Simultaneous Design and Control Optimization under Uncertainty in Reaction/Separation Systems

In this paper, we overview recent advances towards the integration of process design, process control and process operability in separation and reaction/separation systems that were developed within our group at Imperial College. Based on novel mixed integer dynamic optimization algorithms, a simultaneous strategy is presented featuring high fidelity dynamic models, explicit consideration of structural process and control design aspects (such as number of trays, pairing of manipulated and controlled variables) through the introduction of 0-1 variables, and explicit consideration of timevarying disturbances and time-invariant uncertainties. The application of this strategy to two typical (a separation and a reactive separation) systems is discussed.