Systematic analysis and multi-objective optimization of an integrated power and freshwater production cycle

This study represents the results of the analysis and optimization of an integrated system for cogenerating electricity and freshwater. This setup consists of a Solid Oxide Fuel cell (SOFC) for producing electricity. Unburned fuel of the SOFC is burned in the afterburner to increase the temperature of the SOFC's outlet gasses and operate a Gas turbine (GT) to produce additional power and operate the air compressor. At the bottom of this cycle, a combined setup of a Multi-Effect Desalination (MED) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) is considered to produce freshwater from the unused heat capacity of the GT's exhaust gasses. Also, a Stirling engine is used in the fuel supply line to increase the fuel's temperature. Using LNG and the Stirling engine will replace the fuel compressor with a pump which increases the system performance and eliminates the need for the expansion valve. To study the system performance a mathematical model is developed in Engineering Equation Solver (EES) program. Then, the system's simulated data from the EES has been sent to MATLAB to promote the best operating condition based on the optimization criteria. An energetic, exergetic, economic, and environmental analysis has been performed and a Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) is used to achieve the goal. The two-objective optimization is performed to maximize the exergetic efficiency of the proposed system while minimizing the system's total cost of production. This cost is a weighted distribution of the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) and Levelized Cost of freshwater (LCOW). The results showed that the exergetic and energetic efficiencies of the system can reach 73.5% and 69.06% at the optimum point. The total electricity production of the system is 99 MW. The production cost is 11.71 Cents/kWh, of which 1.04 Cents/kWh is emission-related and environmental taxes. The freshwater production rate is 42.44 kg/s which costs 4.38 USD/m³.     

Individual-based multi-objective optimal structured treatment interruption for HIV infection

In this paper, based on the measurable quantities from an individual patient that has infection to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and his/her condition is near to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), individual-based multi-objective optimal treatments have been proposed. Firstly, the most effective parameters of the patient in computing Long-term non-progressor (LTNP) equilibrium are derived using global sensitivity analysis (GSA). To accomplish GSA effectively, Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) and partial rank correlation coefficients (PRCC) are utilized to rank each of the parameters based on each state of the 5-dimensional model. Then, these results are used by Dempster–Shafer (D–S) evidence theory (DSET) to rank the most effective parameters comprehensively. Now, these effective identified parameters are estimated using extended Kalman filter (EKF), which its covariance matrices are optimized based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Thus, the proposed methodology gives a calibrated model corresponding to the individual patient. Based on this calibrated model, the LTNP equilibrium related to the individual patient is derived. Using the derived individual-based LTNP equilibrium optimal structured treatment interruption (STI) strategies are extracted by defining suitable multi-objective optimization problem and solving it through using non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II). The results demonstrate that the proposed optimal treatments are able to effectively reach LTNP equilibrium with using the minimum and maximum drug usage of 3.6% and 35.1% of full drug usage treatment. Meanwhile, the different optimal treatments give the decision-makers enough flexibility to choose the suitable treatment based on existing facilities and necessities.     

Multi-objective iterative optimization algorithm based optimal wavelet filter selection for multi-fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings

Rolling element bearings (REBs) play an essential role in modern machinery and their condition monitoring is significant in predictive maintenance. Due to the harsh operating conditions, multi-fault may co-exist in one bearing and vibration signal always exhibits low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which causes difficulties in detecting fault. In the previous studies, maximum correlated kurtosis deconvolution (MCKD) has been validated as an efficient method to extract fault feature in the fault signals. Nonetheless, there are still some challenges when MCKD is applied to fault detection owing to the rigorous requirements of multiple input parameters. To overcome limitation, a multi-objective iterative optimization algorithm (MOIOA) for multi-fault diagnosis is proposed. In this method, correlated kurtosis (CK) is taken as a criterion to select optimal Morlet wavelet filter using the whale optimization algorithm (WOA). Meanwhile, to further eliminate the effect of the inaccurate period on CK, the update process of period is incorporated. After that, the simulated and experimental signals are utilized to testify the validity and superiority of the MOIOA for multiple faults detection by the comparison with MCKD. The results indicate that MOIOA is efficient to extract weak fault features even with heavy noise and harmonic interferences.     

A new decomposition based evolutionary algorithm with uniform designs for many-objective optimization

For many-objective optimization problems, how to get a set of solutions with good convergence and diversity is a difficult and challenging work. In this paper, a new decomposition based evolutionary algorithm with uniform designs is proposed to achieve the goal. The proposed algorithm adopts the uniform design method to set the weight vectors which are uniformly distributed over the design space, and the size of the weight vectors neither increases nonlinearly with the number of objectives nor considers a formulaic setting. A crossover operator based on the uniform design method is constructed to enhance the search capacity of the proposed algorithm. Moreover, in order to improve the convergence performance of the algorithm, a sub-population strategy is used to optimize each sub-problem. Comparing with some efficient state-of-the-art algorithms, e.g., NSGAII-CE, MOEA/D and HypE, on six benchmark functions, the proposed algorithm is able to find a set of solutions with better diversity and convergence.     

Solving a new multi-objective multi-route flexible flow line problem by multi-objective particle swarm optimization and NSGA-II

Mass production, meeting the increasing demands of the customers is a necessity. Such a production is mainly dependent on a factory manufacturing called flow line production. This paper deals with special type of production by the name of flexible manufacturing system, assuming the presence of multi processors in each station of a multi-station arrangement. The model debated in the paper possesses three objective functions, the first of which attempts to minimize the weighted delays. The second objective function tries to minimize the capital for the purchase of the processors at stations and the third objective function minimizes the capital dedicated to select the optimum processing route of parts. For the validation of the mathematical model, use has been made of NSAGAII and MOPSO approaches.     

