Process optimization by grouping mixed integer nonlinear programming constraints

A method for generating an optimal operating state of a process comprising:

• providing one or more computers comprising one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable media, the one or more non-transitory computer readable media including instructions stored thereon that when executed implement steps of:
• simulating, by the one or more processors, an operation of a plurality of unit models in conjunction with a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) solver, the plurality of unit models each representing one of a plurality of process units via at least one first-principle equation;
• grouping, by the one or more processors, two or more of the plurality of unit models into a group based on at least one operating constraint, each of the plurality of unit models of the group having an MINLP switch implementing MINLP behavior, and each MINLP switch encoding the at least one operating constraint;
• switching, by the one or more processors, the MINLP switch of each of the plurality of unit models of the group between an active state and an inactive state during said simulating based at least in part on the at least one operating constraint;
• and
• generating, by the one or more processors, an operating state of a process based on said simulating, said grouping, and said switching, wherein the operating state satisfies the at least one operating constraint.

A system comprising:

• one or more non-transitory computer readable media, the one or more non-transitory computer readable media including instructions stored thereon that when executed are configured to cause one or more computers to:
• generate, by one or more processors, a plurality of model modules each defining a plurality of unit models, each unit model representing a process unit within a process via at least one first-principle equation during an execution of the plurality of model modules by the one or more processors, wherein two or more of the plurality of model modules comprise a group;
• generate, by one or more processors, a plurality of mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) switch modules each transitioning a corresponding model module of the group between an active state and an inactive state based at least in part on a parameter encoding at least one operating constraint, the plurality of MINLP switch modules each implementing an MINLP behavior of the corresponding model module;
• and
• generate, by one or more processors, a solver module simulating an operation of each of the plurality of model modules and each of the plurality of MINLP switch modules during an execution of the solver module to generate an operating state of a process, wherein the operating state satisfies the parameter encoding the at least one operating constraint.