Optimal control problem minimum batch time

The minimum time problem is also known as the time optimal control problem. Coward (1967), Hansen and Jorgensen (1986), Robinson (1970), Mayur et al. (1970), Mayur and Jackson (1971), Mujtaba (1989) and Mujtaba and Macchietto (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998) all minimised the batch time to yield a given amount and composition of distillate using conventional batch distillation columns. The time optimal operation is often desirable when the amount of product and its purity are specified a priori and a reduction in batch time can produce either savings in the operating costs of the column itself or permit improved scheduling of other batch operations elsewhere in a process. Mathematically the problem can be written as ... 

Literature on the optimization of the batch column is focused mostly on the solution of optimal control problems, which includes optimizing the indices of performance such as maximum distillate, minimum time, and maximum profit. However, literature on optimal design of batch distillation for performing specified operations by using the constant reflux or variable reflux policies is very limited[46]. 

Determination of the optimal temperature (or supersaturation) trajectory for a seeded batch crystallizer is a well studied problem. This is a dynamic optimization or optimal control problem. The process performance is determined by the crystal size distribution and product yield at the final time. For uniformity of shape and size in the crystals in a seeded batch crystallization process, it is essential to ensure that the nucleation phenomena occurs to the minimum and mostly the seeded crystals grow to the desired size at a certain rate. If nucleation occurs in the initial phase, then there is a possibility that the nucleated crystal will compete with the seeded ones, thus if the phenomena is of late growth, then nucleation in the earlier phase is preferred. Thus, depending upon the process operation, many types of objective functions have been proposed [4]. 

---