MALAWI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MALAWI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

1. Programme(s): BEng (Hon) Chemical Engineering

2. Module Title: Process Optimisation
3. Module code: PROP-520
4. Level: 5
5. Credit: 10
6. Presented to: Senate
7. Presented by: Malawi Institute of Technology
8. Lecture (hours/week): 3
9. Tutorial/Laboratory (hrs/wk): 1
10. Prerequisites: PRDC-410, MATH 322
11. Co-requisites:
12. Module Aims
To introduce process engineering system optimization techniques

13. Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the student should be able to:
a. demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts of process optimization
and corresponding methodologies
b. demonstrate understanding of linear programming, nonlinear
programming, mixed-integer linear/nonlinear programming and the main
solution techniques
c. formulate optimization problems: variables, objective, constraints
d. apply mathematical programming methods in the area of process
integration
e. use compute packages for solving optimization problems

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14. Indicative Content
a. Linear Programming and applications
Basic concepts, Graphical simplex method, revised simplex method, duality
and transportation problems.
b. Introduction to chemical engineering system optimization:
Nature and organization of optimization problems: scope and hierarchy of
optimization, examples of applications of optimization, Objective Function
and Decision variables; general procedure for solving optimization
problems. Optimization models building and fitting.

c. Optimisation theory and concepts:

Basic concepts of optimization: Continuity of functions; Quadratic
approximation of the objective function; Convexity and its applications;
extremum of an unconstrained function. Unconstrained one dimensional
search: Newton, Quasi Newton and Secant method for uni-dimensional
search, region elimination methods (Golden Section, Fibonacci,
Dichotomous etc). Unconstrained multi-variable search, direct methods,
indirect method, Finite difference approximation

d. Applications of optimization in chemical engineering:

Optimization of unit operations: recovery of waste heat, shell and tube
heat exchangers, evaporator design, liquid-liquid extraction process,
optimal design of staged distillation column, optimal pipe diameter,
optimal residence time for maximum yield in an ideal isothermal batch
reactor, chemostat, optimization of thermal cracker using liner
programming, optimal design of an ammonia reactor.

15. Assessment
Coursework: 40%
End of modules examination: 60%

16. Teaching and Learning Methods / Activities

Lectures, tutorials, exercises

17. Prescribed Texts

Edgar, T.F, Himmelblau, D.M & Lasdon, L.S 2001, Optimisation of chemical
processes, 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill.

Chong, E.K.P& Zak, S.H 2008, An introduction to optimization, 3rd edn, John

Curriculum Document: BEng. (Hons) in Chemical Engineering Page 182

 Wiley and Sons

Rao, S.S 2009, Engineering optimization: Theory and practice, 4th edn, John Wiley

18. Recommended Texts

Murty K. G. (1983), Linear Programming. John Wiley, Berkeley
Dantzig,
Seborg D. E., Edgar T. F. & Mellichamp D. A. (2006). Process Dynamics and
Control , John Wiley. India
Deb, K.M 2000, Optimization for Engineering Design: algorithms and examples,
Prentice-Hall.
Güller, O (2010), Foundations of optimisation, (1st Ed.), Springer.

Joshi, M.C & Moudgalya, K.M (2004), Optimization: Theory and Practice, Alpha
Science International Limited.

Onwubolu, G. C & Babu, B.V (2004), New Optimization techniques in

engineering, Springer.

Pandu, G.R (2009), Multi-objective optimisation: Techniques and application in

Chemical Engineering, World Scientific Publishing.

Pike, R.W (1986), Optimization for engineering systems, Van Nostrand Reinhold.

19. Date: June 2016

Curriculum Document: BEng. (Hons) in Chemical Engineering Page 183