Ramos Martínez, EvaHerrera Fernández, Antonio ManuelIzquierdo Sebastián, JoaquínPérez García, Rafael2016-11-172016-11-1720152241-2891https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/74275[EN] The presence of regulated quantities of residual disinfectant is a usual feature in water supply systems (WSSs); nevertheless, biofilm formation persists in all of them, representing a paradigm in WSSs management due to the numerous undesirable problems associated. This study attempts to create a biofilm model based on a limited number of basic interactions between bacteria and the hydraulic and physical characteristics of the pipes by the step-wise evolution of biofilm over time. Multi-Agent Systems (MASs) are used as a modelling tool to achieve this purpose, arising as an excellent starting point for further researches. A MAS consists of a population of autonomous entities (agents, biofilm bacteria in this case) situated in a shared structured framework (environment, pipes in this case). These agents operate independently but also are able to interact with their environment, coordinating themselves with other agents. By obtaining a MAS based biofilm model, it will be possible to achieve a better understanding on any situation of interest because different research scenarios could be simulated allowing to check the hypotheses on their mechanisms and to predict how biofilm evolves in WSSs.Reserva de todos los derechosBiofilmMulti-agent systemsWater supply systemsECOLOGIAMATEMATICA APLICADAINGENIERIA HIDRAULICAArtículoAbierto