Fuzzy genetic algorithm approach for optimization of surge tanks

The fundamental goal of a pipeline utility is to serve its customers with a low cost water supply of acceptable quality. The number, type, size, and location of transient protective devices play a direct role in the pipeline system reliability and expenditure. The purpose of this study is to optimize the design of these devices to prevent water column separation after source pump power failure. The minimum pressures along the pipeline are assumed to be higher than “−10 m” to avoid water column separation. A rational, systematic, and efficient optimization algorithm is constructed by combining the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) and the Genetic Algorithm (GA). The FIS representing expert knowledge is incorporated into the GA approach to improve its fitness evaluation process. Three cases are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed hybrid approach.