Advanced Topics in Process Systems Engineering

• Describe advances in process systems engineering
• Apply advanced process systems engineering techniques
• Use of computer aided methods and tools
• Apply a systems approach to solve engineering problems
• Perform product/process engineering using advanced techniques
• Perform tools integration through interfacing with appropriate advanced tools
• Describe data-flow and work-flow during problem solution
• Analyze a problem in terms of the generic problem definition and outline a solution strategy
• Verify a the proposed systems approach
• Identify the advantages/disadvantages of a particular approach
• Identify and test possible improvements
• Apply a studied technique to a selected case study

Efficient, reliable and robust solution of engineering problems require solution strategies that have been developed through a systematic analysis of the needs of the problems being solved and the development and use of methods and tools that can match these needs. In process and product design, the solution strategies also need to provide innovative and new solutions. A systems approach allows the development of the necessary solution strategies through a systematic analysis of all aspects of the specified problem or a set of problems. Because of the potentially large range of topics that can be covered, a selection of topics will be considered each year, based on the background of the participant(s) and the current state of the art. Examples of topics are as follows: systematic computer aided product formulation; computer aided molecular design; systematic model identification & design of experiments; a systems approach to development of sustainable process technologies; machine learning including design of data and model identification techniques (using Radial Basis Function, Artificial Neural Network, Gaussian Process Modeling, Kriging), Global sensitivity analysis based on metamodeling (using polynomial chaos expansion, modified adaptive response splines (MARS), among others), Stochastic programming and Monte Carlo based optimization algorithms, Advanced and nonlinear optimization and control techniques, etc. Each topic will be analyzed in terms of the generic problem definition and solution strategy, verification of the proposed systems approach, the advantages/disadvantages of the approach, identification and testing of possible improvements. Finally, a systems approach to solving of process and product engineering problems will be highlighted together with the latest developments in terms of computer aided methods & tools. The selected topic will be applied to a selected case studies defined and prepared by the participants.

BSc- and/or MSc- in Chemical Engineering

Lectures as well as relevant literature papers/materials on selected topics of current interest in process systems engineering will be provided to the course participants to be used as self study by the participants. A selected topic (PSE method, tool, algorithm, etc) will be applied and evaluated critically to a case study defined by participants. A seminar to present the results and critical discussion by all participants will be scheduled.

Visiting professors and/or researchers to the department during the period of the course will be drafted as additional course lecturers and participants for the topic discussion sessions.

Minimum: 4, Maximum: 14.

Please be aware that this course has a minimum requirement for the number of participants needed, in order for it to be held. If these requirements are not met, then the course will not be held. Furthermore, there is a limited number of seats available. If there are too many applicants, a pool will be created for the remainder of the qualified applicants, and they will be selected at random. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether you have been allocated a spot.