Synthesis and optimization of heat integrated distillation systems using an improved genetic algorithm

Synthesis of heat integrated multi-component distillation systems is comple x due to its huge search space for structural combination and optimization computation, To provide a systematic approach and tools for synthesis desig n and retrofits:of distillation systems, an improved genetic algorithm (IGA ) is proposed. The algorithm inherits main ideas in evolutionary computing, employs a distributed sub-population strategy to avoid local optima, and a pplies for a continuous variable space coding procedure, which is computati onal fast and table in converging to global optima. This paper describes IG A-based optimization strategy for synthesis and optimization of separation sequences and their heat exchanger network. Two example are presented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.