Lecture-1

Optimization
Course: Project Engineering

Dr. Mahendra Chinthala

Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
NIT Rourkela
 Optimization in Chemical Engineering

Optimization: is the science of making best possible decision

⚫ Optimization is the act of achieving the best possible result under given
circumstances.

Why optimization ?
To improve the process to realize the maximize system potential.
To attain new or improved designs; maximize profits and minimize cost of
production.

Advantages of optimization in chemical process industry

Improved plant performance,
minimizing waste generation,
increasing product yield,
Less equipment wear,
reduce cost of production,
reduce energy consumption,
low maintenance costs and so on…
 Why Optimization is necessary?

Reduce
the cost

Save the Safety &

optimization reduce the
time error

Innovation
&
reproducibilit efficiency
y

3
Optimization problem
All optimization problems are stated in some standard form.
You have to identity the essential elements of a given problem
and translate them into a prescribed mathematical form.

The following are the requirements for the application of

optimization problems:
Design or decision variables
Objective function
Constraints
Process model
Design Variables

Design or decision variables are the variables that

influence the system being optimized. It is varied during
optimization in order to achieve optimization.

Ex. Reactor temperature, Feed rate, No. of plates in

distillation column, reflux ratio, batch time, reactor yield,
etc.

▪ If a problem involves many design variables, some of

these may be highly influence the process being
optimized.
▪ Choose these as design variables and others may be
constant.
Objective Function: An objective function expresses the main
aim of the model which is either to be minimized or maximized.

▪ It is defined in terms of design variables and other process

parameters.
▪ The objective function may be technical or economic, which needs
to be either maximized or minimized.

Examples of economic objectives: maximize profits, minimize cost of production.

Examples of technical objectives; maximize reactor yield, minimized size of an
equipment, minimize error during curve fitting, etc.
Technical objectives are ultimately related to economics.
⚫ For example: in a manufacturing process, the aim may be to maximize the profit
or minimize the cost.
⚫ The two exceptions are:
• No objective function
• Multiple objective functions.
Constraints:
▪ The constraints represent some additional functional relationships
among the decision or design variables and process parameters.
▪ The constraints originate as design variables must satisfy certain
physical phenomenon and certain resource limitations.

Examples:
Variable bounds: 0< x<1

Equality constraints : sum of mole fractions should be unity

x1 + x2 + x3 =1 ; y1+y2+y3=1

Inequality constraints:
▪ In a packed reactor, temperature should be less than catalyst
deactivation temperature.
▪ Acidic condition: pH <7
Process model

A process model is required that describes the manner

in which the decision variables are related.
The process model tells us how the objective function is
influenced by the design or decision variables.
A mode is a mathematical equation or a is a collection
of several equations that define how the decision
variables are related and the acceptable values these
variables can take.
Optimization studies are carried out using a simplified
model of a real system. Working with real system is
time consuming, expensive, risky.
Consider the problem as an optimization task
 Statement of an optimization problem
⚫ An optimization problem can be stated as follows:

To find X =
which minimizes f(X)

Subject to the constraints

gi(X) ≤ 0 , i = 1, 2, …., m
lj(X) = 0, j = 1, 2, …., p
where X is an n-dimensional vector called the design vector, f(X) is
called the objective function, and gi(X) and lj(X) are known as
inequality and equality constraints, respectively.
Minimization or maximization
Classification of optimization methods
▪ Based on Constraints
▪ Constrained optimization (Lagrangian method)
▪ Unconstrained optimization (Least Squares)
▪ Based on Nature of the design variables
▪ Static optimization
▪ Dynamic optimization
▪ Based on Physical structure
▪ Optimal control
▪ Sub-optimal control
▪ Based on the Permissible Values of the Design Variables
▪ Inter programming
▪ Real valued programming
▪ Based on the Number of Objective Functions
▪ Single objective
▪ Multi objective
▪ Based on Nature of variables
▪ Stochastic optimization
▪ Deterministic optimization
▪ Based On Separability Of The Functions
▪ Separable
▪ Non separable
▪ Based on the Nature of the Equations Involved
▪ Linear programming
▪ Quadratic programming
▪ Nonlinear programming
Examples of optimization problems in chemical engineering
 Example 2: Critical insulation thickness
At critical thickness of insulation, maximum
heat dissipation from the tube occurs,
Resistance is minimum at critical insulation.

Objective is to minimize the objective function

Rc = k/h for cylindrical Cross sections

Rc =2h/k for spherical Cross-sections
3. Chemical reactor design for series reactions

How to maximize concentration of B, CB(t)

Thank you