Application Methods for Genetic Algorithms for the Search of Feed Positions in the Design of a Reactive Distillation Process

An optimization system, that hybridizes a genetic algorithm (GA) application and a process simulator, was developed for the design of a reactive distillation process. Then, the modification of a GA was investigated to expand the search results for a preferable process design from the viewpoint of dynamic operation and control. The application of Multi-Niche Crowding (MNC) algorithm allowed the search to yield various design solutions without causing remarkable performance degradation when searching for the best design in a case study on a distillation process involving the esterification of acetyl acetate. Moreover, it was recognized that the developed system with the MNC algorithm could be applied to search of multiple feeds in a reactive distillation process.