Optimizing the reservoir operating rule curves by genetic algorithms

Genetic algorithms, founded upon the principle of evolution, are applicable to many optimization problems, especially popular for solving parameter optimization problems. Reservoir operating rule curves are the most common way for guiding and managing the reservoir operation. These rule curves traditionally are derived through intensive simulation techniques. The main aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of two genetic algorithms (GAs), i.e., binary coded and real coded, to derive multipurpose reservoir operating rule curves. The curves are assumed to be piecewise linear functions where the coordinates of their inflection points are the unknowns and we want to optimize system performance. The applicability and effectiveness of the proposed methods are tested on the operation of the Shih‐Men reservoir in Taiwan. The current M‐5 operating curves of the Shih‐Men reservoir are also evaluated. The results show that the GAs provide an adequate, effective and robust way for searching the rule curves. Both sets of operating rule curves obtained from GAs have better performance, in terms of water release deficit and hydropower, than the current M‐5 operating rule curves, while the real‐coded GA is more efficient than the binary‐coded GA. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intelligent control for modeling of real‐time reservoir operation,part II: artificial neural network with operating rule curves

To bridge the gap between academic research and actual operation, we propose an intelligent control system for reservoir operation. The methodology includes two major processes, the knowledge acquired and implemented, and the inference system. In this study, a genetic algorithm (GA) and a fuzzy rule base (FRB) are used to extract knowledge based on the historical inflow data with a design objective function and on the operating rule curves respectively. The adaptive network‐based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is then used to implement the knowledge, to create the fuzzy inference system, and then to estimate the optimal reservoir operation. To investigate its applicability and practicability, the Shihmen reservoir, Taiwan, is used as a case study. For the purpose of comparison, a simulation of the currently used M‐5 operating rule curve is also performed. The results demonstrate that (1) the GA is an efficient way to search the optimal input–output patterns, (2) the FRB can extract the knowledge from the operating rule curves, and (3) the ANFIS models built on different types of knowledge can produce much better performance than the traditional M‐5 curves in real‐time reservoir operation. Moreover, we show that the model can be more intelligent for reservoir operation if more information (or knowledge) is involved. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of an artificial neural network to typhoon rainfall forecasting

A neural network with two hidden layers is developed to forecast typhoon rainfall. First, the model configuration is evaluated using eight typhoon characteristics. The forecasts for two typhoons based on only the typhoon characteristics are capable of showing the trend of rainfall when a typhoon is nearby. Furthermore, the influence of spatial rainfall information on rainfall forecasting is considered for improving the model design. A semivariogram is also applied to determine the required number of nearby rain gauges whose rainfall information will be used as input to the model. With the typhoon characteristics and the spatial rainfall information as input to the model, the forecasting model can produce reasonable forecasts. It is also found that too much spatial rainfall information cannot improve the generalization ability of the model, because the inclusion of irrelevant information adds noise to the network and undermines the performance of the network. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrochemistry of groundwaters in a spa area of Korea: an implication for water quality degradation by intensive pumping

A geochemical study was carried out in a small spa area (Onyang Spa, Korea) where intensive pumping of deep thermal groundwater (1 300 000 m³ year⁻¹) is taking place. This has caused the deep fractures to lose their artesian pressure and the upper shallow fractures have been encroached by shallow, cold waters. To quantify the influence of long‐term heavy pumping on the quality of the geothermal water, groundwater sampling and chemical analysis, water‐level measurement, and well loggings were performed for the selected deep thermal wells and shallow cold wells. Chemical analysis results indicate a big contrast in water chemistry and origins between the two water types. Shallow groundwater shows a wider concentration ranges in solutes that are closely related to human activity, illustrating the water's vulnerability to contamination near the land surface. Plots of water chemistry as a function of fluoride reveal that the quality of the thermal water was greatly influenced by the shallow, cold groundwater and that intensive pumping of the deep thermal groundwater has caused the introduction of shallow groundwater into the deeper fractures. Although the deep and the shallow fractures were piezometrically separated to some extent, a mixing model based on fluoride and nitrate indicated that the cold‐water fractions in the thermal wells are up to 50%. This suggests that the thermal water is faced with water quality degradation by the downward flow of the shallow, cold water. Restriction on the total of all the pumpage permits per unit area is suggested to restore the artesian pressure of the deep thermal aquifer and to prevent cold‐water intrusion in the study area. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel hysteresis model in unsaturated soil

