An active specification switching strategy that aids in solving nonlinear sets and improves a VNS/TA hybrid optimization methodology

CATEGORY: PROCESS OPTIMIZATION
An active specification switching strategy that aids in solving nonlinear sets and improves a VNS/TA hybrid optimization methodology

Type	Journal Article
Author	G. Robertson
Author	A. Geraili
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0098135413003037
Volume	60
Pages	364-375
Publication	Computers & Chemical Engineering
Date	January 10, 2014
Abstract	Presents a method to aid in convergence of nonlinear equations by relocating the solver. Deactivating known variables and activating intelligently chosen unknown variables at predicted values efficiently formulates initial conditions. Authors integrated this repair strategy into an optimization procedure. The repair algorithm is able to (1) relocate the solver for non-converged models caused by poor initial conditions and (2) utilize points formulated in relocating non-converged models caused by infeasible sets of decision variables as a perturbation phase of a stochastic optimization algorithm. To show the effectiveness of the proposed repair strategy, authors tested a hybrid metaheuristic of a Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) and Threshold Accepting (TA) on the optimization of a large-scale industrial process, the primary units of a crude oil refinery.