REAL TIME CONTROL ASSESSMENT

Real Time Control (RTC) is a technology that has been applied for a number of years to optimize the operating capacities of sewer systems. However, its application is not widespread because of the significant level of effort required for implementing RTC in a sewer system. As well, computer software capable of RTC analysis was not readily available. Hence, testing and determining the benefits of RTC prior to design was difficult and inaccurate, and when software was available, it was proprietary and meant for in-house use. This situation has changed rapidly in recent years. Most dynamic sewer system models now have RTC analysis capabilities. XPSWMM, DHI-MOUSE, InfoWorks, and SewerCAT, all have special modules for simulating RTC devices. Today RTC has often been recommended as one of the range of control measures for optimizing the operational capacity of sewer systems and for reducing combined sewer overflows during wet weather. In other instances, RTC has been used as part of a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) storage design for controlling flows in an in-line storage system or an off-line storage tunnel system during wet weather overflow events.This paper provides a review of current RTC issues and industry needs, available tools, and comparison of the RTC modules of current computer models, and experience in applying RTC for pre-design analyses and evaluation of wastewater treatment plant operation as part of a CSO long term control plan, and for calibrating RTC installations with data collected by SCADA system.