Machine learning parallel system for integrated process-model calibration and accuracy enhancement in sewer-river system

The process-based water system models have been transitioning from single-functional to integrated multi-objective and multi-functional since the worldwide digital upgrade of urban water system management. The proliferation of model complexity results in more significant uncertainty and computational requirements. However, conventional model calibration methods are insufficient in dealing with extensive computational time and limited monitoring samples. Here we introduce a novel machine learning system designed to expedite parameter optimization with limited data and boost efficiency in parameter search. MLPS, termed the machine learning parallel system for fast parameter search of integrated process-based models, aims to enhance both the performance and efficiency of the integrated model by ensuring its comprehensiveness, accuracy, and stability. MLPS was constructed upon the concept of model surrogation thorn algorithm optimization using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) coupled with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). The optimization results of the Integrated sewer network and urban river model demonstrate that the average relative percentage difference of the predicted river pollutant concentrations increases from 1.1 to 6.0, and the average absolute percent bias decreases from 124.3% to 8.8%. The model outputs closely align with the monitoring data, and parameter calibration time is reduced by 89.94%. MLPS enables the efficient optimization of integrated process-based models, facilitating the application of highly precise complex models in environmental management. The design of MLPS also presents valuable insights for optimizing complex models in other fields. (c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

Process-based water system models have evolved from single-functional to integrated multi-objective and multi-functional models since the worldwide digital upgrade of urban water system management. However, the increasing complexity of these models leads to more uncertainties and computational requirements. In this study, a novel machine learning system called MLPS is introduced to expedite parameter optimization with limited data and improve efficiency in parameter search. The results demonstrate that MLPS enhances the performance and efficiency of the integrated model and enables the efficient optimization of integrated process-based models, thereby facilitating the application of highly precise complex models in environmental management.