Process synthesis, design, and control: A mixed-integer optimal control framework

A mixed-integer optimal control framework for analyzing the interaction of process synthesis, design, and control is presented in this paper. The approach integrates the economic design and dynamic controllability into a multiobjective Mixed-Integer Optimal Control Problem (MIOCP). The problem formulation includes dynamic models and incorporates both discrete and continuous decisions. An algorithm for the solution of the MIOCP is developed based on the principles of Generalized Benders Decomposition for mixed-integer nonlinear optimization. The algorithm is used to determine the trade-offs between the economic design and dynamic controllability of a reactor-separator-recycle system. Copyright (C) 1998 IFAC.