EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN OF NONCONTINUOUS PLANTS

Traditional design methods based on mathematical formulations often fa il to make full use of knowledge specific to the design of noncontinuo us plants. In this paper we present an evolutionary design method whic h solves complex design problems by systematic and comprehensive explo itation of such knowledge. Through a graphic user interface, the appro ach allows the design in progress to be interrupted to incorporate hum an judgment. The evolutionary design approach begins with an initial d esign containing a minimum number of equipment units, and modifies the design to make it feasible with the addition of as few units as possi ble. A sizing procedure is then used to minimize the total equipment c ost. Both synthesis and sizing use prediction models and decision mode ls which we have developed specifically for noncontinuous plants. With the proposed method, we are able to solve design problems that are to o complicated for other design methods. Our method is illustrated by t wo complete examples.