Process Optimization Basics and Techniques (With

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whatispiping.com/process-optimization/

Ahmed Shafik

Process optimization involves the application of mathematical techniques & tools to find
out the best possible solution from several available alternatives for the purpose of the
maximum Return On Investment (ROI).

The main purposes of process optimization are:

To increase the productivity with lowest applicable cost.

To eliminate losses as much as possible.
To utilize lower cost feed stock, energy with acceptable quality level.
To maximize the operating capacity of process equipment.
To design & operate the plant at the most optimum condition. To attain new or most
efficient designs and to determine the most desirable operating conditions and safe
operation.

So in a sentence all the above can be mentioned as Process Optimization can

increase production rate to its maximum with maximum profit and minimum waste
generation and impact on environment. By performing process optimization, we aim to
obtain the best result under given circumstances.

In this article, we will understand the requirements for process optimization basics and
techniques.

Advantages of Process optimization

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With process optimization we get improved plant performance like

Increase Yield.
Enhance Availability.
Reduce energy consumption.
Reduce maintenance cost.
Reduce failure in equipment.
Minimize the unplanned shutdown.

Process Optimization Examples

The following paragraph lists down a few examples of Process optimization for
maximizing profit:

Design of HEX network (Heat Integration).

Real time optimization of a distillation column.
Model predictive control.
Operations planning & scheduling.
Pipeline sizing, Reactor sizing, Distillation column (CAPEX/OPEX).
Predictive Maintenance (Machine Learning Applications) – Downtime Planning.

The objectives of refinery optimization (TARGET – Maximize Profit) include:

Minimize crude OPEX at refinery.

Optimize refinery crude mix.
Optimize offspec generation and optimize overall product mix and dispatch.
Minimize quality giveaway.
Optimize fuel consumption, minimize losses.
Optimize utilization of the assets.
Optimize inventory management.
Optimize capacity utilization and shutdown planning.
Optimize unit operations maintaining highest standards of safety, catalyst life and
activity, etc.

Process Optimization Framework

All optimization problems are stated in some standard form.
One need to identify the essential elements of a given problem and translate them
into a prescribed mathematical form.
Requirements for application of optimization problem:
The design variables.
The constraints.
The objective (Target) function (Max / Min).
The process model.

Process Optimization Framework-Design Variables

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The engineers need to know the design variables that affect the system.

Example: reactor temp, feed rate, No. of trays In column, reflux ratio, Batch time
and reactor yield.
A practical problem may involve many design variables.
Some of these maybe highly sensitive and heavily influence the process being
optimized. Choose these as design variables and others (not so sensitive variables)
maybe kept constant.
Note: If all the design variables are fixed, there is No scope for optimization.

Thus one or more variables must be relaxed so that the system becomes an Under
Determined System which has at least principle infinite number of SOLUTIONS.

Process Optimization Framework – Objective Function

A suitable objective function (cost function) is defined in terms of design variables and
often prices parameters. The objective function may be technical or economic, which
needs to be either maximum or minimum

Examples of economic objectives:-

Maximum profit.
Minimize cost of production.

Examples of technical objectives:-

Maximize reactor yield.

Minimize size of equipment.
Minimize environmental impact.

Note:- technical objectives (Target) are ultimately related to economics

In practical process plant there would be multi objective functions to be optimized in one
case only, therefore, there are more than one objective functions.

Process Optimization Framework – Constraints

The constraints requests some additional relationships among the design variables and
process parameters. The constraints originates because design variables must satisfy
certain physical phenomena & certain resource limitation.

