Recent progress on equation-oriented optimization of complex chemical processes

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2021.10.018

Abstract

Abstract: Process optimization in equation-oriented (EO) modeling environments favors the gradient-based optimization algorithms by their abilities to provide accurate Jacobian matrices via automatic or symbolic differentiation. However, computational inefficiencies including that in initial-point-finding for Newton type methods have significantly limited its application. Recently, progress has been made in using a pseudo-transient (PT) modeling method to address these difficulties, providing a fresh way forward in EO-based optimization. Nevertheless, research in this area remains open, and challenges need to be addressed. Therefore, understanding the state-of-the-art research on the PT method, its principle, and the strategies in composing effective methodologies using the PT modeling method is necessary for further developing EO-based methods for process optimization. For this purpose, the basic concepts for the PT modeling and the optimization framework based on the PT model are reviewed in this paper. Several typical applications, e.g., complex distillation processes, cryogenic processes, and optimizations under uncertainty, are presented as well. Finally, we identify several main challenges and give prospects for the development of the PT based optimization methods.

Key words: Simulation, Optimization, Algorithm, Pseudo-transient modeling method, Equation-oriented optimization, Complex chemical processes

摘要： Process optimization in equation-oriented (EO) modeling environments favors the gradient-based optimization algorithms by their abilities to provide accurate Jacobian matrices via automatic or symbolic differentiation. However, computational inefficiencies including that in initial-point-finding for Newton type methods have significantly limited its application. Recently, progress has been made in using a pseudo-transient (PT) modeling method to address these difficulties, providing a fresh way forward in EO-based optimization. Nevertheless, research in this area remains open, and challenges need to be addressed. Therefore, understanding the state-of-the-art research on the PT method, its principle, and the strategies in composing effective methodologies using the PT modeling method is necessary for further developing EO-based methods for process optimization. For this purpose, the basic concepts for the PT modeling and the optimization framework based on the PT model are reviewed in this paper. Several typical applications, e.g., complex distillation processes, cryogenic processes, and optimizations under uncertainty, are presented as well. Finally, we identify several main challenges and give prospects for the development of the PT based optimization methods.

关键词: Simulation, Optimization, Algorithm, Pseudo-transient modeling method, Equation-oriented optimization, Complex chemical processes

Yuyang Kang, Yiqing Luo, Xigang Yuan. Recent progress on equation-oriented optimization of complex chemical processes[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2022, 41(1): 162-169.

Yuyang Kang, Yiqing Luo, Xigang Yuan. Recent progress on equation-oriented optimization of complex chemical processes[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2022, 41(1): 162-169.

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