Scientific Results

This catalogue is obtained by conducting a systematic literature review of scientific studies and reviews related to monitoring, forecasting, and simulating the inland water cycle. The analysis maps scientific expertise across research groups and classifies findings by the type of inland water studied, application focus, and geographical scope. A gap analysis will identify missing research areas and assess their relevance to policymaking.

ID ▲ Type Year Authors Title Venue/Journal DOI Research type Water System Technical Focus Abstract Link with Projects Link with Tools Related policies ID
publications-5041 Article 2023 AraΓΊjo W.; MΓ΅ximo M.; NicΓ΅cio J.; Bispo H. Data-driven digitalization of an armfield UOP3CC distillation unit Digital Chemical Engineering 10.1016/j.dche.2022.100079 Due to the importance of the distillation units in most of the processes, and the availability of data in the industry, this work explores detailed modeling and uses experimental data for statistical validation of a prototype distillation unit. For this purpose, a transient model has been developed in AVEVA Dynamic Simulation, based on data from an Armfield UOP3CC Distillation Unit. A supervisory interface allowed real-time monitoring and variable manipulation. An external controller module ensured the proportional and integral actions for a loop that manipulates the reboiler heat load to control stage temperature. The distillation unit is evaluated with a water-ethanol mixture and the mass fraction was estimated, in batch operation and different reflux configurations. At the top, a solenoid valve guarantees the return to the tower, and the concentrations achieved are close to the azeotropic point of the water-ethanol mixture. The dynamic model developed was compared to experimental data, and a time-based validation was performed from startup to steady states obtained for each profile. As a result, it is possible to indicate that the data-driven digital model built is a representative digital twin of the UOP3CC distillation unit with statistical reliability higher than 95%. Β© 2022 The Author(s)
publications-5042 Article 2023 Yang Y.; Yao S.; Liu C.; Zhang X.; Zhang C. Design of Digital Twin System for Blade Water Jet Surface Strengthening Process; [ε_x008f_¶η‰‡ζ°΄ε°„流表ι_x009d_ΆεΌΊε_x008c_–ε·¥θ‰Ίη_x009a_„ζ•°ε­—ε­η”_x009f_η³»η»_x009f_θ®Ύθ®΅] Huadong Ligong Daxue Xuebao/Journal of East China University of Science and Technology 10.14135/j.cnki.1006-3080.20220312002 Water jet surface strengthening is an effective way to improve the fatigue life of aeroengine blades. In view of the fact that the water jet surface strengthening equipment and process system have no ability to monitor, detect, predict and make decisions on the strengthening process, the digital twin technology is introduced into the water jet surface strengthening process. Firstly, according to the principle of water jet strengthening technology, the framework of digital twin system for water jet surface strengthening was defined; Secondly, the design of the digital twin system was completed at the five levels of physical level, model level, data level, application level and data transmission level, which realized the virtual mapping of the strengthening equipment and process in the physical world, as well as the connection and interaction between all levels. The application case showed that the developed digital twin system had the ability to monitor the condition of the strengthening equipment in real time, detect the surface integrity of the strengthened blade, predict the strengthening effect under the specific strengthening process, and provide decision support for the selection and optimization of the strengthening process. Β© 2023 East China University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.
