TY - GEN
T1 - Modular Optimization Approach for Process Synthesis and Integration of an Integrated Biorefinery
AU - Tay, Douglas H. S.
AU - Ng, Rex T. L.
AU - Ng, Denny K. S.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - An integrated biorefinery is a processing facility that converts biomass feedstocks into a wide range of value added products which include biofuels and specialty chemicals. In order to synthesize a sustainable integrated biorefinery, the environmental and economic performances should be taken into consideration. Via heat and power integration within integrated biorefinery, both performances can be improved. Due to the complexity of the process synthesis and integration problem, it is a need for a systematic approach to address the problem. In this work, modular optimization approach which breaks a large optimization problem into small models is proposed. Each model consists of a process unit and its alternatives (i.e., biomass drying, gasification, synthesis processes, etc.) in different degree of modeling details (i.e., white-, grey- or black-box). This allows designer to 'zoom in' on specific key process units, while, the rest of the model remain as black boxes. Thus, it will be able to reduce the computational effort significantly as compared to pure white-box modeling. By using an effective objective function to maximize the economic potential of the overall preliminary conceptual design, selection of the optimum process alternatives/technologies and products as well as integration of heat and power between process units can be performed simultaneously. A case study is solved to illustrate the approach.
AB - An integrated biorefinery is a processing facility that converts biomass feedstocks into a wide range of value added products which include biofuels and specialty chemicals. In order to synthesize a sustainable integrated biorefinery, the environmental and economic performances should be taken into consideration. Via heat and power integration within integrated biorefinery, both performances can be improved. Due to the complexity of the process synthesis and integration problem, it is a need for a systematic approach to address the problem. In this work, modular optimization approach which breaks a large optimization problem into small models is proposed. Each model consists of a process unit and its alternatives (i.e., biomass drying, gasification, synthesis processes, etc.) in different degree of modeling details (i.e., white-, grey- or black-box). This allows designer to 'zoom in' on specific key process units, while, the rest of the model remain as black boxes. Thus, it will be able to reduce the computational effort significantly as compared to pure white-box modeling. By using an effective objective function to maximize the economic potential of the overall preliminary conceptual design, selection of the optimum process alternatives/technologies and products as well as integration of heat and power between process units can be performed simultaneously. A case study is solved to illustrate the approach.
KW - Integrated biorefinery
KW - Optimization
KW - Process integration
KW - Process synthesis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84864524087&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-444-59506-5.50040-7
DO - 10.1016/B978-0-444-59506-5.50040-7
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84864524087
SN - 9780444595072
SN - 9780444595058
T3 - Computer Aided Chemical Engineering
SP - 1045
EP - 1049
BT - 11th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering
PB - Elsevier
ER -