Investigating material removal rate and surface roughness using multi-objective optimization for focused ion beam (FIB) micro-milling of cemented carbide

Cemented carbide has been investigated as a useful material for the fabrication of micro devices. Focused ion beam (FIB) micro-milling has been found to be one of the most appropriate methods for the fabrication of micro devices. The experimental FIB micro-milling on cemented carbide have been conducted according to the L₁₆ orthogonal array of Taguchi technique. Beam current, extraction voltage, angle of beam incidence, dwell time and percentage overlap between beam diameters have been considered as process variables of FIB micro-milling in experimental design. Material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness have been determined experimentally for FIB micro-milling of cemented carbide and beam current has been identified as the most significant parameter. The minimum surface roughness of 5.6 nm has been reported on cemented carbide, which is not a usual practice to achieve on such polycrystalline material, and hence it may be considered as a significant research contribution. Maximum MRR of 0.4836 μm³/s has been reported. Moreover, genetic algorithm toolbox of MATLAB has been utilized for multi-objective optimization between MRR and surface roughness. The corresponding optimum values of MRR and surface roughness for multi-objective optimization have been represented by pareto optimum solution generated by genetic algorithm. The research work presented in this paper determines the setting of process parameters of FIB micro-milling for achieving a specific combination of MRR and surface roughness on cemented carbide.     

Optimal scheduling of single stage batch plants with direct heat integration

This paper addresses the multi-objective optimization problem arising in the operation of heat integrated batch plants, where makespan and utility consumption are the two conflicting objectives. A new continuous-time MILP formulation with general precedence variables is proposed to simultaneously handle decisions related to timing, product sequencing, heat exchanger matches (selected from a two-stage superstructure) and their heat loads. It features a complex set of timing constraints to synchronize heating and cooling tasks, derived from Generalized Disjunctive Programming. Through the solution of an industrial case study from a vegetable oil refinery, we show that major savings in utilities can be achieved while generating the set of Pareto optimal solutions through the ɛ-constraint method.     

Multi-objective genetic algorithm for berth allocation problem considering daytime preference

Maximization of operational efficiency and minimization of cost are pursued by terminal operators, whereas daytime preference is increasingly emphasized by governments, terminal operators and workers. Daytime preference in berth allocation schedule refers to schedule the workloads in nights as fewer as possible, which improves working comfort, safety, and green and energy-savings degrees, but may decrease the throughput and total operational efficiency. By extending existing dynamic discrete berth allocation model, a bi-objective model considering daytime preference is established to minimize the delayed workloads and the workloads in nights. Based on the well known NSGA-II algorithm, a multi-objective genetic algorithm (moGA) is developed for solving the bi-objective model by using a two-part representation scheme. The sensitivities of the algorithmic parameters and tradeoffs between daytime preference and delayed workloads are analyzed by numerical experiments. The algorithmic aspects of the proposed approach and the effects of daytime preference on solutions are all examined. Finally, the managerial implications are discussed.     

Bi-objective integrating sustainable order allocation and sustainable supply chain network strategic design with stochastic demand using a novel robust hybrid multi-objective metaheuristic

Sustainability has been considered as a growing concern in supply chain network design (SCND) and in the order allocation problem (OAP). Accordingly, there still exists a gap in the quantitative modeling of sustainable SCND that consists of OAP. In this article, we cover this gap through simultaneously considering the sustainable OAP in the sustainable SCND as a strategic decision. The proposed supply chain network is composed of five echelons including suppliers classified in different classes, plants, distribution centers that dispatch products via two different ways, direct shipment, and cross-docks, to satisfy stochastic demand received from a set of retailers. The problem has been mathematically formulated as a multi-objective optimization model that aims at minimizing the total costs and environmental effect of integrating SCND and OAP, simultaneously. To tackle the addressed problem, a novel multi-objective hybrid approach called MOHEV with two strategies for its best particle selection procedure (BPSP), minimum distance, and crowding distance is proposed. MOHEV is constructed through hybridization of two multi-objective algorithms, namely the adapted multi-objective electromagnetism mechanism algorithm (AMOEMA) and adapted multi-objective variable neighborhood search (AMOVNS). According to achieved results, MOHEV achieves better solutions compared with the others, and also crowding distance method for BPSP outperforms minimum distance. Finally, a case study for an automobile industry is used to demonstrate the applicability of the approach.     

An improved partheno genetic algorithm for multi-objective economic dispatch in cascaded hydropower systems

The multi-objective economic dispatch (MOED) problem in cascaded hydropower systems is a complicated nonlinear optimization problem with a group of complex constraints. In this paper, an improved partheno genetic algorithm (IPGA) for resolving the MOED problem in hydropower energy systems based on the non-uniform mutation operator is proposed. In the new algorithm, the crossover operator is removed and only mutation operation is made, which makes it simpler than GA in the genetic operations and not generate invalid offspring during evolution. With the help of incorporating greedy selection idea into the non-uniform mutation operator, IPGA searches the solution space uniformly at the early stage and very locally at the later stage, which makes it avoid the random blind jumping and stay at the promising solution areas. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to a realistic hydropower energy system with two giant scale cascaded hydropower plants in China. Compared with other algorithms, the results obtained using IPGA verify its superiority in both efficiency and precision.