Simultaneous optimization approach for integrated water-allocation and heat-exchange networks

A systematic design methodology is developed in this work for simultaneously synthesizing the multi-contaminant water-allocation and heat exchange network (WAHEN) in any chemical process. Specifically, a modified state-space representation is adopted to capture the structural characteristics of the integrated WAHEN, and a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) is formulated accordingly to minimize the total annualized cost (TAC) of the network design. In the proposed mathematical programming model, not only all possible water reuse and treatment options are incorporated, but also the direct and indirect heat-exchange opportunities are considered as well. To enhance the solution quality and efficiency, a stochastic perturbation procedure is introduced to generate reliable initial guesses for the deterministic optimization procedures and also, an interactive iteration method is developed to guide the search toward a potential global optimum. Three examples are presented in this paper to demonstrate the validity and advantages of the proposed approach.     

炼油厂氢气网络柔性优化

随着炼油厂对氢气的需求量不断扩大,氢气系统已成为炼油厂的重要组成部分。炼油厂氢气网络的优化设计既要实现总成本最小的经济性目标,还要保证各种工况下氢气系统的安全稳定运行。针对炼油厂氢气系统不断变化的工况和氢气需求,提出了炼油厂氢气网络柔性优化策略,建立了多工况下的氢气网络柔性优化混合整数非线性规划(MINLP)模型,并对优化模型进行了线性化处理,采用优化建模工具Lingo建模求解。采用本文提出的柔性优化策略对某炼油厂氢气网络进行了柔性优化设计,与炼油厂的原始氢气网络对比表明,柔性优化后的网络可操作性强且具有较好的柔性调节能力,既节省了大量的运行成本,又为各种工况下氢气系统的安全稳定运行提供了保障,对实际炼油厂氢气网络的优化管理起了指导作用。     

Operational strategy and planning for raw natural gas refining complexes: Process modeling and global optimization

Optimal operational strategy and planning of a raw natural gas refining complex (RNGRC) is very challenging since it involves highly nonlinear processes, complex thermodynamics, blending, and utility systems. In this article, we first propose a superstructure integrating a utility system for the RNGRC, involving multiple gas feedstocks, and different product specifications. Then, we develop a large‐scale nonconvex mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) optimization model. The model incorporates rigorous process models for input and output relations based on fundamentals of thermodynamics and unit operations and accurate models for utility systems. To reduce the noncovex items in the proposed MINLP model, equivalent reformulation techniques are introduced. Finally, the reformulated nonconvex MINLP model is solved to global optimality using state of the art deterministic global optimization approaches. The computational results demonstrate that a significant profit increase is achieved using the proposed approach compared to that from the real operation. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 652–668, 2017     

基于信赖域算法的精馏塔优化

从结构优化角度建立精馏塔优化的混合整数非线性规划(MINLP)模型,为了消除整数变量,引入绕流效率将MINLP问题转化为非线性规划(NLP)问题。针对得到的NLP问题提出一种优化方法,在该方法中采用结构优化中常用的信赖域优化算法进行求解,并应用虚拟瞬态连续性方程辅助优化中的稳态模拟。采用提出的优化方法对3个精馏系统进行设计优化,以不同初始值开始,均可得到令人满意的优化结果,表明所提优化方法具有良好的稳健性,对于较复杂的部分热耦合精馏过程仍然可以有效优化求解;信赖域算法在精馏塔优化中也表现出良好的收敛性。     

Three-scale integrated optimization model of furnace simulation,cyclic scheduling,and supply chain of ethylene plants

In order to explore the potential of profit margin improvement, a novel three-scale integrated optimization model of furnace simulation, cyclic scheduling, and supply chain of ethylene plants is proposed and evaluated. A decoupling strategy is proposed for the solution of the three-scale model, which uses our previously proposed reactor scale model for operation optimization and then transfers the obtained results as a parameter table in the joint MILP optimization of plant-supply chain scale for cyclic scheduling. This optimization framework simplifies the fundamental mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) into several sub-models, and improves the interpretability and extendibility. In the evaluation of an industrial case, a profit increase at a percentage of 3.25% is attained in optimization compared to the practical operations. Further sensitivity analysis is carried out for strategy evolving study when price policy, supply chain, and production requirement parameters are varied. These results could provide useful suggestions for petrochemical enterprises on thermal cracking production.     