publications-5043 Article 2023 Saddiqi M.M.; Zhao W.; Cotterill S.; Dereli R.K. Smart management of combined sewer overflows: From an ancient technology to artificial intelligence Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water 10.1002/wat2.1635 Sewer systems are an essential part of sanitation infrastructure for protecting human and ecosystem health. Initially, they were used to solely convey stormwater, but over time municipal sewage was discharged to these conduits and transformed them into combined sewer systems (CSS). Due to climate change and rapid urbanization, these systems are no longer sufficient and overflow in wet weather conditions. Mechanistic and data-driven models have been frequently used in research on combined sewer overflow (CSO) management integrating low-impact development and gray-green infrastructures. Recent advances in measurement, communication, and computation technologies have simplified data collection methods. As a result, technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), geographic information system, and remote sensing can be integrated into CSO and stormwater management as a part of the smart city and digital twin concepts to build climate-resilient infrastructures and services. Therefore, smart management of CSS is now both technically and economically feasible to tackle the challenges ahead. This review article explores CSO characteristics and associated impact on receiving waterbodies, evaluates suitable models for CSO management, and presents studies including above-mentioned technologies in the context of smart CSO and stormwater management. Although integration of all these technologies has a big potential, further research is required to achieve AI-controlled CSS for robust and agile CSO mitigation. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change. Β© 2023 The Authors. WIREs Water published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
publications-5044 Article 2023 Ostfeld A.; Abhijith G.R. Digital Twin for Water Distribution Systems Management - Towards a Paradigm Shift Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice 10.1061/JPSEA2.PSENG-1486 Forum papers are thought-provoking opinion pieces or essays founded in fact, sometimes containing speculation, on a civil engineering topic of general interest and relevance to the readership of the journal. The views expressed in this Forum article do not necessarily reflect the views of ASCE or the Editorial Board of the journal. Β© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
publications-5045 Article 2023 Farouk A.M.; Rahman R.A.; Romali N.S. Economic analysis of rehabilitation approaches for water distribution networks: comparative study between Egypt and Malaysia Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology 10.1108/JEDT-03-2021-0174 Purpose: Sustainable water management has been a trending goal in the past decade. Non-revenue water (NRW) is one form of water loss that should be addressed to reach water sustainability. While rehabilitating water distribution networks (WDNs) is one way to decrease NRW, the process is often delayed owing to cost. Therefore, it is essential to provide decision-makers with cost-effective approaches to optimize WDN rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of approaches for rehabilitating WDN from developing countries’ perspectives. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was first conducted to identify different WDN rehabilitation methods and techniques to develop the questionnaire survey. This is followed by collecting questionnaire survey data in Malaysia and Egypt on the cost and effectiveness of the WDN rehabilitation methods and techniques. A total of 176 respondents were collected, 109 from Malaysia and 67 from Egypt. Then, the data were analyzed using mean score ranking with normalization technique and agreement analysis. Findings: The results from the data analysis show that the cost-effective approaches are β€_x009c_programming,β€_x009d_ β€_x009c_simulation,β€_x009d_ β€_x009c_digital twinβ€_x009d_ and β€_x009c_supervisory control and data acquisition.β€_x009d_ Additionally, the data from Malaysia suggest two additional cost-effective approaches: β€_x009c_zoning networkβ€_x009d_ and β€_x009c_genetic algorithm.β€_x009d_ Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper presents one of the first studies that laterally compares the cost-effectiveness of existing and potential WDN rehabilitation approaches between different countries. There is yet a study that compared these WDN rehabilitation approaches. This comparison which is developed depending on the systematic review could be a reference for future studies or surveys which could be done on different countries in the future. The main findings of this paper can be a useful reference for decision-makers, especially those from middle-income countries, when looking into approaches for WDN rehabilitation. A better WDN rehabilitation supports NRW reduction, moving towards sustainable water management. Β© 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
publications-5046 Conference paper 2023 Peng Z.; Yue Y.; Zhu X.; Huang M.; Wong P.; Yao S.; Li Z.; Hou D. Digital Twin Applications in Unmanned Surface Vehicles: A Survey 2023 6th International Conference on Software Engineering and Computer Science, CSECS 2023 10.1109/CSECS60003.2023.10428344 Water resources have spurred the need for advanced maritime technologies, particularly for effective exploration and harnessing. Traditional maritime resource investigation methodologies are hampered by challenges such as elevated costs and risks. Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) have emerged as a transformative solution, offering applications previously unattainable or challenging with conventional ships. An essential element in enhancing the capabilities of USVs is the incorporation of 'Digital Twin' (DT) technology, a digital representation mirroring a system's real-world attributes and behaviours. While DT's application has gained traction in other sectors, notably in autonomous vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles, a focused exploration of its integration in USVs remains sparse. This paper bridges this gap by offering a comprehensive survey of DT within the context of USVs. We review prevailing DT methodologies, delve into multifaceted perspectives surrounding DT-including definitions, classifications and key features, and highlight the prospective directions and challenges for its future application in USVs. Through this study, we underscore the potential of DT in enhancing the capabilities, productivity, and sustainability of USVs in complex maritime environments. Β© 2023 IEEE.
