| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/K51587/01 |
| Title: |
OPTIMISATION TOOLS FOR INTEGRATED PROCESS ENGINEERING OPERATION |
| Principal Investigator: |
Morton, Dr B |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Edinburgh |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
23 September 1996 |
Ends: |
22 December 1999 |
Value (£): |
176,035
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Design of Process systems |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The proposal arises from an industrial need for reliable and efficient large-scale process optimization software. The project provides an important tool in the operation and control of industrial processes, both on a plant-wide and site-wide basis, which would also aid the design of such processes. Efficient solution of large-scale problems is particularly desirable for online applications where optimization in real time is used to determine the control of a plant or site.Models of an integrated process plant are typically composed of sub-models for unit operations (columns, reactors etc.) connected by streams (materials and energy flows). It is often possible to break a large process down into smaller sub-processes by assuming values for a relatively small number of streams. This structure suggests the use of decomposition methods in which the sub-processes are solved by standard techniques such as NLP (nonlinear programming). The overall process is then optimised by a master problem which determines the best values of the linking variables. This is a nonsmooth problem which requires special techniques. A main thrust of the programme is to address the theoretical and organisational issues that arise, leading to the development of effective algorithms and software. Another aim of the research programme is to study methods for formulating and generating very large process models. Important issues related to choice of interfaces, consistency of models and reliability of solution. Automatic differentiation will be an important tool. Effectiveness of the decomposition software in solving practical models will be assessed.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ed.ac.uk |