Optimal design of water distribution systems, using Firefly Algorithm

Nowadays, the increasing rate of world population and limitation of the water resources motivates researchers toward optimal design of water pipeline systems. In this study, an optimized water pipeline system with multi constraint is designed for rural regions. The main features of this study are robustness, pipe type and environment limitations. Furthermore, the optimization of pump type has been conducted. Normally, the major factor in design process is the cost optimization of a practical project. In this study, the cost optimization for a water pipeline system is determined. The objective is to apply penalty function method to reduce the constraint problems of the system. With respect to nonlinear governing equations and the number of parameters involved in the optimization process, the firefly algorithm is used as an optimization tool. To validate the developed code, the developed computer program is employed for the Hanoi’s problem and it is compared with results of other researchers.

Keywords:

Firefly Algorithm , Water Distribution System , Optimization