Irrigation canal models for automatic control purposes

Abstract

volumes during normal canal operation. In order to develop control algorithms for irrigation canals there is a need for simple linear models to be used in the algorithms. The following simple linear models are approximating the canal in order to give a base to develop control algorithms. The PAC-UPC laboratory canal (Prueba de Algoritmos de Control - Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) is modelled (input and output discharge) using the following three models: Muskingum, Hayami and Integrator Delay Zero (IDZ) and the results are compared to measurements. All three models are able to describe the irrigation canal in an acceptable way. However, only the IDZ model can capture all the important characteristics. These tested models can be applied to represent real canals for control purposes where it is especially important to obtain good models without extensive measurements. Test campaigns are developped now in cooperation with the CHE (Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro) in order to test control algorithms to be used in irrigation canals under their management.