Stochastic modeling and multi-objective optimization for the APECS system

The Advanced Process Engineering Co-Simulator (APECS), developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory, is an integrated software suite that enables the process and energy industries to optimize overall plant performance with respect to complex thermal and fluid flow phenomena. The APECS system uses the process-industry standard CAPE-OPEN (CO) interfaces to combine equipment models and commercial process simulation software with powerful analysis and virtual engineering tools. The focus of this paper is the CO-compliant stochastic modeling and multi-objective optimization capabilities provided in the APECS system for process optimization under uncertainty and multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives. The usefulness of these advanced analysis capabilities is illustrated using a simulation and multi-objective optimization of an advanced coal-fired, gasification-based, zero-emissions electricity and hydrogen generation facility with carbon capture.