Optimal Synthesis and Planning of Sustainable Chemical Processes
Dr. Ignacio E. Grossmann
Dean University Professor of Chemical Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
In this presentation we show how mathematical programming techniques can offer a general modeling framework for including environmental concerns in the synthesis and planning of chemical processes. In the area of process synthesis we address the energy and water optimization of biofuel plants. We present an optimization framework based on superstructure optimization that effectively accounts for energy and water integration, and illustrate its application to corn-based and lingocellulosic ethanol. In the area of supply chain optimization we consider the design of an integrated infrastructure for gasoline and ethanol that can deliver a variety of blends. We also describe a model for the design and planning of hydrogen supply chains for vehicle use using a multiobjective optimization approach coupled with the Eco-indicator 99 to assess the effect on human health.
Biographical Information
Professor Ignacio E. Grossmann is the Dean University Professor of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He obtained his B.S. degree at the Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, in 1974, and his M.S. and Ph.D. at Imperial College in 1975 and 1977. He joined Carnegie Mellon in 1979, and was Department Head of Chemical Engineering from 1994 to 2002. He is currently director of the “Center for Advanced Process Decision-Making,” an industrial consortium that involves over 20 companies. His research interests are in the areas of mixed-integer and logic-based optimization, stochastic programming, process synthesis, energy integration, and enterprise-wide optimization. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.