Advances in Engineering Advances in Engineering features breaking research judged by Advances in Engineering advisory team to be of key importance in the Engineering field. Papers are selected from over 10,000 published each week from most peer reviewed journals.
Chemical Engineering Science, 6 December 2013.
Erik Esche, David Müller, Robert Kraus, Günter Wozny.
Berlin University of Technology, School of Process Sciences, Chair of Process Dynamics and Operation, Sekr. KWT-9, Straße des 17. Juni 135, D-10623 Berlin, Germany
Abstract
One of the main problems in process optimization lies in the non-linearity, non-convexity, and sheer size of existing process models. In this contribution, a systematic workflow for process systems engineers developing models suitable for optimization purposes is presented. Hereby, three fundamentally different cases are discussed: the availability of a complex, highly accurate model; the existence of a simplifying, the so-called short-cut model; and the non-existence of a model of any kind. Furthermore, a focus is lain on the systematic model reduction for complex systems by means of linearization and convexification. Afterwards, two case studies are presented showing how this workflow can be applied to a reactive absorption system and to a multi-phase separation process. The presented systematic leads to a successful implementation of process models applicable for optimization, which are both reduced in size, non-linearity, and non-convexity.
