Optimizing Bucket Elevator Performance through a Blend of Discrete Element Method, Response Surface Methodology, and Firefly Algorithm Approaches

This research introduces a novel approach to enhancing bucket elevator design and operation through the integration of discrete element method(DEM)simulation,design of experiments(DOE),and metaheuristic optimization algorithms.Specifically,the study employs the firefly algorithm(FA),a metaheuristic optimization technique,to optimize bucket elevator parameters for maximizing transport mass and mass flow rate discharge of granular materials under specified working conditions.The experimental methodology involves several key steps:screening experiments to identify significant factors affecting bucket elevator operation,central composite design(CCD)experiments to further explore these factors,and response surface methodology(RSM)to create predictive models for transport mass and mass flow rate discharge.The FA algorithm is then applied to optimize these models,and the results are validated through simulation and empirical experiments.The study validates the optimized parameters through simulation and empirical experiments,comparing results with DEM simulation.The outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of the FA algorithm in identifying optimal bucket parameters,showcasing less than 10%and 15%deviation for transport mass and mass flow rate discharge,respectively,between predicted and actual values.Overall,this research provides insights into the critical factors influencing bucket elevator operation and offers a systematic methodology for optimizing bucket parameters,contributing to more efficient material handling in various industrial applications.

Shape and Size Optimization of Truss Structures under Frequency Constraints Based on Hybrid Sine Cosine Firefly Algorithm

Shape and size optimization with frequency constraints is a highly nonlinear problem withmixed design variables,non-convex search space,and multiple local optima.Therefore,a hybrid sine cosine firefly algorithm(HSCFA)is proposed to acquire more accurate solutions with less finite element analysis.The full attraction model of firefly algorithm(FA)is analyzed,and the factors that affect its computational efficiency and accuracy are revealed.A modified FA with simplified attraction model and adaptive parameter of sine cosine algorithm(SCA)is proposed to reduce the computational complexity and enhance the convergence rate.Then,the population is classified,and different populations are updated by modified FA and SCA respectively.Besides,the random search strategy based on Lévy flight is adopted to update the stagnant or infeasible solutions to enhance the population diversity.Elitist selection technique is applied to save the promising solutions and further improve the convergence rate.Moreover,the adaptive penalty function is employed to deal with the constraints.Finally,the performance of HSCFA is demonstrated through the numerical examples with nonstructural masses and frequency constraints.The results show that HSCFA is an efficient and competitive tool for shape and size optimization problems with frequency constraints.

Optimization of Cognitive Radio System Using Enhanced Firefly Algorithm

The optimization of cognitive radio(CR)system using an enhanced firefly algorithm(EFA)is presented in this work.The Firefly algorithm(FA)is a nature-inspired algorithm based on the unique light-flashing behavior of fireflies.It has already proved its competence in various optimization prob-lems,but it suffers from slow convergence issues.To improve the convergence performance of FA,a new variant named EFA is proposed.The effectiveness of EFA as a good optimizer is demonstrated by optimizing benchmark functions,and simulation results show its superior performance compared to biogeography-based optimization(BBO),bat algorithm,artificial bee colony,and FA.As an application of this algorithm to real-world problems,EFA is also applied to optimize the CR system.CR is a revolutionary technique that uses a dynamic spectrum allocation strategy to solve the spectrum scarcity problem.However,it requires optimization to meet specific performance objectives.The results obtained by EFA in CR system optimization are compared with results in the literature of BBO,simulated annealing,and genetic algorithm.Statistical results further prove that the proposed algorithm is highly efficient and provides superior results.

