Simulation and Optimization

Tutorial (7) Optimization techniques

1. The total annual cost of operating a pump and motor (C) in a particular piece
of equipment is a function of x (the size (i.e. horsepower) of the motor), as
follows:
C=$ 500+$ 0.9 x + $( 0.03/ x)(150000)

2. Solve the following linear program graphically

3. Two types of crude oil (Crude A and Crude B) are to be processed in a

refinery. The product distribution from the refinery is quite different for the two
crudes as shown below.
The limitations on the market demand for the various products in terms of the
maximum allowed daily production is shown below. In addition, processing
cost is also given in the table below.

Figure 7.1: Refinery configuration

(a) Formulate an objective function for the refinery management

(b) Formulate the constraints for the refinery operation
(c) Solve the problem to find the optimum production rate of each product
 Volume percent Maximum allowable production
yield bbl/day
Crude A Crude B
Gasoline 80 44 24,000
Kerosene 5 10 2,000
Fuel Oil 10 36 6,000
Residual 5 10 -
Processing cost 0.50 1.00 -
($/bbl)

4. A sieve-plate distillation column is being designed to handle 318 kg mol of

feed per hour.
The annual variable costs are those due to the column, condenser, reboiler,
cooling water, and steam.
The following data gives the variable costs of the column, condenser, and
reboiler (in $/year) as a function of reflux ratio (R):
Column variable cost = (0.35 – 1.24*R+ 1.23* R2)*105

Condenser variable cost = (-0.086 +1.68*R + 3.82* R2)*103

Reboiler variable cost = (-0.4 4.16*R+ 7.68* R2)*103

The cooling water and steam variable costs (in $/year) are known in tabular
form as follows:
Reflux Cooling water Steam
ratio(R) cost cost
1.2 17,820 136,500
1.3 18,600 142,500
1.4 19,410 148,800
1.5 20,220 155,100
1.7 21,870 167,100
2.0 24,300 185,400

It is desired to estimate the optimum reflux ratio (as moles liquid returned to
tower per mole of distillate product withdrawn).