A rapid design method for water using network with multiple contaminants was developed by mathematical programming based on rules of thumb.One effective strategy to solve complex or large-scale water network is that to simplify the algebraic model.However

obtaining accurate sequence of water process orders

such as water source or water demand

is the key to eliminating unnecessary stream and simplifying mathematical model of water network.Therefore

according to the analysis of limiting data and the understanding of the water process

a new sorting method of water supply and acceptance was proposed

then the necessary water pinch rules

sequences and approximation rules

and mixing rules were also set in order to remove unnecessary water network structure

simplify mathematical models and reduce the dimension of network composition.Finally

the problem with NLP(nonlinear program)model was solved with the LINGO (linear interactive and general optimizer)language.Three literature examples were used to illustrate the proposed approach.The result showed that setting the rules could effectively reduce model scale and nonlinear variables

shorten solving time

and obtain optimal design.