An integrated dimensionality reduction and surrogate optimization approach for plant-wide chemical process operation

With liquefied natural gas becoming increasingly prevalent as a flexible source of energy, the design and optimization of industrial refrigeration cycles becomes even more important. In this article, we propose an integrated surrogate modeling and optimization framework to model and optimize the complex CryoMan Cascade refrigeration cycle. Dimensionality reduction techniques are used to reduce the large number of process decision variables which are subsequently supplied to an array of Gaussian processes, modeling both the process objective as well as feasibility constraints. Through iterative resampling of the rigorous model, this data-driven surrogate is continually refined and subsequently optimized. This approach was not only able to improve on the results of directly optimizing the process flow sheet but also located the set of optimal operating conditions in only 2 h as opposed to the original 3 weeks, facilitating its use in the operational optimization and enhanced process design of large-scale industrial chemical systems.     

Research on optimization design of PWR flow distribution device based on numerical simulation

ABSTRACT

In the lower chamber of pressurized water reactor (PWR), the flow distribution device is the core module to distribute coolant into the core. It has complex structure and numerous design parameters. Therefore, it has important theoretical and practical significance to optimize the device. The mesh independence verification, turbulence model selection, and data processing all can influence the numerical simulation results of the lower chamber, in order to research the influence, a numerical simulation method based on the original model of CNP1000 reactor lower chamber is proposed in this paper. In the method, an optimization design method of flow distribution device is established based on surrogate model. The main design variables and optimization objectives are determined based on the device’s structure and function characteristics. And then it respectively adopts Kriging algorithm and multi-objective genetic algorithm to establish a surrogate model of flow distribution device and optimize it globally. Finally, the optimal design variables are obtained. Compared with the device’s performance before optimization, the after optimization has smaller total pressure loss and more uniform flow. The effectiveness and practicability of proposed optimization design method can be verified.     

基于主动学习Kriging模型的地下管线抗震可靠度分析

为提升地下承插式接口铸铁管线抗震可靠度的计算效率,提出基于主动学习Kriging代理模型的Monte Carlo模拟方法(AK-MCS)进行地下管线抗震可靠度计算。采用梁单元模拟管线结构,均布弹簧反映管土相互作用,接口弹簧模拟邻接管道约束作用,建立了地下管线地震响应分析模型;考虑管线接口允许位移、管线埋深、土体容重和内摩擦角等模型参数随机性的影响,以管线接口位移量为安全准则,采用主动学习Kriging模型方法建立管线接口位移响应与随机变量参数关系的代理模型,从而获得管线接口安全状态。算例结果表明,AK-MCS法计算得到的管线失效概率与传统Monte Carlo模拟计算的结果相对误差在5%以内,且AK-MCS法计算时间约为传统Monte Carlo模拟计算时间的2%。因此在进行管线可靠度计算时,主动学习Kriging代理模型方法具有准确性与高效性。     

梯级水库群多目标优化调度规则研究——以溪洛渡-向家坝为例

为完整利用水库群多目标优化调度的非劣前沿信息,提出了一种优化调度函数参数、追求调度结果逼近非劣前沿的新型调度函数提取方法。对于水库群多目标优化调度模型,采用非支配排序多目标优化算法II（NSGA-II）求解,分别获取丰、平、枯典型年的非劣前沿集,将其作为代理模型的训练样本,实现二维非劣前沿的函数表达。采用多元线性构型构建调度函数,以调度结果逼近非劣前沿为目标,优化调度函数的参数项。该方法避免了多目标优化调度函数提取因决策破坏非劣前沿完整性,追求调度结果即为非劣解,在溪洛渡-向家坝水库群得到了验证,成功提取了针对非汛期发电、生态两目标的丰、平、枯典型年调度函数,并在相似来水年份下验证了结果的合理性。     

基于随机行走的海岛地下水流替代模型构建方法

地下水是海岛重要的淡水资源。为了解决海岛地下水管理实践中遇到的模型计算成本过高以及现有替代模型黑箱性问题,本文提出基于随机行走的海岛地下水流替代模型构建方法。通过GPU并行随机行走算法分别建立海岛的人工增储含水层、分层越流含水层、随机非均质含水层的替代模型,并与相应海岛含水层解析解或数值解进行对比,验证随机行走替代模型在不同海岛含水层模型中的适用性和可靠性,分析潮汐动态边界对海岛分层含水层的影响,最后评估行走元数量对替代模型误差及计算成本的影响。     

基于智能算法的汽车气动外形参数多目标优化

为了对汽车外形进行优化设计,利用CFD软件与智能算法相结合的方法,以在天窗微开高速行驶状态下的汽车为优化的对象,选取气动阻力最小、气动升力为0、天窗后缘压强最小为`优化目标,以汽车关键外形参数为设计变量,对汽车气动外形进行多目标优化设计.同时,应用了数据挖掘技术评价设计变量与3个目标函数的影响关系,选取优化后的最佳关键参数制作汽车模型并进行风洞试验验证.研究结果表明:通过遗传算法优化的车身外形,在其他设计目标满足要求的条件下成功地将阻力系数降低了9.5%,并通过风洞试验验证了该智能算法结果的准确性.基于智能算法的汽车气动外形设计具有指导意义与实际应用价值,为汽车气动外形的多目标优化设计提供了一种高效、精确、可靠的先进优化方法.     

