Development of an Expert System for Water Distribution Network Decontamination

摘要

Decontaminating water distribution networks requires the application of knowledge from a diverse range of knowledge domains including health impact, utility operations, chemical characteristics, and hydraulics. Identifying the optimal approach necessitates integrating rules and requirements from these knowledge domains in such a way that the operational goals are achieved with minimally available situational information. Decontamination operations must be able to adapt and evolve as new information becomes available. A prototype expert system utilizing a backward chaining search strategy, was constructed for water distribution network (WDN) decontamination. By combining an extensive knowledgebase with information provided by the users, the system provides reasoning routines and recommendations on the type of event and consequences on the water operator's clients, the public in general, the environment, and the potential hazard from the different interactions with the network pipe material. It also provides the users with guidance regarding currently available technologies, their effectiveness, and methods of application to achieve an expedited decontamination solution.