Optimization of chemical engineering process structures by means of Evolutionary Algorithms

This paper describes the adaptation of Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) to the structural optimization of chemical engineering plants, using rigorous process simulation combined with realistic costing procedures as target function. The main issue for this adaptation relies on the design of a suitable representation of chemical processes as special kinds of parameterized graphs together with corresponding genetic operators. A general catalogue of design guidelines for EA is presented. These guidelines are taken under consideration, when designing the problem specific graph representation and genetic operators. Hereby, the formulation of distance measures on discrete search spaces turns out to be important. Finally, some test runs demonstrate the applicability of the EA, thereby underpinning the usefulness of the design principles