Example: Variable bounds: 0<x<1 (Don’t exceed the range at any direction) (Max / Min)

Equality constraints: Sum of mole fraction should be unity such as for component
balance equation in distillation column.
In equality constraints: In packed reactor, process temp should be less than the
catalyst deactivation temp/acidic conditions PH<7, stress developed any where in a
component should be less than the maximum allowable stress

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Process Optimization Framework – Process Model
A process model (HYSYS) is required to describe the manner in which the design
variables are related. The process model also tells us how the objective function is
affected by the design variables.
A model is a mathematical equation or is a collection of several equations that
define how the design variables are related and the acceptable values these
variables can take.
Optimization studies are carried out using a simplified (but reasonably accurate)
model of a real system.
Note:- working with real system (life) is time consuming, expensive, risky & that’s
why you need to work on a model rather than life case.

Classification of Process Optimization Methods

Based on the nature of equation involved, process optimization methods are
classified as:-

Linear Programming (LP)

Non – Linear Programming (NLP)
Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP)

Based on the nature of design variables, process optimization methods are divided
as:-

Continues optimization (Linear Programming)

Integer programming (IP) (integer values)
MILP mixed integer (Linear & Integer Programming)
MINLP (Non-Linear & Integer Programming)

Based on number of object functions, process optimization methods are grouped as:-

Single
Multi

Problem Formulation for Process Optimization

In order to be able to perform optimization on any process, firstly you will need to
formulate the optimization problem.
In order to formulate a proper optimization problem, you will need to digest the
following expressions:
Process Models for optimization
Degrees of freedom analysis
Optimization problems in chemical engineering

Process Models for Optimization

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Optimization requires use of mathematical techniques for maximization or minimization of
an objective function (Variable required to be approached – Target).

Note: With advent of computers, optimization have become part of computer-aided

design.

• In order to use optimization algorithms on computers, we must have a quantitative

model available to compute the responses of objective function.

A process model is a set of equations that imitates reality and cannot incorporate
all features the real process. However, a reasonably accurate model saves us time
and money as we can avoid repetitive experience & measurements.

Classification of process models:-

Theoretical Models.
Database Models (Practical).

Other classifications:-

Linear vs non linear models

Steady state vs non steady state

Degrees of Freedom Analysis for Process Optimization

The degrees of freedom analysis gives us the number of design variables that can be
changed during optimization process to obtain the optimal solution.

Degrees of freedom, DOF = No. of variables – No. of linear independent equations (As in
Algebra)

If DOF = 0, unique solution exists – NO optimization is possible

If DOF> 0, under determined system – Infinite solution exist & optimization is
possible
DOF< 0, over determined system – No solution exists

Introduction to Linear Programming

Linear Programming is one of the most effective and widely used optimization
techniques. A linear programming model seeks to Maximize or Minimize a linear function,
subject to a set of linear constraints. The linear model consists of the following:

A set of design variables

An objective function which is a linear function of design variables
A set of linear equality or inequality constraints

How do the linear constraints arise?

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 Design limitation: For new established projects then limitation might arises from
the design Codes / Standards / Specifications. For existing facilities, the design
basis of the facility / asset will identify the limits which have to be respected.
Production limitation:– equipment limitation, storage limits, market requirements.
Supply limitation: Raw material / Feedstock limitation
HSE restriction:– allowable operating ranges for temperature & pressure. Also
respecting the environmental legislations with regards to the emissions and
effluents generated from the process plant.
Physical property specification:– product quality constraints when a blend
property can be calculated as an average of pure component.

How to formulate linear programming model:-

Determine design variables

Determine objective function/target
Determine constraints

Case Study: Hydrocarbon Pipeline Optimization using Simulation

Objective: Optimally determine the best suited pipeline size considering the material cost
of the pipe, pump (CAPEX) and the associated running cost of pumping system (OPEX).

Constraints:

1. Pipeline ANSI rating 300# and 600#.

2. Pipeline Length 125 km.
3. Diesel design flow of 725 m³/hr.
4. Operational hours of 16 hrs.
5. Potential pipe sizes (X), of 16”, 18” and 20”.
6. ACCE (Aspen Capital Cost Estimator) for pipeline cost estimate.
7. APEA (Aspen Process Economic Evaluation) for pump fixed and running cost

Case 1- Base Case: (Refer Fig. 1)

Design Flow 725 m³/hr.

