OPTIMIZATION OF COUNTERCURRENT STAGED PROCESSES.

Abstract

Methods for computing and optimizing countercurrent staged processes, such as distillation, are developed and analyzed. The model is expressed in the form of non-linear difference equations with boundary conditions at both ends of the system. This two-point boundary value problem is solved by first imbedding it into an initial value problem, and then using linear implicit integration techniques for computation. Simple criteria are developed which, when met, guarantee both stability and convergence of these algorithms. After the computational schemes are developed, they are applied to the optimization problem. In order to avoid the difficulties of integer programming, the integer variables describing the feed location and total length are parameterized. When the independent variables are all in continuous form, gradient and Lagrangian non-linear programming methods are brought to bear on the problem. Necessary conditions for testing the optimal feed location and length are developed with maximum principle arguments. The 'q-line' equation for binary systems is generalized for the multicomponent case. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0660355

Entities

People

  • Coleman B. Brosilow
  • Robert D. Tanner

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Value Problems
  • Computations
  • Computer Programming
  • Difference Equations
  • Equations
  • Evolutionary Algorithms
  • Heuristic Methods
  • Integer Programming
  • Linear Programming
  • Optimization

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Operations Research