Adaptive Kernel Firefly Algorithm Based Feature Selection and Q-Learner Machine Learning Models in Cloud

CC’s(Cloud Computing)networks are distributed and dynamic as signals appear/disappear or lose significance.MLTs(Machine learning Techniques)train datasets which sometime are inadequate in terms of sample for inferring information.A dynamic strategy,DevMLOps(Development Machine Learning Operations)used in automatic selections and tunings of MLTs result in significant performance differences.But,the scheme has many disadvantages including continuity in training,more samples and training time in feature selections and increased classification execution times.RFEs(Recursive Feature Eliminations)are computationally very expensive in its operations as it traverses through each feature without considering correlations between them.This problem can be overcome by the use of Wrappers as they select better features by accounting for test and train datasets.The aim of this paper is to use DevQLMLOps for automated tuning and selections based on orchestrations and messaging between containers.The proposed AKFA(Adaptive Kernel Firefly Algorithm)is for selecting features for CNM(Cloud Network Monitoring)operations.AKFA methodology is demonstrated using CNSD(Cloud Network Security Dataset)with satisfactory results in the performance metrics like precision,recall,F-measure and accuracy used.

Defect image segmentation using multilevel thresholding based on firefly algorithm with opposition-learning

To segment defects from the quad flat non-lead QFN package surface a multilevel Otsu thresholding method based on the firefly algorithm with opposition-learning is proposed. First the Otsu thresholding algorithm is expanded to a multilevel Otsu thresholding algorithm. Secondly a firefly algorithm with opposition-learning OFA is proposed.In the OFA opposite fireflies are generated to increase the diversity of the fireflies and improve the global search ability. Thirdly the OFA is applied to searching multilevel thresholds for image segmentation. Finally the proposed method is implemented to segment the QFN images with defects and the results are compared with three methods i.e. the exhaustive search method the multilevel Otsu thresholding method based on particle swarm optimization and the multilevel Otsu thresholding method based on the firefly algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed method can segment QFN surface defects images more efficiently and at a greater speed than that of the other three methods.

Rayleigh wave nonlinear inversion based on the Firefly algorithm

Rayleigh waves have high amplitude, low frequency, and low velocity, which are treated as strong noise to be attenuated in reflected seismic surveys. This study addresses how to identify useful shear wave velocity profile and stratigraphic information from Rayleigh waves. We choose the Firefly algorithm for inversion of surface waves. The Firefly algorithm, a new type of particle swarm optimization, has the advantages of being robust, highly effective, and allows global searching. This algorithm is feasible and has advantages for use in Rayleigh wave inversion with both synthetic models and field data. The results show that the Firefly algorithm, which is a robust and practical method, can achieve nonlinear inversion of surface waves with high resolution.

Opposition-Based Firefly Algorithm for Earth Slope Stability Evaluation

This paper introduces a new approach of firefly algorithm based on opposition-based learning （OBFA） to enhance the global search ability of the original algorithm. The new algorithm employs opposition based learning concept to generate initial population and also updating agents’ positions. The proposed OBFA is applied for minimization of the factor of safety and search for critical failure surface in slope stability analysis. The numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the new algorithm.

Repulsive firefly algorithm-based optimal switching device placement in power distribution systems

To achieve optimal configuration of switching devices in a power distribution system,this paper proposes a repulsive firefly algorithm-based optimal switching device placement method.In this method,the influence of territorial repulsion during firefly courtship is considered.The algorithm is practically applied to optimize the position and quantity of switching devices,while avoiding its convergence to the local optimal solution.The experimental simulation results have showed that the proposed repulsive firefly algorithm is feasible and effective,with satisfying global search capability and convergence speed,holding potential applications in setting value calculation of relay protection and distribution network automation control.

