Multi-objective optimization of industrial styrene production using a process simulator and a genetic algorithm

Abstract

The using/working of the interface followed by the successful multi-objective optimization of an industrial styrene production unit/plant using Hysys via the interface is studied. The optimal results are comparable to those obtained using F90 code for simulating the styrene unit/plant. This shows the reliability of the interface developed. The advantages of using the interface for optimization are the ease of rigorous simulation of any process using Hysys. The simulation is more realistic and the interactive environment provided by Hysys makes the work simpler. The interface will prove beneficial to industries for designing, operating, debottlenecking and/or retrofitting plants with numerous units. It can be used for multi-objective optimization of any chemical process that can be modeled in Hysys. Business models may be formulated based on market economy and put in visual basic application to further enhance its applicability to solve industrial problems. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting (Austin, TX 11/7-12/2004).