Approximation of potential-driven flow dynamics in large-scale self-similar tree networks

Abstract

Dynamic analysis of large-scale flow networks is made difficult by the large system of differential-algebraic equations resulting from its modelling. To simplify analysis, the mathematical model must be sufficiently reduced in complexity. For self-similar tree networks, this reduction can be made using the network’s structure in way that can allow simple, analytical solutions. For very large, but finite, networks, analytical solutions are more difficult to obtain. In the infinite limit, however, analysis is sometimes greatly simplified. It is shown that approximating large finite networks as infinite not only simplifies the analysis, but also provides an excellent approximate solution.