Automatic Control Strategies Implemented on a Water Canal Prototype

Water canals are complex hydraulic systems because they are big scale systems, open and characterized by big delays and great inertia. Many models and control strategies have already been simulated using linear control theory. In the present study, a PI-controller is experimentally implemented in a modern automated canal prototype where sensors and actuators are controlled via a PLC network supervised by a SCADA system.This study shows the great potential of modern control technology applied to water distribution systems as the water resource is becoming a major valuable asset in today societies. This paper will serve as a basis knowledge to fully use this modern canal capabilities as it provides this automatic facility with the basic tools where more sophisticated control strategies can be, stepwise added, in the future.