Rigorous Design of Complex Distillation Columns Using Process Simulators and the Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

We present a derivative-free optimization algorithm coupled with a chemical process simulator for the optimal design of individual and complex distillation processes using a rigorous tray-by-tray model. The proposed approach serves as an alternative tool to the various models based on nonlinear programming (NLP) or mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) . This is accomplished by combining the advantages of using a commercial process simulator (Aspen Hysys), including especially suited numerical methods developed for the convergence of distillation columns, with the benefits of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) metaheuristic algorithm, which does not require gradient information and has the ability to escape from local optima. Our method inherits the superstructure developed in Yeomans, H.; Grossmann, I. E.Optimal design of complex distillation columns using rigorous tray-by-tray disjunctive programming models. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.2000, 39 (11), 4326–4335, in which the nonexisting trays are considered as simple bypasses of liquid and vapor flows. The implemented tool provides the optimal configuration of distillation column systems, which includes continuous and discrete variables, through the minimization of the total annual cost (TAC). The robustness and flexibility of the method is proven through the successful design and synthesis of three distillation systems of increasing complexity.The authors would like to acknowledge financial support from the Spanish “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación” (CTQ2009-14420-C02-02 and CTQ2012-37039-C02-02)

Multi-authored monograph

Unmanned aerial vehicles. Perspectives. Management. Power supply : Multi-authored monograph / V. V. Holovenskiy, T. F. Shmelova,Y. M. Shmelev and oth.; Science Editor DSc. (Engineering), T. F. Shmelova. – Warsaw, 2019. – 100 p. - ISBN 978-83-66216-10-5.У монографії аналізуються можливі варіанти енергопостачання та управління безпілотними літальними апаратами. Також розглядається питання прийняття рішення оператором безпілотного літального апарату при управлінні у надзвичайних ситуаціях. Рекомендується для фахівців, аспірантів і студентів за спеціальностями 141 - «Електроенергетика, електротехніка та електромеханіка», 173 - «Авіоніка» та інших суміжних спеціальностей.The monograph analyzes the possible options for energy supply and control of unmanned aerial vehicles. Also, the issue of decision-making by the operator of an unmanned aerial vehicle in the management of emergencies is considered.

Synthesis and design of integrated reaction-separation systems with complex configurations and rigorous models

Chemical engineering, and specially process design, synthesis and intensification, are well positioned to support both society and industry in overcoming present global challenges of environment degradation, energy supply, water scarcity and food supply. These challenges have been translated into industrial problems that involve the design of chemical processes with decreased water and energy consumption, and improved efficiencies. In this context the present study focuses on the simultaneous synthesis and design of reaction-separation systems including complex configuration distillation columns and using rigorous models. The study is considered a further step in this research area, as previous works have usually focused on the synthesis of sub-networks and have used shortcut models. Additionally, among complex configuration, thermally coupled distillation columns are reported to present significant savings in terms of the total annualised cost of the system. Among the available approaches to synthesis and design, a superstructure optimisation approach is used. The procedure involves the construction of a superstructure that includes a reaction superstructure, taken from Ma et al. (Ma et al. 2019) and a separation superstructure, proposed by Sargent and Gaminibandara (Sargent and K. Gaminibandara 1976). The modelling is performed using generalised disjunctive programming (GDP) to produce a logic-based model. This model is then reformulated into a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) optimisation problem, where the objective is to minimise the total annualised cost of the process. For the reformulation convex hull and bypass efficiency methods are used. A modified version of the solving strategy presented by Ma et al. (Ma et al. 2019) is used, which involves using the solver SBB in General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS). The proposed framework is applied to a case study previously addressed by Zhang et al. (Zhang et al. 2018) and Ma et al. (Ma et al. 2019). Economic models and assumptions made in those studies are maintained in order to evaluate the benefits of including complex configuration columns in the design possibilities. Results present a flowsheet with one PFR reactor and complex configuration distillation columns that are partially thermally coupled. The total annualised cost of the process is 5.85x105 $/yr, which is 6.3% and 4.7% less than the value achieved by Zhang et al. (Zhang et al. 2018)and Ma et al., respectively. Results show that it is both possible and beneficial to consider complex configuration distillation columns, including thermally coupled ones, in the simultaneous synthesis and design of reaction-separation systems using rigorous models.Chevening AwardsAgencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Measurements, Models, Systems and Design

531 s.

Synthesis and design of integrated reaction-separation systems with complex configurations and rigorous models

Chemical engineering, and specially process design, synthesis and intensification, are well positioned to support both society and industry in overcoming present global challenges of environment degradation, energy supply, water scarcity and food supply. These challenges have been translated into industrial problems that involve the design of chemical processes with decreased water and energy consumption, and improved efficiencies. In this context the present study focuses on the simultaneous synthesis and design of reaction-separation systems including complex configuration distillation columns and using rigorous models. The study is considered a further step in this research area, as previous works have usually focused on the synthesis of sub-networks and have used shortcut models. Additionally, among complex configuration, thermally coupled distillation columns are reported to present significant savings in terms of the total annualised cost of the system. Among the available approaches to synthesis and design, a superstructure optimisation approach is used. The procedure involves the construction of a superstructure that includes a reaction superstructure, taken from Ma et al. (Ma et al. 2019) and a separation superstructure, proposed by Sargent and Gaminibandara (Sargent and K. Gaminibandara 1976). The modelling is performed using generalised disjunctive programming (GDP) to produce a logic-based model. This model is then reformulated into a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) optimisation problem, where the objective is to minimise the total annualised cost of the process. For the reformulation convex hull and bypass efficiency methods are used. A modified version of the solving strategy presented by Ma et al. (Ma et al. 2019) is used, which involves using the solver SBB in General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS). The proposed framework is applied to a case study previously addressed by Zhang et al. (Zhang et al. 2018) and Ma et al. (Ma et al. 2019). Economic models and assumptions made in those studies are maintained in order to evaluate the benefits of including complex configuration columns in the design possibilities. Results present a flowsheet with one PFR reactor and complex configuration distillation columns that are partially thermally coupled. The total annualised cost of the process is 5.85x105 $/yr, which is 6.3% and 4.7% less than the value achieved by Zhang et al. (Zhang et al. 2018)and Ma et al., respectively. Results show that it is both possible and beneficial to consider complex configuration distillation columns, including thermally coupled ones, in the simultaneous synthesis and design of reaction-separation systems using rigorous models.Chevening AwardsAgencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Optimum design of distillation systems

Imperial Users onl