APPLICATIONS OF MULTIOBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

TLDR

Multiobjective optimization involves the simultaneous optimization of more than one objective function, a common challenge in Chemical Engineering that has attracted extensive research over the past two decades. This paper reviews the literature on multiobjective optimization applications in Chemical Engineering. The review presents the general background, describes Pareto sets, surveys methods for generating optimal solutions, and discusses applications and algorithm adaptations specific to Chemical Engineering. The authors highlight future research directions for the field.

Abstract

Multiobjective optimization involves the simultaneous optimization of more than one objective function. This is quite commonly encountered in Chemical Engineering. A considerable amount of research has been reported in this area over the last twenty years. These are reviewed in the present paper. The general background of this area is presented at the beginning, followed by a description of how the results can be described in terms of Pareto sets. We then present the several methods available for generating these optimal solutions. Applications of optimization in Chemical Engineering wherein multiple objectives are encountered, as well as special adaptations of the basic algorithms required to solve these problems, are then discussed. Some comments are also made on possible directions that future research may take in this area.