Environmental Optimization Oil Spill Response Planning with MINLP Fengqi You and Sven Leyffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bulletin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Comments from the Editor Sven Leyffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Chairman’s Column Michael C. Ferris . . . . . . . . . . ...

This paper proposes a multiobjective, mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for the superstructure optimization of hydrocarbon biorefineries via gasification pathway under economic and environmental criteria. The proposed hydrocarbon biorefinery superstructure includes a number of major processing stages, such as drying of the cellulosic biomass feedstocks, air separation unit, gasi...

This paper will attempt to show that one of the trends in the area of process synthesis is its gradual evolution towards the mathematical programming approach. This is in part due to the fundamental understanding that has been gained on the nature of the synthesis problems over the last twenty years. However, another major part has to do with the development of new and more powerful mathematica...

Bioprocess optimization by genetically modifying the microorganism characteristics is an intensively investigated subject due to the immediate economic interest. A large variety of alternatives using elaborated experimental procedures, accompanied by in-silico cell design based on topological and dynamic models have emerged. The present study investigates the possibility of using a mixed-intege...

We are interested in methods to solve mixed-integer nonlinear optimal control problems (MIOCPs) constrained by ordinary differential equations and combinatorial constraints on some of the control functions. To solve these problems we use a first discretize, then optimize approach to get a specially structured mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP). We decompose this MINLP into an NLP and an MI...

Abstract Superstructure optimization is a powerful but computationally demanding task that can be used to select the optimal structure among many alternatives within single optimization. In chemical engineering, such problems naturally arise in process design, where different need considered simultaneously minimize specific objective function (e.g., production costs or global warming impact). C...