This study presents a novel hysteresis model based on van Genuchten's soil‐moisture relationships. The proposed model yields a series of closed‐form relationships in which two shape factors α and η are determined from the main drying and wetting curves. Experimental and literature‐cited data were used to assess model accuracy. The proposed model was also compared with the Scott and KP models. Analytical results indicate that the present model is simple, accurate and effective in constructing the series of wetting and drying scanning curves. Notably, the proposed model outperforms the Scott and KP models in terms of model accuracy. Moreover, the novel model eliminates the pumping effect and has perfect closure at scanning curve reversal points. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

It goes both ways: measurements of simultaneous evapotranspiration and fog droplet deposition at a montane cloud forest

Fluxes of latent heat, sensible heat, and water vapor, including turbulent deposition of fog droplets, were measured for two months in autumn 2005 within a subtropical montane cypress forest in Taiwan. The goal of the study was to determine whether significant evapotranspiration can occur during foggy conditions. Water vapor fluxes, Q_W, as determined with the Bowen Ratio method, were compared to those simultaneously measured with the eddy covariance method. The median Bowen Ratio was 1.06, and the median Q_W flux was 5 · 2 × 10^?5 kg m^?2 s^?1. The vertical gradients of temperature and specific humidity over the forest, ΔT and Δq, peaked around noon during days without fog, and were reduced during foggy conditions. For 66% of the data points, ΔT and Δq were negative, corresponding to positive (upward) fluxes of sensible heat Q_H and latent heat Q_E. A Monte Carlo simulation proved that statistically significant evapotranspiration rates, i.e., upward water vapor fluxes, occurred during fog. At the same time, deposition fluxes of fog droplets occurred. Our results show that even during fog events, significant evapotranspiration may occur. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi‐depth monitoring of electrical conductivity and temperature of groundwater at a multilayered coastal aquifer: Jeju Island,Korea

To supplement conventional geophysical log data, this study presents temporal variations in electrical conductivity (EC) and temperature with depth in a multilayered coastal aquifer, on the eastern part of Jeju Island, Korea. One‐month time‐series data obtained at eight points from a multi‐depth monitoring system showed that semidiurnal and semimonthly tidal variations induced dynamic fluctuations in EC and temperature. At some depths, EC ranged from 1483 to 26 822 µS cm^?1, while some points showed no significant variations. The results of EC log and time‐series data revealed that a sharp fresh‐saltwater interface occurred at low tide, but the diffusion zone broadened to 20 m at high tide. EC, temperature, and tide level data were used for the cross‐correlation analysis. The response time of EC and temperature to tide appears to range from less than 30 min to 11 h. Using end‐member mixing analysis (EMMA), the fraction of variations of chloride concentration in the multilayered aquifer was explained, and a conceptual model was developed which subdivided the coastal aquifer into four vertical zones. The percentage of water derived from seawater varied from 2 to 48 at specific depth, owing to tidal fluctuations. Continuous observations of EC and temperature at multiple depths are powerful tools for quantifying the transport of saline water by tidal variations in multilayered coastal aquifers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrological effects of climate change,groundwater withdrawal,and land use in a small Korean watershed

The effects of variability in climate and watershed (groundwater withdrawal and land use) on dry‐weather streamflows were investigated using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool). The equation to predict the total runoff (TR) using climate data was derived from simulation results for 30 years by multiple regression analysis. These may be used to estimate effects of various climate variations (precipitation during the dry period, precipitation during the previous wet period, solar radiation, and maximum temperature). For example, if daily average maximum temperature increases by 3 °C, TR during the dry period will decrease by 27·9%. Similarly, groundwater withdrawals strongly affect streamflow during the dry period. However, land use changes (increasing urbanization) within the forested watershed do not appear to significantly affect TR during the dry period. Finally, a combined equation was derived that describes the relationships between the TR during the dry period and the climate, groundwater withdrawal and urban area proportion in a small monsoon watershed. This equation will be effective to predict the water availability during the dry periods in the future since it is closely related to changes of temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, urban area ratio, and groundwater withdrawal quantity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monazite chemistry: evidence for a prehistoric journey

The chemistry of monazite from the black sand deposits of northern Sinai beach suggests that pegmatites and granites of the Eastern Desert of Egypt are the most likely source rocks. The floods associated with the pluvial periods prevailed in Egypt during the Pleistocene were able to erode the source rocks and liberate heavy minerals including monazite. The mineral grains were moved through several wadis and tributaries to the River Nile. At the confluence sites, these heavy minerals were mixed with the Ethiopian and central African heavy mineral assemblages. The grains continued to move together downriver until being deposited in their current locations.