT), on the other hand, evaluates the thermal structure of the reservoir, the modified desired temperature target, and the total flow to be released downstream. Accordingly, WAT determines the combination of selective withdrawal ports to be operated and the flows to be released from those ports taking into consideration number of experience-based operational preferences. An advantage of WAT is being a stand alone model that can be interfaced to the optimization module without the need for restructuring of either models. Application to a hypothetical example shows the potential for improved system performance using the expert system approach that utilizes experience and comon sense in reservoir water quality operation