Using multiobjective optimization algorithms and decision making support to solve polymer extrusion problems

Abstract

Single screw extrusion is a major polymer processing operation. Its optimization is crucial for producing good quality products at suitable costs. This study addresses extrusion as a multiobjective optimization problem that can be solved using evolutionary algorithms incorporating decision making and robustness strategies for selecting solutions. This approach enables focusing the search for solutions in favored regions where the preference was defined either by the relative importance of the objectives or determined considering the robustness of solutions against perturbations in the design variables. The outcome of this strategy provides not only a better insight into the problem at hand, but also facilitates the choice of a single solution for practical implementation. The usefulness of the approach is illustrated by several case studies involving the definition of the most adequate operating conditions, of the best screw geometry and the two together. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:493–502, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Optimization and Scale-Up for Polymer Extrusion

“…Therefore, the use of numerical models to solve these complex issues is becoming more and more common, e.g., presented by Markarian [ 149 ], Ortiz-Rodriguez and Tzoganakis [ 150 ], Pradel et al [ 151 ]. They can simply be considered through a design of experiments, but the use of optimization methods, such as those presented previously, including the Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEA), have also been proposed for solving scale-up problems by Covas and Gaspar-Cunha [ 146 , 152 , 153 , 154 ].…”

“…Moreover, the following five main directions of development of the extrusion optimization and scaling-up can be distinguished: improvement of the models of extrusion processes which are the basis for optimization/scale-up procedures, and which could be based on the very promising concept of the coupled (DEM/CFD) modeling using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) for modeling of solid conveying and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for modeling of melting/melt flow [ 5 ]; coupling the models of starve fed extrusion and flood fed extrusion which would allow a smooth transition between them; extending the use of optimization/scale-up procedures to more demanding extrusion processes, e.g., extrusion of polymer blends, composites, filled polymers, reactive extrusions, and others; improvement of optimization procedures which was recently discussed in the literature [ 154 ]; extending the use of optimization/scale-up procedures to food processing [ 155 ], as well as to pharmaceutical industry [ 156 , 157 ], and 3D printing [ 158 ]. …”

“…improvement of optimization procedures which was recently discussed in the literature [ 154 ];…”

Zwiększanie skali procesu jednoślimakowego wytłaczania tworzyw polimerowych

“…Covas i Cunha [36][37][38] oraz Berzin i inni [39] przedstawili także koncepcje zwiększania skali procesu wytłaczania dwuślimakowego współbieżnego. Zagadnienia te zostały ostatnio podsumowane w pracy przeglądowej [40].…”

Proces wytłaczania jednoślimakowego z zastosowaniem dozownika − zwiększanie skali

“…Szczególne znaczenie w przypadku wytłaczania mają metody algorytmów genetycznych. Zastosowano je do optymalizacji procesu wytłaczania jednoślimakowego z dozowaniem grawitacyjnym [1−7], dwuślimakowego współbieżnego [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] i jednoślimakowego z dozowaniem za pomocą dozowników masowych 1) Politechnika Warszawska, Instytut Technik Wytwarzania, ul. Narbutta 85, 02-524 Warszawa.…”