Development and multi-objective optimization of an automatic filtration system with pressure-based preventive control...

Given the limited water resources and the challenge of emitter clogging in irrigation systems, this research aimed to design, construct and optimize an integrated and automated automatic filtration system to overcome the problems of conventional systems with operator dependence and suboptimal water and energy consumption. In this regard, a new system was designed in which a hydrocyclone and a screen filter were integrated into a single chamber and a pressure difference-based control algorithm was implemented to automatically activate the washing operation. The performance of this system was evaluated under the influence of three factors: operating pressure (100, 200, and 300 kPa), suspended solids concentration in water (4, 8, 12%), and screen pore diameter (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 mm) in the form of 81 experiments. The obtained data including filtration efficiency, water and energy consumption, and washing time were analyzed using statistical methods and Random Forest modeling, and a multi-objective optimization process was performed using the NSGA-II algorithm. A multi-objective optimization framework was implemented across three distinct operational scenarios: a quality-oriented scenario prioritizing maximum filtration efficiency; a resource-saving scenario emphasizing the minimization of wash water and energy consumption; and a balanced scenario aiming to achieve a compromise between performance and resource use. The optimization results revealed a set of optimal solutions that clearly illustrate the trade-offs among the considered objectives. The balanced scenario is reported as a representative operational case, achieving filtration efficiencies in the range of 88-98% with wash water consumption of 21-24 L and energy consumption of 80-90 kWh per cycle.