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Automation of storage tank filling control for rural aqueducts
This research primarily aims to design and implement an automated system for controlling the filling of storage tanks in the ACUAMIRAMAR community aqueduct, located in the Calambeo sector of Ibagué city. This system is conceptualized as a response to the numerous technical, economic, and operational limitations that characterize rural aqueducts in Colombia, particularly concerning the inefficient management of water resources and service continuity failures. The study's overall objective is to improve the continuity of supply, optimize water use, reduce operating costs, and minimize errors associated with manual monitoring.
To achieve this, five specific objectives are established to guide the implementation of level sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electric pumps, and control elements, allowing the process to be controlled through closed-loop logic. The adopted methodology follows a mixed approach, comprising a descriptive phase to characterize the aqueduct's current system and an experimental phase for technical validation. This validation is carried out through computerized simulations in environments such as LOGO Soft Comfort, PC Simu, and Factory I/O, which enables the design and verification of a viable technical solution before its physical implementation, evaluating component behavior under simulated conditions.
The main findings indicate that the automated system improves the aqueduct's operational efficiency, significantly reduces filling times, and eliminates overflows caused by human error. A comparison between the manual and automated models shows a reduction of more than five seconds in the filling process, greater stability in network pressure, and the possibility of operating without constant supervision. Furthermore, the system's architecture is confirmed to allow for scalability, replicability, and sustainability in other similar rural contexts.
The study's central conclusion asserts that the automation of tank filling control in rural aqueducts is not only technically and economically feasible but also constitutes a strategic solution to guarantee the right to water in historically excluded areas. By eliminating reliance on manual monitoring and reducing the margin for error, continuous, efficient, and equitable service delivery is strengthened. As part of continuous improvement, it is recommended to implement the system in a pilot phase before expansion, train community staff in software use and equipment maintenance, develop a remote monitoring interface, and incorporate complementary processes like automated chlorination to enhance distributed water quality.
