Multiple-objective optimisation of a jacketed tubular reactor

In this paper optimal temperature profiles are derived for the optimal and safe operation of a jacketed exothermic tubular reactor under the assumption of plug flow and steady-state conditions with multiple and conflicting objectives, i.e., a conversion and an energy cost. The Pareto front is obtained based on a weighted convex sum of both costs. To calculate the optimal profiles efficiently, a combination of indirect, analytical and direct, numerical optimal control techniques are proposed. This approach does not only allow to drastically increase the likelihood of finding the global minimum but also yields optimisation problems with the lowest number of degrees of freedom. In addition, generic features of the solution are identified and interpreted.