Modeling studies for the detection of bacteria in Biosensor Water Distribution Networks
Antonio Bertoldi
Time: Wed 2012-09-26 09.30
Location: Osquldasväg 6B plan 2 (Q24)
Subject area: Control Theory
Respondent: Antonio Bertoldi
Supervisor: Carlo Fischione
The detection of bacteria in the water is a slow process that requires the use
of expensive equipment and qualied personnel. However, real time fast detec-
tion is essential in water distribution networks, which requires the application
of fast distributed detection techniques. In this thesis we study the deployment
of a wireless network of biosensors in a water distribution system, in order to
detect contamination of a particular kind of harmful bacteria, the E.coli. This
network will eciently utilize the interconnected biosensors and achieve real
time and in-eld detection of the bacteria. Since there are no available biosen-
sors hardware equipped with radio receivers and transmitters on the market,
we study theoretically the modeling of such a system and its application in real
water distribution networks. The main goal of our study is to nd an optimal
sensor placement strategy in order to maximize the probability of detection,
having a xed number of sensors that must be placed in a connected topol-
ogy. We propose a simple algorithm that solves the optimal sensor placement
problem. We are evaluating the performance of the proposed approach by con-
sidering three dierent topologies simulated by the system simulator EPANET.
The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm provides the higher
detection probability in the network compared to other solutions, like random
sensor placement.