Optimization-based cosmetic formulation: Integration of mechanistic model,surrogate model,and heuristics

Multiple functional and hard-to-quantify sensorial product attributes that can be satisfied by a large number of cosmetic ingredients are required in the design of cosmetics. To overcome this problem, a new optimization-based approach for expediting cosmetic formulation is presented. It exploits the use of a hierarchy of models in an iterative manner to refine the search for creating the highest-quality cosmetic product. First, a systematic procedure is proposed for optimization problem formulation, where the cosmetic formulation problem is defined, design variables are specified, and a set of models for sensorial perception and desired product properties are identified. Then, a solution strategy that involves iterative model adoption and two numerical techniques (i.e., generalized disjunctive programming reformulation and model substitution) is applied to improve the efficiency of solving the optimization problem and to find better solutions. The applicability of the proposed procedure and solution strategy is illustrated with a perfume formulation example.     

Synthesis,structure, and characterization of the thorium zirconolite CaZr1-xThxTi2O7 system

A series of zirconolite ceramics with composition CaZr_1-xTh_xTi₂O₇ (Δx = 0.10) were reactively sintered at 1350°C for 20 h, in air (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.60) and 5% H₂/N₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.40). A sample with composition corresponding to x = 0.20 was also produced by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1300°C and 100 MPa for 4 hours. Th⁴⁺ immobilization was most readily achieved under oxidizing conditions, with Th⁴⁺ preferentially incorporated within a pyrochlore-structured phase in the range 0.10 ≤ x ≤ 0.50, yet formation of the zirconolite-4M polytype was not observed. We report the novel synthesis of single-phase pyrochlore with nominal composition CaZr_0.40Th_0.60Ti₂O₇ when targeting x = 0.60. Th⁴⁺ incorporation under reducing conditions produced a secondary Th-bearing perovskite, comprising 24.2 ± 0.6 wt% of the phase assemblage when targeting x = 0.40, alongside 8.8 ± 0.3 wt% undigested ThO₂. Under reducing conditions, powder XRD data were consistent with zirconolite adopting the 3T polytype structure. The sample produced by HIP presented a nonequilibrium phase assemblage, yielding a major phase of zirconolite-2M alongside accessory Th⁴⁺-bearing phases ThTi₂O₆, ThO₂, and perovskite. These data highlight the efficacy of Th⁴⁺ as a Pu⁴⁺ surrogate, with implications for the formation of Zr-stabilized Th-pyrochlore phases as matrices for waste with elevated Th⁴⁺ content.     

Precise control of reflection response in bandwidth‐enhanced planar antennas

In this work, the issues of bandwidth enhancement of planar antennas and the relevance of precise and automated response control through numerical optimization have been investigated. Using an example of a planar antenna with parasitic radiator we illustrate possible effects of even minor modifications of the antenna geometry (here, applied to the ground plane) on its reflection performance. In particular, a proper handling of geometry parameters may lead to considerable broadening of the antenna bandwidth. For the sake of computational efficiency, the adjustment of geometry parameters is carried out using surrogate‐based optimization methods exploiting coarse‐discretization EM simulations as the underlying low‐fidelity antenna model. Additionally, suitably defined penalty function allows us to precisely control the maximum in‐band reflection so that sufficient margin to accommodate possible manufacturing tolerances can be achieved. The optimized designs of the two antenna structures considered in this work exhibit over 1.75 GHz (>31%) and 2.15 GHz (>38%) bandwidth, respectively, for the center frequency of 5.6 GHz. Simulation results are validated using measurements of the fabricated prototypes. Comparison with state‐of‐the‐art designs is also provided. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 26:653–659, 2016.     

Tuning space mapping with tuning exponent of T‐matrix

Tuning space mapping (TSM) with tuning exponent parameter of T‐matrix is proposed. A section of design interest in the electromagnetic (EM) model is replaced by “n” pieces cascaded T‐matrixes, and each T‐matrix is the EM‐simulated T‐parameter of preassigned unit cell circuit (PUCC). Finally the optimal exponent parameter of T‐matrix is transferred to original design variables. The proposed TSM not only inherits the advantages of circuit tuning element‐less (CTEL) TSM in prior art but also overcome the number range limitation that the tuning parameter must be positive for tuning in CTEL TSM. The proposed method has the minimal specification error and lowest simulation time comparing with other TSM methods. Verification examples, comparisons and discussions are also implemented. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 26:232–239, 2016.