Bacterial foraging optimization algorithm for non-hazardous plant layouts

Abstract

The following article approaches a plant layout design problem based on a bacterial-foraging optimization algorithm (BFOA). The method finds the position in the two dimensional plane for each main process unit and evaluates the possibility of secondary contention for pertinent units, in order to minimize capital costs associated to equipment loss, piping, diking, usage Of area. Fire and explosion hazard is considered as the relevant safety aspect for distribution, it is assessed through Dow's Fire and Explosion index. The proposed model an alternative for hard-optimization methods, by allowing flexibility in constraint handling and reaching good computational time similar to most approaches presented in the literature. The aim of our proposed solution approach is to provide support to expert decision-making during the early plant layout design steps. A case study based on an acrylic-acid production plant is proposed and solved to the appropriateness and effectiveness Of the method