Optimization of energy consumption for evaporation process using vortex motion based particle swarm optimization

Considering the mount of high temperature steam consumed in the evaporation process is large, which is much higher than designed value, an optimization model is established to minimize steam consumption per ton of evaporated water. It focuses on operation optimization of evaporation process and takes into account a wide range of operating conditions and system configurations. And a new vortex motion based particle swarm optimization (VMPSO) algorithm is proposed to solve this complex optimization model where a penalty function is introduced to handle the inequality constraints. The effectiveness of the proposed optimization method is demonstrated in an industry evaporation process used to concentrate sodium aluminate liquor. Simulation results reveal that VMPSO is faster than other optimization algorithms, and achieves better results. Moreover, the steam consumption per ton of evaporated water is decreased by optimal operation.