Credit Structure: (3-0)3

Catalog Description:
The nature and organization of optimization problems. Formulation of the objective functions. An overview of optimization to individual units as well as complete flowsheets.

Course Objectives:
The chemical industry has undergone significant changes in the last two decades due to increased cost of energy and increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Most industry observers believe that the emphasis in the near future will be on increasing efficiency and increasing profitability of existing plants rather than on plant expansion. One of the most important engineering tools that can be employed in such activities is optimization. The aim is to make the students aware of the the problems, established methods of optimization and the magnitude of benefits that can be obtained. The use of several algorithims such as LINDO, MINOS, GAMS and ASCEND will give the students taking the course a power to tackle problems which otherwise could not be handled.

Prerequisites :
None

Textbook(s):
Edgar and Himmelblau, "Optimization of Chemical Processes", McGraw Hill, 1989

Reference :
Reklaitis, Ravindran and Pagsdell, "Engineering Optimization", Wiley, 1983

Syllabus :
1. The nature and organization of optimization problems.(1 week)
2. Formulation of objective function (1 week)
3. Basic concepts of optimization (1 week)
4. One dimensional search (1 week)
5. Multivariable optimization (1 week)
6. Linear programming (1 week)
7. Nonlinear programming (1 week)
8. Optimization of staged and discrete processes (1 week)
9. Energy conservation applications (2 weeks)
10. Unit operations (2 weeks)
11. Optimization of large scale chemical plants (2 weeks)

Homeworks, Quizzes, Projects:
Bi-weekly homeworks are given

Computer Usage:
Computer usage is required in the homeworks

Laboratory work:
None

Category Content:
Mathematics and Basic Sciences: None
Engineering Design: 1.5 credits
Engineering Sciences: 1.5 credits
Humanities & Social Sciences: None
Departmental: None

Instructors:
Staff