Multi-period Optimal Operational Planning of Boiler Steam System Based on Line-up Competition Algorithm

In this paper, a multi-period mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for boiler steam system, which accounts for both the operating cost for each period and the changeover cost each between periods of operation, is presented. To find an exact solution for the MINLP problem within an allowable computation time, a new hybrid algorithm combining the line-up competition algorithm (LCA) with nonlinear programming is proposed. A boiler steam system contains six boilers is used for case study. And the results show a significant potential for cost saving.