Simulation-based optimization of chemical processes using the extended cutting plane algorithm

In this work, we study the performance of the mixed-integer nonlinear programming solver extended cutting plane (ECP) for solving simulation-based optimization problems. This solver, unlike other commercial derivative-based solvers such as the ones based on the branch and bound or outer approximation algorithms, does not require solving a nonlinear programming problem in each major iteration. This is an important feature of the ECP solver, since solving simulation-based nonlinear programming problems is a complex task due to the absence of accurate derivatives. The approach has been applied in the economic optimization of a rigorous tray-by-tray distillation column.