Modeling a Groundwater Collection System Using Petri Nets

Abstract

Water scarcity is a problem that affects families in different regions of the country, especially in northeast Brazil. Groundwater collection systems, such as artesian wells, are an alternative to mitigate this problem. In this work, an alternative technique for automation of water capture systems in artesian wells is proposed. The uptake problem is formulated in discrete events, mathematically modeled in a Petri Net (RdP). Two models in RdP are presented. The first includes the automation of two wells. The second is generic and covers any number of wells. RdP was converted to ladder language, aiming at application in programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The results obtained indicate that the proposed models can be implemented to automate small and large irrigation systems. With RdP it was possible to simulate the main states that the system can reach, predicting possible errors and failures, presenting satisfactory performances regardless of the situation.