The goal of this project is to advance the state of the art in globally optimal synthesis of process networks using the Infinite DimEnsionAl State-space (IDEAS) method developed by the PI. He plans the following research: 1. Conceptual and Computational Advancement of IDEAS 2. Batch Reactor Network Synthesis - Identification of the Attainable Region 3. Globally Optimal Fuel Cell Network Synthesis 4. Automatic Generation of Globally Optimal Cryogenic Liquefaction Networks
In carrying out this research, he will: A. Seek new solution methods for the IDEAS Infinite Linear Program (ILP) that yield lower bounds that are guaranteed to converge to the global minimum. B. Seek a novel IDEAS formulation for batch process networks. This is the first time that application of IDEAS will be pursued for a network of dynamic processes such as batch reactors. Issues related to network causality will also be addressed. C. Either develop a new or use existing fuel cell models to establish whether these models satisfy the properties for incorporation into the IDEAS framework, including any assumptions that must be made on the model properties to make this the case.
The application of IDEAS to cryogenic liquefaction networks will yield novel cryogenic cycles. Synthesis of such cycles will be pursued using software packages which include a user-friendly GUI. This software package will be incorporated into classroom work for students, along with documentation explaining the power of the method and its limitations.
Broader Impact The IDEAS methodology has been shown to advance the state of the art in process network synthesis and to provide a designer with a synthesis methodology that does not restrict a priori the network structure. The method applies just as well to chemical engineering process design as it does to electrical engineering (fuel cells, hybrid electrical systems, etc.), operations research (mathematical developments in infinite dimensional linear programming, parallelized solution of large scale linear programs, etc.), and cryogenic engineering.
The research activity will provide training for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students by exposing them to high level mathematics and cluster computing technology. This work will also contribute to diversity by facilitating more research projects for K-12 students like those provided by the UCLA Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity (CEED). This past summer (2007) the PI had a minority high school student do a summer research project using the IDEAS method through the Science Mathematics Achievement and Research Technology for Students (SMARTS) program run by UCLA CEED. The PI plans on involving more students of all levels in order to foster their interest in engineering and higher education. The conceptual advancement of IDEAS could impact several research areas (mathematical programming, cryogenics, reaction engineering, fuel cell systems engineering) and several industries (power production, hydrogen production, refrigeration, and others).
Innovation is the primary means for the US to attain/maintain a competitive advantage in an era of global competition and low labor costs abroad. In process industries related to energy, the environment, and chemicals production, innovation is associated with the creation of either new process technologies or new composite process systems employing existing process technologies. The latter activity is carried out by process design engineers, assisted by computer-based tools that help them quickly and easily analyze the behavior of composite process systems. Though these tools have advanced over the years, their ability to synthesize novel composite process systems remains limited or nonexistent. Even those tools with some synthetic capabilities cannot address the fundamental question in the designer’s mind, namely: Is this the best (in some predefined economic, energetic, environmental sense) composite process system design that utilizes existing process technologies? This project focused on the creation of new, optimization based, tools that synthesize globally optimal composite process system designs utilizing existing process technologies. Unlike the prior state of the art, the tools developed in this project are able to guarantee the superiority of their synthesized designs over any other conceivable design utilizing the same existing process technologies. The novel paradigm that allowed us to create these new design tools is termed IDEAS (Infinite DimEnsionAl State-space). Unlike all prior conceptual design frameworks which optimized over the number, interconnections, and operating/design parameters of individual technologies, IDEAS optimizes over an infinite number and interconnections of individual technologies with known operating/design parameters. This conceptual paradigm shift changes naturally the resulting mathematical formulations from nonlinear to linear, thus allowing their global solution in a computationally efficient manner. The application of IDEAS to process network synthesis problems (such as multi-pressure azeotropic distillation networks, and reactor networks) was shown to yield savings of over 15% compared to conventional designs. The IDEAS approach has also motivated a general global optimization study applicable to the minimization of power laws subject to linear constraints. Particular focal points of our studies were "green engineering" and "sustainability". Several studies were carried out related to the "green hydrogen" economy (production of hydrogen from natural gas without carbon dioxide emissions, modeling and simulation of the hydrogen car fill-up process). A novel "Sustainability Interval Index" was also introduced to assess the sustainability characteristics of entities (countries, companies, ecosystems, etc.) in the presence of uncertainty. The knowledge attained from this project was used to help train K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students, by exposing them to high level mathematics, cluster computing technology, and energy/environment/design concepts. This set of students included men/women, and ethnic majorities/minorities. Following their involvement with the project, a doctoral student was employed by a premier process engineering firm in the US, and undergraduate (high-school) students were admitted to university graduate (undergraduate) programs. The graduate students involved in the project presented the results of their work at numerous scientific meetings (e.g. AIChE Annual Meeting), thus gaining valuable experience, networking, and enhancing their communication skills. The impact of this project goes beyond the process engineering design community. The aforementioned power law global optimization work is published in a general optimization journal widely read by the operations research community. In addition our hydrogen and sustainability studies are published in journals widely read by the general chemical engineering, and energy/environment communities. Finally IDEAS itself is a powerful network global optimization framework, applicable to industries beyond energy, environment, and chemicals.
