This paper presents a new optimization approach for the simultaneous structural optimization of process flowsheets with the operating conditions through combining process simulators with metaheuristic techniques. The proposed approach allows optimization of a superstructure in process simulators and reduce the computation time. A superstructure for different configurations for producing solar-grade silicon is considered, which includes three different configurations for solar-grade silicon production (Siemens Process, Intensified FBR Union Carbide Process, and Hybrid Process). The operating conditions with major impact in the performance of each of the proposed configuration were considered as decision variables. The improved multi-objective differential evolution (I-MODE) algorithm was selected as search method from others metaheuristic techniques because its efficiency to solve multi-objective problems in a short central process unit (CPU) time. The optimization algorithm consists in linking the process simulator software Aspen Plus^TM with the metaheuristic technique. The results offered attractive options for the considered objective functions in the addressed case study.

本文提出了一种新的优化方法，该方法通过将过程仿真器与元启发式技术相结合，同时对工艺流程图和操作条件进行结构优化。所提出的方法允许在过程模拟器中优化上部结构并减少计算时间。考虑了用于生产太阳能级硅的不同构造的上部结构，其包括用于太阳能级硅生产的三种不同构造（西门子工艺，强化FBR联合碳化物工艺和混合工艺）。对每种提议配置的性能均产生重大影响的操作条件被视为决策变量。从其他元启发式技术中选择了改进的多目标差分进化（I-MODE）算法作为搜索方法，因为它在短的中央处理单元（CPU）时间内可以解决多目标问题的效率。优化算法包括链接过程仿真器软件Aspen Plus^TM具有元启发技术。该结果为解决的案例研究中考虑的目标功能提供了有吸引力的选择。