A metaheuristic particle swarm optimization for enhancing energetic and exergetic performances of hydrogen energy production from plastic waste gasification

In recent decades, there has been a surge in demand for the development of renewable energies, leading to extensive research efforts focused on the gasification process. Consequently, a wide range of studies has been conducted to explore different feedstocks for gasification, with particular emphasis on plastic waste. Although a wide range of studies conducted various optimization methods for the gasification process, there was no specific study to employ metaheuristic methods in the field of plastic waste gasification. This study aimed to perform a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) method to solve a multi-objective plastic waste gasification optimization problem for enhancing energetic and exergetic viewpoints. Moreover, exact methods including non-linear optimization and response surface methodology (RSM) were conducted to be compared with the results derived from MOPSO. Pareto-front solutions obtained from MOPSO were ranked using grey relational analysis (GRA) and the optimum responses were 517 kJ/kg, 84 %, and 57 % for lower-heating value, cold gas efficiency, and exergy efficiency, respectively, which were compared to optimum options obtained from multiobjective non-linear optimization and RSM techniques. While the MOPSO model may not have performed as well as other methods in this particular problem, it is important to acknowledge its capabilities. Future research can concentrate on improving the behavior and performance of the MOPSO method when dealing with a larger number of points or when applied to different problem domains.