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System Concept in Hydrology

A system is defined as a collection of interacting parts that function together as a whole to transform inputs into outputs. It can be physical or abstract. A system accepts inputs, operates on them internally through various processes, and produces outputs. A hydrologic system specifically accepts water and other inputs, operates on them through physical, chemical and biological processes, and produces outputs. It is represented by a boundary that encloses a structure or volume in space. The transformation of inputs to outputs in a system can be represented by transfer functions or equations that relate the system's inputs and outputs.

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249 views

System Concept in Hydrology

A system is defined as a collection of interacting parts that function together as a whole to transform inputs into outputs. It can be physical or abstract. A system accepts inputs, operates on them internally through various processes, and produces outputs. A hydrologic system specifically accepts water and other inputs, operates on them through physical, chemical and biological processes, and produces outputs. It is represented by a boundary that encloses a structure or volume in space. The transformation of inputs to outputs in a system can be represented by transfer functions or equations that relate the system's inputs and outputs.

Uploaded by

ska51
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What is a System?

Definition of a System

 A system is a collection of parts which A system may be defined as


Any structure, device, scheme or procedure
interact with each other to function as a
Real or Abstract,
whole That interrelates in a given time reference,
– Example: cooling system in a car: radiator, fan, An input, cause, or stimulus,
water pump, thermostat, hoses and clamps Of matter, energy, or information
 A set of objects, which interact in a regular, And
interdependent manner An output, effect, or response
Of information, energy, or matter
 There are several definitions available in - Dooge (1973)
literature for system
A system is a set of connected parts that form a whole
-Ven Te Chow (1988)

Sub-system
Hydrologic System

A hydrologic system is defined as a structure or volume in space,


surrounded by a boundary, that accepts water and other inputs,
operates on them internally, and produces them as outputs
The boundary is a continuous surface defined in three dimensions
Sub-system enclosing the volume or structure. A working medium enters the
system as input, interacts with the structure and other media, and
leaves as output.

Physical, chemical, and biological processes operate on the working


media within the system. The most common working media involved
in hydrologic analysis are water, air and heat energy.
Sub-system

Hydrologic Cycle as a System

1
Watershed as a Hydrologic System Schematic Representation of a System

Parameters, β

System
Inputs, I f(randomness, space, time)
Outputs, Q

Policies, α Transformation function


Q(t) = Ω[α
α(t), β (t)]*I(t)

Transformation function can simply be written as


Q(t) = ΩI(t) where, Ω is transfer function

Schematic Representation of a System Operation

Schematic Representation of a System Schematic Representation of a System

Transformation function can simply be written as For example, a linear reservoir has its storage ‘S’ related to its outflow ‘Q’ by
Q(t) = ΩI(t) where, Ω (ohm) is transfer function S = kQ, where k is a constant having the dimensions of time.
This is called transfer equation of the system
From the hydrologic equation, we know the time rate of change of storage
If this relationship can be expressed by an algebraic equation, then Ω is dS/dt is equal to the difference between the input and the output
an algebraic operator. dS/dt = I(t)-Q(t)

Equating S between the two equations and rearranging,


For example, if Q(t) = CI(t), where C is a constant, then Transformation
kdQ/dt + Q(t) = I(t)
function is the operator Ω = Q(t)/I(t) = C
Ω = Q(t)/I(t) = 1/(1+kD)-------(A), where D is differential operator = d/dt
Again, if the transformation is described by a differential equation, then
If the transformation equation has been determined and can be solved, it
the transfer function serves as a differential operator.
yields the output as a function of the input. Equation (A) describes a linear
system, if k is a constant. If k is a function of the input I or the output Q, then,
the equation (A) describes a nonlinear system, which is much more difficult
to solve

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