OPTIMIZATION OF DISCRETE CHARGE BATCH REACTORS

A special class of multistage optimal control problems arises in the c ase of batch reactors fed by discrete instantaneous additions of raw m aterial. The underlying differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) remain unchanged throughout the time horizon of interest, but the instantane ous additions of material are impulsive inputs that result in disconti nuities in the state variables. Optimization parameters can include, a mong others, the amount of each charge and the reaction stage duration following each addition. In this paper, the problem of optimizing the operation of discrete charge batch reactors is addressed within a gen eral framework that is independent of kinetic mechanisms and nonideali ties. No approximation need be involved as the solution procedure is b ased on a general purpose robust algorithm for dynamic optimization pr oblems.