Optimal Design of William - Otto Process Plant Using Differential Evolution Algorithm

Evolutionary computation is an artificial intelligence technique based on the principle of natural selection and natural genetics. The optimal design of process plant is complex and it involves multitude of equality and inequality constraints. In this study, an optimal design of William-Otto (WO) process plant is carried out using Differential Evolution algorithm (DE). The design problem is selected as it resembles the real time optimal design of process plants. From the optimal design results, it is noticed that differential evolution outperforms the other methodologies. It is concluded that DE gives the most reliable and robust technique for the optimization of process plants.