Comparison of software packages

Numerical optimization plays an important role in batch processing. Whether to find maximum yield in the reactor, or maximum distillation in batch distillation, or optimal schedule for batch processing, optimization and optimal control methods are extensively used. In general, the problems in batch and bio processing are large scale problems where analytical solntions are difficult. Hence nnmerical optimization methods are necessary. 

The goal of an optimization problem is to determine the decision variables x that optimize the objective function Z, while ensuring that the model operates within estabhshed limits enforced by the set of equality constraints h (Eqnation 5.2) and inequahty constraints g (Eqnation 5.3). 

Optimization problems can be divided into the following broad categories depending 

There are large numbers of software codes available for numerical optimization. 

Examples of these include solvers such as MINOS, CPLEX, CONOPT, and NPSOL. 

---