Performance Evaluation of Microsoft Excel Solver in The Pipe Network of An Open Loops

Abstract

In this paper, pipe network analysis was conducted on an open loop system utilising
Microsoft Excel Solver (MiES) as a way to evaluate the performance of MiES and
attain a sustainable potable water supply scheme. The pipe network, a non-closed
loop, was analysed using MiES. Selected hydraulic variables (discharge rate, velocity
of water flow, friction factor in the pipe, Reynold’s number of the flow and headloss
due to friction loss) were determined. Models that relate the friction factor of the
pipe to the selected hydraulic parameter and diameter of the pipe selected were
developed using Microsoft Excel Solver and evaluated statistically (using correlation
coefficient and coefficient of determination). These equations to establish the flows
were solved using the Microsoft Excel Solver method to calculate, pump
characteristics parameters, headloss and flows. These calculated flows and
headloss were evaluated statistically using root squared error, total error, mean
squared error, average error, analysis of variances (ANOVA), sum of error, and
model of selection criterion (MSC), using results of hydraulic parameters from
EPANET as standard. The study revealed that the flow rate computed for the pipes
was comparable for the two equations (EPANET and MiES) and there are no
significant differences between the expected flow rates and computed flow rates in
the pipes using continuity equations using the two techniques (statistical F41,41 was
0.785774; probability was 0.7782333) at 95 % confidence level. The best model was
a model that relates the friction factor of the pipe to the hydraulic parameter and
diameter with an MSC of 3.094. It was concluded that determining flow rate and
conducting pipe network analysis with MiES is among the best techniques for pipe
network analysis. The calculated flow rates using MiES were similar to the computed
flow rate using the EPANET technique and there was no significant difference
between these calculated flow rates using the two techniques