Integration of thermodynamic insights and MINLP optimization for the synthesis, design and analysis of process flowsheets

132

This paper addresses a methodology for the optimal conceptual design of thermochemical fuel production processes from biomass. A decomposed modelling approach with separate energy-flow, energy-integration and economic models is presented and coupled to multi-objective optimisation, which allows to generate a set of optimal process flowsheets that constitute a sound basis for the synthesis of a viable process.

Section: Thermo-economic Model Development 221 Flowsheet Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodology for the optimal thermo-economic, multi-objective design of thermochemical fuel production from biomass

Gassner

Maréchal

2009

132

“…They have been used extensively in process design (see e.g. Ciric & Floudas, 1990;Hostrup, Gani, Kravanja, Sorsak, & Grossmann, 2001;Papalexandri & Pistikopoulos, 1996). A recent review of these methods has been published by Grossmann, Caballero, and Yeomans (1999) and their applicability, limitations and potentials are discussed by Grossmann and Daichendt (1996), Gruhn and Noronha (1998), and Kallrath (2000).…”

Section: Integer Non-linear Optimizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-objective process design in multi-purpose batch plants using a Tabu Search optimization algorithm

Cavin

Fischer

Glover

et al. 2004

Chemical batch processes are typically used for the production of speciality chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Due to the still growing importance of this type of processing, design methods are required that take into account the special requirements and constraints in the corresponding production facilities. We developed a method that optimizes the design of a single chemical process to be implemented in an existing multi-purpose batch plant, in which a well-defined set of equipment units is available for realizing this process. In the optimization, three objectives with different priorities are considered. A flexible metaheuristic algorithm, Tabu Search (TS), has been implemented to solve this multi-objective combinatorial non-linear problem. We started from a basic form of TS to determine the effectiveness of this version as well as establish the relative strengths and weaknesses of first level TS strategies. Our investigation includes a thorough examination of algorithm parameters and of implementation issues to identify algorithm settings that can handle the whole class of problems considered. Overall, we concluded that the basic form of TS-using fixed default settings-exhibits highly attractive performance features for solving the problems at hand. Moreover, comparison with a multi-start steepest descent algorithm shows that a basic TS approach conducts a global search more effectively. As illustrated by three case studies, the new method is well suited for identifying optimal designs of a chemical process to be implemented in an existing multi-purpose batch plant. The approach is particularly suited for considering multiple prioritized objectives and for enabling the use of external (e.g. commercial) batch process simulation software as a black-box model for the process evaluations.

“…Since the physical and chemical properties of the involved chemical system play a very important role for the design/synthesis of a process, a thermodynamic insights based hybrid method to select the separation process was proposed by Jaksland, Gani, and Lien (1995). Hostrup, Gani, Kravanja, Sorsak, and Grossmann (2001) further developed this method by including a reverse design approach where process design variables are "back-calculated" for known design targets. The proposed method was applied to methyl acetate and cyclohexane productions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design methodology for bio-based processing: Biodiesel and fatty alcohol production

Simasatitkul

Arpornwichanop

Gani

2013

Self Cite

a b s t r a c tA systematic design methodology is developed for producing multiple main products plus side products starting with one or more bio-based renewable source. A superstructure that includes all possible reaction and separation operations is generated through thermodynamic insights and available data. The number of alternative processes is systematically reduced through a screening procedure until only feasible alternatives are obtained. As part of the methodology, process intensification involving reaction-separation tasks is also considered to improve the design by shifting the equilibrium reactions. Economic analysis and net present value are determined to find the best economically and operationally feasible process. The application of the methodology is presented through a case study involving biodiesel and fatty alcohol productions.