Model-based design synthesis: application to optimal air-compressor system design*

:This paper presents an optimization methodology for system synthesis applied to air-compressors. Specifically, a search algorithm that combines heuristics with quadratic programming approximations is proposed in order to find the best topology. As a result, the optimal position of the components that minimizes the pressure drop of the compressor pipes is provided. Although the problem suffers from combinatorial explosion, it is demonstrated by means of two real cases how the proposed methodology is able to efficiently find optimal topologies that fulfill the design constraints.