Second Law Analysis and Optimization of Elliptical Pin Fin Heat Sinks Using Firefly Algorithm

One of the most significant considerations in the design of a heat sink is thermal management due to increasing thermal flux and miniature in size.These heat sinks utilize plate or pin fins depending upon the required heat dissipation rate.They are designed to optimize overall performance.Elliptical pin fin heat sinks enhance heat transfer rates and reduce the pumping power.In this study,the Firefly Algorithm is implemented to optimize heat sinks with elliptical pin-fins.The pin-fins are arranged in an inline fashion.The nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm performs powerfully and efficiently in solving numerical global optimization problems.Based on mass,energy,and entropy balance,three models are developed for thermal resistance,hydraulic resistance,and entropy generation rate in the heat sink.The major axis is used as the characteristic length,and the maximum velocity is used as the reference velocity.The entropy generation rate comprises the combined effect of thermal resistance and pressure drop.The total EGR is minimized by utilizing the firefly algorithm.The optimization model utilizes analytical/empirical correlations for the heat transfer coefficients and friction factors.It is shown that both thermal resistance and pressure drop can be simultaneously optimized using this algorithm.It is demonstrated that the performance of FFA is much better than PPA.

A Novel Binary Firefly Algorithm for the Minimum Labeling Spanning Tree Problem

Given a connected undirected graph G whose edges are labeled,the minimumlabeling spanning tree(MLST)problemis to find a spanning tree of G with the smallest number of different labels.TheMLST is anNP-hard combinatorial optimization problem,which is widely applied in communication networks,multimodal transportation networks,and data compression.Some approximation algorithms and heuristics algorithms have been proposed for the problem.Firefly algorithm is a new meta-heuristic algorithm.Because of its simplicity and easy implementation,it has been successfully applied in various fields.However,the basic firefly algorithm is not suitable for discrete problems.To this end,a novel discrete firefly algorithm for the MLST problem is proposed in this paper.A binary operation method to update firefly positions and a local feasible handling method are introduced,which correct unfeasible solutions,eliminate redundant labels,and make the algorithm more suitable for discrete problems.Computational results show that the algorithm has good performance.The algorithm can be extended to solve other discrete optimization problems.

Optimal Power Flow Using Firefly Algorithm with Unified Power Flow Controller

Firefly algorithm is the new intelligent algorithm used for all complex engineering optimization problems. Power system has many complex optimization problems one of which is the optimal power flow (OPF). Basically, it is minimizing optimization problem and subjected to many complex objective functions and constraints. Hence, firefly algorithm is used to solve OPF in this paper. The aim of the firefly is to optimize the control variables, namely generated real power, voltage magnitude and tap setting of transformers. Flexible AC Transmission system (FACTS) devices may used in the power system to improve the quality of the power supply and to reduce the cost of the generation. FACTS devices are classified into series, shunt, shunt-series and series-series connected devices. Unified power flow controller (UPFC) is shunt-series type device that posses all capabilities to control real, reactive powers, voltage and reactance of the connected line in the power system. Hence, UPFC is included in the considered IEEE 30 bus for the OPF solution.

Firefly Algorithm in Determining Maximum Load Utilization Point and Its Enhancement through Optimal Placement of FACTS Device

In a Power System, load is the most uncertain and extremely time varying unit. Hence it is important to determine the system’s supreme acceptable loadability limit called maximum loadability point to accommodate the sudden variation of load demand. Nowadays the enhancement of the maximum loadability point is essential to meet the rapid growth of load demand by improvising the system’s load utilization capacity. Flexible AC Transmission system devices (FACTS) with their speed and flexibility will play a key role in enhancing the controllability and power transfer capability of the system. Considering the theme of FACTS devices in the loadability limit enhancement, in this paper maximum loadability limit determination and its enhancement are prepared with the help of swarm intelligence based meta-heuristic Firefly Algorithm(FFA) by finding the optimal loading factor for each load and optimally placing the SVC (Shunt Compensation) and TCSC (Series Compensation) FACTS devices in the system. To illuminate the effectiveness of FACTS devices in the loadability enhancement, the line contingency scenario is also concerned in the study. The study of FACTS based maximum system load utilization acceptability point determination is demonstrated with the help of modified IEEE 30 bus, IEEE 57 Bus and IEEE 118 Bus test systems. The results of FACTS devices involvement in determining the maximum loading point enhance the load utilization point in normal state and also help to overcome the system violation in transmissionline contingency state. Also the firefly algorithm in determining the maximum loadability point provides better search capability with faster convergence rate compared to that of Particle swarm optimization (PSO) and Differential evolution algorithm.

