Optimization and Chemical/Bioprocess Optimization

This chapter introduces an important and fundamental topic for all engineers: optimization. The importance of this chapter lies in the two objectives we aim to accomplish: familiarize and excite you with the applications of optimization in process engineering and provide you with some elementary tools (using graphics and spreadsheets) to solve interesting and challenging optimization problems. We will introduce you to this fascinating topic through examples and then expose you to classical problems of chemical engineering, environmental engineering, food engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, and others, i.e., classical chemical engineering problems including most branches of bioprocess engineering.