Numerical methods for parametric dynamic optimisation of (bio)chemical processes

 This project deals with parametric optimisation of large-scale (bio)chemical processes, i.e., calculating the solution path of an optimisation problem as a function of one or more varying parameters. Typical examples include heat transfer coefficients (which change when fouling occurs), design parameters (e.g., dimensions) and operational parameters (e.g., maximal admissible reactor temperature).

As (bio)chemical processes often exhibit dynamic behaviour, optimising these processes results in large-scale optimisation problems. Therefore, the project objective is (i) to study and analyse the nature of optimal solutions for varying parameters and (ii) to develop efficient, numerical methods based on ideas from numerical continuation methods (which allow to follow the solution path of a set of nonlinear equations) and large-scale dynamic optimisation methods. These methods will allow to quickly determine the influence of one or more changing parameters on the optimal solution for large-scale processes and identify critical points. Afterwards, the developed methods will be validated for a number of carefully selected case studies in (bio)chemical reactor engineering.

The conceptual research fits in the activities of (i) the KU Leuven Centre-of- Excellence OPTEC, which performs methodological research on the engineering aspects of mathematical optimisation and (ii) the SCORES4CHEM knowledge platform, which makes the connection to real-life large-scale (bio)chemical processes.