logmip: a disjunctive 0–1 non-linear optimizer for process system models

Discrete-continuous non-linear optimization models are frequently used to formulate problems in process system engineering. Major modeling alternatives and solution algorithms include generalized disjunctive programming and mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP). Both have advantages and drawbacks depending on the problem they are dealing with. In this work, we describe the theory behind logmip, a new computer code for disjunctive programming and MINLP. We discuss a hybrid modeling framework that combines both approaches, allowing binary variables and disjunctions for expressing discrete choices. An extension of the logic-based outer approximation (OA) algorithm has been implemented to solve the proposed hybrid model. Computational experience is reported on several examples, which are solved using disjunctive, MINLP and hybrid formulations.     

Optimal synthesis of p‐xylene separation processes based on crystallization technology

This article addresses the synthesis and optimization of crystallization processes for p‐xylene recovery for systems with feed streams of high concentration, a case that arises in hybrid designs where the first step is commonly performed by adsorption. A novel superstructure and its corresponding mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model are proposed. The distinct feature of this superstructure is the capability to generate optimum or near optimum flow sheets for a wide range of specifications of p‐xylene compositions in the feed stream of the process. To cope with the complexity of the MINLP model, a two‐level decomposition approach, consisting of the solution of an aggregated model and a detailed model, is proposed. The results obtained show good performance of the decomposition strategy, and the optimal flow sheets and p‐xylene recoveries are in agreement with the results reported in patents. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Membrane system design for multicomponent gas mixtures via mixed-integer nonlinear programming

An optimal design strategy for membrane networks separating multicomponent gas mixtures based on an approximate permeator model and mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) is proposed. A permeator system superstructure is used to embed a very large number of possible network configurations and allows the permeator feed-side pressure to be fixed or a design variable. A MINLP design model is developed to minimize the total annual process cost by simultaneous optimization of the permeator configuration and operating conditions. Case studies for the separation of acid gases (CO₂ and H₂S) from crude natural gas mixtures with spiral-wound permeators are presented. Permeator configurations are derived for different number of separation stages for both continuous and discrete membrane areas. The method is sufficiently robust to handle product compositions that vary five orders of magnitude. The proposed approach provides an efficient methodology for preliminary screening of multi-stage membrane separation systems for multicomponent gas mixtures.     

多流股换热器网络综合方法在原油预热系统中的应用

以原油常减压蒸馏装置原油预热网络为研究对象,进行了多流股换热器网络的实例综合. 基于超结构物理模型建立了改进的多流股换热器网络综合数学模型,提出将该网络综合问题由混合整数非线性规划问题转化为简单的非线性规划问题的求解策略,并利用改进的遗传/模拟退火新算法进行了原油预热网络的综合. 与Hextran软件的综合结果以及现场换热网络的对比表明,本模型和求解策略可以应用于工业规模的多流股换热器网络综合,有可能取得较好的经济效益.     

Optimal processing pathway for the production of biodiesel from microalgal biomass: A superstructure based approach

In this study, we propose a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for superstructure based optimization of biodiesel production from microalgal biomass. The proposed superstructure includes a number of major processing steps for the production of biodiesel from microalgal biomass, such as the harvesting of microalgal biomass, pretreatments including drying and cell disruption of harvested biomass, lipid extraction, transesterification, and post-transesterfication purification. The proposed model is used to find the optimal processing pathway among the large number of potential pathways that exist for the production of biodiesel from microalgae. The proposed methodology is tested by implementing on a specific case with different choices of objective functions. The MINLP model is implemented and solved in GAMS using a database built in Excel. The results from the optimization are analyzed and their significances are discussed.     

