Cross-Disciplinary Optimization of Autonomous Environmental Monitoring Systems: Integrating Electrochemical Sensing and Low-Power Electronics via Pearson-RSM-NSGA-II Frameworks

Abstract

The Great Man-Made River (GMMR) constitutes a vital 4,000-km network of prestressed concrete cylinder pipes (PCCP) essential for Libya’s water security. Despite its scale, the infrastructure faces catastrophic failures driven by chloride-induced corrosion of prestressed wires within aggressive Saharan soil. This study proposes a novel "Integrated Cognitive Pipeline" architecture that employs Response Surface Methodology (RSM) as a high-fidelity surrogate modeling engine to ensure long-term structural integrity. The novelty of this approach lies in its ability to resolve interdisciplinary conflicts between Chemical Engineering goals, such as maximizing cathodic protection effectiveness, and Electrical Engineering constraints, including sensor battery depletion and electromagnetic signal interference in RF-harsh desert environments. By optimizing a multidimensional design space—where input factors like geometrical IDE gap width, sampling frequency, and CP excitation voltage are mapped against responses such as polarization resistance (Rp) and signal-to-noise ratio—the framework delivers a Pareto-optimal sensor deployment strategy. Integrating RSM with Bayesian multi-rate sensor fusion allows the system to supplement physical acoustic emission (AE) hits with "soft sensor" environmental data, enabling predictive maintenance. This cognitive decision-making loop significantly reduces the logistical burden of physical inspections in remote desert regions. Beyond technical efficiency, this optimization serves as a critical sustainability intervention within the "Water-Energy-Food Nexus" framework. By achieving an estimated 10% reduction in water loss and pumping energy, the RSM-optimized system safeguards the finite Nubian Sandstone Aquifer, demonstrating that the "Integration of Sciences" is the only viable path to securing complex infrastructure resilience in the 21st century.