Crop Calendar Adjustment Study for Sathanur Irrigation System in India Using Genetic Algorithm

The multiple objectives and interests of various stack holders’ in reservoir operation bring forward many solutions to the problem. Possibly due to this complexity, in practice, the operating rules to be derived not only from heuristic approaches such as rules of thumb, rule curve, operator experience and engineering judgments but also through well defined mathematical models. An attempt is made to study the possibility of changing the crop (paddy crop instead of groundnut) and crop starting period for Sathanur irrigation system, India. This system is considered as one of the water-deficit irrigation system where the water is collected in the reservoir during north-east monsoon (Oct–Dec) and crops are cultivated after the rainfall season. Even though the first priority is to supply drinking water to Tiruvanamalai town and nearby villages, the quantity required for drinking water is very meagre when compared to irrigation demands. Genetic algorithm (GA) has been used to find the optimal crop-starting period that can give maximum performance and net benefit from the system. The results of the model study indicate that starting the cultivation of paddy crop between 1st and 10th of October every year provides maximum net benefit than starting the cultivation between 11th and 20th of December as practiced now.     

Method for Extended Period Simulation of Water Distribution Networks with Pressure Driven Demands

This paper proposes a non-iterative method to perform the simulation of water distribution systems with pressure driven demands using EPANET2 without the need to use its programmer’s toolkit. The method works for single period simulation (snapshot) and for extended period simulation (EPS) as well. It is based on the addition of a flow control valve (FCV), a throttle control valve (TCV), a check valve (CV) and a reservoir to each demand node in the network, in addition to a list of simple controls to modify the setting of the FCV and TCV in each time step. The main advantages of this approach are: 1. the source code of EPANET2 is not modified, 2. the toolkit functions are not needed for the simulation and they remain available for further uses, 3. the extended period simulation (EPS) is performed by EPANET2 and it carries tank levels, demand variation and other time-changing variables internally. The performance of the method is tested in two benchmark networks and a real size network with pumps, tanks and a 24 h demand pattern. The results show that the method computed the pressures and outflows accurately and that the computational time required is not significantly higher than a demand driven execution in most cases.     

Cadmium(II)‐Catalyzed C?N Cross‐Coupling of Amines with Aryl Iodides

Cadmium diacetate dihydrate [Cd(OAc)₂⋅2 H₂O] in combination with ethylene glycol catalyzes efficiently the C N cross‐coupling of amines with aryl iodides by a benzyne mechanism. Alkyl, aryl and heterocyclic amines are compatible with this system affording the aminated products in high to excellent yield.