This paper presents a relatively new management model for the optimal design and operation of irrigation water pumping systems. The model makes use of the newly introduced particle swarm optimization algorithm. A two step optimization model is developed and solved with the particle swarm optimization method. The model first carries out an exhaustive enumeration search for all feasible sets of pump combinations able to cope with a given demand curve over the required period. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is then called in to search for optimal operation of each set. Having solved the operation problem of all feasible sets, one can calculate the total cost of operation and depreciation of initial investment for all the sets and the optimal set and the corresponding operating policy is determined. The proposed model is applied to the design and operation of a real-world irrigation pumping system and the results are presented and compared with those of a genetic algorithm. The results indicate that the proposed mode in conjunction with the particle swarm optimization algorithm is a versatile management model for the design and operation of real-world irrigation pumping systems.

Keywords: pumping stations, design and operation, particle swarm optimization.

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