Synthesis of nonsharp distillation sequences via genetic programming

Abstract

This paper addresses the application of Genetic Programming (GP) to the synthesis of multicomponent product nonsharp distillation sequences. Combined with the domain knowledge of chemical engineering, some evolutionary factors are improved, and a set of special encoding method and solving strategy is proposed to deal with this kind of problem. The system structural variable is optimized by GP and the continuous variable is optimized by the simulated annealing algorithm simultaneously. Because GP has an automatic searching function, the optimal solution can be found including distillation, splitting, blending and bypassing operations automatically without any superstructures of nonsharp distillation sequences. Three illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effective computational strategies.

Prediction of New Distillation-Membrane Separation Integrated Process with Potential in Industrial Application

“…The genetic programming algorithm (GP) is an evolutionary algorithm [17], the main difference between GP and the genetic algorithm is that the former does not need to define the super structure in advance, and is more suitable for solving complex nonlinear programming problems caused by multiple uncertain factors, and the optimization problem of the integration process can also be solved well [18]. In the previous work, the research group has carried out some research on GP [19][20][21]. On this basis, the GP algorithm is proposed to solve the distillation and membrane separation problem [22].…”

Optimization of a New Integrated Separation Process for Azeotropes Based on Genetic Programming

“…GP [16] is a kind of stochastic optimization algorithm, which is more suitable for solving complex multifactor nonlinear optimization problems caused by multiple uncertain factors [17]. In the previous research work, a set of GP unique coding schemes and solution strategies was proposed, and many researches have been done on practical applications [18]. On the basis of the above work, GP is proposed to solve the integration of distillation and membrane separation [19], and the GP solution strategy for the distillation-membrane separation integration process for azeotropic separation is established.…”

Computational fluid dynamic simulation of MVG tray hydraulics

“…Investigations and modeling work aimed at improving the performance of various distillation columns have been carried out by many researchers for many years [2][3][4].…”