Groundwater Optimization Handbook: Flow, Contaminant Transport, and Conjunctive Management

This how-to book presents a thorough introduction to groundwater systems analysis and appropriate simulation optimization (S/O) approaches for several types of groundwater problems. It covers optimization terminology, principles, and S/O computational approaches and introduces optimization theory and algorithms that have been successful in resolving water quality and groundwater management problems. The author offers guidance for simplifying and solving optimization problems with selected S/O approaches and models by offering case studies, flowcharts, and numerous examples. A dictionary of terminology and access to free software is also included.

Table of Contents:
Introduction to S-O Concepts: Essence of Optimizing Groundwater Management. Introduction to Mathematical Optimization for Groundwater Strategy Design. Optimization Theory: Optimization Problem Types and Categories. Deterministic Optimization. Optimization with Uncertainty. Multiobjective Optimization Approaches. Exact and Approximation Simulator Theory: Embedded Numerical and Analytical Equations. Response Matrix Simulators. Approximation and Other Simulators. S-O Processes and Guidance: Formulating Optimization Problems and Selecting S-O Tools. Preparing Data Input and Implementing S-O Tool. Groundwater and Conjunctive Management S-O Application Guidance. Groundwater Contamination and Transport Management S-O Application Guidance. Applications: Hydraulic S-O Modeling Applications. Contaminant Transport S-O Modeling Applications. Closure. Glossary. Index.

About the Author :
Richard Peralta, Ph.D is a Professor at Utah State University, in Logan. He has 20+ years of experience as a Bioenvironmental Engineer, 28 years experience in groundwater modeling and developing and applying simulation-optimization models for groundwater and conjunctive water management.

Review :
"In my experience, most text books only cover the theory behind a topic and go into great detail on the research and derivation of various methodologies. However, practitioners in the field also need to know how the theoretical underpinnings of the science get applied in the real world. Few books actually accomplish this and thus are not really all that useful to those of us who "get our hands dirty". Dr. Peralta's book covers both aspects quite well. The theory behind various optimization techniques is presented along with how these theories and methods are used to solve real problems. The examples in the book are not just small synthetic problems that bear no resemblance to reality. They illustrate the solution to large-scale, real optimization" —James Rumbaugh, Environmental Simulations, Inc., Reinholds, Pennsylvania, USA "The book provides a good summary of the fundamental optimization techniques from the classical approaches to the current state-of-the-art methods, but provides excellent guidance on the appropriate application to ground water problems. The book illustrates most of the important concepts with simple theoretical examples and/of real-world applications of the techniques. The efficient application of these techniques requires experience and perhaps intuition, and Dr. Peralta has tried his best to convey some of the insights from his extensive portfolio of successful optimization projects to the reader. The strength of the book really lies beyond the early chapters covering the basics of optimization; it is in the discussion of these actual applications." —David J. Becker, University of Nebraska at Omaha