Research Interests

The goal of Professor Grossmann's work is to develop novel mathematical programming models and techniques for a variety of problems in process systems engineering.

Logic-based and Global Optimization
New modeling and solution methods are being developed for linear and nonlinear discrete-continuous optimization problems. These are based on generalized disjunctive programming in which equations and symbolic logic relations are formulated as part of the optimization problem. Based on recent connections with disjunctive programming theory by Balas, new reformulations based on hull relaxations are being investigated that exhibit tighter relaxations. Global optimization techniques are also being investigated that exploit the mathematical structure of disjunctions of nonconvex functions.

Optimization of Water, Process and Energy Systems
Models and solution techniques based on mixed-integer nonlinear programming are being developed for the synthesis of integrated process water networks, for superstructures of complex distillation and crystallization systems, design of bioethanol plants and for the synthesis of IGCC plants. For water systems effective global optimization techniques are being investigated, while for the other process systems aggregate models are being investigated in order to facilitate the synthesis task.

Planning, Scheduling and Enterprise-wide Optimization
Mixed-integer and disjunctive optimization models and solution techniques are being developed for the planning and scheduling of batch and continuous process systems, and for supply chain optimization. Major applications include design and planning of off-shore oil and gas field facilities, planning of oil refineries, crude oil scheduling, and multi-site batch scheduling. The handling of uncertainties in the oil and gas field problem is being investigated through novel multistage stochastic optimization methods. Decomposition methods based on aggregate models and incorporation of process models are being investigated for planning and scheduling problems. Hybrid mixed-integer/constraint logic programming methods and special decomposition methods are also being investigated for scheduling problems.

Representative Publications

Caballero, J.A. and I.E. Grossmann, "Structural considerations and modeling in the synthesis of heat integrated - thermally coupled distillation sequences," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 45, 6698-6712 (2006).

Castro,P.M., I.E. Grossmann and Augusto Q. Novais, "Two New Continuous-time Models for the Scheduling of Multistage Batch Plants with Sequence Dependent Changeovers," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 45, 6210-6226 (2006).

Erdirik Dogan, M. and I. E. Grossmann, "Simultaneous Planning and Scheduling for Multiproduct Continuous Plants", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res, 45. 299-315 (2006).

Flores- Tlacuahuac, A. and I.E. Grossmann, "Simultaneous Cyclic Scheduling and Control of a Multiproduct CSTR," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 45, 6698-6712 (2006).

Goel, V. and I.E. Grossmann, "A Class of Stochastic Programs with Decision Dependent Uncertainty," Mathematical Programming, Ser. B 108, 355-394 (2006).

Grossmann, I.E. "Enterprise-wide Optimization: A New Frontier in Process Systems Engineering," AIChE Journal, 51, 1846-1857 (2005).

Karuppiah, R. and I.E. Grossmann, "Global Optimization for the Synthesis of Integrated Water Systems in Chemical Processes," Computers and Chemical Engineering, 30, 650-673 (2006).

Maravelias, C.T. and I.E. Grossmann, "On the Relation of Continuous and Discrete Time Models for the State-Task Network Formulation," AIChE J. 52, 843-849 (2006).

Mendez, C.A., J. Cerdá , I. E. Grossmann, I. Harjunkoski, and M. Fahl, "State-Of-The-Art Review of Optimization Methods for Short-Term Scheduling of Batch Processes," Computers & Chemical Engineering 30, 913-946 (2006).

Park, M., S. Park, F.D. Melle and I.E. Grossmann, "Modeling of Purchase and Sales Contracts in Supply Chain Optimization," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 45, 5013-5026 (2006).

Sawaya, N.W. and I.E. Grossmann, "Computational Implementation of Non-Linear Convex Hull Reformulation," Computers & Chemical Engineering, 31, 856-866 (2007).