Optimization of large‐scale water transfer networks: Conic integer programming model and distributed parallel algorithms

The optimization of a multi‐echelon water transfer network (WTN) and the associate transportation and inventory systems with demand uncertainty is addressed in article. Optimal network structure, facility locations, operation capacities, as well as the inventory and transportation decisions can be simultaneously determined by the mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model which includes bilinear, square root and nonlinear fractional terms. By exploiting the properties of this model, we reformulate the MINLP problem as a conic integer optimization model. To overcome the memory and computing bandwidth limitations caused by the huge number of active nodes in the branch‐and‐bound search tree, novel distributed parallel optimization algorithms based on Lagrangean relaxation and message passing interface as well as their serial versions are proposed to solve the resulting conic integer programming model. A regional WTN in China is studied to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model and the performance of the algorithms. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 1566–1581, 2017     

A formulation methodology for multicomponent distillation sequences based on stochastic optimization

Based on stochastic optimization strategy, a formulation methodology is proposed for synthesizing distillation column sequences, allowing more than one middle component as the distributing components between a pair of key components in the non-sharp split. In order to represent and manipulate the distillation configuration structures, a new coding procedure is proposed in the form of one-dimensional array. Theoretically, an array can represent any kind of split (non-sharp and sharp).With the application of a binary sort tree approach, a robust flow sheet encoding and decoding procedure is developed so that the problem formulation and solution becomes tractable. In this paper, the synthesis problem is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem and an improved simulated annealing approach is adopted to solve the optimization problem. Besides, a shortcut method is applied to the evaluation of all required design parameters as well as the total function.     

Refrigeration system synthesis based on de-redundant model by particle swarm optimization algorithm

Simultaneous optimization of refrigeration system (RS) and its heat exchanger network (HEN) leads to a large-scale non-convex mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) problem. Conventionally, researchers usually adopted simplifications to confine problem scale from being too large at the cost of reducing solution space. This study established an optimization framework for the simultaneous optimization of RS and HEN. Firstly, A more comprehensive and compact model was developed to guarantee a relatively complete solution space while reducing model scale as well as its solving difficulty. In this model, a tandem arrangement of connecting sub-coolers and expansion valves was considered in the superstructure; and the pressure/temperature levels were optimized as continuous variables. On this basis, we proposed a “two-step transformation method” to equivalently transform the cross-level structure into a non-cross-level structure, and the de-redundant superstructure was established with ensuring comprehensiveness and rigor. Furthermore, the MINLP model was developed and solved by Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm. Finally, our methodology was validated to get better optimal results with less CPU time in two case studies, an ethylene RS in an existing plant and a reported propylene RS.     

基于矩阵编码的遗传算法多杂质间歇用水网络优化

针对多杂质间歇用水网络优化设计问题,建立了以新鲜水用量最小为目标的混合整数非线性规划(MINLP)模型,并提出基于矩阵编码的遗传算法和信赖域序列二次规划(trust region sequential quadratic programming,TRSQP)法相结合的求解策略。本文采用矩阵编码方法为时间条件约束提供了方便,从而使用水单元之间水回用关系更加清晰明确;采用基于矩阵编码的遗传算法对整数变量进行优化,采用TRSQP法对连续变量进行优化,集成应用两种方法进行优化求解,从而获得MINLP模型的最优解;并借助MATLAB软件进行编程并实现。利用本文所提出的求解方法和策略对文献中2个典型案例进行求解,求解结果均优于文献数据。实例计算表明,本文所提求解方法是可行的。     

Optimal design of reverse-osmosis networks for wastewater treatment

An optimization study of reverse-osmosis networks (RON) for wastewater treatment has been carried out by describing the system as a nonconvex mixed-integer nonlinear problem (MINLP). A mixed-integer linear problem (MILP) is derived from the original nonlinear problem by the convex relaxation of the nonconvex terms in the MINLP to provide bounds for the global optimum. The MILP model is solved iteratively to supply different initial guesses for the nonconvex MINLP model. It is found that such a procedure is effective in finding local optimum solutions in reasonable time and overcoming possible convergence difficulties associated with MINLP local search methods. Examples of water desalination and wastewater treatment from the pulp and paper industry are considered as case studies to illustrate the proposed solution strategy.     