ANSI rating 600#.
Operational hours: 16 hrs.
Pipe ID: 16”.

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 Fig. 1: Pipeline Operating envelope for Process Optimization

Case 2: Refer Fig. 2

Design Flow 725 m³/hr.

ANSI rating 300#.
Operational hours: 16 hrs.
Pipe ID: 18’’.

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 Fig. 2: Case 2 for pipeline process optimization

Case 3: Refer Fig. 3

1. Design Flow 725 m³/hr.

2. ANSI rating 300#.
3. Operational hours: 16 hrs.
4. Pipe ID: 20”.

Fig. 3: Case 3 for case study of pipeline process optimization

Key Results (Fig. 4):

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 Fig. 4: Key results for Process Optimization Case Study

Conclusions of the above case study

Case 2 can be disqualified where the shut off pressure of the transfer pump will exceed
the design pressure of 47.7 barg.

Case 1 and Case 3 are technically viable where them meet the Flow requirements
and the design pressure of 300# and 600# respectively.
Case 1 (16” pipeline – ANSI 600#) has reported a lower capex to Case 3 (20” –
ANSI 300#), however the pump cost and electricity cost of Case 1 is higher.
Although, Case 1 has reported lower pipeline capex, however, it Can be dismissed
for the following reasons:
Pump opex is nearly three times the value of case 3.
Maximum operating pressure under case 1 is 2.8 times of case 3. As a Result,
the expected peak surge and relieving volume would results in a Bigger srv
size and more relieving volume.

Recommendation
Considering previous technical discussion and outcomes From techno-economic
analysis, it is recommended to: Case 3 is deemed more favourable and technically viable
To cater for the operational requirements (design flow Rate and less surge demand) and
more economic Compared to case 1 and case 2.

Case Study: Tank Area Optimization Using MS. Excel Solver

• Objective

You have to design an open storage tank made of Stainless Steel with a square base.
The volume of the tank should be 50 m3.

Find the optimal dimensions of the tank that will require the least material and satisfy
minimum cost.

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 Fig. 5: Tank Area Process Optimization

Problem Formation:

Assume

X: Length of base
Y: Height of the tank

Quantity of material will depend on the total surface area of the tank

A = X2 + 4XY ————– This is the objective function

Volume is give as a Constraint in the problem statement = 50 m3

Since volume = Area of base * Height

50 = X2 * Y

Therefore,

Y=50 / X2——————-equation i

Since Total Surface Area of tank = Area of square + Area of base

Area = 4XY + X2, substitute using equation i

Therefore, Area = X2 + 4X (50/X2) = X2 + 200/X

There are two paths to proceed:

1. Short Path – Semi Quantitative Optimization.

2. Proper Engineered Path – Quantitative Optimization.

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 1. Semi-Quantitative Optimization

o Since the equation relating Area to Length is ready, then you can assume various
values for X, from 1 to 9, and then plot a curve for X versus Min Area.

o Trend will be as shown below:

o From the trend you can assume that the minimum area will be associated with a length
between 4 – 5 m.

2. Proper Engineered Path – Quantitative Optimization:

o Use MS Excel Solver to get the accurate values of X & The associated Minimum Area.

o Following the steps of Solver discussed previously, you will get the below results:

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Eventually, any engineer should utilize any optimization methodology either to produce an
optimized design package or to optimize a running facility.

Always keep in mind that Optimization talks to few key words:

1. Maximum Gain.
2. Minimum Loss.
3. Associated CAPEX.
4. Associated OPEX.

Please Note that if there is shortfall or limitation of this document then it is because of me,
while any success or correctness would be solely from the great and generous Allah.

Thank you for your patience and you are most welcome to contact me at the following
email: [email protected] / Ahmed Shafik | LinkedIn

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