Hybrid firefly algorithm-neural network for battery remaining useful life estimation

Accurately estimating the remaining useful life(RUL)of batteries is crucial for optimizing maintenance,preventing failures,and enhancing reliability,thereby saving costs and resources.This study introduces a hybrid approach for estimating the RUL of a battery based on the firefly algorithm–neural network(FA–NN)model,in which the FA is employed as an optimizer to fine-tune the network weights and hidden layer biases in the NN.The performance of the FA–NN is comprehensively compared against two hybrid models,namely the harmony search algorithm(HSA)–NN and cultural algorithm(CA)–NN,as well as a single model,namely the autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA).The comparative analysis is based mean absolute error(MAE)and root mean squared error(RMSE).Findings reveal that the FA–NN outperforms the HSA–NN,CA–NN,and ARIMA in both employed metrics,demonstrating su-perior predictive capabilities for estimating the RUL of a battery.Specifically,the FA–NN achieved a MAE of 2.5371 and a RMSE of 2.9488 compared with the HSA–NN with a MAE of 22.0583 and RMSE of 34.5154,the CA–NN with a MAE of 9.1189 and RMSE of 22.4646,and the ARIMA with a MAE of 494.6275 and RMSE of 584.3098.Additionally,the FA–NN exhibits significantly smaller maximum errors at 34.3737 compared with the HSA–NN at 490.3125,the CA–NN at 827.0163,and the ARIMA at 1.16e+03,further emphasizing its robust performance in minimizing prediction inaccuracies.This study offers important insights into battery health management,showing that the proposed method is a promising solution for precise RUL predictions.

A Global Best-guided Firefly Algorithm for Engineering Problems

The Firefly Algorithm(FA)is a highly efficient population-based optimization technique developed by mimicking the flashing behavior of fireflies when mating.This article proposes a method based on Differential Evolution(DE)/current-to-best/1 for enhancing the FA's movement process.The proposed modification increases the global search ability and the convergence rates while maintaining a balance between exploration and exploitation by deploying the global best solution.However,employing the best solution can lead to premature algorithm convergence,but this study handles this issue using a loop adjacent to the algorithm's main loop.Additionally,the suggested algorithm’s sensitivity to the alpha parameter is reduced compared to the original FA.The GbFA surpasses both the original and five-version of enhanced FAs in finding the optimal solution to 30 CEC2014 real parameter benchmark problems with all selected alpha values.Additionally,the CEC 2017 benchmark functions and the eight engineering optimization challenges are also utilized to evaluate GbFA’s efficacy and robustness on real-world problems against several enhanced algorithms.In all cases,GbFA provides the optimal result compared to other methods.Note that the source code of the GbFA algorithm is publicly available at https://www.optim-app.com/projects/gbfa.

A Modified Firefly Optimization Algorithm-Based Fuzzy Packet Scheduler for MANET

In Mobile ad hoc Networks(MANETs),the packet scheduling process is considered the major challenge because of error-prone connectivity among mobile nodes that introduces intolerable delay and insufficient throughput with high packet loss.In this paper,a Modified Firefly Optimization Algorithm improved Fuzzy Scheduler-based Packet Scheduling(MFPA-FSPS)Mechanism is proposed for sustaining Quality of Service(QoS)in the network.This MFPA-FSPS mechanism included a Fuzzy-based priority scheduler by inheriting the merits of the Sugeno Fuzzy inference system that potentially and adaptively estimated packets’priority for guaranteeing optimal network performance.It further used the modified Firefly Optimization Algorithm to optimize the rules uti-lized by the fuzzy inference engine to achieve the potential packet scheduling pro-cess.This adoption of a fuzzy inference engine used dynamic optimization that guaranteed excellent scheduling of the necessitated packets at an appropriate time with minimized waiting time.The statistical validation of the proposed MFPA-FSPS conducted using a one-way Analysis of Variance(ANOVA)test confirmed its predominance over the benchmarked schemes used for investigation.

