Pipes size selection of water distribution systems of fishfarms

The problem of selecting the best combination of pipe diameters of water distribution networks of fishfarms is analysed in this paper. With this goal, an optimisation algorithm with a rule of thumb to limit the range of flow velocities was developed. The available range of flow velocities was selected according to hydraulics constraints and fouling potential impacts (fishfarms are flowing systems with adequate conditions for development of unwanted deposits). This way, the designs to select must be determined as trade-offs between costs, hydraulic reliability and risk of impaired water quality based in the flow velocity effect on fouling growth. The optimisation equations were implemented in a computer program that is constituted as a specific software for fishfarms which can be utilised as a tool to determine efficient low-cost solutions for a set of design conditions. The model was applied based on data from an eel fishfarm in southern Spain. The findings of this study provide insight into the advantages and disadvantages of some design alternatives and indicate that the appropriate sizing of pipe network is cost effective.