Global optimization for sustainable design and synthesis of algae processing network for CO2 mitigation and biofuel production using life cycle optimization

Global optimization for sustainable design and synthesis of a large‐scale algae processing network under economic and environmental criteria is addressed. An algae processing network superstructure including 7800 processing routes is proposed. Based on the superstructure, a multiobjective mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is developed to simultaneously optimize the unit cost and the unit global warming potential (GWP). To efficiently solve the nonconvex MINLP model with separable concave terms and mixed‐integer fractional terms in the objective functions, a global optimization strategy that integrates a branch‐and‐refine algorithm based on successive piecewise linear approximations is proposed and an exact parametric algorithm based on Newton's method. Two Pareto‐optimal curves are obtained for biofuel production and biological carbon sequestration, respectively. The unit annual biofuel production cost ranges from $7.02/gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) to $9.71/GGE, corresponding to unit GWP's of 26.491 to 16.52 kg CO₂‐eq/GGE, respectively. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3195–3210, 2014     

多目的间歇化工过程最优设计——SA/LP算法

提出了具有多条生产路线的多目的间歇化工过程最优设计混合整数非线性规划(MINLP)模型,该模型允许同时设立同步、异步平行单元以及中间储罐,并允许设备尺寸离散变化.在结合模拟退火(SA)和线性规划(LP)的基础上提出了可求解上述MINLP问题的SA/LP算法,该算法结合了SA全局收敛性好和LP可处理连续变量与约束方程的优点.计算表明,上述模型与算法实施简便,得到了文献算例中未得到的全局最优解,且在计算速度、内存占用上都远远优于文献中的方法.     

Energy optimization of water supply system scheduling: Novel MINLP model and efficient global optimization algorithm

This article is concerned with global optimization of water supply system scheduling with pump operations to minimize total energy cost. The scheduling problem is first formulated as a non‐convex mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, accounting for flow rates in pipes, operation profiles of pumps, water levels of tanks, and customer demand. Binary variables denote on–off switch operations for pumps and flow directions in pipes, and nonlinear terms originate from characteristic functions for pumps and hydraulic functions for pipes. The proposed MINLP model is verified with EPANET, which is a leading software package for water distribution system modeling. We further develop a novel global optimization algorithm for solving the non‐convex MINLP problem. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model and the efficiency of the tailored global optimization algorithm, we present results of two case studies with up to 4 tanks, 5 pumps, 5 check valves, and 21 pipes. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 4277–4296, 2016     

Fair profit allocation in supply chain optimization with transfer price and revenue sharing: MINLP model and algorithm for cellulosic biofuel supply chains

A mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation to simultaneously optimize operational decisions as well as profit allocation mechanisms in supply chain optimization, namely material transfer prices and revenue share policies among the supply chain participants is proposed. The case of cellulosic bioethanol supply chains is specifically considered and the game‐theory Nash bargaining solution approach is employed to achieve fair allocation of profit among the collection facilities, biorefineries, and distribution centers. The structural advantages of certain supply chain participants can be taken into account by specifying different values of the negotiation‐power indicators in the generalized Nash‐type objective function. A solution strategy based on a logarithm transformation and a branch‐and‐refine algorithm for efficient global optimization of the resulting nonconvex MINLP problem is proposed. To demonstrate the application of the proposed framework, an illustrative example and a state‐wide county‐level case study on the optimization of a potential cellulosic bioethanol supply chain in Illinois are presented. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3211–3229, 2014     

换热网络合成问题的并行BB/SQP混合算法

换热网络合成问题通常可用非凸、非线性、不可微的混合整数非线性规划模型描述。基于GPU的并行计算技术为求解大规模模型提供了高效支撑。针对已有并行SQP算法求解换热网络合成问题中存在二元变量组合数过多、并行SQP算法求解结果严重依赖初值等问题,提出了BB/SQP混合并行算法。该算法采用BB算法代替枚举法,不但大大减少了模型求解中可能的二元变量组合,而且为SQP算法选出了可行的初值,从而提高了算法的求解质量。研究表明,所提出的混合并行算法能够有效求解换热网络合成问题,且并行计算相比串行计算的求解速度显著增加,加速比可达39。