Optimization Study of Gas Supply Pipeline Systems Based on Swarm Intelligence Optimization Algorithms

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a valuable contribution applying swarm intelligence algorithms (GWO, ZOA) to real-world pipeline optimization, and the comparative framework is of interest to both academia and industry. To strengthen the manuscript, please address the following points:

1. Clarity of Methods – Provide more detail on the test model (pipeline lengths, diameters, and demand assumptions in Fig. 2). Explicitly state iteration limits and stopping criteria.

2. Figures and Tables – Increase font size and axis labels in Figs. 3–5; add units. Clarify in Tables 3–4 whether times are averaged over multiple runs.

3. Reproducibility – Include initial parameter ranges for ZOA and GWO (population size, random seeds) and explain how constraints were enforced (e.g., minimum pressure, maximum flow).

4. Comparisons – Expand the discussion of why GA/PSO stagnated versus ZOA/GWO mechanisms. This will strengthen the engineering insights.

5. English Expression – Simplify overly long sentences, correct minor grammatical errors, and unify terminology (e.g., “relative error,” “average error,” “Index”).

6. Future Outlook – The outlook section could be expanded to highlight potential hybrid algorithms and real-time deployment possibilities with SCADA integration.

Overall, the study is methodologically sound and the results are promising, but presentation and clarity improvements are required before acceptance.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English is generally understandable, but several sentences are overly long and complex. Minor grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and inconsistent terminology reduce clarity. A careful language edit is recommended to improve readability and flow.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article is interesting, but I have the following recommendations for the authors:

1. The phrase "correcting pipeline errors" needs to be renamed. There can be no errors in the pipeline.
2. The specialized literature offers scientific articles that refer to the optimization of gas distribution networks using the ACO and PSO algorithms, respectively. Regarding these two algorithms, have only references [4] and [5] been studied? I recommend that the authors complete the list of references in the introduction chapter with recent articles that present such studies.
3. It is necessary to explain the notations in Fig.1 (e.g. matrix G, matrix Y, e, q, etc.)
4. In the line 83, the node index must be j, not I (branch indices 𝑖)
5. In calculation relations, the multiplication operator must have the same symbol.
6. The notations for the physical quantities entered in the equations must be the same (Ex: In the line 92, the flow rate was denoted by Q, and in the line 244 by F, etc)
7. The introduction of the article mentions the ACO and PSO algorithms, and in chapter 3 the Zebra Optimization Algorithm (ZOA) and the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) are presented. Since a comparison of the solution of error correction problems between several algorithms is presented, why are the ZOA and GWO algorithms presented in detail, and the other algorithms (ACO, PSO, GA, SA, COA, TLBO), no? I recommend that the authors also refer to the ZOA and GWO algorithms in the introduction chapter and more detail present the ACO and PSO algorithms as well.
8. In Fig. 3 and Fig 5 it is not specified what the parameters t and T represent. What does the expression t==T represent?
9. On line 287, Figure 2. Fitness Curves of Different Algorithms: (a) Error Correction; (b) Pressure Distribution is Figure 4.
10. I recommend the authors redo Figure 4 because it is difficult to read.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx