Quality costs and robustness criteria in chemical process design optimization

Abstract

The identification and incorporation of quality costs and robustness criteria is becoming a critical issue while addressing chemical process design problems under uncertainty. This article presents a systematic design framework that includes Taguchi loss functions and other robustness criteria within a single-level stochastic optimization formulation, with expected values in the presence of uncertainty being estimated by an efficient cubature technique. The solution obtained defines an optimal design, together with a robust operating policy that maximizes average process performance. Two process engineering examples (synthesis and design of a separation system and design of a reactor and heat exchanger plant) illustrate the potential of the proposed design framework. Different quality cost models and robustness criteria are considered, and their influence in the nature and location of best designs systematically studied. This analysis reinforces the need for carefully considering/addressing process quality and robustness related criteria while performing chemical process plant design.

Applying life cycle management of colombian cocoa production

“…It has been used to analyze the interaction between the economics of production and process quality in the manufacturing industry (Castillo-Villar et al, 2012). TLF is an effective tool for justifying and evaluating the effects of quality improvements such as tolerance tightening strategies, whose effects on quality have been assessed from an economic standpoint (Berk & Berk, 2000;Bernardo et al, 2001;Ozdemir & Maghsoodloo, 2004;Liao & Kao, 2010). Nevertheless, those studies have not yet been applied to the agrofood industry and limited research on TLF has been published.…”

Application of Taguchi-Based Design of Experiments for Industrial Chemical Processes

“…Fernando P. Bernardo et al [44] used Taguchi loss functions along with other robustness criteria and presented a systematic design framework. They conducted their study within a single-level stochastic optimization formulation, and an efficient cubature technique is used for the estimation of the expected values.…”

Chemical product engineering: An emerging paradigm within chemical engineering

“…Under the Taguchi notation, 45 they correspond to noise factors affecting product performance and, therefore, demanding robustness from the product. 46 Adopting the same reasoning as for the definition of property and process functions, usage functions relating performance indices to customer interaction parameters and usage environmental conditions can also be established.…”

“…Global optimization approaches in which the objective function is formulated to address product and process performance and consider not only economic considerations, but also risk analysis, uncertainty, 63 environmental impacts, 64 quality costs 46 and health, safety and social concerns over the entire chemical product life cycle also constitutes an interesting research area in chemical product engineering.…”