Ebook: Global Optimization in Engineering Design

Mathematical Programming has been of significant interest and relevance in engineering, an area that is very rich in challenging optimization problems. In particular, many design and operational problems give rise to nonlinear and mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problems whose modeling and solu­ tion is often nontrivial. Furthermore, with the increased computational power and development of advanced analysis (e. g. , process simulators, finite element packages) and modeling systems (e. g. , GAMS, AMPL, SPEEDUP, ASCEND, gPROMS), the size and complexity of engineering optimization models is rapidly increasing. While the application of efficient local solvers (nonlinear program­ ming algorithms) has become widespread, a major limitation is that there is often no guarantee that the solutions that are generated correspond to global optima. In some cases finding a local solution might be adequate, but in others it might mean incurring a significant cost penalty, or even worse, getting an incorrect solution to a physical problem. Thus, the need for finding global optima in engineering is a very real one. It is the purpose of this monograph to present recent developments of tech­ niques and applications of deterministic approaches to global optimization in engineering. The present monograph is heavily represented by chemical engi­ neers; and to a large extent this is no accident. The reason is that mathematical programming is an active and vibrant area of research in chemical engineering. This trend has existed for about 15 years.

---

There is a very real need to find global optima in engineering. Finding a local solution might be adequate in some applications, but in others it might mean incurring a significant cost penalty or, even worse, getting an incorrect solution to a physical problem. Global optimization is attracting increasing attention in engineering, and research work is being pursued at a number of universities. This monograph presents some of these recent developments, particularly techniques and applications of deterministic approaches to global optimization. The first six chapters deal with applications in the planning of process networks, stochastic scheduling, heat exchanger networks, layout design, truss design, multiproduct batch plants, water distribution systems and engineering modeling systems.
Audience: Engineers and researchers in optimization.

---

There is a very real need to find global optima in engineering. Finding a local solution might be adequate in some applications, but in others it might mean incurring a significant cost penalty or, even worse, getting an incorrect solution to a physical problem. Global optimization is attracting increasing attention in engineering, and research work is being pursued at a number of universities. This monograph presents some of these recent developments, particularly techniques and applications of deterministic approaches to global optimization. The first six chapters deal with applications in the planning of process networks, stochastic scheduling, heat exchanger networks, layout design, truss design, multiproduct batch plants, water distribution systems and engineering modeling systems.
Audience: Engineers and researchers in optimization.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-ix
Branch and Bound for Global NLP: New Bounding LP....Pages 1-35
Branch and Bound for Global NLP: Iterative LP Algorithm & Results....Pages 37-73
New Formulations and Branching Strategies for the GOP Algorithm....Pages 75-109
Computational Results for an Efficient Implementation of the GOP Algorithm and Its Variants....Pages 111-153
Solving Nonconvex Process Optimisation Problems Using Interval Subdivision Algorithms....Pages 155-174
Global Optimization of Nonconvex MINLP’s by Interval Analysis....Pages 175-193
Planning of Chemical Process Networks via Global Concave Minimization....Pages 195-230
Global Optimization for Stochastic Planning, Scheduling and Design Problems....Pages 231-287
Global Optimization of Heat Exchanger Networks with Fixed Configuration for Multiperiod Design....Pages 289-308
Alternative Bounding Approximations for the Global Optimization of Various Engineering Design Problems....Pages 309-331
A Pipe Reliability and Cost Model for an Integrated Approach Toward Designing Water Distribution Systems....Pages 333-354
Global Optimisation of General Process Models....Pages 355-386
Back Matter....Pages 387-387

---

There is a very real need to find global optima in engineering. Finding a local solution might be adequate in some applications, but in others it might mean incurring a significant cost penalty or, even worse, getting an incorrect solution to a physical problem. Global optimization is attracting increasing attention in engineering, and research work is being pursued at a number of universities. This monograph presents some of these recent developments, particularly techniques and applications of deterministic approaches to global optimization. The first six chapters deal with applications in the planning of process networks, stochastic scheduling, heat exchanger networks, layout design, truss design, multiproduct batch plants, water distribution systems and engineering modeling systems.
Audience: Engineers and researchers in optimization.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-ix
Branch and Bound for Global NLP: New Bounding LP....Pages 1-35
Branch and Bound for Global NLP: Iterative LP Algorithm & Results....Pages 37-73
New Formulations and Branching Strategies for the GOP Algorithm....Pages 75-109
Computational Results for an Efficient Implementation of the GOP Algorithm and Its Variants....Pages 111-153
Solving Nonconvex Process Optimisation Problems Using Interval Subdivision Algorithms....Pages 155-174
Global Optimization of Nonconvex MINLP’s by Interval Analysis....Pages 175-193
Planning of Chemical Process Networks via Global Concave Minimization....Pages 195-230
Global Optimization for Stochastic Planning, Scheduling and Design Problems....Pages 231-287
Global Optimization of Heat Exchanger Networks with Fixed Configuration for Multiperiod Design....Pages 289-308
Alternative Bounding Approximations for the Global Optimization of Various Engineering Design Problems....Pages 309-331
A Pipe Reliability and Cost Model for an Integrated Approach Toward Designing Water Distribution Systems....Pages 333-354
Global Optimisation of General Process Models....Pages 355-386
Back Matter....Pages 387-387
....