Optimization of membrane gas separation systems using genetic algorithm

Genetic algorithm is applied for the optimization of the membrane gas separation systems. Air separation for enriched oxygen production is the selected system for investigation. Optimizations for single and triple objective functions are studied. The optimization problem involves the selection of the optimal system configurations from three alternatives, including continuous membrane column (CMC), single stripper permeator (SSP), and two stripper in series permeator (TSSP), as well as the optimal operating conditions. Models of the three configurations and the genetic algorithm procedure are computerized. The objective functions discussed are the Rony separation index, power consumption per unit equivalent pure oxygen, and the membrane area. Both high-pressure and low-pressure (vacuum) operation modes are optimized and the effects of different oxygen product purity and feed rate are analyzed. For single objective function optimization, the solutions obtained using genetic algorithm are slightly inferior in one case but superior in other cases compared to those by pure mathematical optimization methods. For triple objective function optimization, the Pareto plots presenting multiple trade-off solutions are generated. In general, compared to high-pressure operation mode, the product recovery and power consumption for low-pressure operation mode are lower. For almost all the cases studied, CMC configuration with its high flexibility appears in the optimal solutions.

[1]  Y. Kao,et al.  Economic evaluation of gas membrane separator designs , 1989 .

[2]  Eva Sorensen,et al.  Simultaneous optimal configuration, design and operation of batch distillation , 2005 .

[3]  Eric S. Fraga,et al.  Mass exchange network synthesis using genetic algorithms , 1998 .

[4]  Eva Sorensen,et al.  The optimal design of membrane systems , 2003 .

[5]  Zbigniew Michalewicz,et al.  Genetic Algorithms + Data Structures = Evolution Programs , 1996, Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

[6]  Sun-Tak Hwang,et al.  The continuous membrane column , 1980 .

[7]  Ajay K. Ray,et al.  Multi-objective optimization of industrial hydrogen plants , 2001 .

[8]  Michael A. Henson,et al.  Optimization-based design of spiral-wound membrane systems for CO2/CH4 separations , 1998 .

[9]  Esat Alpay,et al.  Membrane column optimisation for the bulk separation of air , 2000 .

[10]  Kishalay Mitra,et al.  Multiobjective dynamic optimization of an industrial Nylon 6 semibatch reactor using genetic algorit , 1998 .

[11]  Kalyanmoy Deb,et al.  Multi-objective optimization using evolutionary algorithms , 2001, Wiley-Interscience series in systems and optimization.

[12]  Ajay K. Ray,et al.  Triple-Objective Optimization of an Industrial Hydrogen Plant , 2001 .

[13]  Michael A. Henson,et al.  Membrane system design for multicomponent gas mixtures via mixed-integer nonlinear programming , 2000 .

[14]  J. Villadsen,et al.  Solution of differential equation models by polynomial approximation , 1978 .

[15]  Michael de la Maza,et al.  Book review: Genetic Algorithms + Data Structures = Evolution Programs by Zbigniew Michalewicz (Springer-Verlag, 1992) , 1993 .

[16]  Venkat Venkatasubramanian,et al.  A genetic algorithmic framework for process design and optimization , 1991 .

[17]  Kalyanmoy Deb,et al.  Muiltiobjective Optimization Using Nondominated Sorting in Genetic Algorithms , 1994, Evolutionary Computation.

[18]  Daniel R. Lewin,et al.  A generalized method for HEN synthesis using stochastic optimization. II. : The synthesis of cost-optimal networks , 1998 .

[19]  D. Stookey,et al.  Membrane separation technology , 1986 .

[20]  S. A. Stern,et al.  A new evaluation of membrane processes for the oxygen-enrichment of air. I, Identification of optimum operating conditions and process configuration , 1991 .

[21]  Y. Kao,et al.  Critical evaluations of two membrane gas permeator designs: continuous membrane column and two strippers in series , 1989 .

[22]  R. Baker.  Future directions of membrane gas separation technology , 2002 .

[23]  Gade Pandu Rangaiah,et al.  Multiobjective Optimization of an Industrial Ethylene Reactor Using a Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm , 2005 .