Combined heat and power economic dispatch problem using firefly algorithm

Cogeneration units, which produce both heat and electric power, are found in many process industries. These industries also consume heat directly in addition to electricity. The cogeneration units operate only within a feasible zone. Each point within the feasible zone consists of a specific value of heat and electric power. These units are used along with other units, which produce either heat or power exclusively. Hence, the economic dispatch problem for these plants to optimize the fuel cost is quite complex and several classical and meta-heuristic algo- rithms have been proposed earlier. This paper applies the firefly algorithm, which is inspired by the behavior of fireflies which attract each other based on their luminosity. The results obtained have been compared with those obtained by other methods earlier and showed a marked improvement over the earlier methods.

Firefly algorithm with division of roles for complex optimal scheduling

A single strategy used in the firefly algorithm(FA)cannot effectively solve the complex optimal scheduling problem.Thus,we propose the FA with division of roles(DRFA).Herein,fireflies are divided into leaders,developers,and followers,while a learning strategy is assigned to each role:the leader chooses the greedy Cauchy mutation;the developer chooses two leaders randomly and uses the elite neighborhood search strategy for local development;the follower randomly selects two excellent particles for global exploration.To improve the efficiency of the fixed step size used in FA,a stepped variable step size strategy is proposed to meet different requirements of the algorithm for the step size at different stages.Role division can balance the development and exploration ability of the algorithm.The use of multiple strategies can greatly improve the versatility of the algorithm for complex optimization problems.The optimal performance of the proposed algorithm has been verified by three sets of test functions and a simulation of optimal scheduling of cascade reservoirs.

A Hybrid Firefly Algorithm for Optimizing Fractional Proportional-Integral-Derivative Controller in Ship Steering

In this paper, a new algorithm which integrates the powerful firefly Mgorithm （FA） and the ant colony optimization （ACO） has been used in tracking control of ship steering for optimization of fractional-order proportional-integral-derivative （FOPID） controller gains. Particle swarm optimization （PSO） algorithm is also used to optimize FOPID controllers, and their performances are compared. It is found that FA optimized FOPID controller gives better performance than others. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out to see the robustness of optimum FOPID gains obtained at nominal conditions to wide changes in system parameters, and the optimum FOPID gains need not be reset for wide changes in system parameters.

Novel quantum-inspired firefly algorithm for optimal power quality monitor placement

The application of a quantum-inspired firefly algorithm was introduced to obtain optimal power quality monitor placement in a power system. The conventional binary firefly algorithm was modified by using quantum principles to attain a faster convergence rate that can improve system performance and to avoid premature convergence. In the optimization process, a multi-objective function was used with the system observability constraint, which is determined via the topological monitor reach area concept. The multi-objective function comprises three functions： number of required monitors, monitor over-lapping index, and sag severity index. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by applying the algorithm to an IEEE 118-bus transmission system and by comparing the algorithm with others of its kind.

Parameter Estimation of a Mixed Production Function Model Based on Improved Firefly Algorithm and Model Application

In the analysis on economic growth factors, researchers usually use the production function model to calculate and measure influencing factors’ contribution rates to economic growth. Common production functions include the CD(Cobb-Douglas) production function, the CES(Constant Elasticity of Substitution) production function, the VES(Variable Elasticity of Substitution) production function,and so on. In consideration of the diversity and complementarity of models, the paper combines the CD production function with the CES production function and then proposes a mixed production function.With regard to the parameter estimation of model, the paper gives an improved firefly algorithm with the high precision and a fast rate of convergence. With regard to the calculation of factors’ contribution rates, traditional methods generally have big errors and are not applicable to complicated models, so the paper offers a new method which can calculate contribution rates scientifically. Finally, the paper calculates the contribution rates of factors affecting Chinese economic growth and gets a good result.