publications-5047 Conference paper 2023 Merelli M. E-Motor cooling with oil jets: Impact of flowrates and oil properties 2023 AEIT International Conference on Electrical and Electronic Technologies for Automotive, AEIT AUTOMOTIVE 2023 10.23919/aeitautomotive58986.2023.10217192 This paper describes a recent approach to optimizing the design and performance of electric drives using Particleworks, a popular mesh-less simulation tool for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) widely used in the automotive industry. The novelty of the methodology is the integration of the fluid and thermal simulations in one, mesh-less and easy to setup digital model. This approach proved to be particular efficient in dealing with the simulation of oil jets directly cooling the coils, a strategy that proved to be superior to external, stator-based water jackets.The primary focus is to explore the potential of this software to facilitate the screening of diverse flowrates and oil properties, such as viscosity, for the improvement of Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) distribution and overall thermal management.The findings reveal that specific oil properties and flowrates can substantially affect the HTC distribution, influencing the operating temperatures within the electric drive, thereby providing a novel way to improve the overall efficiency and longevity of electric drives. The robust nature of the Particleworks tool, combined with its capacity for versatile manipulation of input parameters and integrated thermal solver, offers a broad spectrum of possibilities for the future development and optimization of e-drive thermal management strategies, all packed in one digital tool. Β© 2023 AEIT.
publications-5048 Conference paper 2023 Coppolino L.; Nardone R.; Petruolo A.; Romano L. Securing FIWARE with TEE Technology Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Applications 10.3233/FAIA230231 An important objective being pursued by the European Commission is the establishment of a unified data market where stakeholders can safely and confidently share and exchange data in standardized formats. This trend is supported by numerous initiatives, promoting the creation of European Common data spaces, and it is already in full swing in several sectors, such as energy and health. Among the many initiatives for building common data spaces, FIWARE appears to be one of the most promising. FIWARE promotes the use of Digital Twin technology to build distributed infrastructures for facilitating real-Time data sharing in collaborative environments. By fostering an open and collaborative approach to software development and providing several building blocks of IT architectures for a number of domains (specifically: Smart AgriFood, Smart Cities, Smart Energy, Smart Industry, and Smart Water), FIWARE facilitates the creation of Digital Twins of real-world Industry 4.0 setups in a shared data space, which is typically hosted in the cloud. This paper addresses the security issues in a typical functional FIWARE architecture and provides a detailed description of a reference solution which ensures data confidentiality and integrity throughout the data life cycle, i.e. from the generation to the consumption phase. The proposed solution strongly relies on Commercial Off The Shelf Trusted Execution Environment technologies (namely: Intel SGX and Arm TrustZone) to provide effective protection of data-in-use. Protection of data-At-rest and data-in-Transit is achieved by means of advanced cryptographic techniques and secure communication protocols, respectively. Β© 2023 IOS Press. All rights reserved.
publications-5049 Conference paper 2023 Wan C.M.; Liu K.C.; Chan K.T. PILOT DEVELOPMENT OF WATER SUPPLY NETWORK DIGITAL TWINS IN HONG KONG –SHAPING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ROADMAP Proceedings of the IAHR World Congress 10.3850/978-90-833476-1-5_iahr40wc-p0842-cd The Water Supplies Department (WSD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the People’s Republic of China has been actively applying innovative technologies and developing smart initiatives for improving operational efficiency and reliability of water supply, including the progressive development of digital twins for waterworks installations and water supply networks. With an aim to investigating the feasibility and its preparedness in developing digital twins for water supply networks, WSD launched two pilot projects in 2021 for developing digital twins at selected distribution mains and trunk feed system as elaborated in this Paper. Study issues include smart sensors, building and calibration of hydraulic models, data transmission, data integration, user interface, etc. The experiences gained in overcoming the various challenges encountered as well as the gaps and limitations identified during the implementation of the above pilot projects are essential for shaping the roadmap for the on-going digital transformation in WSD. © 2023 IAHR – International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research.
publications-5050 Conference paper 2023 Liu K.; Qiu T.; Tian G.; Wang R.; Liu M. A Preliminary Study on the Research and Development of Digital Soil and Water Conservation Intelligent Management Platform - Taking Anji County as an example E3S Web of Conferences 10.1051/e3sconf/202340604039 In order to comprehensively improve the digital level of soil and water conservation in Anji County, it is necessary to realize the "one map management"of soil and water conservation by the information sharing and interaction among multiple government departments. With the new generation of information technologies such as big data, digital twin, artificial intelligence and virtual reality, use "11143"as the construction framework, improve the data warehouse of soil and water conservation to achieve "one map management"of the whole life cycle of production and construction projects; monitor soil erosion in real time through satellite remote sensing data and provide early warning and forecasting; and dock with the national "double carbon"strategy to build a carbon sink management system for soil and water conservation. It is expected to be built into a water and soil conservation wisdom management platform that meets multiple business application scenarios such as supervision of production and construction projects, dynamic monitoring and comprehensive management of soil erosion, wisdom decision making and application, and industry promotion services. Β© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.